Cambodia forum

We were at Siem Reap two years ago for the new year (2006-07). We went by land from Aranyaprathet, arriving around 10pm on the evening of Dec. 29 or Dec. 30. The minibus operator took us directly to a hotel on the western outskirts of the town, saying that all the other hotels in Siem Reap were already booked. Sensing a scam, we said "no thanks" and decided to walk with our baggage toward town down Route 6 where there are many backpaper hostels etc. To our surprise, we found out that the minibus operators had been telling the truth - everything was already booked for that night, forcing us into a 3-hour search of every single hotel for a room. We finally found one, but anyway two years ago new years was tight for rooms in Siem Reap .

After that we had an absolutely wonderful time for three days at Angkor, including a fun party into the wee hours on New Years on "Bar Street" where there were about 300 foreigners listening to music, drinking $2 beers and watching homemade fireworks.... I would recommend Siem Reap for New Years, but if you arrive at night take the first accomodations you get.