Cambodia & Tourism: The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a Sanctuary of the World

The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh has just received one of the highest distinctions in the global hospitality industry: the prestigious American magazine Food & Wine, an undisputed authority in gastronomy and the art of living, has selected it among the ten best hotel bars in the world in its May 2026 edition.

The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh

Long revered as one of the high places of social life in Southeast Asia, this place of rare elegance now asserts itself on the international stage as a must-visit destination for discerning travelers worldwide. A recognition that comes as no surprise to those who have had the privilege of stepping through its doors.

“An immense honor to see the Elephant Bar ranked among the greatest hotel bars in the world. This historic venue is truly the soul of our establishment.”Dagmar Lyons, General Manager, Raffles Hotel Le Royal

A timeless décor

Precious wood paneling, vibrantly colored frescoes stretching across the ceilings, photographs bearing witness to a bygone era, rattan armchairs and leather sofas arranged beneath tall French windows and graceful arched colonnades — every detail of the Elephant Bar invites an inner journey. The atmosphere belongs to another age, where time seems suspended in an everlasting colonial softness.

For more than nine decades, these walls have welcomed some of the greatest figures of the 20th century: Charlie Chaplin, Charles de Gaulle, Jacqueline Kennedy. It was during the latter’s visit to Phnom Penh in 1967 that the first “Femme Fatale” cocktail was created — a recipe that remains on the menu to this day, like a golden thread connecting the present to legend.

A temple of gin

The Elephant Bar is also home to one of the most impressive gin collections in Southeast Asia, featuring more than two hundred carefully selected labels. Among them are the legendary Sipsmith Raffles 1915 and the locally crafted house gin, Elephant Bar Gin, symbolizing expertise rooted in Cambodian terroir. For connoisseurs, the Elephant Bar Gin Experience offers two hours of unlimited gin cocktails, accompanied by a guided tasting — a ritual as refined as it is unforgettable.

Characterful cocktails, exceptional mocktails, and a menu designed to appeal to both the seasoned enthusiast and the curious traveler: the Elephant Bar gracefully embodies the meeting of old-world sophistication and the warmest Cambodian hospitality.

About Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Founded in 1887 in Singapore, the Raffles Hotels & Resorts collection ranks among the most prestigious hotel brands in the world. Pioneers of private butler service and creators of the Singapore Sling, Raffles hotels continue a tradition of excellence in major cities and the most sought-after resort destinations — from Paris to Istanbul, from Dubai to the Seychelles. Each property is a haven of culture, beauty, and refinement where travelers arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles is part of the Accor group, a global hospitality leader with more than 5,100 properties in 110 countries.

For further information: +855 23 981 888 · raffles.com/phnom-penh