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Golden Age at Ze Royal
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Almond Hotel 128F Rue Sothearos, corner of Russian Embassy (23) 220 822
Price: US $40 Crowd: Value seekers, business people, expats from out of town, NGO staff Go for: No frills value for money, brand new everything, clean Spanking new in October 2008, Almond is a contender and surprisingly smooth for an upstart. The Dim Sum restaurant is very reasonable, the staff are friendly and the comfortable rooms boast all modern amenities (safe, wifi, TV, bathtub etc). Ask for a view on the river. Deco is tasteful and not overwhelming. If you are looking for a boutique hotel without the pontifying colonial atmosphere, this is the place.
Anise Hotel Corner of Rue 278 and Rue 57 (23) 222 522
Price: US $40 Crowd: Tourists, cheapskate consultants who want to save their allowances Go for: Wanna be tasty and just about makes it, great location for tourists Anise is a very reasonable hotel, although not the best deal because you are in a touristy area and are surrounded by good restaurants and (second rate) bars. Staff are generally friendly and respectful. The shower over the watercloset for the cheaper rooms is not the greatest. But overall it makes the cut to our list with a comfortable margin.
Bhoddi
Tree Arram
70 Rue 244. Not far from the southern gate of the Royal Palace. (023) 211 376
Price: US $80 Crowd: A few lost tourists Go for: Tasteful
Set in a quiet and meditative villa, this is a very nice eight bedroom boutique hotel, conveniently located around Street 240 restaurants and bars. Excellent service and good vibrations about, what else would you need? Ah, yes, of course, they are also involved in community development projects! The price tag is a high but it comes with access to the Himawari's pool, lighting fast wifi and delicious breakfast.
Hotel Le Royal
Rue 52 - Boulevard Monivong (23) 981 888
Price: Cart drivers or more specifically limo drivers US $150 to US $2000(!) Crowd: World Bank majority shareholders, corporate tycoons, very rich people, Colin Powell, Jackie Kennedy, people with discount coupons Go for: Luxury in style
"Step into Hotel Le Royal and relive the romance of the Golden Age of Travel: Built in the late 1920s and sensitively restored to its original heyday, it stands among the few remaining hotels in the world." It sounds very much like corporate codswallop, but it might actually be true. It seems that the Royal belongs to another dimension. In one of the poorest countries of the world here stands an establishment that would match any rival in the Western World. In fact like most upscale hotels in Phnom Penh, management and ownership are foreign. The service is professional but stuck up, the buffet is outstanding (although we could only afford the juice bar), and the atmosphere is subtle. If you are on the pay roll of a big multinational lending agency and want to splash into luxury, this is definitely the place in Cambodia (with the possible exception of the Grand Hotel d'Angkor and Sofitel in Siem Reap).
Hotel Cambodiana 313 Quai Sisowath (023) 426 288
Price: Cart drivers - US$ 120 to US$ 400 Crowd: Koffee Annan, UN Staff, European Union Diplomats, Japanese and Western tourists on guided tours, Cambodian Overlords driving their Hummers Go for: French pastries, tennis courts, room with a view on the river. The Cambodiana, built in 1969 by famed architect Vann Molyvann, was for several years at the highest end of the market. With six restaurants and the usual combination of spa-pool-tennis, it remains a luxury hotel to reckon with although it is getting a little tired. The rooms on the river are the absolute choice. After six o'clock, the plebeians like us can taste French cakes and bread at discount prices. It's big and it's suite (sweet, get it?).
Himawari 313 Quai Sisowath (023) 214 555
Price: Cart drivers - US$ 90 to US$ 215 Crowd: Businessmen, consultants on long haul, families, Japanese (!) Go for: Tennis court, View on the river
Right next to Cambodiana, the "Sunflower" has good facilities for sports, a great garden overlooking the river and an airy lobby. People on long hauls looking for luxury serviced apartments will be satisfied by staff competence, convenient location and Australian oysters served regularly at the buffet.
Sunway Hotel 1 Rue 92 - Opposite Wat Phnom (023) 430 333
Price: Cart drivers - US$ 65 to US$ 240 Crowd: International consultants, aid industry and tourists Go for: Best doughnuts in town, excellent value for money buffet
This is an unpretentious, professionally run middle to high end establishment with a view on the Pagoda on the Mount. Extremely popular for conferences, it can get quite busy. The walls are pink or pinkish. The doughnuts are good, the pastries are outstanding. You can order your cakes in advance and to your taste (sweet, super sweet, no cherries, double amount of chocolate etc.). Possibly the best Black Forest Cake in town, show up after six to get a discount. The buffet is good value for money if you have a moderately huge appetite. Also try "High Tea", where $6.00 you get tea or coffee plus a cold snack buffet with scones and cream.
Del Gusto Guest House 43 Rue 95. Not far from S-21, but far enough to avoid bad vibes.
Price: US $10 Crowd: Backpackers Go for: Safe, very clean, and excellent food.
Better known for their restaurant (see our food section), this guest house has a few clean and affordable rooms in a traditional Khmer wooden house. Friendly staff, excellent food. You can book by internet.
Narin Guest House 50 Rue 125 - Near O'Russei Market
Price: US $10 Crowd: Backpackers Go for: Safe, clean, and good food.
There are some rooms with air-con and private toilets available. Otherwise for all guesthouses you'd better get a mosquito net (they're dirt cheap and can be found anywhere). This is a popular place with cart drivers and deservingly so as far as we could see.
Last Home 47 Rue 108 (023) 724 917
Price: US $6 Crowd: Backpackers Go for: Safe and clean
This is closer to the old market, so it's not far from the River and relatively central. It has a restaurant and some books if you can read.
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