I stayed at the Shinta Mani 2 nights in March. I have lived in and traveled all over Asia for the past 6+ years and the Shinta had the BEST beds in Asia--soft with down padding & comforter/pillows. Beautiful surprise as I'm used to sleeping on the Asian preference of the equivalent to a pool table; even in 5* resorts. I found the hotel staff to be very friendly and helpful and the restaurant food very good. I stayed in one of the very few poolside rooms--which was just a few steps from the spa and one of the best Thai messages I have ever had! The bathroom was stellar as well. The one fault I found was the door to my room--a good 2" gap at the bottom and little tiny frogs would join me. However, I understand that the hotel is closing in April for renovation and addition, so maybe this will be fixed. All in all, the Shinta Mani was convenient and comfortable.

Our experience at the Shinta Mani was excellent, from the minute we arrived. The staff greeted us with hotel scarves and a delicious fruit drink when we arrived. Our room was clean, spacious and elegant. Our room was right off the lobby, which concerned me initially, but hotel is very quiet. The restaurant has excellent service as well; the included breakfast is extensive, with plenty of hot/cold items, made-to-order omelet bar, fresh juices, fruit, muffins, etc.

There's also a small, peaceful pool area. The service at the pool is amazing, too: towels at every recliner, staff that take your drink order poolside. The spa is right next to the pool area, with reasonable prices.

The hotel runs a hospitality school that trains at-risk young people, then employs them at the hotel, so in addition to experiencing a great stay, you're supporting a great community program. The school must be excellent, considering the level of service we were treated to; we took a 530am tour of Angkor Wat and the staff offered to prepare a to-go breakfast for us - fruit, pastries, muffins. There's also a small library (lend/trade) and free Internet available.

The hotel is also close to the main street; the Night Market (highly recommend) is a 10-minute walk away; it's also a 5-minute walk to the Foreign Correspondents' Club, which is great for cocktails and/or dinner. Can't recommend Shinta Mani enough.

“Shinta Mani was one of my most pleasant hotel experiences of my life. I stayed there for three nights and the hotel was a welcome retreat from the heat at the temples. The property is centrally-located and offers easy walking access to Pub Street, the Royal Gardens, and the riverside.

The most charming aspect of the hotel is the staff. They are genuinely considerate and welcoming. Perhaps this is because of the training school that exists on the property. During my stay, I had the chance to see the school and meet the culinary students who train there as part of the hotel's corporate social responsibility programs.

One my second night, I dined in the restaurant for a BBQ buffet. The choices were expansive and delicious, offering a good mix dishes with Asian and Western flavors. I also had breakfast at the hotel, which was also very enjoyable, although I would prefer a larger selection of decaffeinated teas.

On my last day at the hotel, I took a half day package at the spa. The treatments here are sublime. The quality of the therapists outmatched any of my previous experiences in the US. Each of the three treatments was perfectly balanced. I spent the entire day in a state of complete relaxation.

While I took the more expensive of the options, the price was still very reasonable compared to spa prices elsewhere. I would return to Cambodia simply to go back to this spa.

At the end of my stay, I was informed by the front office staff that the hotel would be renovating in April. While the additions for a larger pool and upgraded facilities sound nice, I hope that they do not change too much. I enjoyed the hotel perfectly the way that it is.”

I have travelled through 50 or 60 countries and stayed in accommodations ranging from backpackers' hostels to 5-star business hotels. Shinta Mani was among my best hotel experiences ever. My room was clean and spacious and, the pool formed the perfect conclusion to a day visiting the astonishing archaeological sites, the service was Khmer hospitality at its very best, and its name, which translates as "tranquility," is entirely accurate.

I have experienced faster Internet connection in Tokyo and a better wine list in Napa, but I believe that a hotel must be judged in the cultural context in which it is located. By that standard, Shinta Mani could not have been a better base from which to explore the treasures and pleasures of Cambodia.