http://www.eturbonews.com/22991/megalomania-project-planned-near-angkor-wat

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HNOM PENH (eTN) - To the tourists, Cambodia is mostly known for being home to the fabled city of Angkor Wat with its myriad of beautiful temples. At some point over the next twenty years, Cambodia might become famous for Angkor Hills. The project is the brainchild of Okhna Soth Sambath, a Cambodian businessman. The affable man is said to be very close to the top of Cambodia’s politics, which might explain the official endorsement of the government for his project. Just imagine a huge piece of land initially covering 361 hectares, located halfway between Thailand and Siem Reap where Angkor temples are located. The future integrated resort will be some 30 km away from the temples and 100 km from the Thai border at Popet/Sisophon. A highway is due to link both areas making the resort easily accessible for visitors.

Imagine then dozens of modern buildings emulating the stupas, the chedis, the bas-reliefs, and the shapes from Angkor Wat built surrounded by paddy fields and some forests. This is Angkor Hills City, a gigantic modern resort built around widening crescents in the middle of nowhere. The project was officially launched in July 2010, and according to Mr. Soth Sambath, it has so far generated a huge interest from investors from China, Macau, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In fact, the development has been completed by Agostine & Raphael Group, an international development consulting firm based in Dubai.

This is not a coincidence. Angkor Hills City wants to obviously match Dubai’s megalomania. It will integrate in its final phase a giant convention center, residences, and condominiums; a dozen of deluxe hotels; a shopping mall; a golf course; a spa; and a meditation center; as well as private villas. Among the projects dreamed by its creators are the Buddha Hotel and Spa, a five-star property shaped like the Bayon Temples with its huge heads. The Heritage Hotel will emulate the old walled city surrounded by waterfalls and canals. It will look like a mix of Las Vegas and Disneyland, à la Cambodian.

“We will first start with the convention center, as well as two or three hotels. But ultimately, this city will have up to 20,000 inhabitants and act as a tourism magnet for the entire region, including neighboring Thailand,” explained Soth Sambath. Of course, Sambath Investments promise that the future development will strictly enforce environment codes. It would take 5 to 8 years to complete the entire project, according to Mr. Sambath, with first construction work starting before the end of the year.

Such an investment will, of course, help to alleviate poverty and certainly bring economic benefits to an impoverished region. Is a Las Vegas-style resort city really what the kingdom needs in terms of development? Audacious will say some observers, irrelevant will say some others. In a country where the average GDP per capita stood at US$800 in 2009, Angkor Hills City is likely to draw a visible border between the rags and the riches.

ANGKOR HILLS CITY ANGKOR WAT CAMBODIA EAST ASIA POIPET

you can't compare phnom penh with dubai, they have like 10% of the world oil reserved, they build their city with black gold. But 20 years is a long time, good if something can be achive, not much of a problem if nothing gets done as people will have forgotten about it.

we just have to wait and see, 20 years should be about the time frame Cambodia need to get to a level to be called a developed country (if they get things right from now), but to compare with Dubai is probably unrealsitic

Company from Dubai is building it so who know? Maybe

The Convention center stands tall with its majestic landmark’s architecture,a grand welcome to the “Angkor Hills” 3,5 million square meters of land.

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Accessed directly from the main national highway leading to Thailand, the gate draws travelers and residents alike, to an open mall, hosting all kinds of retail shops and business facilities, serving all requirements and needs.

Its modernized architectural heritage, rest as a reminder of the region’s historical and cultural past.

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With all the recreational venues available, “Angkor hills” put the cherry on top by offeing a giant water park with the most modern water games, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds, lazy rivers, swimming, barefooting environments, artificial surfing, bodyboarding environment such as a wave pool or a Flow Rider. offering all ages a real fun time adventure.

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The Cultural center, imprinted in the heart of a big plaza, adds a magical touch to the whole complex, a place dedicated for old heritage shops, craftsmen and numerous traditional attractions.

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An entertainment venue is located at the center point, hosting diverse activities, theatrical plays, concerts and many other attractions.

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A five star hotel with an exquisite Architecture of the legendary “four faces Buddha” is set within the center, overlooking the Angkor Hills’ all four angles. With its own restaurants, boutiques, gym club and spa, adding up more choices and variety.

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Distributed all along the bounds, lay the residential condominiums with various apartment space to accommodate all needs and requirements.

With its own private leisure facility hosting a gym club, tennis courts, basket ball courts, swimming pools and much more…

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STAY IN A MAGICAL SITTING

Angkor Hills’ warm welcoming spirit, present a diverse touristic lodging from boutique hotels to Five star hotels, with diverse architectural and interior design characters, ranging from contemporary-style urban design hotels to sophisticated classics, offering tourists the choice to make their stay an unforgettable one.


HERITAGE HOTEL

Inspired by the Cambodian architecture with a modernized edge, the heritage five star hotel,
offers the Cambodian spirit in the littlest of details, with its own heritage style to hi-end boutiques, local and international flavored restaurants and indoor/outdoor leisure facilities.

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BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Boutique hotels have been a trend in the recent years, offering all the luxury in a personalized accommodation.

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ENTERTAINMENT HOTEL

A Five star hotel, offering all the luxurious services with its own entertainment facilities.

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Angkor Hills’ prestigious meditation resort, created over the river, offers a spiritual aspect to a complete physical and mental relaxation with the littlest of details.

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The Monks’ spiritual and practice temple sit on the boarder of “Angkor Hills” with a pedestrian pathway linked directly to the natural grand meditation hills, a local and touristic unforgettable spiritual experience.

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The kingdom of Cambodia is known for its Lotus flower paradise with countless lily ponds all across the beautiful country.

Angkor Hills transformed the lotus flower into Spa monuments that serve its visitors with an exclusive and splendid spa treatment using the country’s own natural plants and remedies.

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The Convention center stands tall with its majestic landmark’s architecture,a grand welcome to the “Angkor Hills” 3,5 million square meters of land.

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Looks quite unique, not so sure how the internal works / fit (like the last picture) when you divide the pyramid into 4.

“Angkor Hills” Resort, hosts a high standard 18 hole Golf course with its own luxurious golf club and Golf boutique. Private condominiums and luxury villas are distributed on the bounds of the Golf course adding a breathtaking view of greenery all around.

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Those who seek the serenity of pure untamed surroundings are indulged with private high end luxury Villas in the middle of a virgin environment, with a private access and peace of mind.

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Master Plan

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for more information visit: http://www.angkorhills.com/main.html

I would really love to see this, it is going to take a hell lot of will, money, determinations to turn this into a reality, the master plan (details constriction/architectual drawing) is going to takes many many years to complete.

I don't seriously think 20 years is enough to turn this into a reality.

This project is tacky and ugly.

They are planning to base this from a religious, sacred monument with religious connotations into a senseless, uninspired and tacky habitat.

I'm not excited about this project. Next.

This project is tacky and ugly.

They are planning to base this from a religious, sacred monument with religious connotations into a senseless, uninspired and tacky habitat.

I'm not excited about this project. Next.

however I think this project not gone to be real

It's not gonna happen, seriously.

Are you serious?.....this is beyond extraordinary imagination...this is art....:)....I do hope this happen for real....I'm sick of those plan that never seen to comes into a reality...:(

I'm sick of those plan that never seen to comes into a reality...:( this is very likely to be one of those.

Yea, I bet....:(

I want to see this come into reality, but not in Siem Reap

Sihanoukville would be a good place to build this kind of resort :)

I feel so tired just to see those project. but i hope it will come in reality no matter what 20 years from now to see it happens lol

What is the exact location of this project? I think it might be not a bad idea if it was located far west from SR, beyond West Barray, so it would not touch the old Angkor archeological area.

I will try to find the place on Google Maps comparing with the map on project's website, but it may be too hard to find the location this way.

this project is the best I have ever seen!

i really admire Architect who made best design to attract people. It is wonderful, but no one can guarantee it gonna be built... till now, it has been one year.. but I don't see or hear sth related to this project anymore... Pls stop making us happy with your beautiful unreal projects :(