Just minutes from Angkor Wat, Phum Khmer Lodge offers a different way to experience Siem Reap. Designed to resemble a traditional Cambodian village, the property is made up of six private wooden houses reconstructed from materials salvaged from roughly 30 older homes that had been dismantled in villages across Cambodia.
Rather than replacing those structures with something new, the lodge gave their wood and architectural details another life. Each villa has its own character and incorporates Cambodian-made furnishings, décor, and design elements. The result is a stay that feels rooted in place — warm, personal, and closely connected to Khmer craftsmanship.
Founded in 2021 by Ly Meng Phat and Taing Phichmey, Phum Khmer Lodge was created around a simple idea: a place to stay can be part of how you experience a culture, not just where you sleep.
The Phum Khmer Lodge Origin Story
Phum Khmer Lodge began with an idea from Taing Phichmey: create a place where guests could experience the feeling of a Cambodian village while still enjoying the comfort of a boutique hotel.
Her husband, Ly Meng Phat, shared a deep appreciation for traditional Khmer architecture. As older wooden homes were increasingly dismantled and replaced with more modern construction, the couple began acquiring materials from houses that might otherwise have disappeared.
Over several years, timber and architectural elements from approximately 28 to 30 traditional homes were transported and rebuilt into the six villas that make up Phum Khmer Lodge today. Local carpenters and craftspeople helped reconstruct the houses, preserving their character while adapting them for hospitality.
The lodge opened in 2021 with a vision that still guides it today: travelers should be able to encounter Cambodian culture not only through temples and excursions, but through the architecture, design, food, and hospitality that surround them throughout their stay.
How Phum Khmer Lodge Is Making A Positive Impact
Phum Khmer Lodge uses hospitality as a way to preserve and share Cambodian culture. Its six villas give reclaimed timber and architectural elements from traditional homes a new purpose while keeping Khmer design visible within a rapidly changing built environment.
That connection to local culture continues throughout the property. Furnishings and decorative elements are Cambodian-made, and the lodge works with local artisans and suppliers whenever possible. Its small retail shop carries only handmade Cambodian products, giving guests the opportunity to purchase the same kinds of objects and design pieces they encounter during their stay.
The lodge now plans to expand that retail space so guests can more easily understand where products come from and connect with the makers behind them. The goal is to make local craftsmanship a more visible part of the experience while creating a stronger sales channel for Cambodian artisans.
Phum Khmer Lodge also supports local employment, with 27 people currently working across its operations. New experiences are being developed around traditional Khmer wellness practices, including herbal treatments and steam-based rituals that further connect the guest experience to local knowledge and traditions.
Why the UnTours Foundation Invested in Phum Khmer Lodge
The UnTours Foundation invested in Phum Khmer Lodge through the Reset Tourism Fund, in partnership with TUI Care Foundation, because it represents the kind of locally rooted hospitality business we want to see grow in destinations like Siem Reap.
The lodge is deeply connected to Cambodian culture, from its reclaimed Khmer houses to the artisans, staff, and suppliers who shape the guest experience. Our investment supports Phum Khmer Lodge as it upgrades its rooms and restaurant, expands its handmade Cambodian retail space, and develops new wellness experiences rooted in traditional practices. These improvements are designed to strengthen the business while keeping more of the value created by tourism connected to local people and local culture.
Phum Khmer Lodge also participated in TUI Care Foundation’s T89 Investment Readiness program, which helped prepare the business for its next stage of growth. Together with TUI Care Foundation, we are supporting a Cambodian-owned lodge that is expanding thoughtfully — adding new experiences and revenue streams without losing the sense of place that makes it special.
How You Can Support Phum Khmer Lodge
If you are traveling to Siem Reap, consider staying at Phum Khmer Lodge and experiencing the city from a property shaped by Cambodian design and hospitality.
Guests can stay in one of its six traditional-style wooden villas, enjoy Cambodian food and wellness experiences, and discover locally made products from artisans across the country. By choosing a locally owned stay and purchasing Cambodian-made goods during your visit, you can help keep more tourism spending connected to the people and traditions that make Siem Reap distinctive.
