The Sofitel offers everything you can expect from a 5-star hotel – beautiful grounds, good service, and great rooms. If your budget can handle the $130 US plus Sofitel but not the $250 US plus Grand Hotel d’Angkor, then you won’t be disappointed by the Sofitel. But despite its best efforts, the Sofitel is not at all in the same league as the Grand Hotel d’Angkor – if you can afford the difference in price, a stay at the Grand Hotel d’Angkor would be a better choice.
The Sofitel has two disadvantages compared to the Grand Hotel:
Location: Basically, the Grand Hotel d’Angkor is right on the edge of town closest to the temples, while the Sofitel is 5 minutes down the road closer to the temples. Those 5 minutes don’t have much impact on total 15 – 20 minute travel time to the temples (and thus it’s not really an advantage), but those same 5 minutes are more important in the other direction (towards town). There is not much of interest within a 5 minute walk from the Sofitel (just a restaurant or two that are frequented only by tour groups), while a 5 minute walk from the Grand Hotel can take you to a number of stores, restaurants, and bars.
Reputation/Uniqueness: The Sofitel, despite its fine attempts at creating an exotic décor and grounds, is basically like any other 5-star hotel in the world. If you’re looking for a truly memorable hotel stay, choose the Grand Hotel d’Angkor, with over 75 years of history - one of the world’s greatest hotels.