Hot Hotel List 2006

Condé Nast Traveller

Architecturally inspired by the surrounding 1960s gems that survived the Khmer Rouge regime, the 107-room Hôtel de la Paix encourages its guests to connect with the community through activities such as visiting a local orphanage. The hotel, however, is no NGO. Beds are cradle-soft, the spa overlooks a water garden, and the in-house Arts Lounge is generating buzz for its live performances and exhibitions. The restaurant Meric’s two chefs--a New Zealander and a Frenchman who leads morning market tours for his Khmer menu-are committed to training underprivileged Cambodian youth; their star students chop and serve.