Hotels in Cambodia

In Phnom Penh

Hope and Anchor

$40 for a double with balcony
$35 for a single with balcony

The first morning, it was great to wake up to sunrise over the river --- and spot the Wat Penh elephant on its way to work. But the room was noisy, slightly dirty, and run-down: holes in the sheets and towels, wardrobe collapsing, plumbing not great. Staff was friendly and helpful, but the atmosphere along Sisowath Quay got old and sleazy quickly.



Hotel Scandinavia

$35 plus 10% tax for a single, breakfast included - yummy breakfast sandwiches!

The Scandinavia was wonderful. Clean and artistic and in a quiet, fashionable neighborhood. Room was filled with lovely textiles and furniture. A lovely little pool, an outdoor bar to hang out at. AC reading room that I'm sure is lovely when the weather is hot. Staff was young and a bit unorganized, but very earnest and polite. I'd much rather stay in this neighborhood (near Indpendence Monument and popular with NGOs and ex-pats) than over by Sisowath Quay. Lots of great places to eat and drink and shop, and green and leafy. Phnom Penh is so small... don't think you are too far from the sights or the river.

Siem Reap

The Palm Village

$39 dollars for a AC double (breakfast included)
($30 for fan double)


Please will someone take me back to the Palm Village? Lovely bungalows around a garden, a short tuk-tuk ride outside of busy Siem Reap. Large bathroom with skylight, breakfast served on your porch or poolside or in the outdoor dining pavilion. Outdoor massage pavilion and a wonderful massage therapist named Ma. Sunset/sunrise viewing tower. It was great.

Just a few smudges in paradise: our first night there we were in the fan room, rather than the AC room. We were told there was no other difference, but that really wasn't true: the fan room is a rather basic wood structure attached to the massage pavilion. Not anywhere near as nice as the regular bungelows.

We booked our guide through the hotel and he was not very good. Our tuk-tuk driver, Mr. Kuhn, was a sweetheart, however. Though he didn't speak much English. But every day he took us around and every night, he would drop us off in town for dinner and pick us up at an agreed-upon time.

I got a virus on my memory card from their complimentary computer. Be careful.

But otherwise... stay at the Palm Village before Siem Reap expands even more and it is no longer quiet and away-from-it-all!