Hotel Review: Gold Smith Residence | Siem Reap | Cambodia
Gold Smith Residence
Back in 2009 when I first traveled in South East Asia and back then to Cambodia and Siem Reap, finding a place to sleep was not that easy. Probably no hotel or guesthouse was listed in booking.com and the only resources only was travelfish and the hard copy of lonely planet. In this way we picked the guesthouse to stay back then – I remember we did see first 1 or 2 places and decided to stay at that house; I tried to remember the place or the location of that guesthouse in Siem Reap but oh boy how much the town has changed in the past 10 years; almost unrecognizable!
Gold Smith Residence was booked after several days of looking for the perfect match for a hotel in Siem Reap; wanted not to be very close to the The Pub Street (too noisy and crazy spot for me), free pick up transfer from the hotel, breakfast included and in the same time to be on a short distance to the main night spots of Siem Reap.
I decided to book the Gold Smith Residence after I have seen online the almost perfect reviews on TripAdvisor.
Gold Smith Residence is a 5* hotel in Siem Reap but 5* hotels means totally different with European hotels or even 5* hotels in South East Asia; after being accommodated I would say the services were close to 5* and the hotel room & amenities about 4*.
Arrival @ Gold Smith Residence
One way private transfer to Gold Smith Residence was included in the offer we got from Booking.com. The communication was fast with Rose (the hotel manager) and pick up time was send few days in advance. 2 hours before the arrival while I was on the AirAsia transit of the flight from Yangon to Siem Reap I have realized I have gave the wrong arrival hour. Thanks to the amazing Rose and the great app from Booking.com managed to send her the correct details.
She reply me almost instantly and everything was now in order. At the airport no sign of our driver; after I short phone call they assured me the driver was on his way as he had to pick up other clients before. In less than 10 minutes we were pick up from the Siem Reap Airport and were heading to our place for the next 5 days!
Welcome Drink
At the hotel we were greeted by the manager (Rose) and a welcome drink had been offered. Compared to many other hotels which I have been accommodated in the past which second thing was to ask for the payment this thing happened only at our departure (after 5 days!). That reminded me from an bad experience from a hostel in Berlin (had only half of the money as for the rest we were still looking for an ATM with a good exchange rate – and they did not let us check in till we paid full in advance!)
Location @ Gold Smith Residence
Luxuriant Plants
After screening a few hotels where we could stay and relax in Siem Reap, we selected Gold Smith for our 4 nights stay during our holiday trip in Siem Reap.
From the airport to the hotel (depending on your arrival time as the Siem Reap is not the village it used to be) can take up to 30 minute to reach it.
This hotel is close to everything, but nestled away from the city noise. It’s only a $2 US tuk tuk to the Market/pub street and it’s about a 10 minute ride. The last part of the road is not paved (gravel only) and the area is more residencial (except some bars & restaurants) there are not too many hotels close by.
Though the hotel location is in a developing area of city, we always felt safe at all hours of the day. We walked back a few times in the afternoon and evening and felt safe.
Room @ Gold Smith Residence
The hotel has a total of 18 rooms and we decided to book the Classic Room. In first place I wanted to book the Cabana Suite – Access to the swimming pool but it was the best choice the classic room. The room which access to the swimming pool has no privacy at all (being on the ground floor and you can not keep the curtains open as everyone can see you). If you want an upgrade you can book the Club Suite which feature a spacious master bedroom with a sofa bed, this expensive suite boasts 180-degree view of the swimming pool.
Our fantastic experience started from a well prepared and friendly pick up service to the receptionist who conveniently made the check-in process and accommodated us to the room.
Our room was located on the 3rd floor (please note that they are no elevators) and had a spectacular view over the swimming pool.
Swimming Pool
The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, especially the gigantic bath tub that can easily fit three people at the same time.
Room size was 55m² – which is more than enough for 3 person; on average I stay in hotel rooms with a 20m² so this place was almost double then my average!
The bed was huge and I can barely encountered by wife during the 5 days! The bed come with a set of 4 pillows (2 for each person) and 2 small pillows as well. The linen were clean and with a nice smell.
The Bed
Room had an AC as well – not sure if was not working properly or we did not managed to touch the right buttons but it was either too hot or too cold. Room come with a bit TV screen as well which was opened only twice during my stay (watched only BBC and don’t know which other channels they had)
The Bedroom
There is a gold theme to the whole establishment. The rooms are individually named and decorated within that theme. The decor is explained on the door plate inside and it is a nice touch. The toiletries are packaged with humorous clever descriptions.
The Gold Digger
Each room has 2 free small bottles of water and Mini-Bar as well; a small can beer costs 3$. Our room had a Espresso Machine which come with 2 piles ( each time one was used the next was it was refilled); first time it took me 5 minutes to understand how to make the coffee there since no manual or instruction were in place; as an idee with this kind of new machines it’s better to have an manual so people do know how to use and not to broke it. Coffee was quite good and very strong!
Espresso Machine
Bathroom @ Gold Smith Residence
It has a stone tub, separate shower and toilet, and ample spaced closet. Bathroom is huge with a wet room and double sinks. The walk in shower area is separated from the main area and far away from the closet. Water pressure was great but in the evenings it was not that hot the water. When we took the shower in the morning and afternoon the water temperature was hot enough but not in the evening’s.
Shower
The Stone Tub was one of the reasons why I booked this hotel and it looked exactly as in the photos. But ended up without using it – the hot water issue was one of the main and secondary we did not see any bubble soap or similar in order to make big foam in the stone tub.
The Stone Tube
Amenities of the bathroom included soap (in a strange form – round one and difficult to control it), shampoo,Slippers, Safety Deposit Box (located in the bathroom in the big cabinet), very very comfortable bathroom robe and the Hairdryer.
Amenities
The towels were almost new and very white they were added under the sink – great design of the sink and everything seemed to be in their place.
The Towels
Breakfast @ Gold Smith Residence
Breakfast Area
The complimentary breakfast was made to order – Asian and Western Choices, delicious every day
The food and drink selection were excellent; always fresh and delicious.
To be honest I was expecting a buffet breakfast but it was a-la-carte. Of course you have more options and varieties when there’s a buffet breakfast.
Since we stay for 4 nights I wanted to alternet the breakfast option they had; since I am not a fan of asian breakfast (borned European) I had in the first day the continental breakfast, the second and 3rd day their special breakfast (some items only the eggs cooked differently) and in the last day I had the healthy breakfast (cereal).
Breakfast
As a started each day we will get bread, butter and jam (very good jam) and the orange juice – which come in a small glass and the second day I asked to be refilled but the waiter forgot about me.
The Coffee
The coffee was good but not exceptional. They can improve to this chapter.
Poached eggs
Coffee
Fresh Eggs
Noddle Soup
Pancake
My wife had everyday the noodle soup – which was good for her standard but not exception as the one he had in Vietnam for example. Each morning at the end I had fresh and fluffy pancakes with honey.
Other Services @ Gold Smith Residence
We had booked with them a daily tuk-tuk to take us the Angkor Temple. The price was 24$/per day and if you want the sunrise (and come back for breakfast) it costs 18$ more; we were too tired too wake up that early ( 4.30am!)
Mudita SPA is top rated on Tripadvisor (no 1 to be more precise) and for morning the discount is 30% and for evenings the discount is 15%. We took the morning one in the departure day and the review of the Mudita SPA in Siem Reap will have a special post.
How Much Cost a @ Gold Smith Residence
We booked the Classic Room at a cost of 47$/night with breakfast included and 1 way transfer from the airport (normal cost is about 7$ and by tuk tuk is 4$ via Grab Application). In the package was included the discount for the SPA but I am not sure if it’s valid only for hotel guest or for everyone.
The Club Suite Room is priced at 60$/night and 1 dinner is included in the price:
Benefits include:
– Two-way airport transfers (flight detail is required)
– Daily breakfast at Gold Leaf All Day Dining
– One-time-only Khmer set dinner at Gold Leaf All Day Dining
– Welcome seasonal fresh fruit basket
– 15% discount on spa at Mudita Spa
– 10% discount on food and beverage
– Late check-out till 14:00 hr
Where to book Online @ Gold Smith Residence
For Gold Smith Residence in Siem Reap we booked the room via booking.com. Other websites as Expedia or Trivago do have it on their listing
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