FCC Angkor by Avani
Adjacent to the river, in the heart of the French Quarter of Siem Reap you will find FCC Angkor by Avani. Set amongst towering trees that have stood for centuries, this luxury hotel offers guests a choice of 80 recently remodelled rooms and suites. The central courtyard boasts a salt water lap pool which is shaded by the magnificent trees, making it the perfect place to escape from the midday heat and chill. Our Deluxe Courtyard Room had a small terrace which overlooked the lap pool and the recently refurbished room was very comfortable. There are a selection of individual suites featuring plunge pools and river views in the new wing, which will reopen once tourism resumes in Siem Reap post Covid-19.
The Vegan Food
Snacks and light bites are available from Scribe which can be found on the front lawn, opposite the river. This makes it a popular spot to enjoy an evening cocktail or glass of (vegan) wine before dinner. The main restaurant, The Mansion is where guests are served breakfast and also where we were lucky enough to be one of the first guests to sample their vegan set menu with paired vegan wines.
With a little help from the friendly staff team we were able to enjoy a plant based feast for breakfast at FCC Angkor. We started with freshly squeezed juices and coffee, we brought our own soya milk in case they didn’t have any and it’s lucky we did. There was soya milk availble but it was one of the brands that is not suitable for vegans due to the inclusion of a small amount of dairy milk. This is a common issue in Cambodia but we raised it with the team and they are looking to find an alternative from their supplier. Next up was a hearty vegetable fried rice (no egg of course) but with added tofu and fresh pineapple. Served with a wedge of lime and chopped chillies in soy sauce it was a delicious, tropical pleasure. We also enjoyed a vegan full English breakfast created from all of the plant based options on the menu, there was no vegan bread available but this platter of veggie delights certainly hit the spot. Finally, a bowl of seasonal fruit salad was served, alongside more coffee and juices to complete our long and lazy vegan breakfast at FCC Angkor.
After happy hour drinks at Scribe, we headed upstairs to sample the brand new vegan menu at The Mansion. We were served a ‘trio of tempura’, broccoli, carrot and courgette as we were seated for our vegan meal, it was perfectly cooked, lightly fried, crunchy and not at all oily making for a great start to the evening. Our starter was a ‘Tomato Organic Salad’ with a sweet and tangy dressing, fresh herbs, finely sliced red onion, chopped peanuts and pillows of delicate, fried tofu. Delightfully seasoned with that balance of sweet, tart and salty, the dish was paired with an excellent Pinot Grigio from Purato which delivered a fresh, awaking of the senses. Our charming waiter, explained all of the dishes whilst at the same time, congratulating us graciously for our terrible Khmer. The main course, simply called ‘Roasted Cauliflower’ was far from simple. A flavour packed dish with florets of cauliflower, chick peas, star anise and Kampot black pepper within a rich tomato sauce and served with rice. The powerful flavours worked well with the bold and full bodied Merlot from Chateau le Grand Verdus. For dessert we were served a Khmer classic, ‘Jak Ktis’. Not overly sweet but wonderfully ripe bananas in a light, creamy coconut sauce with tiny pearls of tapioca. We love this traditional Cambodian dish and certainly enjoyed a more refined version of this streetfood staple. It was paired with a glass of Cordorniu Cava which was not only a match made in heaven but also meant that our vegan experience at FCC Angkor ended on a high.
The Vegan Essentials
Our bed featured feather duvet and pillows but there were non feather options available upon request. It was great to find our bathroom amenities in refillable containers and water in refillable glass bottles. This is slowly becoming the ‘norm’ for luxury hotels and resorts which we love. At the end of 2020 it really is time to say goodbye to single use plastics. Having reached out to the supplier we were unable to confirm if the bathroom amenities were free from animal based ingredients and not tested on animals.
The Vegan Food Quest Verdict
With the unique riverside location, close to the Royal Palace you can be sure that FCC Angkor will play a leading role in the brand new and exciting Siem Reap of the future. With great service, modern rooms and suites (including those in a recently opened brand new wing) and a vegan menu with paired wines, it’s an excellent choice right in the centre of town.
We were guests of FCC Angkor by Avani but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views.
FCC Angkor by Avani
Pokambor Ave
Siem Reap
Telephone: +855 63 760 280
Email: fcc.angkor@fccangkor.com
Cost From: £60 / $80 (Nov 2020)