BY JAY AQUINO

NOVEMBER 15, 2025

It’s common for hotels to market themselves as “your home away from home” to make guests feel more welcome. The Aviary Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia, however, chose a different angle—one that’s not just about a place to stay but an invitation to embrace “mindful travel.” For them, the mission goes beyond luxury; it's about fostering a deeper and more intentional connection with Cambodia’s culture, its people, and its environment.

IMAGE SOURCE: THE AVIARY HOTEL

Joffrey Thin-Gris, General Manager of The Aviary Hotel, explains it best: “Mindful travel at The Aviary means journeying with intention—being present and responsible while truly connecting with Cambodia’s culture, community, and natural environment.” The hotel’s vision is realized through eco-conscious choices like a plastic-free policy, an in-house water filtration system, and a zero-waste approach to hospitality. These efforts are a conscious step toward reducing single-use plastics and minimizing environmental impact while maintaining the luxurious experience that guests expect.

The hotel’s design reflects this ethos too. They source locally crafted furniture from upcycled materials, and they partner with local artisans, commissioning bespoke artworks and using reclaimed materials to make woven carpets. In addition, this immersive approach also extends to the hotel's curated experiences, like a Cambodian cooking class or a pottery workshop in nearby Kandall Village. “We encourage guests to explore beyond the temples by joining hands-on local experiences like pottery workshops and Cambodian cooking classes. These activities, led by local artisans and chefs, allow travelers to work directly with Cambodian clay or farm-fresh ingredients, preserving the skills that have defined Khmer culture for centuries.”

IMAGE SOURCE: THE AVIARY HOTEL

Thin-Gris emphasizes “slow travel,” inviting guests to take a step back from the usual whirlwind itinerary and truly savor their surroundings. Instead of rushing through the temples, guests can linger over farm-to-table dishes, take a leisurely bike ride through quiet streets at dawn, or dip into the rooftop pool while reflecting on their day. This slower pace encourages deeper, more meaningful connections to the place and the people around them. And when it comes to wellness, the hotel’s Amret Spa draws inspiration from traditional Khmer healing practices, offering treatments that use locally sourced, natural ingredients. “From our Khmer Traditional Massage, which draws from ancient practices of the Khmer Empire, to treatments using avocado, pumpkin, and black sticky rice, everything we offer is rooted in nature and Cambodian heritage.”

Beyond design and wellness, the Aviary Hotel is deeply committed to sustainability, despite the challenges that come with it. “We believe luxury and sustainability can coexist. Our approach is to offer comfort and quality through conscious choices—such as removing single-use plastics, sourcing locally, and using energy-efficient systems—without compromising the guest experience,” says Thin-Gris. They’ve implemented numerous eco-initiatives, from installing water filtration systems in partnership with Water for Cambodia to working with Eco Soap Bank Cambodia to recycle used soaps into new products. There’s even energy-generating gym equipment, allowing guests to quite literally power parts of the hotel as they work out.

IMAGE SOURCE: THE AVIARY HOTEL

Despite the progress, challenges remain, particularly around awareness and accessibility. However, the hotel is steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, working to push the local industry toward a more responsible future. “Every small improvement, whether it’s reducing energy consumption or cutting down on waste, brings us one step closer to a more sustainable future for Cambodia’s tourism industry,” Thin-Gris reflects.

Looking ahead, Thin-Gris is optimistic about Cambodia’s potential to lead sustainable tourism in Southeast Asia. “My hope is that more travelers and businesses will embrace mindful, community-based travel—experiences that protect nature and celebrate local culture.” For The Aviary Hotel, the future is about continuing to innovate, form local partnerships, and educate guests and staff alike. “True sustainability is collective,” he adds. “And our role is to keep inspiring that movement forward.”

Discover The Aviary Hotel here.