Want a relaxing and luxurious Khmer New Year getaway but worried about breaking the bank? You don’t have to be.

According to Pich Sotivear, director of the Sokhalay Angkor Resort and Spa, Siem Reap, this year’s Khmer New Year will see special discounts as well as a Thai-style Songkran Angkor full-moon event.

The Sokhalay Angkor Resort and Spa has 262 rooms, with 67 deluxe rooms and 44 standard rooms in the main building, and 151 luxury suites housed in 41 wooden villas – each designed in traditional Khmer-style and surrounded by luxurious tropical gardens, small irrigation canals, ponds and a large outdoor swimming pool.

Designed by a renowned Cambodian architect, the hotel and resort is located on 4.5 hectares of pristine land located conveniently along National Road 6 between downtown Siem Reap and the airport.

The architect was so happy with the results of his work that he has even come for a stay at the fruit of his creative efforts, according to Sotivear.

The villas strike a perfect balance between classic Khmer sensibilities and modern comforts, says Sokhalay Angkor general manager Michael Lim, who has been working at the resort and spa for two years. Furthermore, Lim adds, the decor and furniture are authentically Cambodian, reflecting the finest in Khmer design.

“Sokhalay Angkor Resort and Spa is so different from other five-star hotels in Siem Reap,” he says. “We have services for everyone who is looking for the best in comfort and a luxury-class holiday – a place where they can enjoy their stay at a private villa in a green-garden atmosphere.”

He adds that an equally tranquil area is also available for more budget-minded visitors.

“This means our resort embraces three different lifestyles – high-end, middle-range and inexpensively simple,” Lim says, adding that Sokhalay Angkor is an ideal home away from home no matter what your budget or expectations are.

According to Lim, the spa and resort has three areas. The main building is a large mansion that houses the management office as well as amenities such as bars, a nightclub, a large conference hall, a boutique spa, a fitness centre, a gallery and a mini-mart.

“One of our unique features is that we have a large indoor swimming pool, as well as an indoor theatre,” he says.

The second complex is the collection of stylish Khmer wooden villas, which are surrounded by tropical gardens, ponds, canals, and a large swimming pool. Each of the 49 two-storey wooden villas has two private rooms and private balconies.

These deluxe villas are perfect for individuals or couples looking for a peaceful environment in a tropical environment, Lim says, and adds that it is the perfect destination for a honeymoon.

The third building, he says, offers affordable prices for travellers on a budget. They are also suitable for group package tours, he says.

Lim, who is from Singapore, received a master’s degree in tourism from the University of London in 1992, and worked in brand-name hotels in Singapore and Malaysia before moving to Cambodia in 2003 to work in the hotel sector as a general manager.

He has worked with many five-star hotels in the Kingdom, including a stint in Sihanoukville, before joining the Sokhalay Angkor Resort and Spa in 2011.