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Grand Hotel: best for traditional ballet
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Grand Hotel d'Angkor 1 Rue Charles de Gaulle (63) 963 888
Price: Cart drivers or more specifically very big limo drivers - US $350 to US $1900 Crowd: UN staff working on poverty alleviation, World Bank directors fighting poverty throughout the World, tycoons, rich people, famous French actors and Hollywood stars Go for: Luxury in style
At that price you should expect outstanding service, and you do get staff bowing to the floor. The Grand Hotel, like the Royal in Phnom Penh, is managed by the Raffles group from Singapore. This establishment is one notch above the rest and suited to accommodate the capricious tastes of celebrities and other personalities. The bars and restaurants take you back to colonial times when elephants were used to move tourists around. The Grand Hotel is a historical building that is almost a century old. The central location makes it a landmark in Siem Reap. If you cannot afford it, we still advise you to attend the nightly performance of Cambodian classical dance, for US $25, you also get the full buffet with the show.
Sofitel Royal Angkor Main road to Angkor Wat (63) 964 600
Price: Cart drivers - US $280 to US $1500 Crowd: rich people who want to relax in a quiet setting, visitors on package tours, Olympic swimmers Go for: Superb sports facilities, oasis style luxury
Somebody's got to tell those guys that "Angkor" means "imperial/empire" in Khmer, so calling a hotel "royal imperial" is a bit of a non-sense. Nevertheless, this French operated fine establishment consists of a sumptuous island and oasis style resort, complete with lake size giant swimming pool featuring a bar in the water. We like the architecture and the landscaping which has planted plenty of trees.
La Noria - The Water Wheel East bank of the river (63) 964 242
Price: Cart drivers - US $30 to US $45 Crowd: tourists, families on weekends, French people Go for: cute little villas
The rooms are in nice villas surrounding a nice central swimming pool. A good address if the prices won't go up. Receptionists are a bit overwhelmed sometimes. Go for the rooms with air-conditioning, as the fans are not powerful enough for the warmer months. Amenities include a restaurant serving French and Khmer meals. Breakfast is included.
Nida Villa 263 Rue Charles de Gaulle - Opposite the Stadium (012) 945 545 (855) 63 963 304 (Landline and Fax)
Price: Average - US $20 to US $25 Crowd: people working in Cambodia, lucky visitors, honeymoon couples Go for: Family run guesthouse with big rooms and nice garden
We could not believe our eyes when we first stayed here with some colleagues visiting from abroad a few years back. The Villa is located opposite the Kantha Bopha Hospital, on the main road to Angkor Wat. This is what the French call a true "Pension de Famille", it is run by Master Thony and Mistress Vantha, who must be among the kindest souls in Siem Reap. Master Thony will pick you up from the airport in his old Toyota Camry and give you plenty of tips on the town. The rooms are large with air-conditioning, two queen size beds, and en-suite bathrooms. The villa is located at the back of a sizable garden complete with fountain, rabbits and chickens. A hearty breakfast is included, you get the usual eggs, meat, fruits, but you better ask for something Khmer, as their food is amazing. This must be the best value in town, it has excellent service, calm surroundings and great food. Word of mouth brings weary travelers here. French is spoken, and if you are lucky (meaning you are a good guest and not a pain in the neck), you will be able to order proper meals for a modest bill.
Golden Banana Bed & Breakfast East bank of the river, close to the Old Market (012) 885 366
Price: Average - US $15 to US $25 Crowd: tourists, families on weekends, French people Go for: central location, hilarious name
We don't known how they came up with the name, for it has no connection whatsoever with Khmer culture. But the fact that the owner is gay friendly, and fully gay himself might have something to do with it. Although Golden Linga would have been more culturally appropriate, golden banana sure makes us and their staff laugh.
Molina Hotel 50 meters from Caltex Gas Station off Road 6 (012) 982 082 (012) 737 433 (063) 963 174
Price: Cheap - US $10 to US $15 Crowd: average tourists looking for a safe bet but with a mild sense for adventure Go for: central location, large rooms with bathtubs and water heaters
Beginning of lecture. Water heaters have an average rated capacity of 3000 watts, in layman's parlance, they consume a huge amount of electricity. If you take several showers a day (you will!), the electricity bill could run up to US $5 for the hotel owner, which is why some of them disconnect or don't bother installing heaters. Aha! So the fact that this hotel has both operational water heaters and bathtubs at rock bottom prices is a very good deal. End of lecture.
Smiley's Guest House 21 Boulevard Sivatha (012) 852 955
Price: Cheap - US $6 to US $12 Crowd: Clean-shaven backpackers and hygiene conscious budget travelers Go for: cheap but generally clean and safe and smiling
Smiley was already around, I was still at the Lycée trying to get my baccalauréat double. Apparently, Smiley is still smiling. They have some air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms (not for US $6 though). If you are really on the low-end of your budget, you can sleep in their dormitory. The restaurant serves cheap food.
Rasmei Angkor Guesthouse By the river near Psar Chas (Old Market) (015) 834 264
Price: Cheap - US $5 to US $15 Crowd: Backpackers Go for: clean place with a nice river view
Hard to translate Rasmei, which in fact should be spelt Reasmei, it's a combination of "aura", "charisma", "leadership", and "authority". The rooms with fans are the cheapest, the ones with air-conditioning have nice views on the river in this colonial style building which was repainted last year. Load up on trinkets from the Old Market located nearby.
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