Where to go for your next wellness reset? Skip the usual destinations and head to Phnom Penh in Cambodia
The bustling capital of Cambodia is perfect for discovering ancient Khmer healing rituals, a wellness experience spotlighted at the Rosewood Phnom Penh.

At Rosewood's Sense Spa in Phnom Penh, ancient Khmer healing practices are melded with modern techniques. (Photo: Rosewood Phnom Penh)
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A faint smell of galangal wafts in the air, followed by the subtle aroma of turmeric. Strangely, I’m not in a kitchen but face down on a massage bed at the Rosewood Phnom Penh’s Sense Spa, eagerly anticipating what’s going to happen next.
I hear the therapist’s footsteps then feel the rounded, deliciously warm herbal poultice on my back – a sensation similar to that of a hot stone massage but with a much softer touch. The heat slowly but surely unlocks the knots and relieves the tension in my shoulders. The intoxicating smell of the expertly picked Khmer herbs adds a different dimension and lulls me into relaxation even more.
In the past, this particular treatment was mostly reserved for men who came home from war. Inside the poultice, one can find fresh ponlei (a relative of galangal and ginger) which is said to heal wounds. There’s also Cambodian Flower of Salt, which is chosen for its antiseptic properties, as well as turmeric that is widely known to help soothe one’s skin. These key ingredients are mixed with other barks, roots and plants that are later steamed before the treatment. The warm poultice is then gently compressed to areas of the body with deep muscle tension.

This 90-minute Khmer Poultice treatment is part of the Rosewood Sense Spa’s Lost Remedies programme, which brings to life ancient Khmer healing practices and melds them with modern techniques. The foundation of all these wellness remedies come from traditional Cambodian medicine, “Kru Khmer”, all of which is rooted in and based on nature.
Cambodians have been practising Kru Khmer since the Angkor period, and while it has evolved since its founding in the late 9th century, what hasn’t changed is the expert knowledge and usage of natural local herbs to rejuvenate the body and enhance one’s health.
Typically when you think of going on a wellness weekend in Southeast Asia, Bali and Phuket are top of mind – for good reason. There’s a massive concentration of hotels and spas offering a myriad of wellness retreats in these two locations, and both Indonesia and Thailand are famous for their unique, age-old wellness practices.
Cambodia, however, is home to one of the oldest healing practices in the world. As the country expands its tourism offerings beyond the mystique of Angkor Wat and the bounty of the Mekong, it’s no surprise that its wellness tradition is also taking centrestage.

One can already experience a good portion of it at Rosewood Phnom Penh, one of the city’s leading luxury hotels, soaring above the city at the the top floors of Vattanac Capital Tower. The five-year-old hotel is a microcosm of Phnom Penh itself, showcasing the growing art and culinary scene as well as its potential to be a regional wellness hub.
Set on the building’s 33rd floor, Sense, A Rosewood Spa is the epitome of an oasis, and could easily rival urban sanctuaries in Hong Kong and Singapore with its breadth of offerings. For starters, there’s a 22m sparkling indoor pool, perfect for laps or plain relaxation, as well as a decked out fitness centre open 24 hours – both with a stunning view to boot.

The wellness floor is also home to Cambodia’s first and only Pedi Mani: Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, and a treatment here comes with a vantage point of the winding waterways that define Phnom Penh and some of the city’s most important cultural sites like the Royal Palace, Central Market, Silver Pagoda and more.
For those who want a true taste of Cambodia’s wellness world, the highlight remains the Lost Remedies programme. The curated treatment menu also includes the Chol Mlob Traditional Skin Cleanse that uses powder and saffron to brighten and replenish skin, as well as the Flower of Salt Scrub, that makes use of the best salt harvested from Kampot province to exfoliate and hydrate the skin.

Treatments aside, the hotel also offers immersive health and wellness experiences like greeting the day at one of the city’s most sacred sites, Wat Phnom. Eager to complement the traditional massage I got with a local fitness experience, I met my personal trainer at 6am who started me off with some stretching exercises then accompanied me to jog around the circumference of the temple grounds. I wasn’t alone in this early run, as the verdant route seemed to be fairly popular with the locals.
Apart from offering an insight into my lack of running skills, I witnessed the city rousing from its slumber, learned more about the cultural relevance of the temple, and also received a monk’s blessing post-workout. A history lesson, fitness session and good luck charm in one? That is definitely worth the early call time.