Siem Reap

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 Rd, 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.