The Angkor Tiger Resort – Hanging out with football royalty in Siem Reap
As is often the case I was given the chance to stay at a nice hotel as part of my work, namely the Angkor Tiger Resort. My reason for staying here was two fold, firstly to watch the match and secondly check out the latest venture from the flamboyant Tiger owner Akhiro Kato.
To read about CPL 1 week 7 click here
Who are Angkor Tiger then?
Originally founded in 2015, they are not the first team to represent Siem Reap, they are though by far the most successful having finished 4th in the top-flight on a number of occasions, as well as getting 3rd place in the national Hun Sen Cup. They have also never been relegated, unlike city neighbours Soltilo.
As of yet though any silverware has eluded them, although this might be the year that changes with the Tigers under new coach Alistair Heath currently on a great run of form.
To read our interview with Alistair Heath click here.
They are though famously not only one of the best supported clubs in the league, but also have some of the most passionate fans in the Tiger Army, which consists of both locals and barang. Home games get into the thousands of fans and currently at least the atmosphere is electric.
And a lot of this is down to charismatic owner Akhiro Kato, who has owned the club since its inception and is regularly seen at games in his shiny suits relishing in the highs and indeed feeling the lows, much like any other fan.
The Angkor Tiger Empire
Being such a well supported and community based club this has led to the Tigers venturing into other avenues, which range from buying NFT’s for gamers to earn money online, to Tiger Money, which as you guessed it is a financial service.
To read about Angkor Tiger entering the NFT market click here.
It thus seems only natural that the entrepreneur would create a resort where his players, fans and those passing through could hang out.
The Angkor Tiger Resort
Located on Platinum Road and exactly 17 minutes from pub street you won’t find the resort on Grab yet, but simply heading to Platinum Road will be enough. Aside from proximity to pub street the resort is located next to some great restaurants, bars and a few KTV’s aimed at a gentleman clientele.
The resort opened its doors in January of 2022 with owner Akhiro Kato stating “Our target is people from Phnom Penh, and around Cambodia as well as the Japanese market. We already have over 500 reservations over the next 3 years”.
So, what makes the Angkor Tiger resort special?
Currently the resort is in its early days, so things will likely change as things go on, but as things stand the rooms are nice, theres a decent pool, as well as a cafe and a Japanese restaurant.
What sets the place apart though is that everything is Angkor Tiger branded, including the cafe and restaurant and that the star players have their meetings here, so while staying you’re potentially literally milling around with some of the best players in the Cambodian Premier League
To read about the Cambodian Premier League click here.
So, while that might not be to everyones taste, if you are a football fan then the Angkor Tiger Resort is a football fans wet dream.
And as Akhiro puts it “More tourists bring power to Siem Reap, so we built Angkor Tiger Resort”. More power indeed and power during what is in Khmer the year of the tiger. Could this though be the year of Angkor Tiger? It just might well be.
Author: Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.
