Jaya House River Park Review: A tropical garden that truly feels like home away from home

Star rating: 5/5

Highlights

• Complimentary tuk tuk service, daily spa treatments and breakfast
• Stunning views of tropical greenery
• Extremely comfortable beds
• Friendly and attentive staff
• Sustainable approach to luxury
• Embraces Cambodian culture and creates local jobs

Jaya House Riverpark Review

Hidden behind a veil of lush greenery, the entrance door to Jaya House Riverpark is so unassuming you might just pass it. Don’t let this fool you because from the moment you set foot out of the complimentary airport pick-up, the hotel’s attention to detail is impossible to miss.

Instead of checking in the traditional way, you will get comfortable in the hotel’s restaurant and enjoy a welcome drink, while the staff takes care of all the formalities. “It’s because you’re at home here.” 

While getting acquainted with the long list of perks that come with your stay, including complimentary tuk tuk rides and spa treatments, it’s difficult not to get lost in the beauty of the contemporary Christmas tree that has become a permanent fixture. 

Comprising of 24,000 tiny matte black stones and one ruby red stone carefully hung in formation using recycled fishing net wire, the expansive feature made by the staff is embodiment of the hotel’s sustainability and community spirit. When the plastic-free hotel opened in 2016, it gave jobs to 100 Cambodian, or Khmer, nationals and it continues to employ only locals till this day.

Rooms

Rating: 4.5/5

The hotel has 36 rooms spread across six buildings, all of which are flooded with soft light from wide windows overlooking the tropical gardens. These include the Deluxe rooms, which feature Twin or King beds, and the Junior Suite with a separate living area and working desk.

The Junior Pool Suites are the height of luxury spread across 90 square metres with a private plunge pool set against a green backdrop.

The rooms also come with a complimentary selection of organic teas, fruit plate, and mini bar containing an array of soft drinks and beer – all of which are replenished daily if you wish. You can also ring the reception for a free-of-charge coffee prepared your preferred way.

For our stay, we were given a key card to the Junior Suite. Furnished in rich dark shiny wood and set beneath a tray ceiling, the room pays homage to contemporary style and Art Deco with concrete floors and walls, bold geometric themed details, stripped-back neutral soft furnishings, as well as elements of Khmer culture.

An extremely cosy sofa peppered with large pillows perches right in front of the balcony door, providing the perfect spot to take in the rich greenery outside while staying cool inside your air-conditioned room. 

The open-plan bathroom with a walk-in shower and bath is kitted out with dressing gowns and the hotel’s own natural skincare brand Jaya Organics – another example of how the hotel avoids plastic waste and creates local jobs without compromising on luxury. 

SPA

Rating: 5/5

Enter River Park Spa and prepare to let the smell of lotus and calming music melt all your worries away. Surrounded by tropical green foliage visible through the vast windows on every wall, the spa reception invites you to sink into the spacious chairs, shaped like Khmer ornaments, and sip on a refreshing ginger shot, while perusing the treatment selection.

Harnessing traditions from Cambodia and Southeast Asia, the menu features head-to-toe massages, body scrubs, herbal hot compress, as well as manicures and pedicures. The warm and friendly staff are also able to cater treatments to your specific needs.

After unwinding during your chosen treatment, you can enjoy a hot cup of organic tea and fresh mango to ease the disappointment of your complimentary spa experience being over.

Dining and drinking

Rating: 4/5

The complimentary breakfast, which is part-buffet and part a la carte, is served at the hotel’s only restaurant Trorkuon. Much like the boutique hotel, this fine-dining eatery takes inspiration from Cambodian modernism, with floor-to-ceiling dark wood panelling, strong geometric concrete pillars and Buddha statues of various sizes. 

From flaky almond croissants to fresh slices of mango, the buffet boasts a generous selection of all beloved breakfast classics. 

The a la carte menu offers guests more traditional Khmer breakfast options – think ginger rice and noodle soups. But there are also eggs however you like them, pancakes, porridge and smoothie bowls on offer. Try the smashed avocado with pistachio dukkah that tastes even better than it looks.

After the last pastries are consumed, the restaurant is ready to welcome guests for lunch and dinner. Cambodian chef Pisith puts a gourmet spin on Khmer dishes and includes plant-based needs in the mix. 

While both the breakfast a la carte and all day menu highlight allergy and dietary notices, there was a discrepancy about gluten during our visit. The dishes that were marked as gluten-free turned out to contain soy sauce with wheat, making them not suitable for coeliacs and people with intolerance. In response, the hotel manager has arranged an allergen training with a third-party professional that is planned to take place in “two weeks” time.

Guests can also enjoy wine from all over the world or Khmer takes on classic cocktails like mojito in the hotel’s Skybar, which is the perfect place to unwind and watch the colours of the day fade away.

Amenities

• Complimentary airport transfer (minimum stay of two nights)
• One complimentary spa treatment per person per day
• Complimentary wheelchair-accessible tuk tuk and pre-paid phone to contact your driver
• Complimentary coffee however you like it (alternative milks are also on offer)
• Complimentary selection of handmade and homegrown teas 
• Complimentary mini bar 
• Restaurant
• Rooftop bar
• Two swimming pools
• Room service
• Complimentary laundry service
• Air conditioning
• Wifi
• Hair dryer
• Cable TV
• Balcony or terrace
• Jaya Organics cosmetics offered as an in-room amenity
• Bathrobes and slippers
• In-room working area 
• Private plunge pools (select rooms)
• Wheelchair ramps available upon request

Location

Rating 5/5

Situated 12-minute ride away from the magnificent temple complex Angkor Wat and six minutes from the Siem Reap’s centre, the hotel offers the perfect location for guests who want to unwind and enjoy some quiet while still being close to all the action.

Thanks to the free-of-charge tuk tuk service that operates between 7am and 10pm, nothing is too far. 

Value For Money 

Rating 5/5

Rates start from $290 (£227.77) per night. Find rooms and book directly on the .

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Final Verdict 

With sustainability and ethical tourism becoming of increasing importance to travellers, the Jaya House Riverpark really sets the standard.

What the hotel lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in hands-on approach and long list of complimentary services. Always ready to spray you with mosquito repellent or refresh you with a free snack or drink, the friendly staff anticipate your every need.

From starting the day with a refreshing swim in the silver-tile-covered pool to getting comfortable in the cosy bed with popcorn left as part of the turndown service, every moment feels special at this hotel. The not so little touches like staff remembering what you like to eat, or free tuk tuk ready to take you wherever you fancy, make the hotel truly feel like a home away from home.