Where to stay in Cambodia: Best Places and Hotels

Cambodia may have developed its tourism industry only recently, but this beautiful country has more than adequate facilities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The amazing sights and culture of Cambodia attract millions of tourists every year, and the places to stay are as varied as the sights themselves. From simple backpacker hostels to luxury five-star hotels, Cambodia caters to them all. But which are actually the best to stay in for your tour of Cambodia? Here are some recommendations.

1. Angkor: the Best Place to Stay for Khmer Cultural Treasures

Located in northern Cambodia, a short distance from the northern city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the ancient temple complex of the Khmer Empire and dates back over 1,200 years. Renowned as the largest religious site in the world, the complex contains hundreds of ancient temples and is the highlight of most travelers’ Cambodia tours.

Angkor Wat, the ancient temple complex of the Khmer Empire

Recommended Hotels and Hostels to Stay near Angkor Wat

There are plenty of places to stay near Angkor for those heading out to temples early for those sunrise photos. And being that close need not cost a fortune.

La Residence Blanc D’Angkor is a good 4-star hotel just 5km from Angkor Wat that provides free parking, WiFi, a pool, a hot tub, and inclusive breakfasts for just $23 a night.

A little closer (3.3km), and a little cheaper, the 2-star Bunsay Angkor Guesthouse offers free WiFi and a full-service laundry for as little as $17 a night.

Or if you want to be as close as possible for that early morning rush, then the Authentic Cambodian Angkor Cottage is the ideal place, at just 1.6km from Angkor Wat and for a small cost of $31 per night.

2. Siem Reap: the Best Place for Family Stay in Cambodia

Though known as the gateway to Angkor, Siem Reap has more than just the temples. Siem Reap also has a lot to offer family adventurers as well, from the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre and the Angkor Climbing Wall to touring the countryside on ATVs, making your own pottery, learning to be a circus performer, going horse riding, and even visiting the old Cambodian warplanes.

Recommended Best Family-friendly Hotels in Siem Reap

All hotels in Siem Reap are child friendly, but some are just that little bit more. One of the best family-friendly hotels in Siem Reap is the Prince D'Angkor Hotel & Spa, on Sivatha Blvd in the heart of the city, just steps from the Heritage Walk and minutes from Pub Street.

Sarai Resort & Spa is a luxurious, Moroccan-inspired boutique resort.

A little more luxurious, the 5-star Sarai Resort & Spa has a wellness area and live performances and is located in the center of Siem Reap, less than a 5-minute walk to Siem Reap Art Center Night Market

Alternatively, set in the Old French district, the Aviary Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Night Market Street and is a short ride away from the shrines to Preah Ang Check and Preah Ang Chom. It is also near the traditional Wat Preah Prom Rath Buddhist Temple.

3. Phnom Penh: the Best Place to Get an Overall Grasp of Cambodia

The capital and most populated city in Cambodia, Phnom Penh was once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, and is well on the way to regaining that title. From the glimmering spires of the Royal Palace and the alluring café culture to the bustling bars, pungent markets scents, and fluttering saffron robes of the monks along the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh is an adventure in itself.

You can find a hotel in Phnom Penh for any style, desire, and budget, from low-cost accommodation to family-friendly, to luxury, and even for some colonial charm.

Recommended Hotels to Stay in Phnom Penh

For a luxury stay in Phnom Penh, the best place is the Bale Phnom Penh. Located north of Riverside, although there is a little distance from the city center (about 20 minutes’ drive), everything here is meant for peace of mind. There is also an incredible pool area facing the Mekong River.

If you are looking for a little colonial charm, then there is nowhere better than the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, which offers a stunning combination of art deco styling with colonial architecture. And with lively bars and its haute cuisine menus, this iconic hotel promises the lost luxury of a bygone age.

4. Koh Rong: the Best Place to Stay for a Beach Holiday in Cambodia

Located off the coast of Sihanoukville in southwest Cambodia, Koh Rong Island is renowned for its serene beauty, pristine white sands, and crystal-clear waters. The main tourist beach is Koh Touch and is a vibrant party beach with plenty of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants which makes it ideal for young couples and groups of friends.

A short distance from the tourist beach lies the Long Set (4K) Beach, with its pristine waters and stunning scenery. A beach that has preserved the natural setting, this is one of the most peaceful places on the island.

Lonely Beach is actually considered the most beautiful beach on the island, and this small alcove beach located on the northern side of Koh Rong feels like a true desert island paradise.

And finally, you have Palm Beach, which overlooks the famous Song Saa Private Island and is a palm-covered paradise getaway.

Recommended Beach Resorts to Stay in Koh Rong

As resorts go, there are more than plenty to choose from in Koh Touch, including the fabulous Royal Sands Resort and the luxurious Sok San Beach Resort.

You can find many beach resorts at Koh Rong.

There are three good resorts in Long Set beach, including the Paradise Bungalows, the White Beach Bungalows, and the Tree House Bungalows, which are actually on stilts above the ground and set back in the trees.

Lonely Beach only has one resort, which is appropriately named the Lonely Beach Resort. The accommodation is very rustic, and not suitable for anyone looking for the comforts of home. But considering it is located in the loneliest part of the island, the rustic charm makes it very popular.

Palm Beach also has just one resort and is reckoned to be one of the best value-for-money resorts on the island, with quality modern accommodation at very reasonable prices.

5. Battambang: the Best Place for Colonial Towns and Rural Villages in Cambodia

Known as the rice bowl of Cambodia, Battambang province is renowned for its agriculture and is a great place to discover traditional Khmer cuisine at its best. The region is well known for its French colonial architecture blending with the ancient Khmer styles, and the open landscape is dotted with small rural villages and communities and ancient temples.

Recommended Places to Stay in Battambang

Located 2.5 miles outside the city, Battambang Resort is one of the best value places to stay in Battambang. It is famous for the gorgeous views of tropical gardens, lush rice paddies, and the lake full of the lily pad.

Located a 10-minute walk from the city center, Pomme Hostel is perfect for budget backpackers. It is only two blocks from the Sangker River, and downstairs is a tasty pub-restaurant with live music shows on weekends.

6. Kampot: the Best Place for Backpackers to Stay in Cambodia

The small sleep provincial town of Kampot in southern Cambodia doesn’t look much at first glance, with its wide dusty streets and dilapidated old buildings. But this is one of the best-loved locations for backpackers and now for the modern digital nomads.

Life is slow in Kampot, unrushed, and meant for lazing in hammocks or swimming in the river. And living there is easy, as it feels like a real Cambodian city that has been missed by the tourist industry. It looks untouched by commercialism, but behind that lazy charm there are cafes and restaurants, pizza and veggie burgers, and street stands selling everything from baguettes to fresh sugarcane juice and steamed corn. And it is filled with expats, who go there to live a peaceful life without the rushing tourists.

Bamboo Bungalow offers accommodations with views of the Kampot River and Bokor Mountain.

Recommended Hostels for Backpackers to Stay in Kampot

And where there are backpackers, you will always find hostels to cater to them. Cool Kampot is one of the best in the city, and is a great place for a romantic getaway, with reasonably priced private rooms and mountain views.

The High Tide Kampot is a hostel that lies on the edge of the river, and allows you to immerse yourself in nature. There are a number of room options, from large dormitories and family rooms to single tents, and this is one of the cheapest hostels in the area.

The Monkey Republic is the Kampot version of the party hostel. It has a fun and friendly atmosphere and promotes social interaction with other guests. Located in the center of Kampot, it is close to all amenities but has an on-site bar and restaurant if you want to stay in.

Conclusion

When you travel to Cambodia, there are more cities worth staying in beside the famous Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, such as Koh Rong Island, Battambang, and Kampot. Most of these travel destinations in Cambodia have various kinds of places to stay, from the simple and cheap hostels designed for budget backpackers to the luxurious five-star hotels that you can find in any other country in the world. There are plenty of things for kids and families to do as well, so when it comes to finding a place to stay in Cambodia, you will be spoilt for choice.