Phnom Penh
Where to lay your head
Where to lay your head
Many visitors come to Phnom Penh with the intention of staying for a month or three for volunteer work, fellowships or other programmes that require a medium-to-long-term stay. Others come for a short visit and fall in love and decide to stick around for a while. Because the Cambodia visa situation is very permissive, it’s a fine place to stop and stay for a few months. You can go old... Read our full review of Staying in Phnom Penh for a few weeks … or longer.
Facing directly onto the Tonle Sap river at the confluence with the Mekong and Tonle Bassac rivers, these properties have great views across the waters and down on to thriving Sisowath Quay.
Sandwiched between the much more expensive Amanjaya and Bougainvillier hotels, and surrounded by pubs and restaurants, Cozyna offers a great location, great views and even better prices. The bright, mid-sized rooms have large, wooden furniture, as is the custom here, but are spotlessly clean and tastefully, if minimally, decorated. The staff are wonderfully helpful too. While the front rooms have... Read our full review of Cozyna Hotel.
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Bursting out in a blast of modernist white from within a sandwich of more traditional-looking Phnom Penh riverfront properties, The Quay is easy to miss as you walk past. Slap-bang in the middle of riverside’s busy main thoroughfare, this boutique hotel is well placed for sightseeing, close to the Royal Palace and a 10-minute wander to Central Market and Wat Phnom. Great views — if you can... Read our full review of The Quay Hotel.
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Set just above the popular sports and music bar Paddy Rice, Adore has rooms decorated in contemporary Khmer style, with great river views at the front. Given the location and quality, they represent seriously excellent value. All of the light and airy rooms are scrupulously clean, furnished to a high standard, with wide, comfortable beds, and all of the conveniences that you would expect,... Read our full review of Adore.
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Primarily aimed at the aid community and business traveller market, Amanjaya offers high quality rooms with outstanding river views. The striking pale-yellow hotel stands out on the corner of a major intersection, a touch of relative opulence amid large swaths of more budget-oriented accommodation. The hotel’s 21 wood-floored, spotless rooms are decorated in mostly tasteful contemporary Asian... Read our full review of Amanjaya Hotel.
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With many of the rooms decorated in Neo-Shanghai style, the Bougainvillier straddles a slightly uncomfortable place between taste and ostentation, but we think it pulls it off. The suites overlooking the river are massive, heavy, dark wood furniture affairs which survive because of the space and light coming in through the French doors on to the balcony. They are, however, immaculate, as are the... Read our full review of Bougainvillier Hotel.
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The first in the very popular chain of hostels that now also has sites in Sihanoukville and Siem Reap, One Stop Hostels excel in providing contemporary, comfortable spaces in which almost everything seems to have been thought of. The air-con dorms are always spotless, and each of the solidly-framed, wide bunks has its own socket and light fitting. Large lockers with padlocks provide plenty of... Read our full review of One Stop Hostel.
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On the northern riverside end, beyond the great dividing line of Street 108, Pillar Hotel offers decent-sized, comfortable and stylish rooms most of which have good views down the river. They were in the throes of installing a lift into the five-storey building when we last visited in late 2015, so that butt-frightening climb to the top will soon be as easy as pushing a button. Roll over for a... Read our full review of Pillar Hotel.
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For our purposes this area covers from the north side of Sihanouk Boulevard, north to Pochentong, west to Nehru and east to the river. This encompasses much of the commercial heart of Phnom Penh including Phsar Thmei and the Palace.
We were blown away when we came here and found a refined, stylish, beautifully laid-out hostel. In fact, the only thing that gave away that it might be a hostel and not a classy boutique hotel was the great pile of shoes outside. There were a lot of them. This place may be new, but the word has already spread far and wide it would seem. Space age and spacey beds at SLA. Inside the reception... Read our full review of SLA Boutique Hostel .
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Smart, almost airport-like design brings you in the doors of this super-contemporary hostel, with slightly cramped, but beautifully designed air-con dorms with all of the amenities you would expect, such as individual power outlets for each bed and personal lockers in each room. Unlike a lot of places, they also offer double beds so travelling couples don’t have to pine at each other across the... Read our full review of Aura Thematic Hostel.
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Cool sophistication and a relatively quiet location are pretty much all you need to know about this gorgeous little hideaway, tucked down a narrow alley just off Street 19. Hidden behind a large, wooden gate and plenty of greenery, Blue Lime offers a sense of seclusion which is amplified around the tree-lined infinity pool in the cool and shady garden. This is the kind of place that will be hard... Read our full review of Blue Lime.
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A warm but professional welcome, plenty of art deco design features, and a relatively central location, despite being secluded down a short and quiet little side street all contribute to making Manor House an enviable spot. The rooms are well-sized and elegantly laid-out, though we felt a little pricey considering. On the other hand, it’s hard to over-estimate the relative quiet that you find... Read our full review of Manor House.
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Despite being within walking distance of many of Phnom Penh’s central historical highlights, the lovely Pavilion has an atmosphere of refined seclusion and offers spacious rooms priced at less than what you’d expect, given the quality of amenities and service on offer. A rare restored French-era building. The hotel has something of a pieced-together quality, thanks to various neighbours... Read our full review of The Pavilion.
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Set in the heart of Phnom Penh’s colonial district and within a short walk of both the Royal Palace and the riverfront, The Penh offers smart rooms in a superb, tucked away spot. The location is superb. This lovely little hotel — formerly the Boddhi Tree Aram — is down a busy, slightly stinky alley, filled with food vendors, playing children and gambling old men that leave no room,... Read our full review of The Penh Guesthouse.
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Set across more than half a hectare of prime real estate in central Phnom Penh, The Plantation hides behind a white wall on Street 184, spitting distance to the Royal Palace, National Musuem and cafe chic Street 240. Rooms are at once functional and stylish, with crisp colours punctuating an otherwise serene neutral palette. You won’t get the personal attention of the smaller hotels in the... Read our full review of The Plantation.
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A great location, spotless if unvarnished rooms, and a busy restaurant downstairs are in the attractions for Bright Lotus. The rooms have air-con, TV, private bathrooms with hot water, and a narrow shared veranda that curves around the building. The mattresses were quite spongey, so this is not the spot if this is an issue for you. Here, you’re within a short dive of the riverside, FCC, the... Read our full review of Bright Lotus 1 Guest House.
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Circa 51 is a lovely, shady family-run hotel in an historical early 1960s-era building renovated with care and attention to detail, and plenty of character. With a swimming pool and eclectic decor, it makes for something a bit different in the Cambodian capital if your budget stretches to midrange. Not a bad spot to while away a few hours. Walking into Circa 51 you could almost believe you've... Read our full review of Circa 51.
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We loved the easy charm of the staff here, and the rooms were more than a pleasant surprise given the price and location. If you worry that you might miss something from Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife on Street 51, this is a good place to base yourself — do not walk this home at 03:00 though, seriously. It’s also only a two-minute walk to Central Market, placing you slap bang in the middle... Read our full review of Happiness Guest House.
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Tucked away on a quiet road just off Norodom Boulevard, the Kambuja Inn has a collection of good-sized, good value rooms, many with two large double beds, making this a great option for those travelling with young children. And its reputation is such that all 11 rooms were fully booked the last time we went to check it out, at a time when everyone else was praying for guests. It’s a little bit... Read our full review of Kambuja Inn.
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Stunning, out of this world, design in a gorgeous 1960s building transports you instantly from the grimy streets outside to a world defined by class and elegance. It’s quite the transition. La Maison d’Ambre comes from the family of Cambodian-French fashion designer Romyda Keth, whose Ambre clothing helps Phnom Penh — and now Siem Reap — women stand out from the crowd in all the best... Read our full review of La Maison D'Ambre.
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A stalwart, Narin has been around since virtually before time began, and though it’s not brilliantly located, unless you plan on spending time hanging aroundPhsar Orussey, it’s still very popular with backpackers, probably because its rooms are reasonable and the staff friendly. Also, a night’s stay is about the same price as a few hours at an internet cafe. The rates are good and a pleasant,... Read our full review of Narin Guest House.
This is almost as down to earth as it gets, but in a charming, not-especially grungy kind of way at a laid-back family-run affair spread across three floors. The top floor is the most Cambodian you’re likely to find these days where, inside wooden walls, the sombre fan-cooled rooms are spacious and clean. But they are basic. That’s why they’re cheap. Don’t come here if you’re looking... Read our full review of Seng Sokhom Guest House.
Despite its less than salubrious surroundings and, in fairness, a few of its less than sober guests, Sundance offers very decently turned out rooms and a pool with clean efficiency, a charming smile, and pretty good value. Choices, choices – tourist breakfast or unidentified street food? Street 172 is fiercely resisting the rush of modernisation that is overtaking the rest of Phnom Penh, but... Read our full review of Sundance Inn and Saloon.
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Super-smart style, a relaxed vibe and great staff are just some of the reasons this place was fully booked out the last time we went to take a look at it. The first time we saw it, it was one of those happy little accidents when we were looking for something else, but on stumbling in we were instantly taken with the snazzy little cabanas and air of elegant indolence around the pool. We had to... Read our full review of The 252.
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The Artist is an interesting spot offering simple but specially designed rooms featuring fun artwork, a strong aesthetic sense, and a warm touch of quirk. It combines a sense of style with good value and a great, central location with easy access to everything on a relatively quiet stretch just down from the National Museum. Simple comfort and stye. We love how it all comes together, even... Read our full review of The Artist.
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Romantic design, efficient service, and a gorgeous rooftop bar and pool with killer views are part of the draw here, at this stylish, locally-owned hotel. Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel is very much in the classical style, with an elegant, white lobby and breezily spacious rooms, and is part of a successful chain created by a trio of local entrepreneurs, including a number of establishments in... Read our full review of Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel.
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Still popular with backpackers, Okay Guesthouse offers 30 clean and spacious rooms and has done away with their old dorms. They still offer a decent price for what’s on offer, especially in view of the location. All the rooms now have private bathrooms, and some have air-con. The difference between the $10 and $12 double rooms is a window on the outside world. Almost always busy with... Read our full review of Okay Guest House.
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Traditionally Phnom Penh’s expat and NGO enclave, BKK1 is also home to a fast-developing accommodation scene. BKKS 3 is a little earthier, some might say grungier, while Tonle Bassac is rapidly developing into a hip little enclave.
Tucked away down at the bottom of BKK1, south of BKK market, House Boutique is a lovely hotel in a breezy, modern building inspired by Phnom Penh’s most famous architect and father of the New Khmer Architecture movement, Vann Molyvann. A delightful hideaway. The air-con rooms are as stylish as the exterior would lead you to expect — local designer Vannary San is responsible for their lovely... Read our full review of House Boutique.
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Tucked a little out of the way to the south of the city, Rambutan Resort is a stylish and classy retreat from the hustle of uptown Phnom Penh. While it’s certainly in a quieter part of town, it’s still only a short ride away from the capital’s major attractions. An urban retreat from the urban crush. The decidedly boutique hotel, which pitches itself as gay-friendly, has just 19 rooms set... Read our full review of Rambutan Resort.
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St 63 Hostel offers immaculate, well-designed air-con dorms with solid wooden bed frames, and a lot of attention to often under-considered features like a shelf beside each bed, alongside a reading lamp, socket and somewhere to safely charge your mobile devices. Set on the fringes of BKK1, it’s also a great spot for branching out across the city while enjoying plenty of nearby shops, bars and... Read our full review of St 63 Hostel.
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One of Phnom Penh’s seminal party hostels, Top Banana continues to offer top value, with a great location, more than decent dorms and solid prices. Set on the second and third floors of a three-storey building on the corner of Pasteur (Street 51) and Street 278, it’s a bit tricky to find, and then requires you to climb up several steep, metal staircases that wind around the building, adding to... Read our full review of Top Banana Guesthouse.
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In the heart of trendy BKK1, there is little that hasn’t been thought out in this large, modified villa. The dorms are all air-con, with firm mattresses on the solid wooden bunks. Each bed has its own light, socket and shelves, while the lockers are big enough to handle even the biggest backpacks. The bathrooms were spotlessly clean -- indeed, they were the loveliest smelling ones we’ve... Read our full review of Envoy Hostel.
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One of the longest-running hotels in the area, Golden Gate is not the loveliest spot in the world, but it is reliable in a kind of sturdy, no-nonsense way. Street 278 is home to a slew of hotels with the word Golden in their name, and rumour has it they’re all owned by various members of the same extended family. Of all the Goldens, this one is the nicest, though the others are quite similar and... Read our full review of Golden Gate Hotel.
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In a classically-styled building, safely hidden away behind high walls, Jasmine Hotel, which used to be known as Monument Hotel, gives off an air of exclusivity that is not reflected in the price. Although it’s small, there are certain things Jasmine Hotel likes to do big. There’s the impossibly large entrance gate, and the ear to ear smiles from staff as you walk in. Even better, they... Read our full review of Jasmine Hotel .
A stylish set-up on the edges of BKK1, without BKK1 prices, Kolab Sor has nine floors of smart, modern rooms with a masculine feel that any business traveller or wandering tourist would feel comfortable in. They are genuinely excellent value for money. It sells itself as a boutique hotel, and with 52 rooms does technically fall within that description, however it has more the feel of a corporate... Read our full review of Kolab Sor .
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TEAV Bassac Boutique Hotel offers sharp rooms with a modern Cambodian aesthetic and more amenities than you’d expect if you can snare an online deal, with top service from professional staff the icing on the cake. The location is a just a few minutes’ walk from the funky dining scene on Street 308, as well as an interesting local market, the White Building and, a little further away, the... Read our full review of TEAV Bassac Boutique Hotel.
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A well-established and popular destination, Villa Langka may well be one of the greenest spaces in central Phnom Penh. Dense palms surround a 1960s-style, mid-century French mansion and elegant pool, which is a hit with guests and the many expats who bring their kids here to swim and play on weekends. There are now two separate buildings. The old, main building has spacious rooms decorated in... Read our full review of Villa Langka.
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Another Phnom Penh party hostel stalwart, with plenty to rest, sustain, guide and plain entertain you, Mad Monkey is a super-funky hostel with $6 dorm beds, great food and fun rooftop bar. It’s set in two buildings so you can escape the monkey madness from time to time if the urge takes you. Come for the cheap dorm, stay for the food. The private rooms — priced from $16-29 per night... Read our full review of Mad Monkey Hostel.
An airy spaciousness pervades at Pandan, with big, smartly turned out rooms and a welcoming, wide open downstairs area. The rooms are absolutely spotless, and felt comfortable and well thought through, though some may feel that they lack character. Anyone who needs plenty of hanging space will be particularly pleased — this is too rare a commodity in many, even upmarket, establishments. The... Read our full review of Pandan.
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Stylish, modern and a little bit hip, Patio Urban Resort is designed for those who want to combine sleek comfort with proximity to one of Phnom Penh’s better areas. A little pricier than others, the design-inclined may well be happy to overlook this. Tucked down a small cul-de-sac just off Street 51 by Wat Langka, Patio has a gorgeous rooftop swimming pool, and it’s worth noting that this... Read our full review of Patio Hotel and Urban Resort.
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The Willow is a charming and unpretentious spot, offering just a dozen air-con rooms in a large house shaded by a series of tall trees — hence the name — with plenty of quirky design details, original artwork and a stunning ornamental spiral staircase. Located just a short walk from the newly thriving Bassac Lane area, it’s a solid option if you want to spend a little more than a... Read our full review of The Willow Hotel.
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This covers everything north of Pochentong, including the area around Wat Phnom.
There’s a good vibe here, no matter what time of day you wander in, with a large hang out area and a pool (a pool!) tucked in behind a bright white wall. The smart, spotless building looks like anything but a hostel, but that’s what it is, and they seem to lay on enough entertainment as though to prove the point. Two blocks from Wat Phnom to the north of Phnom Penh, it's no more than a $2 tuk... Read our full review of Eighty8 Backpackers.
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Phnom Penh’s most iconic hotel, Raffles Hotel Le Royal has a storied history going all the way back to 1929 when it first opened as Hotel Le Royal. It was a little less chic then, but today the building breathes a deeply sophisticated old world charm, with its stylish blend of art-deco, colonial and Khmer design, attention to detail, and impeccable service. The very definition of cool... Read our full review of Raffles Hotel Le Royal.
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A beautiful hotel set in a classic 1950s/1960s villa, The Sangkum has 12 individually styled rooms with some of the most gorgeous furniture we’ve seen for a while. This place has everything a boutique hotel should, including a deep sense of individual style, personal and attentive service, and a certain refinement that lifts you out of the quotidian. Located just to the north of Raffles Hotel... Read our full review of The Sangkum.
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Quieter than its brasher peers, Me Mates place offers clean, polished rooms, fabulous staff (still), and a relaxed, easy-going (not stoner-relaxed, just relaxed-relaxed) vibe. The staff are very helpful, and while it offers fewer amenities than say, 88 Backpackers, it also offers a little more peace and quiet. On the other hand, you may find the staff eager to practice their already excellent... Read our full review of Me Mates Place.
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