Kerala Restaurant — named after the southwest Indian state of Kerala — on Siem Reap’s increasingly chi-chi Alley West is as good a reason as any to give yourself a break from Khmer cuisine and treat yourself to an authentic South Indian meal in pleasant, informal surroundings and at reasonable prices. If the suggestion of … read the full post

“Where is Ochheuteal beach?” Sounds like a stupid question, doesn’t it? After all, Ochheuteal gets written about more than any other beach in Sihanoukville. However, the Ochheuteal beach covered in most writing online comprises less than half a kilometre of a nearly three and a half kilometre long beach, and usually gets a pretty bad … read the full post

Showing plenty of foresight, Java Cafe and Gallery has been open since 2000, well ahead of the curve which has seen a new coffee shop open almost every week in Phnom Penh recently. Java is centrally located just two minutes’ walk from the Independence Monument, with views over Sihanouk Boulevard park. We love the mid-price tasty … read the full post

If you’re looking to stay in a beachfront bungalow along Sihanoukville’s Otres beach, Papa Pippo Bungalows is a solid choice — not because of the bungalows themselves, which are small and basic, but for the space surrounding them, their outlook, the overall homey atmosphere and the attached friendly restaurant serving up no-fuss Italian fare. Papa … read the full post

As far as Siem Reap hotel names go, the word “boutique” is only marginally less ubiquitous these days than the word “Angkor”. But don’t let that put you off. The Sonalong is a relaxing and family-friendly cluster of spacious, traditionally-styled two-storey villas, nestled in a tropical garden around a great salt water pool, and all … read the full post

A 15-minute stroll north from the Old Market, along the shady west bank of the Siem Reap River, with its ornate stone streetlamps and hotch-potch of animal and religious sculptures, leads you to The Royal Gardens, the Siem Reap city centre’s only open public green space. It is an area that provides visitors with a … read the full post

We walked into two-year-old The 252 in Phnom Penh by accident when we were trying to find Frangipani 60s, next door. The cute little semi-private cabanas with lime and purple accents around the pool were buzzing, people were sipping drinks at the bar, and the owner immediately came over to help me with my bags … read the full post

Located just to the north of Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Wat Phnom, The Sangkum is a fantastic new hotel addition to the Phnom Penh scene. The two-storey hotel, a former house renovated into a breezy 1950s/60s style, has 12 air-con rooms all individually kitted out with retro furniture, a tasteful restaurant and a small, welcoming pool; … read the full post

Have you ever been to one of those rural weekend markets where all the locals gather to display their wares? If so, you have an idea of what Sihanoukville’s new Otres Market is all about. You won’t find it on the main drag of Otres beach, though. Like all good weekend markets (it’s on Saturdays … read the full post

With spacious, air conditioned and spotlessly clean en suite rooms from just $18 a night, a quiet location less than a kilometre from the heart of Siem Reap and a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool no less, Siem Reap Rooms Guesthouse is an excellent budget option for the city. Located in a modern four-storey … read the full post