Good Hotel in Phnom Pen

This is a good place – Dara Reang Sey Hotel.

It’s run by 2 sisters, the very charming Dara and Reangsey (who I didn’t meet but I’m sure she’s just as charming) and is located just a couple of streets back from the main tourist drag of Sisowath Quay. It’s a friendly, well run place with all sorts of room combinations starting at $15.  The hotel actually occupies two sites on opposite sides of the road.  The daytime traffic shown here thins right out at night and the rooms are pretty quiet.

I stayed there in January 2009 and my twin room was very clean with an excellent shower and comfortable bed.  The sheets were spotless and I didn’t have to use my Jag Bag silk sleeping bag liner (see how I eased that plug in there?)  A small lizard regularly appeared and scampered round the wall too but luckily, I didn’t have to pay extra. The only shock I got there was opening the curtains one morning to find myself face to face with a young Cambodian girl who was sweeping the balcony.  That’s my story anyway and I’m sticking to it.

The Dara Reang Sey is pretty central and you can walk to most places but if you want a moto or a tuk-tuk you should be able to find one without too much trouble.  Just remember that as a non-Cambodian you’ll be expected to haggle and the minimum fare is always $1.  If you contact the hotel before you arrive they can arrange pickup from the airport, train or bus station.  They can arrange all onward travel and will also take you back to the airport, train or bus station too.

There’s a restaurant in the main hotel building which serves all sorts of Cambodian and Western food and it’s all very good.  Try the seafood noodles for breakfast – it’s a different way to start the day.  Internet access is also available in the restaurant too but, at the time of writing, not wi-fi.

Dara (second from left) is very upbeat and helpful, as are the majority of the staff.  Their website should give you all the information you need – it’s here.

Tagged as: Cambodia, Jag Bag, Phnom Pen, silk sleeping bag liner, Sisowath Quay