The DNA: The FCC – The Foreign Correspondents Club in name only – is an upscale boutique hotel in a significantly expanded elegant 1960s French Khmer villa right by the Siem Reap River. It offers compact, bright rooms around a pool, decent western and Asian cuisine and a gallery showcasing local artists. The Mansion, an art deco-style 1960s villa that now serves as the club’s restaurant, started life as the French Governor’s residence. The handsome building has been substantially expanded and recently restored. An airy and impressive lobby has been added and it now houses an art gallery. The rooms form a two-story horseshoe around the long and narrow pool, which is especially atmospheric in the evenings.

Seen: Wallpaper*

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 80 rooms & suites (33-149m2) (355-1,604 sq ft) • architecture: Bloom Architecture • interior design: Malee Whitcraft ✅ free on-site parking • pets allowed • 24-hour front desk