Cambodian Music from the Golden Era and More on the First Ever Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel Music Mix.
Cambodian music and more: Our guests often tell us how much they enjoy our poolside playlist, which features Cambodian music and many more smooth tunes from around the globe. What a lot of people don’t know is that hotel co-founder Adam Scott has been a DJ and musician for more than 20 years. Adam takes great pride in having brought together some of the sultriest tunes for you to listen to while relaxing at Baby Elephant.
Cambodian Music | Sinn Sisamouth and more on the new Baby Elephant Mixtape
From yacht rock to French pop and African jazz to Cambodian golden age, we’ve made sure to curate a mix of music that should impress even the most discerning music fan. So we hope you enjoy this gift to you – our first ever Baby Elephant mix, the first in a regular series.
We love to expose our guests to sounds from around the world. If you have any questions about the tunes you’re listening to feel free to stop Adam for a drink and he’ll fill you in on why we’re doing things the way we are!
We love having families stay with us at Baby Elephant, and we go out of our way to make sure our tropical oasis of a hotel is a safe, fun and nourishing space for our younger guests. From pool toys and board games to special kids’ massages in our spa – not to mention a team of staff that loves children and are all ChildSafe certified – we’ve got all the bases covered when it comes to making sure the whole family can have an enjoyable, relaxing holiday in Siem Reap. And Baby Elephant just became an even better getaway destination with the kids, thanks to the launch of our new dedicated range of nutritious, affordable children’s meals at our trailblazing tropical restaurant and bar.
Children dining at the Baby Elephant in-house restaurant can choose from five bento-style options, each accompanied by a fresh juice. With everything from barbecue chicken wings to fried rice, these miniature meals all come with sides such as mashed potato or spring rolls, batons of fresh vegetable crudités, and fresh tropical fruit chunks. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
What’s more, our brand new children’s meals are available with a special introductory deal of 50% off from Monday 09 to Monday 30 April inclusive!
Baby Elephant is set on a quiet local lane, and the property’s spacious grounds include a safe, secluded garden that’s perfect for children to play in while parents have total peace of mind. The hotel’s team of enthusiastic and caring Cambodian staff love children, and are happy to help entertain little ones while their parents take a break by the hotel’s beautiful saltwater swimming pool. In addition, the whole team is trained in child safety and protection and is ChildSafe-certified, important in a country like Cambodia where child exploitation remains a real local issue. The hotel’s wide array of other family-friendly services include:
Breaking addition April 4, 2018: Today the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism meeting was held to announce the full schedule for the Khmer New Year and Angkor Sankranta celebration at Angkor Wat. The Baby Elephant management team was in attendance. Events take place across the entire Angkor Archaeological Park from April 12 – 16.
Please see these photos of the flyer they gave us. The text was too small for one photo but we hope this helps until we get a higher resolution copy. Please credit these photos to Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel if you intend to use them elsewhere.
Breaking addition March 30, 2018: Khmer New Year is on the way in Siem Reap, which means the annual Khmer New Year pop song is out! It also means it’s time for the city to come alive for this annual festival that is based on the lunar cycle.
This year’s Khmer New Year pop song is called “City Chicken” and is heating up the airwaves creating hype for the upcoming annual festivities. The song already has more than 1.7 million views on Youtube.
About Khmer New Year
With some similarities to the Songkran new year festival celebrated in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, this year’s Khmer New Year takes place between Saturday 14 and Monday 16 April. Here’s our guide to enjoying the festivities in Cambodia’s temple town.
The three days of the traditional Khmer New Year
Other names for Khmer New Year include Chol Chnam Thmey and Angkor Songkran. Whatever you call it, you can expect a lively atmosphere and cheerful celebrations to take over the whole of Cambodia – including here in Siem Reap – as the country sees in the traditional new year. Khmer New Year celebrations place over three days, and each day of the festivities has particular significance.
Day one – Moha Songkran
Day one of the Khmer New Year celebrations is known as Moha Songkran, when traditional beliefs hold that a new god or angel takes responsibility for protecting the world in the coming year. Cambodians welcome this new god or angel, and set the stage for the new year to begin auspiciously, by cleaning and decorating their homes.
It’s common for Cambodian Buddhist families to visit their local temple to make merit at this time. Back home, they also put out a table of offerings such as fruits, cake, and special festival-worthy Khmer dishes. This offering table is also often decorated with incense sticks, flowers, and chains of flashing lights that are traditionally believed to hold the power to protect the house and its occupants over the coming 12 months.
Day two – Virak Wanabat
On the second day of Khmer New Year, known as Virak Wanabat, Cambodians remember others and do good deeds, particularly by offering gifts to one another, including to parents, grandparents, the elderly, children, and the less fortunate, as well as by visiting the local temple to receive blessings from monks and to remember ancestors. The hope is that performing these good deeds will set individuals up for good fortune themselves in the year to come.
Day three – Tanai Loeng Sak
By day three of Khmer New Year, it’s time for the focus to really turn to the new year itself. Tanai Loeng Sak, the name given to the third and final day of the festivities, is all about new beginnings. The occasion is marked by making more offerings to elders, and by returning to the local temple to bathe Buddha images and receive further blessings from monks.
The last day of Khmer New Year is also when the water pistols come out and things take on a livelier, more fun atmosphere. Don’t expect anything quite on the same scale as the raucousness of celebrations in Thailand and elsewhere, but it’s common for Cambodians – especially young people – to take to the streets for light-hearted water fights and the chance to really ring in the new year in a fun and festive way.
What to know about Khmer New Year in Siem Reap
There are few better places in Cambodia to celebrate Khmer New Year than Siem Reap. This already atmospheric and fun-loving town acquires extra festive energy for celebrations at this time of year. As well as the water fights you’re likely to witness (and join in with!) on the last day of Khmer New Year, Cambodians also like to roll-out traditional, light-hearted ball games and tug-of-war variants – passed down through generations – as a way to mark the occasion. And this wouldn’t be Cambodia without those games being accompanied by plenty of traditional Khmer singing and dancing.
That said, Cambodia remains a traditional agrarian society and, for vast swathes of the population, the Khmer New Year holiday marks the end of an exhausting farming season. It’s a chance to rest, recuperate, and spend time with loved ones. It’s common for Cambodians to live and work far from their families in the provinces where they grew up, and Khmer New Year gives them a rare opportunity to travel back to spend time with their family and friends – often for a week or more. That means it’s possible that your favourite coffee shop, bar or restaurant may be closed during the Khmer New Year period.
How to celebrate Khmer New Year 2018 in Siem Reap
Street parties for Khmer New Year fun
The best way to enjoy the Khmer New Year festivities is to join in with them! Keep an eye out for spontaneous street parties around Pub Street, along the Siem Reap river, and in the Royal Gardens – and then head along and partake in the fun. Expect the likes of live concerts, fireworks, and plenty of delicious Cambodian food and drink to tuck into.
Angkor Wat’s Angkor Sangkranta Festival
The annual Angkor Sangkranta Festival is a highlight of the Khmer New Year celebrations in Siem Reap. The festival takes place around Angkor Wat and elsewhere in the wider Angkor Archaeological Park, putting on traditional games, Cambodian martial arts, music, dancing, and plenty of the best Khmer street food you’ll find. Just be prepared to be part of a huge crowd from across the country looking to get involved!
Head to the local temple
There’s no better way to get a close-up on the traditional side to the Khmer New Year festivities – which arguably remains more accessible in Cambodia than in neighbouring countries like Thailand – than by simply taking a walk to the closest temple to your hotel in Siem Reap. Local temples and pagodas are always happy to welcome inquisitive visitors, and you’ll get a real feel for the day-by-day significance of the holiday to the Cambodian people.
Hotels in Siem Reap for Khmer New Year
Khmer New Year is a busy time in Siem Reap – attracting Cambodians from elsewhere around the country as well as foreign visitors – and it’s common for hotels and guest houses to be fully booked well ahead of time. Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel is perfectly placed to allow you to conveniently explore all the goings-on of Khmer New Year across Siem Reap, quickly reach the famous Angkor Wat temples, and enjoy seclusion when you want to just hide away and relax for a while.
The SR Monthly is a hand-crafted e-mail round-up of the latest goings-on in Siem Reap and at Angkor Wat, Cambodia, as well as news from Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel, curated by our passionate team and delivered to your inbox – all designed to make your next trip to Siem Reap extra-special.
This edition was sent on 16 February 2018. Want to be in on the action next time around? Subscribe for free right now – just click here.
Gong XI Fa Cai and Happy Lunar New Year!
The Lunar New Year festival is here! Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel and the rest of Siem Reap have joined the celebrations. This year’s Lunar New Year festivities take place in mid-February, with the new year itself beginning today. As we step into the year of the dog, why not try some of Baby Elephant’s amazing Chinese-Khmer dishes, like our succulent honey-glazed pork ribs with sauteed bok choy and rice, or our tofu and vegetable stirfry with mushroom sauce. You can check out our whole menu here.
We’re elated to announce that Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel – Siem Reap’s leading ethical independent boutique hotel – has been ranked the ninth best bargain hotel in the world in the TripAdvisor 2018 Travellers’ Choice Awards, as based on the reviews of our many loyal guests and TripAdvisor users across the globe. Baby Elephant also ranked in first position as Cambodia’s best bargain hotel, and as the second best bargain hotel in the whole of Asia.
Our huge thanks go to our fabulous guests, our talented and hard-working team, and all our other friends and supporters near and far, for your help in making Baby Elephant the ethically run, independent oasis it is today. Of course, while we’re over the moon to be recognised for the excellent value we offer visitors to Siem Reap, in truth we offer so much more than just a bargain – if you’re thinking of staying with us some time soon, take a look at our blog for all the details of our recent accolades as well as everything else you can enjoy when you check in for a rejuvenating holiday at Baby Elephant.
Our Best Bargain Hotel Deals
Exclusive deal for returning guests and e-mail subscribers:
5% off the already discounted price
Book 3 nights get a free RETURN airport transfer
Book 4 or more nights and get a free return transfer and a bottle of sparkling wine
Use this code: SEC5OFF
For bookings until April 30, only when you book direct through www.babyelephant.asia
February is for dreamy lunar-themed cocktails
This month we’ve got not one, not two, but three fabulously special cocktail concoctions. We introduced them a little early for the very special occasion of the extra-big super moon, blue moon and total lunar eclipse that we witnessed here in Siem Reap in late January.
Pop by – whether to our gorgeously funky lobby lounge bar, the serene oasis of our tropical garden escape, or our ultimate chillax-worthy poolside bar – to try one of our limited-edition recipes…or heck, why not just go the whole hog and try all three!?
Take your pick from The Blue Moon, combining blue curacao, butterfly-pea-flower-infused Beefeater gin, orange and cinnamon syrup, lime, bitters, and tonic; The Mood Ring (which got its first outing last year at the similarly lunar-themed Full Moon Apothecary edition of our Siem Reap Gin Appreciation Society popup), a mix of butterfly-pea-flower-infused Beefeater gin, rose syrup, and lime; or the go-hard-or-go-home Il Giallo Rosso (aka Red Horror) that blends Campari, gold tequila, dragonfruit syrup, and lime. They are all $4 and, as always, they are all two-for-one during happy hour from 5pm to 7pm each and every day!
Power bowls to turbo-charge your next yoga class
Join our inspirational yoga teacher Lauren for another incredible class on Tuesday night, and afterwards for the launch of our new vegan power bowls!
These delicious, nourishing bowls showcase the incredible hard work our team have put in to understanding the needs of travellers who are health-conscious, ethical eaters or living with allergies.
The Banh Mi bowl is popping with flavour, and features our house-made lemongrass dressing, crispy tofu, red cabbage and papaya pickles, mixed salad and red rice.
The Mexican bowl’s spiced rice with beans, fresh tomato salsa, marinated tofu and salad are accompanied by comforting avocado and a creamy Tabasco sauce.
We will be adding to the power bowl menu, so stay tuned for even more delicious options! Best way to top off your nourishing visit to Baby Elephant? With a massage in our Lemongrass Garden Spa!
Ear Candy: Groove to the Baby Elephant mix tape
We know how much our regular guests and friends love listening to the eclectic mix of tunes we spin out poolside and throughout our tropical retro-chic lobby lounge bar and garden oasis. So we’ve taken the time to put together a mix for you to listen to at home!
Download the latest Baby Elephant mix today, and think of us and our little tropical temple-town oasis as you enjoy our gift to you!
About Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel – sustainable, ethical, creative
TripAdvisor’s best bargain hotel in Cambodia. Enjoy all the facilities and services of an international hotel when you stay with us in Siem Reap.
Baby Elephant is an inclusive, family-friendly and LGBT-welcoming property offering a dynamic, creative and nourishing space for guests. The hotel’s sustainable and ethical model is focused on providing opportunities for our team of Cambodian staff, while creating rewarding and memorable experiences for you – our valued guests. Read more here.
PRESS RELEASE: SIEM REAP’S BABY ELEPHANT BOUTIQUE HOTEL NAMED WORLD’S NINTH BEST BARGAIN HOTEL IN TRIPADVISOR TRAVELLERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
Baby Elephant also named second best bargain hotel in Asia, and best in Cambodia
Siem Reap’s independent Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel has been recognised as the world’s ninth best bargain hotel in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Travellers’ Choice awards, based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected each year from TripAdvisor travellers worldwide.
Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel, which operates as a social enterprise, also ranked as Asia’s #2 bargain hotel in Asia, and the best in Cambodia. Yet Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel – within striking distance of Cambodia’s renowned Angkor Wat temple complex – offers so much more than just a bargain: this stylish, LGBT-friendly, and ethically and sustainably run property has so much to make it unique.
An intimate three-star property with the exceptional service and facilities of a four-star international hotel, Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel offers a range of excellent-value accommodation to suit couples, families, solo travellers, and large groups. Facilities and amenities include an incredible restaurant and bar with a 50% vegan offering, a gorgeous saltwater pool, an in-house spa, yoga, wellness and cooking classes, and an artists-in-residence programme.
“We are extremely proud to receive this award, and thank our valued guests for their support. We are especially indebted to Baby Elephant’s exceptionally talented team of Cambodian hospitality professionals for their hard work”, said Managing Partner and Marketing Director Ilana Tulloch. “Together we are looking forward to continuing to innovate in areas of service, food, cocktails, design and more in 2018.”
Hotel owners Ilana Tulloch and Adam Scott opened Baby Elephant in 2015, moving from careers in media, hospitality and music in Australia and Indonesia. Their community commitment at Baby Elephant is an extension of their previous projects and passions.
The hotel’s sustainability efforts have seen it create full-time ethical employment for 25 disadvantaged Cambodians in the local community since launching in 2015, and countless more contract positions, benefiting many micro-businesses. The team’s other initiatives include installing street lighting in the hotel’s neighbourhood, and conducting regular ‘Go Green Baby Elephant’ street clean-up days.
Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel has consistently ranked highly in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, including being rated the third best property of its kind in Cambodia for a number of years.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Ilana Tulloch, Managing Partner & Marketing Director
Telephone: +855 7776 9126
E-mail: ilana@babyelephant.asia www.babyelephant.asia
About Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel With a passion for modern Cambodia, Baby Elephant is a vibrant independent boutique hotel located in a peaceful area of Siem Reap, only a short tuk-tuk ride or leisurely stroll away from the famous Pub Street and Night Market. Baby Elephant has 25 air-conditioned rooms, all tastefully designed and decorated, and featuring comfortable beds with high-quality linen. With the facilities and services of an international hotel, Baby Elephant offers peace of mind with 24-hour reception and night security.
Offering yoga, cooking classes, an extensive food and beverage selection and now a Lemongrass Garden Spa onsite, Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel is an excellent choice for wellness travellers, vacationers, and their families. Baby Elephant has worked with artists such as Ranon Phal, Geoff Greenwood and Tamara Venn on branding, photography, and art projects, which reflect the hotel’s commitment to locally produced art.
Date: Sunday 24 December, 2017 Time: 6 PM – 9 PM Price: Adults – $15.00 plus VAT 10% – per person // Kids – $6.00 plus VAT 10% – per child
(includes welcome drink) Location: Poolside at Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel RSVP: Please let us know ASAP by emailing ilana@babyelephant.asia or messaging us on our Facebook page.
🌿 Vegan Friendly 🌿
Details:
The annual Baby Elephant Christmas barbecue is back! And it’s better than ever. We are thrilled to invite you to join us as we celebrate the festive season with an all-you-can-eat poolside barbecue on Sunday 24 December, 2017! This event is open to all our valued guests and friends.
Chef Hoyha will present a beautiful, healthy and delicious barbecue with lots of Christmas trimmings, salads, house-made condiments and other delicious extras.
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