For one weekend, Sara and Cindy swapped the bustle of Phnom Penh for the calm of Templation, about ten minutes from downtown Siem Reap. On the agenda: one night in a pool villa, another in the famous Jungloo, surrounded by beautiful exotic greenery. Here's what they thought.

When I went to Siem Reap to cover the Village de la Francophonie, which was then settling on the peaceful banks of the Siem Reap river, I chose to stay at the Templation Hotel, managed by the Maads group. Having explored many hotels across Cambodia and beyond, I had never had the opportunity to visit this one. Its reputation, quite positive on review sites, largely encouraged me to try the experience.