Thoughtful accommodations and tranquil surroundings

Crow’s Nest is a peaceful, private apartment complex, located in the heart of Siem Reap, Cambodia, a perfect destination for your amazing solo or group trips – located just 15 minutes from the temple of Angkor Wat. Our apartments come fully furnished, with a serene outdoor garden space,  a perfect setting for relaxation, rejuvenation, and connection with nature. Besides this, at the Crows Nest Retreat space, our guests are warmly welcomed to join a Lesley Logan Pilates Retreat experience, a perfect chance to deepen your practice with a wellness twist of relaxation and healthy living. This Pilates Retreat is great for solo travelers, friends, or couples who love fitness and mindful living. It is the best practice to unwind from the business of our lives, and reset, both physically and mentally. 

The Crows Nest Apartments are located in Siem Reap, the heart of Cambodia. The retreat’s setting is near the iconic Angkor temples, setting the stage for a transformative experience with a rich cultural history, cultural immersion, and relaxation in a vibrant destination. This is more than a trip, it is a deep dive into the heart of a thousand year old culture. A place where you don’t just see the world differently, you feel it.

Our thoughtful accommodations and tranquil surroundings ensure that your retreat experience will be one of comfort, peace, and lasting memories.

Morning: Starting the Day with Movement and Connection 

The morning in Siem Reap is always serene, with cool air and naturally lush surroundings. You’ll start your day with the perfect positive vibe. We begin with the sunrise Pilates class at our outdoor space, led by our experienced instructor, Lesley Logan, focusing on core strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. The session starts at 6:30 AM and goes for one hour. Pilates helps energize the body, waking up your muscles in a gentle but effective way. It gets your blood flowing, improves circulation, and activates your center, giving you that energy you need to start off your day with a full positive attitude. Beside awaking your body muscles, Pilates is super focused on breath and body awareness, it helps clear mental fog and quiet the mind. Pilates helps you reconnect with yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally because it is rooted in control, calm, and intentional movements. A Pilates class can take you through a full range of emotions, as you are asked to focus on how your body connects to itself. 

At 7:30am, breakfast is served! Our communal breakfast at Crows Nest brings a mix of local Khmer dishes, a taste of Cambodia, such as fish amok, tropical fruits, and also Western options, so there’s food for everyone. Every meal considers your dietary restrictions, no matter how specific. (Lesley is gluten and dairy free, for example.) Eating around a large group table helps bring the group together, encouraging conversation and fostering group bonding. We know that besides travelling, treating our guests with local food would be one of the most memorable parts of any journey. In Cambodia, the culinary experience is more than just a meal. It’s a gateway into culture, tradition, and connection.

• Fish Amok: this is Cambodia’s national dish, this creamy, fragrant curry is steamed in banana leaves and traditionally served with jasmine rice. It’s rich with coconut milk, infused with kroeung (a Khmer herb ingredient), and carries just the right hint of lemongrass and kaffir lime.
• Samlor Korkor: A hearty vegetable and meat soup that’s been cooked for generations. It is a very common and famous dish among other local foods. It’s deeply nourishing, using local seasonal ingredients and traditional spices.
• Tropical Fruits: From juicy mangoes to dragon fruit, rambutan, and longan—fresh tropical fruits are served not just as desserts, but often mid-morning or afternoon as a refreshing treat during hot days. It is a special menu to enjoy eating in groups,  especially after a meal. 

Whether you’re savoring rich local Khmer dishes like Fish Amok in a familiar Western  favorite, food becomes a shared language that fosters community and sparks conversation.

Mid-Morning: Cultural Exploration at Angkor Temples

 Mid-morning arrives, it is time to explore the amazing tours across Siem Reap. Here are my arranged schedules when we bring our guest tour around Siem Reap: 

• At 9:00 AM – Temple Tours

1. Angkor Archaeological Park

First, we start off our visit at Angkor Archaeological Park, which is the World’ amazing heritage. Our guests can experience this stunning temple with spectacular design inherited millions of years. Visiting Angkor Wat does not bring you amazing experiences with beautiful sightseeings, but you will surprisingly learn  rich cultures as well.

2.Bayon Temple

Bayon Temple is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism in Angkor areas in Cambodia. It was Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of King Jayavarman VII. The unique and spectacular designs were a multitude of serene and smiling stone faces of Brahma, probably modeled or represented on the face of King Jayavarman VII on every side of the many towers. It even looks more lively when you visit with your real eyes. 

3.Ta Prohm (jungle ruins) and Chao Say Thevada ( smaller, restored temple)

Ta Prohm is known as Ta Prohm’s tree roots because of its surrounding beauty of nature. What makes Ta Prohm truly magical, and why it is so often referred to in connection with its roots, are the massive trees growing through, around, and on top of the ruins. More amazingly, every corner of this temple tells a story, in which the tourists feel emotional impact with various experiences, like connecting with nature, culture, ancient history and awe-inspiring sights around the stone. 

Chao Say Thevada is a smaller and restored temple, which is located in the Angkor site as well. Originally Chau Say Tevoda was partly built in the mid-12th century under the reign of King Suryavarman II. It is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures. 

Visiting Cambodia’s ancient temples is more than just sightseeing, like Ta Prohm, focusing on expert guidance, historical depth, and breathtaking sights in a more generalized sense. It’s an immersive journey into the past. With expert guides, each stone comes to life through captivating stories and deep cultural insights. These temples offer a window into a once great civilization. Plus, with the awe-inspiring visuals, towering structures, intricate details, and nature reclaiming ruins that leave travelers truly speechless. Together, the historical depth, guided storytelling,  create an unforgettable experience that stays with you long after you have left.

Afternoon: Balance and Personal Time 

Balancing time at Crow’s Nest Retreat and personal time is how we are treated to our guests. Here is our afternoon schedules at our Crow’s Nest trips: 

At 12:30 PM- Lunch: we gather for a group lunch. The venue is usually flexible, either at Crows Nest apartments or at a local restaurant, featuring a variety of traditional Cambodian dishes, like lok lak or mango salad. In addition, authentic local cuisine, we also offer a thoughtfully curated selection of Western dishes, crafted to suit a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. 

At 2:00 PM – Free Time/Optional Activities: Whether you’re craving a peaceful solo retreat or looking for curated local experiences, our offerings in Siem Reap cater to every kind of traveler. Guests are welcome to unwind at their own pace, indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment, or simply soaking in the serene ambiance of our grounds.

For those eager to explore, we’re happy to recommend personalized activities and hidden gems throughout the city. Discover the vibrant energy of Siem Reap’s local markets, where handmade crafts, visit to Phare Circus, shopping for crafts, colorful spices, and street food stalls bring Cambodian culture to life.

Siem Reap is also home to an impressive array of cafes and restaurants, offering everything from traditional Khmer dishes to international fusion cuisine. Many spots source ingredients locally, ensuring authentic flavor and freshness in every bite. 

At 4:30 PM – Afternoon Pilates Workshop: it is a second Pilates session, mainly focusing on deeper techniques, like alignment, reformer-inspired moves. For guests looking to go beyond surface-level fitness and truly connect with their bodies, our wellness offerings incorporate deeper movement techniques centered around precise alignment and reformer-inspired exercises. Rooted in Pilates principles, these methods focus on controlled, intentional movement, perfect for building core strength, improving posture, and enhancing overall body awareness. Unlike fast-paced workouts, alignment-based and reformer-style sessions encourage mindfulness and functional strength. This technique targets smaller stabilizing muscles that are often overlooked in traditional exercise, leading to improved balance, flexibility, and injury prevention.

Evening: Community and Cultural Connection 

In the evening, it is a significant moment in fostering community and cultural appreciation. 

6:00 PM – Group Dinner: This is one of the most memorable experiences we offer is our communal dinner nights, where guests come together to share more than just a meal, but they share stories, laughter, and the essence of Cambodian hospitality and traveling experiences, held under the open sky at the Crows Nest or in a charming local venue nearby, these evenings are designed to create a sense of connection, networking, culture, and community. In addition, this gathering also includes Khmer cuisine taking center stage during our gathering night, featuring an array of beautifully presented dishes made with local  ingredients. 

8:00 PM – Evening Activity: Vary by day:

• Welcome party to build community networking. This welcoming party involves various activities, which are not focusing on building connections across countries, but also for cultural talk or Apsara dance performance mid-retreat.
• Farewell gathering to reflect on the experience. This is the special moment, where the guests share about their emotions, interests, memories, moments, self-discovery, gratitudes, and their appreciation regardless of their trips. 

Why This Retreat Stands Out 

Pilates for the body, temple tours for the mind, and community for the soul. Set in the heart of Cambodia’s ancient capital, this retreat blends the spiritual energy of Siem Reap with the peaceful charm of Crows Nest’s serene apartment. Whether you are just beginning your Pilates journey or looking to deepen your practice, this experience offers a transformative escape for all levels. Come for the movement, you would feel magically amazing staying with your new path to renewal begins here.

Join Lesley Logan at Crows Nest for a week of movement, culture, and connection in Cambodia’s heart. 

Check the retreat’s website for details or to book for our next trip

Your transformative retreat awaits!