Decent Place to Stay in Siem Reap

First off let me say there are a million places to stay in Siem Reap – everything from $5 basic rooms right up to unimaginable luxury type gazillion star hotels with suites costing three times more per night than the average Cambodian farmer earns in a year.  Personally, I like to aim for somewhere in-between, something around the $20 mark.   And there’s plenty of choice at this price point.

My last two trips I’ve stayed at the well run Peace of Angkor Guest House .  It’s owned by Englishman Dave Perkes, assisted by a friendly, young crew of Cambodians – most notably

Den.  If you need anything sorted then Den can get it done for you.  Tickets, bike hire, laundry – he’s your man.  I could do with someone like him back here.

The P of A is slightly out of town and down a quiet backroad but it’s not a big effort to get into central Siem Reap for shopping and nightlife.  It’s great for wandering the local streets and watching a whole slice of Cambodian life going on along the riverside.  Dave runs plenty of excursions and leads many of the longer, more interesting ones himself.  He also leads lots of photographic trips too.  Dave’s collection of highly expensive, pro digital SLR’s and equipment can easily bring on camera envy and intimidate those of us with £50 Nikon Coolpix jobbies.

Rooms are fine, bed linen is crisp and clean (yet another place I didn’t have to use my Jag Bag silk sleeping bag liner).  They can arrange all onward travel, will pick you up from the airport or bus station, provide pretty good (if a bit expensive) food from the kitchen and generally provide a comfortable, hassle free haven from all those ruined temples.

BTW – if you don’t actually want to visit Angkor Wat, just round the corner from the P of A is a miniature copy built by a local sculptor.  No crowds, no kids selling postcards, no tuk-tuk drivers, no $60 tickets………it’s better than the real thing!

My friend Woz of Around the World in 80 Cocktails blogging fame had good things to say about the place he stayed too, the Two Dragons Guesthouse.   I went there for beers a couple of times and it looked pretty good.  It’s run by an American guy but don’t let that put you off.

I mentioned $5 rooms earlier, well, last year I met Zoe from Oz who was travelling for 6 months and was watching her budget.  She stayed in $5 rooms and I asked her what you got for that.  Usually a room, a bed, no window, a fan, maybe a private shower, maybe a private toilet, maybe even hot water………..but non of these is very likely.  On the other hand Zoe did say she stayed in some fantastic places too for that kind of money.  Do we believe her?

Here’s a picture of Siem Reap Airport.  For no reason other than it’s a really nice airport.

Tagged as: Peace of Angkor, Siem Reap