Sarai Resort & Spa Review: A Moroccan-Inspired Stay in Siem Reap

Sarai Resort & Spa does not look like the obvious choice for Siem Reap, and that is precisely what makes it memorable. Behind its white façade, Moroccan arches frame a leafy courtyard and a swimming pool, while open corridors let the Cambodian light back into the story. In this Sarai Resort & Spa review, I look back at our Terrace Suite, the service, the pool and spa facilities, and the Khmer food we tried at Goat Tree Garden Restaurant.

Moroccan Design in the Heart of Siem Reap

The hotel’s ogee arches, white walls and high ceilings borrow confidently from Morocco. It could easily have become a decorative theme without much soul, yet the architecture also makes sense in Siem Reap’s tropical climate. The open corridors draw air through the building, and the courtyard pool cools the center of the property while air conditioning remains where it is needed indoors.

What I remember most is the abundance of natural light and the care given to small architectural details. The arches connect Moroccan and Khmer visual traditions more naturally than one might expect, while traces of Siem Reap’s French colonial past add another layer. It is a photogenic hotel, certainly, but it has more personality than a collection of Instagram backdrops.

Check-In and Service

While I was still taking in the lobby, Ian had already completed check-in and was waiting with the room key. That rather neatly summarizes our arrival: fast, warm and uncomplicated. The team welcomed us without turning the process into a ceremony, which is often the most luxurious kind of service after a journey.

Inside Our Two-Level Terrace Suite

Our room, number 307, was arranged over two levels. The bedroom and bathroom occupied the lower floor, while an upper mezzanine opened onto a generous semi-enclosed terrace. It was an unusual layout, and one that made the suite feel much larger than a conventional hotel room.

One detail mattered to us more than it might appear: the hotel supplied water in refillable glass bottles and replaced them daily. Too many luxury hotels still rely on single-use plastic for something as routine as drinking water, so this simple decision deserved recognition. It was practical, elegant and far less wasteful.

The bathroom sink stood close to the entrance, a surprisingly logical place when washing your hands is the first thing you want to do on returning from the city. The bathroom itself was less convincing. The toilet needed more privacy, and I would have preferred a proper walk-in shower to the rather cramped bathtub. The room was clean and well prepared, although a few details were beginning to show their age and would have benefited from maintenance.

Upstairs, comfortable seating and a hanging daybed made the terrace feel like a second living room. For a moment, sleeping outside seemed entirely reasonable, but the king bed downstairs eventually won that argument. The terrace was the suite’s defining feature, spacious enough for lingering over tea, reading or simply watching the light change above the courtyard.

Pool, Spa and Hotel Facilities

The courtyard pool was the natural center of the hotel during our stay. Enclosed by pale arches and greenery, it offered shade as well as a welcome escape from the heat. Its setting became even more attractive after dark, when the architecture softened and the pool reflected the warm evening light.

Guests looking for a quieter afternoon could book a treatment at Seasons Spa, which we reviewed separately. Even a foot massage made sense after temple walks, although Ian was equally content with a cold drink beside the pool. The hotel also had a gym for anyone determined to balance lunch with something more energetic.

Breakfast and Khmer Food at Goat Tree Garden Restaurant

During our visit, Goat Tree Garden Restaurant served a morning buffet with Western staples, local dishes, fresh fruit, salads and eggs cooked to order. It was not an enormous spread, but it covered the essentials well and kept us happily fed until lunch. That restraint suited a boutique hotel better than a buffet assembled simply to look impressive.

Lunch gave the kitchen more room to show its character. We ordered the combination platter and the chef’s mix, both of which brought together several Khmer salads and starters. The chicken and green mango salad was our favorite, combining fragrant herbs, crunchy vegetables and tender chicken. Fried spring rolls with a rich plum sauce followed closely behind.

A creamy yellow chicken curry arrived with sweet potatoes, carrots and long beans. It was gentle rather than fiery, but the more memorable dish was a fragrant coconut soup with a shrimp ball and fresh Kampot pepper. Coconut ice cream and passion fruit sorbet provided a bright finish. Based on that meal, Goat Tree was more than a convenient hotel restaurant; it was worth including in the stay.

Final Thoughts on Sarai Resort & Spa

Sarai Resort & Spa left us with a strong sense of place, even though its design begins far from Cambodia. The courtyard, changing light and generous Terrace Suite made it one of Siem Reap’s most photogenic boutique hotels, while the quick check-in and warm service gave the stay substance beyond appearances.

The bathroom layout and signs of wear kept the room from feeling entirely polished, but neither erased its charm. I especially appreciated the refillable glass water bottles, a modest decision that said more about thoughtful hospitality than another decorative flourish. For couples who value distinctive design, a relaxed pool and easy access to central Siem Reap, Sarai remains an appealing choice.

Sarai Resort & Spa Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.3/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.3/10
• 9/10
  ROOM – 9/10
• 9.2/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 9.2/10
• 8.8/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 8.8/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 9.2/10
  VALUE – 9.2/10

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