Where to Stay in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a tourism boom town, and you can’t take two steps without stumbling into a hotel guesthouse. Luckily, quality was not sacrificed for quantity, and amazing value can be found at every price point. I love a good hotel. As a design lover, I can’t get enough of the details, and as a traveler, I’m drawn to great service. Read on for my top picks of where to stay in Siem Reap.
Budget / Counting Pennies
Cashew Nut Guesthouse
The new Cashew Nut guesthouse has not only a fantastic moniker, but also the most helpful and friendly staff of any guesthouse we stayed in throughout Cambodia. Manager/owner Allan has insider info on nightly events and things to do around town, as well as info on all the usual tourist attractions. Located five minutes from the Old Market area, it features a lush continental breakfast spread, a social rooftop sunset lounge, and the best bedding in town. We love the Cashew Nut! $11-18, Psaa Krom Road, Vahear Cham Village,Β Cashew Nut Guesthouse
Mandalay Inn
The Mandalay Inn is a popular budget option excellently located just strides away from the Old Market Area. Staff are friendly and there is a restaurant and travel agent on site. Rooms are simple, but the standout feature here is the rooftop gym with a view of the city! Wake up before the sun comes up to escape the heat and get back in shape after too many 50 cent Angkor beers on Pub Street. $7-18, Psar Kroung Street, Vahear Cham Village,Β Mandalay Inn
Midrange / Treat Yourself
River Garden Guesthouse
The River Garden guesthouse is away from the main tourist area and tucked away along, you guessed it, the river. The rooms are stylishly decorated in South East Asian style. The real stand out feature here is the beautiful and relaxing pool, perfect for soaking in after a day of temple traipsing. The River Garden also offers a popular Khmer cooking class and street food tours. $45-80, 113 Mondul 111 Phoum Treang, Slorkrum,Β River Garden Guesthouse
1961
This is the kind of fun and funky accommodation that could only be dreamed up by artists. Part hotel, part art gallery, 1961 has a surprise around every corner. Each of the eight rooms is completely uniquely decorated. There is also an on site restaurant and a bar worth a special visit even if you aren’t staying over. $35-55, The River Road, Upper West Side, the1961.com
Top End / Rolling In It
Hotel de la Paix
The road to Angkor Wat is an endless row of hotels. Few stand out, but Hotel de la Paix catches the eye with a sleek art deco exterior. The lobby doubles as an art gallery, showing rotating works from local artists. Rooms are sleek, modern and stylish. Features a top end spa, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, and fitness center. Starting at $275, Sivutha Blvd
Update: The Hotel de la Paix has been converted to the Siem Reap Park Hyatt.
Viroths
Viroth’s is a true boutique hotel, and popular, making the Conde Nast Hot List in 2008. The beautifully decorated rooms feature floating beds, open showers and balconies overlooking the swimming pool. There is also an on site restaurant and spa. $70-100, Wat Bo Village, viroth-hotel.com
Disclaimer: I was hosted by Mandalay Inn in exchange for a review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have personally stayed at the Cashew Nut, The River Garden, and the Mandalay Inn, and dined at 1961. Photos of The River Garden, Hotel de la Paix and Viroth’s are courtesy of their respective websites.
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Where to Stay in Siem Reap
Budget : Backpacker
β’ Cashew Nut Guesthouse: The new Cashew Nut guesthouse has not only a fantastic moniker, but also the most helpful and friendly staff of any guesthouse we stayed in throughout Cambodia. Manager/owner Allan has insider info on nightly events and things to do around town. It features a lush continental breakfast spread, a social rooftop sunset lounge, and the best bedding in town.
β’ Mandalay Inn: The Mandalay Inn is a popular budget option excellently located just strides away from the Old Market Area. Staff are friendly and there is a restaurant and travel agent on site. Rooms are simple, but the standout feature here is the rooftop gym with a view of the city! Wake up before the sun comes up to escape the heat and get back in shape after too many 50 cent Angkor beers on Pub Street.
Midrange : Treat Yourself
β’ River Garden Guesthouse: The River Garden guesthouse is located
β’ 1961
Top End : Rolling In It
β’ Hotel de la Paix
β’ Viroths
We stayed at the River Garden, right? Did these other places let you in to take pics?
Yes we stayed at the River Garden on our trip. On this one I stayed at Mandalay and Cashew, and went to an event at 1961 where I asked for a peek at the rooms. The other photos are from the hotel’s websites, which I note in my disclaimer π
Oh wow this place is gorgeous!
Wow, these are some nice places. The place I stayed, I got a single bamboo hut for $3 per night, and the dorm was $1 per night.
Wow! When did you visit? I noticed that things have modernized greatly since my last visit in 2009, and I certainly didn’t see any bamboo huts around Siem Reap. The cheapest accommodation I heard of in the country were $5 private rooms and $2 dorms… and that was on the coast.
This is great! Just bookmarked this post for when we get to Siem Reap, will refer to it when we’re looking for a place π
So glad it could be of help! Let me know if you end up staying at one… and keep your eyes out this week for the sister post for Phnom Penh!
If you don’t mind me adding a recommendation, I loved this hostel. I chose it because it was the top rated on hostel world and I think it deserved that rating.
The staff at Golden Mango Inn (https://goldenmangoinn.com/) were polite, helpful and accommodating from the start. They had trustworthy tuk tuk drivers who would take you anywhere at any time. I felt very safe there. The food and smoothies at their on-site restaurant were delicious!
A great budget option with a single room en suite costing less than US $12.
Thanks for the tip! I love having personal recommendations.
I think it’s worth mentioning the Garden Villa Guesthouse situated on “Funky Lane” (great name for the bumpiest freaking road ever). Near “Ecstatic Pizza” which, be warned, definately lives up to it’s name (most hardcore pizza experience of my life).
It’s very close to the night market, pub street, and the river which is a great place to explore at night. On the same street there is pretty much everything you need: 2 pharmacies, 1$ bicycle rentals, some bars and lots of travel agents for your next long bus trip. (I know because we’ve been sick and stuck here for a week).
But yeah it seems to be some sort of backpacker hub, common areas are always full of people up for a chat, staff is pretty cool, they have a nice rooftop bar and a brand new pool…
They were out of budget rooms when we arrived, all I know is that they started dirt cheap (as in communal showers) and could go up to 25 bucks for a gigantic air con room with a balcony. Ours is a “deluxe” with air con, fan, hot shower (with amazing water pressure for south east asia seriously) and it’s 18$ a night, which is over our budget but worth the money at least. Though I’m sure you could snag something for 5 bucks a night if you’re not picky and the location is worth it!
Thanks for the recommendation, Saskia! I’ll definitely check it out next time I’m in Siem Reap.
Hi Alex. I’m planning to spend New Year in Siem Reap. With barely a month to prepare, I am confused with all that I am reading. I plan to stay in a hostel that is near the spots for nightlife. Are there any recommendations? I was also actually thinking if there are rooftop bars I can check out? Thanks.
Hey Mark! I haven’t been in a few years but from my memory Siem Reap is incredibly small, and anyway tuk tuks are cheap! So I wouldn’t worry too much about location, though ideally you’ll want to be near Pub Street. Angkor What? bar is a favorite π Enjoy!
Im just commenting to say that it’s super cute your dad signs in as ‘dad’. That cracked me up!! Go dad!
Interesting article too, by the way π
Thanks Nora! π I always love reading my dad’s lovely comments and knowing he’s checking in despite his busy schedule!
Hi Alex,
It’s a nice selection list. I can see some hotels are still being recommended.
Now Hotel de la Paix have been renovated to be a franchise international hotel and renamed to Park Hyatt Siem Reap.
I also make a recent selection top 10 hotel in Siem Reap on my blog, hope next time you visit Siem Reap, check one of them out!
Cheers
Santel
That’s a shame about Hotel de la Paix (depending on how you look at it, I suppose!)
Yes, the hotel has been renovated and turn into Park Hyatt. But for local people they always referring to La Pae, La Pae (Khmer pronouncing) – none ever call out βoh Iβm near Park Hyattβ
Good to know π Thanks!