Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Afternoon Tea Review: Atmosphere Over Bites

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra afternoon tea gave us one of the more atmospheric tea settings in Siem Reap, with leather chairs, travel curiosities and a green view beyond Explorer’s Tales Bar. We tried both the Cambodian-inspired and Western sets. The tea selection and setting were very good, while the food was uneven enough that we would choose Park Hyatt Siem Reap Afternoon Tea or Raffles Siem Reap Afternoon Tea for a more polished meal.

The Atmosphere at Explorer’s Tales Bar

Explorer’s Tales Bar was the strongest reason to have afternoon tea here. Its chocolate-brown and cream palette, leather seating, old travel accessories and greenery outside gave the room a lightly theatrical explorer’s-club character without becoming a theme park. It was comfortably cool and quiet, with enough personality to make a slow pot of tea seem like a sensible use of an afternoon.

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Tea and Drinks

Tea was included with the afternoon tea, and we could smell the Harney & Sons options at the bar before choosing. Our Ti Quan Yin Oolong from southern Fujian had a buttery almond note and a honeyed finish that worked particularly well with the sweeter bites. We also ordered a cup of Cambodian Mondulkiri coffee, a welcome extra for anyone who prefers to end a long tea with something more robust.

Cambodian-Inspired Afternoon Tea

The Cambodian-inspired set was the more successful of the two. Its savory course had clearer flavors and a useful sense of place, even if not every item was perfect. A curry-seasoned vegetable samosa came with a fragrant dip of Thai basil and lime, while the beef dumpling carried kaffir lime leaf and pepper. The poached prawns had a good sauce, though the prawns themselves were overcooked.

Hot and Cold Bites

The chicken and banana blossom salad was fresh and bright, with crisp shallots, carrot and a sweet-and-sour dressing. A fresh vegetable spring roll, filled with sprouts, lettuce and julienned carrot, was pleasant but plain. Leftover sauce from the hot bites helped it considerably. This set was not flawless, though it had enough seasoning and contrast to keep us interested.

Cambodian Sweets

Coconut jelly provided a gentle transition to dessert. The pumpkin custard was not to our taste, while the traditional Cambodian waffles had a light coconut character and benefited from caramelized pineapple. Stuffed jackfruit with red sticky rice was more substantial and better than we expected, and a fresh fruit skewer ended the set simply.

Western Afternoon Tea Set

The Western afternoon tea set was less convincing. An empty top tray on the three-tier stand made an awkward first impression, and the savory selection never recovered from it. The chicken and pesto sandwich had lean chicken but very little pesto or moisture. A salmon and egg profiterole was inventive, though it also needed more moisture. The cucumber and cream cheese sandwich was the best of the cold trio.

Savories, Scones and Sweets

The plain scone had a good crust, yet its pulpy texture and chlorine-like taste made it difficult to enjoy without the strawberry jam and forest-fruit jelly. Those toppings tasted ordinary. Dessert rescued part of the set: we liked the fresh strawberries with financier, the madeleine dipped in whipped cream, and especially the vanilla tart with ripe mango. One coconut mousse came with strawberry sauce that tasted spoiled, so we stopped eating it immediately. That is not a small detail in a hotel at this level.

Is Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Afternoon Tea Worth It?

For the setting, yes. Explorer’s Tales Bar is a gracious place for tea, and the Oolong, coffee and Cambodian-inspired bites made the visit worthwhile. For the complete afternoon tea experience, no. The Western savories, scones and food-safety failure left too many reasons for hesitation. If afternoon tea is the main event of your Siem Reap stay, Park Hyatt and Raffles remain our stronger recommendations.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Afternoon Tea Review Card

• 9.4/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.4/10
• 9.4/10
  SERVICE – 9.4/10
• 9/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9/10
• 7.5/10
  PRESENTATION – 7.5/10
• 7/10
  BITES – 7/10
• 9/10
  VALUE – 9/10

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