In 2012, Studio Noor led the refurbishment of two Raffles properties in Cambodia the Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap, founded in 1932, and Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh, founded in 1929. Both had survived the full weight of Cambodian history. Both were given the same brief: restore without museum-ifying. The Grand Hotel d'Angkor is formal and architectural a French Colonial landmark at the edge of Angkor's archaeological zone. Le Royal is warmer in feeling, a grande dame that carries Phnom Penh's memory more quietly. Same client, same operator, same year, same philosophy and two properties as different as the cities they inhabit.