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The Independence Hotel
Former inauguration: 1963
Architect: M.Mondet
Interior Design: Norodom
Sihanouk
The hotel was designed by
French architect M.Mondet of
the partnership Leroy. These
architects were responsible
for several important
buildings in Phnom Penh and
provinces during the fifties
and sixties. Local still
refer to the 7 story hotel
and obvious reference to
this prominent landmark that
sits like a beacon and
tropical vegetable on a
rocky headland. One hallmark
of modernist architecture is
the use of a site to add
prominence to the
architect’s intentions. In
this particular case, the
marriage works well with the
hotel positioned to command
view at coastline and the
rolling hill of Sihanouk
Ville in very direction.
Build at a coast of 30
million Riel, the hotel was
constructed to complement
the burgeoning tourist in
flux in Sihanouk Ville. In
1963, the state tourism
authority built economy
class beachfront Krung Preah
Sihonouk motels, with the
construction of the new port
and villas that mushroomed
along O’Cheuteal beach.
Sihanouk was soon wing with
kept the custom of
beachgoers.
The reinforced concrete
building raises 6 floors
above a generously
high-ceiling foyer, entrance
lobby, restaurant and dance
floor. As the building was
designed to be
air-conditioned, there are
considerable areas of
aluminum-flamed glazed
windows; the hotel has 32
air-condition and13 tourist
class room. At the time of
inauguration, however,
Norodom Sihanouk felt the
need to consider the
addition of another 50
tourist class room in the
form of bungalows.
Norodom Sihanouk’s interior
design included the use of
wall-to-wall carpeting
decorative metalwork
screens, fabric-covered
wooden lounges and chair and
important bohemian crystal
chandeliers.
Norodom Sihanouk also
designed the promenade des
Anglais- a garden and
walkway at the base of rocky
outcrop that skirts
independence beach. The
lounge and dining room were
furnished Direction style.
The Royal Suite had three
lounges, two dining rooms-
two bedrooms and two
bathrooms. Photo graphs from
the period show color
schemes of ochre, orange,
red and black, mint green,
red and chartreuse adding to
the vivacity of interior
design. In keeping with a
destination for holiday
travelers, the hotel was
managed by the state-owned
authority MAGETAT headed by
Khek Vandy, The hotel was
closed during the
mid-seventies and abandoned
to squatters.
The history
Your luxury boutique hotel
in Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia.
The independence Hotel was
built in 1962 and completed
in 1963 and used to Sihanouk
Ville’s showcase
accommodation, representing
the Kingdom’s finest hotels
and playing host to elitist
of VIPs and Grand Events.
Today, fully restored to her
former opulent glory, The
Independence Hotel offers
the discerning traveler
superior-deluxe rooms and
suites, all with a
spectacular view overlooking
to the ocean.
Finely appointed rooms,
swimming pools, private
beach, dining and drinking
venues, gymnasium, sauna,
tennis courts, full
conference and ballroom
facilities...
The first choice in Sihanouk
Ville is the Independence
Hotel.
Boutique resort and Spa.
Room features
Magnetic Key card system
Individual Air-conditioning
Private Bathroom with Shower
and bath-tub, Hot and cold
water
Colour television with over
60 channels.
Services & Facilities
52 guest rooms and Suites in
Boutique resort style facing
to ocean and garden. The
Coral Coffee shop and Room
service the Marina lobby bar
and coffee corner the
terrace of sunset-beach. The
Independence Grand ballroom
the Ekreach, Function and
Banquet room Spa,
Traditional massage Sauna
room.
Sport facility:
Gym room
Tennis court
Snooker and Game room. Two
outdoor swimming pools,
Souvenir shop and Drug
store, Business centre-
Library, Tour information
services, Laundry and
valet service, Other
services upon request.
IDD phone and Independence
accessory. In-room safety
box (your personal pin
code). Minibar (standard
brand stocked)
Coffee and Tea making
facility, Hair dryer
Compliment 2 bottles of
drinking water
Stationary
Baby cot- Baby sitter
service.
A most memorable and
comprehensive week´s tour for
our 2 families (a party of 10
made up of 4 adults and 6
energetic children aged between
6 years old and 14 years old, so
it wasn´t easy by any means!)
One family flew in from
Singapore and the other from
Japan, and on different days as
well, but Vivath in his
"laid-back" manner organised
things so well, it went
swimmingly. The hotel was
friendly and comfortable, food
delicious, tour itinerary
marvellous, Vivath (and San the
driver, a super and steady
driver at that) greeting us each
morning with smiles on their
faces inspite of a couple of wet
days.........cultural education
with great fun, we thoroughly
enjoyed ourselves! Highly
recommended, and absolutely
great value-for-money using
locals, which we totally approve
of!
― GIBB
Family, n/a, England/Spain ― 9/24/2006
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