Published April 2019
As we step out of the tuk-tuk in front of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, we are immediately welcomed by a smiling staff member dressed in a traditional costume. A few moments later, we find ourselves in a comfortable sofa. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor serves its afternoon tea in The Conservatory, a gorgeous colonial-style room with a calm and nostalgic ambiance.
The menu tempts us with a variety of traditional and modern offerings grouped together in three differently themed options. The Signature High Tea consists of typical items such as cucumber sandwiches and scones, while the Wellness Tea and the Local Khmer Tea tickle your tastebuds with more exotic flavors. We decide on having a bit of both styles, and order one Signature High Tea and one Wellness Tea.
Within a few minutes, the table in front of us is covered with delicious-looking treats. Even the stylish silver teapots with steaming hot tea, along with beautiful tableware with the hotel’s own logo, cannot draw our attention away from the colorful and elaborately crafted dishes. Sandwiches, cakes, and other sweets form a striking rainbow with flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables complementing the presentation. We’ve never before seen such a vibrant table setting for an afternoon tea.
The savory part of the Signature High Tea is made up of a classic finger sandwich with cucumber and cream cheese, a mini brioche with curried egg salad and a tartine with smoked salmon. Our favorite is the pink beetroot bread with cucumber and cream cheese.
The scones are deliciously crispy, though the clotted cream has a slightly different texture to what we are used to. Further accompaniments for the scones are jams with strawberries and local papaya.
Atop the cake stand is a generous selection of petit fours and desserts. We find the opera cake and the banoffee cheesecake to be the highlight of the altogether lovely meal.
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The Wellness Tea, as its name suggests, is a healthier alternative for an afternoon treat. The key focus is on fresh ingredients with lots of fruit and vegetables. We recognize the red beet bread from the signature tea, which in this version has a filling of cream cheese and smoked salmon. Furthermore, fresh spring rolls are an exciting element, but the dipping sauce is more of an acquired taste. The vegan nut bread, on the other hand, is absolutely delicious.
Other Wellness Tea items include yogurt with fruit and granola and a smoothie with papaya and coconut. Both taste good but are not particularly memorable. A selection of fruits such as rambutan, mango, grapes, and dragon fruit complement the other dishes nicely.
To sum up, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap delivered two very good afternoon teas, which we would be happy to have again anytime. The most memorable part was undoubtedly the vivid table setting and the Signature High Tea. We finished our visit to Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor with a stroll around the inviting pool area.
Practical information and tips
- Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor serves afternoon tea every day between 2.30 p.m.–5.30 p.m.
- The price is 23–25 USD per person. A glass of champagne is 10 USD.