Booming Siem Reap is the leaping off point for the magnificent temples of Angkor. In the space of a decade the town has exploded from a relatively small backwater to the fastest growing settlement in Cambodia. Set astride the Siem Reap River, the town is home to a couple of minor sites of interest, some reasonable shopping and hundreds of guesthouses and restaurants.

If you're planning on seeing Angkor from anything other than your aircraft seat, you'll be staying here. Take your pick from a full range of accommodation options, from $3 flophouses to $300-plus luxury hotels.

Most tourists tend to visit the ruins in the morning and late afternoon, taking a break in the middle of the day when the heat and poor light detracts from the temples. The easiest way to visit is to hire a motodop by the day, although you can also go by bicycle, bus, car, helicopter and even hot-air balloon.

Aside from exploring the Angkor Wat complex, most people spend their time laying around their guesthouse, sitting in one of the town's many bars and restaurants, seeing the other minor sites and shopping. There's enough to keep even those with a minimal interest in ruins occupied for a couple of days, while if piles of rocks are your thing, you could end up spending a month here.


Where should I stay in Siem Reap?
The Airport road
Convenient to your hotel and the airport -- that is about it. Lined with dozens of mostly characterless faux-four star hotels, the Airport Road has slim pickings when it comes to fine lodgings. Most everything will be a motorbike or tuk tuk ride away, so don't even stay here trying to save money, you're better off staying closer to town.

The French Quarter
Between Sivatha Rd and the Siem Reap River, some excellent mid-to upper range options lie in this part of town, including some of Siem Reap's most fabulous hotels. On the other side of Sivatha Rd though you're back to backpacker and flashpacker lodgings -- none of which are the pick of the bunch.

Old market
While a handful of budget lodgings feature around here, some of which are very good, the old market area is more of a shopping, feasting and drinking zone. You can choose to stay in the heart of the old market, or across Sivatha Road there's a bunch of budget guesthouses.

Wat Bo
The backpacker's heartland -- loads of good budget guesthouses along with some pretty exceptional mid-range resorts. The old market area is a pleasant 15 minute riverside walk away.

Towards Angkor Wat
A few hotels are scattered further afield, particularly on the road to Angkor, but what you gain in proximity to the ruins, you lose in distance from Siem Reap town and its rich selection of eateries and other distractions.

Siem Reap Orientation
There is a small tourist office opposite the Grand Hotel d'Angkor, but we've never managed to get anything useful out of them.

In the unlikely situation that you need to be hospitalised, head to Bangkok. Otherwise the following well regarded clinic and a children's hospital may be helpful.

Naga International Clinic
#593 Road 6, Airport Road
Siem Reap
Tel: (063) 964 500
Fax: (063) 963 274
Mobile Phone: (012) 982 981

Angkor Hospital for Children
Achamean St, Siem Reap
Tel: (063) 96 3409
Fax: (063) 76 0452
e-mail: admin@angkorhospital.org
http://angkorhospital.org/

The Tourist Police have an office by the admission gate into the Angkor Historical Park.

ANZ Royal has installed two international access ATMs -- one in town and one at the airport, while many banks have branches in Siem Reap and can provide cash advances and exchange travellers cheques.

The main post office is on the river road, near the FCC Angkor.

Internet cafes are scattered all over Siem Reap, particularly in the old market area. Rates are extremely low -- as little as 2,000 riel per hour. Wireless access points are becoming more common.