Situated in the basement of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, Metropole Underground is the first subterranean bar in Cambodia’s capital

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh has applied a new facet to the destination’s vibrant bar scene with Metropole Underground: the first subterranean bar in Cambodia’s capital.

Inspired by the louche, chic vibe of early 20^th Century Paris, Metropole Underground is a unique addition to the famously lively bar scene in Phnom Penh.

Discreetly located in the basement of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the city’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the sophisticated space offers premium drinks, light gourmet bites, and nightly live entertainment spanning bands and DJ beats.

The bar, which like the rest of the hotel, is designed by award-wining Singapore-based SCDA Architects with interiors by leading Thai firm PIA Interior, is inspired by the glory days of Parisian art-deco.

The metro system in the French capital was a major inspiration for the bar, with replicas of cast iron detailing from the original Paris Metro integrated into the space and transformed into sculptural and decorative elements.

The result is a compelling blend of European and Khmer influences.

“Phnom Penh is widely known for the vibrancy of its bar scene. Therefore we are proud that we can add something new to the mix with Metropole Underground,” said Herman Kemp, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. “The design team has done a marvelous job and we’ve got a great roster of live entertainment for guests to enjoy. When you step down into the basement it’s really like entering a different world.”

The new Metropole Underground completes a compelling lineup of options for revelry at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh.

Indeed, with its range of bars encompassing everything from an intimate speakeasy-style cocktail spot to one of the city’s most exciting rooftop venues, the property is one of the best places in Phnom Penh to let down your hair.

As conceptually intriguing as Metropole Underground is The Attic, an old-world speakeasy-style bar tucked away in the eaves of the Colonial House — a lemon-colored royal villa dating back to 1900 that is a centerpiece of the property. The bar specializes in handcrafted cocktails and grand cru wines.

Another social hotspot is FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, spanning the rooftop on level 14. From here, guests will be treated to grilled seafood and meats, refreshing cocktails, and energizing DJ performances whilst soaking up inspiring views of the Royal Palace, the Mekong River, and the city skyline.

“We are adding different things to the table in terms of nightlife,” added Kemp. “As the city’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is ready to play its part in a post-pandemic renaissance.”

Other standout F&B options at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh include The Attic, a speakeasy-style venue secreted away in the eaves of a colonial building

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Poised as City Picks Up the Pace
New international branded hotel ready for key role in post-pandemic renaissance

Phnom Penh’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is ready to play its part in a post-pandemic renaissance as the city regains momentum as a hub for tourism.

In common with destinations around the world, Cambodia’s capital has suffered as the global health crisis slowed international arrivals to a virtual standstill for the past two years. But with the country now fully open to travelers, it is ready to showcase its credentials as one of the most dynamic draws in Southeast Asia.

Key to the city’s future success is the presence of world-class hotel options such as Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. Opened into a world battened down by the pandemic in January 2021, it is among the most exciting additions to the hospitality scene in recent times.

With 247 guestrooms including 43 residential-style suites, the property is the largest internationally branded hotel in the city.

Located in the heart of Phnom Penh’s cultural and business district of Doun Penh, the hotel is a 30-minute drive from the airport and is within a short walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum, and the riverside.

Herman Kemp, GM at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is convinced that Cambodia’s capital is poised to reassert its status as one of Asia’s rising cities.
Herman Kemp, GM at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is convinced that Cambodia’s capital is poised to reassert its status as one of Asia’s rising cities.
Herman Kemp, GM at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is convinced that Cambodia’s capital is poised to reassert its status as one of Asia’s rising cities.

“Before the pandemic, Phnom Penh was making great strides as one of Southeast Asia’s rising capitals,” said Herman Kemp, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. “It’s a dynamic metropolis that balances modernity with tradition. There’s alluring café society, bustling bars, and a thriving and eclectic restaurant scene. On the other hand, there’s historic architecture, bustling markets, a stunning location on the banks of the Mekong River and classic Khmer culture and hospitality.”

Portals to these attributes don’t come more alluring than the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects and leading Thailand-based PIA Interior, the contemporary-meets-colonial interiors of the hotel reflect Cambodia’s unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents, French colonial influences, and specially-commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi.

As guests pull into the hotel’s driveway, they are greeted with a welcoming centerpiece: a beautiful French heritage building flanked by sweet-smelling frangipani trees. Originally built as a colonial villa in the early 20^th century, the carefully restored lemon-colored Colonial House with its wooden shutters, arched doorways and terracotta-tiled roof now serves as the hotel’s entrance, providing guests with a nostalgic arrival experience.

The Attic, a cocktail bar in the eaves of the Colonial House at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is one of the city’s most enticing drinking venues.

The Colonial House is home to The Attic, an old-world speakeasy-style bar tucked into the eaves of the building. Additional F&B standouts include Metropole Underground, an art-deco themed space that is Phnom Penh’s first subterranean venue, and FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, where guests can feast on creative cuisine and soak up breathtaking views of the Royal Palace, the Mekong River, and the city skyline.

Other hotel highlights include a 22-meter outdoor infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery and the hotel’s Jivapita spa, which offers a range of pampering treatments often inspired by Khmer wellness traditions. The hotel’s 1400 square meters of meeting and event space, meanwhile, make the property as suitable for business as it is for pleasure — no small thing in one of the region’s emerging trade hubs.

“It’s been an extremely challenging couple of years for Cambodia, as it has been for countries everywhere,” added Kemp. “But we regard the future with optimism and are ready to give our guests a flavor of what makes this city so special.”