Where to Stay in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is meant for a good stay
Although the location is always the rule of thumb, it hardly matters that much as it's easy to get around in Siem Reap. For first-timers, upmarket travelers, family vacationers, and travelers on a budget, options vary.
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3 Things about Staying in Siem Reap ...
- Siem Reap is rather a town than a city as it's mainly built around the main streets of the Old French Quarter, old town area, and night market.
- No matter where you are staying, except for around the Tonle Sap Lake, a ride to Angkor Wat would be within 20 minutes.
- Price gaps of 3 and 4-star hotels are not that big, but facilities and services jump up greatly; thus we'd suggest you choose a higher level of hotels.
Different Stokes for Different Folks
First time to Siem Reap? Then go with the Old French Quarter or the Old Market area. While these two options can be suitable for almost everyone, Siem Reap can be broken down to mainly 6 sections pursuant to different interests. Refer to our Best Hotels in Siem Reap for more options.
1. Old French Quarter: First-Timers
From the quieter riverside to the bustling Central Market, here lies Siem Reap's heart: the Old French Quarter. Suggested by the name, one may expect some vintage French colonial-style buildings that have been transformed into cafes, bars and hotels.
Hip and bustling albeit some quiet corners, easy walking to literally everything and only 15 minutes of driving to the Angkor Wat Complex, this area is recommended for first-timers and travelers in general; upmarket vacationers would find their favorite brands here, too.
Quick Guide:
- Area: Sivutha Boulevard is the main street, stretching out to the riverside
- Distance: Siem Reap Airport: 10 minutes by car; Angkor Wat: 15 minutes by car; Central Market: 5 minutes on foot; Pub Street: 15 minutes on foot
- Recommended Hotels: La Raffles, Park Hyatt, Shinta Mani, Somadevi Residence, Angkor Holiday, Prince d’Angkor, and Chateau d'Angkor La Residence
- Dining & Leisure: FCC Angkor (International & Khmer), Le Grand (French),Sala Bai (Asian), Curry Walla (Indian, Halal & Vegetarian), and The Island Bar (bar)
2. Wat Bo Village: Upmarket & Romantic Stay
Hotels in Wat Bo Village boast for short distance to town center and perfect tranquil that most upmarket and romantic vacationers would pay extra for. This neighborhood is one-stone away from the Old French Quarter and lined with the Siem Reap River in the east. There is an interesting museum nearby: Miniature Replicas of Angkor by Dy Proeung, a less-visited place to kill an afternoon and talk to the local artists.
Among its scarce yet discerning options of deluxe accommodations, tranquilness, delicate services, amazing food, cozy rooms, full-round leisure venues, and ideal accessibility to major landmarks set the primary tone.
Quick Guide:
- Area: Street 20 to 24, around Wat Bo Village, and near the west bank of the Siem Reap River.
- Distance: Siem Reap Airport: 15 minutes by car; Angkor Wat: 20 minutes by car; Pub Street: 15 minutes on foot; Wat Bo Temple: 5 minutes on foot
- Recommended Hotels: Belmond La Residence, La Rivière d' Angkor Resort, Viroth’s Villa,
- Dining & Leisure: Alliance Café (Khmer, French), Peace Café (Vegetarian), The Dining Room (International), Cuisine wat Damnak (Khmer, fine dining), Soria Moria Fusion Kitchen (fusion, Japanese), and Angkor Photo Café Gallery (bar, gallery)
3. Pub Street Area: Nightlife & Budget-Friendly
Night in Siem Reap never gets boring. Neon lights highlighting "PUB STREET" at the mouth of Street 8 turn up after 0500pm. As more and more people return from the temples and frequent into the numerous restaurants, bars and clubs, the area from Street 7 to 9, the Lane, and the Passage, which is known as the Pub Street begin to blow up the roofs.
Local-run, budget-friendly, and small-scale, travelers who prefer average accommodation, easy access to everything, action and nightlife, as well as various dining options would always find their places of choice here. One downside might be the pubs booming up till midnight.
Quick Guide:
- Area: A triangle area wrapped up by Sivatha Boulevard, Pokambor Street, and Hospital Street
- Distance: Siem Reap Airport: 15 minutes by car; Angkor Wat: 20 minutes by car; Pub Street: 5 minutes on foot; Angkor Night Market: 10 minutes on foot; Phare, The Cambodian Circus: 10 minutes on foot;
- Recommended Hotels:Reaksmey Chanreas Hotel, Apsara Centrepole Hotel, Steung Siemreap Hotel, Summer Bliss Boutique, and Ta Prohm Hotel
- Dining & Leisure:8th Street Brasserie (Western, Khmer), Banana Leaf (International, Khmer), WILD - Creative Bar & Eatery (bar, vegetarian), and more…
4. Taphul Village: Family-Friendly
When you are traveling with kids, the least thing you need is noise at night. Taphul Village, on the west side of the Old French Quarter, is the pick of the litter for family trips. The village itself is a well-functioning local community filled with family-friendly restaurants, bars, and a big shopping mall. Night Market is also within short walking distance.
Boosting for mid-range stay, shopping and dining venues, quietness and safety, hotels in Taphul Village have regular family packages including airport transfers, laundry services, family rooms or connecting rooms, and children-friendly breakfast or special menus. Most hotel rooms are bigger than other areas, besides, family suites and extra bed are reasonably priced.
Quick Guide:
- Area: West side of the Old French Quarter
- Distance: Siem Reap Airport: 20 minutes by car; Angkor Wat: 20 minutes by car; Pub Street: 15 minutes on foot; Lucky Mall: 5 minutes on foot; Angkor Night Market: 10 minutes on foot; Phare, The Cambodian Circus: 15 minutes on foot;
- Recommended Hotels:Mane Village Suites, Theary's Luxury Villa, Motherhome Inn, BB Angkor Residence, and
- Dining & Leisure:Fresh Fruit Factory (ice cream, breakfast), Lilypop Restaurant (Thai, vegetarian), Try Me (American), Jomnan's Kitchen (Western), Madam Moch Khmer Restaurant (Khmer), and Pizza Roma by Sata (Italian)
5. National Road 6: Longer Stay
Connecting the Thai-Cambodia checkpoint of Poipet with Phnom Penh, the National Road 6 passes Siem Reap on its west side and connect the busy town with the airport. Big travel groups prefer this side of town, thanks to the greater capacity and better prices of the hotels.
For those who plan to stay in Siem Reap for a long time, hotels along the National Road 6 offer easy access to downtown, Angkor Wat and its less-visited temples, and the airport, plus extra value: you can totally have the entire hotel to yourself after those big groups march out on sightseeing. We’d recommend this area for travelers staying for over a week as well as photographers.
Quick Guide:
- Area: National Road 6, northwest of Siem Reap.
- Distance: Siem Reap Airport: 10 minutes by car; Angkor Wat: 20 minutes by car; Pub Street: 15 minutes by car
- Recommended Hotels: Borei Angkor Resort, Angkor Miracle Resort, Tara Angkor Hotel, J'S Links Angkor Boutique Hotel, Pacific Hotel & Spa, and Sabara Angkor Resort
- Dining & Leisure:Koulen Restaurant (Khmer, Asian), Red Mushrom (Asian, steakhouse), De Tummour (Thai, Vegetarian), and Chi Restaurant & Bar (bar, fine dining)
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