The Experience
Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa is the perfect hideaway where you can kick back and chill after a long hot day. The 4-star resort is off-the-beaten-path, secluded and relatively peaceful if you don’t count the rooster that crows early in the morning. But more importantly, after a full day exploring the massive Angkor Archaeological Park, it felt great to come home to a clean and spacious room surrounded by lush greenery.
The resort provides all guests with an airport pick up and offers free daily tuk tuk service for up to 12 hours daily which really helps because the resort is a distance from the main road. During my stay there, my transportation needs were taken care of by Meang Chouy, a friendly tuk tuk driver whose service and personality really impressed me. And on top of providing tuk tuk service, you can even book tours and activities with the help of the resort’s concierge. It’s really quite convenient.
The resort is a paradisal oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the dusty and scorching streets of Siem Reap. I stayed in an Explorer Room which is 45 sqm, had it’s own veranda, sitting area, his and her vanity and rain shower, as well as a private garden. The sandstone and pebble wash bathroom floors provided a much need foot reflexology of sorts while I scrubbed off the dust and grime after a whole day of temple hopping.
The Explorer Room reminded me of the cave house I stayed in when I was in Santorini which was an added bonus.
Breakfast can be served at the resort’s open air restaurant or in the air-conditioned comfort of your room. Breakfast is the same every day with the exception of the type of pastry, fruit and Cambodian dish available.
You get two drinks; a choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and 3 types of juices to choose from. You’ll also get an option between cornflakes or museli with milk or yoghurt. Oh, do note that the yoghurt is very thick and sour. Next you can choose between a plate of eggs (however you want it prepared), bacon and sausages or a Cambodian breakfast dish that changes daily. On top of all this, you also get a standard tray of fruit and baked goods.
It didn’t seem like much at first, but it really is quite a filling breakfast. I was curious about Cambodia food so I choose the Cambodian breakfast dish all 5 mornings I was there.
On the first day we arrived, we were so tired we didn’t really make an effort to go out for food so we ordered Cambodian dishes at the resort’s restaurant. It was a safe way for us to determine if we would enjoy Khmer style food and the restaurant definitely delivered. We also tried their Khmer Curry and loved it. It was sweet, a little spicy, and served in a hallowed out coconut. We liked it so much, Khmer Curry was a dish we would order whenever we had lunch or dinner. However, we all agreed that the Khmer Curry at Navutu Dreams’ Niam Niam Restaurant, although the priciest, was also the tastiest.
I’m really glad we choose to stay at Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa because we had a choice of three pools to take a dip in. The largest lap pool is a fresh water pool while the 2 free-form smaller pools are salt water pools. We spent a day just lounging by the pool and taking an occasional dip in the water. After our first day exploring the temples, the resort’s facilities were a much needed respite.
The resort also offers three yoga classes daily to choose from and a variety of massage and treatment options at their in-house spa. We tried the Khmer Massage and really enjoyed it. It was much more relaxing that the usual Thai Massage.
As I understand from the therapists, Khmer Massage involves a technique called kneading and works deep into the muscles. Thai Massage focuses on your pressure points and usually more pressure is applied involving a lot of stretching and pulling.
All around the resort, we would see lots of these folded lotus flowers and the receptionist who saw that we were fascinated by them asked if we wanted to learn or watch them fold these in the morning at around 9am.
We never got up early enough to learn, but a friend who was also staying at the resort did. The flowers she folded look so vibrant and beautiful! Try your hand at folding these at the resort when you stay there.
Photo Credit: Petra Lee
The resort is all kinds of wonderful not just for its food and facilities. Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa is an excellent choice for travellers because of the service staff.
Sarah, the General Manager of Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa, is a lovely lady who’s very accommodating and patient. She also helped suggest and pick out restaurants in the city that we can dine at. The ever-friendly front desk receptionist and attentive restaurant staff also made this stay a truly memorable one.
The SIA Brat recommends you book a stay at Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa for a great relaxing home away from home while on holiday.
Videos
Resort
Niam Niam Restaurant
* These videos were produced by the resort and do not belong to me.
Accessibility
3.1 km from Pub Street & Old Market
4.4 km from Musée d’ANGKOR
10.4 km from Angkor Wat
14 km from Angkor Thom
15.5 km from Siem Reap International Airport
27.2 km from Cambodia Landmine Museum
49.4 km from Kampong Khleang (Tongle Sap)
Facilities
Niam Niam Restaurant
Navutu Spa
Full Service Bar
1 Fresh water Lap Pool
2 Salt water Lagoon-Style Pools
1 Kids Pool
Air Conditioned Exercise Room
Air Conditioned Yoga Studio
Standard Inclusions
Pick up from the airport
Private Tuk Tuk daily (Siem Reap/Angkor Wat)
Fruit Platter in room upon arrival
Western/Asian Breakfast
Two bottles of water daily
Turn-down Service
Coffee and Tea Facilities in room
Room Service
Wireless Internet room & resort
Swimming pools and gym
Rates
(Click image to zoom in)
Awards
2015: Top 25 Small Hotels — Cambodia (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards)
2014: 15 Luxurious Honeymoon Hotspots (Condé Nast Johansens)
Star Rating
4 star
Hotel details
Photo Source: Google Maps
Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa
Angkor High Schoold Road,
Salakamroeuk, Siem Reap 0082, Cambodia
T: +855 (0) 92141694
E: reservations@navutudreams.com
W: http://navutudreams.com/
Travelzoo is offering a 2-night stay at Navutu Dreams for just USD 179. Find out more about the deal by clicking on the link below.
http://www.travelzoo.com/ae/local-deals/asia-others/Getaway/211300/Navutu-Dreams-Resort–Spa
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