Cambodia Hotels
Cambodia Destinations
Staying in Cambodia
Western-style accommodation is generally only available in the big tourist hotspots of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and (to a lesser extent) Sihanoukville. Basic guesthouses can go as low as US$2/night in the countryside but prices in the cities are usually in the US$5-10 range. At the budget end, expect to provide your own towels etc.
If you want air-con and hot water, the price creeps up to close to US$20, and you can easily pay over US$100/night if you want to stay in a branded five-star hotel.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from budget guesthouses (about US$5-20) through good quality mid-range hotels (US$20-50) to extravagant palaces (with extravagant prices to match).
Low-cost backpacker accommodation is becoming more abundant by the week. The cheapest($5 for double) can be found around Boeung Kak Lake, which is slightly toxic. It has been sold for development and is currently being filled in. Expect the guest houses by the lake to be closed in 2010 and a little further afield, the year after. If you have a little more money to spent, head for the Riverfront area. The streets have more space and it’s in walking distance of the main attractions.
Siem Reap
Accommodation ranges from towering air-conditioned hotels by the airport (mostly for get-in-get-out all-inclusive tours) to local rooms-for-rent and a range of modest guesthouses in town, particular on and around Wat Bo road.
If you arrive with a tour bus or van you will be taken to a “suggested” guesthouse. Usually these are not too bad and you’ll probably be too tired to argue.
If you arrive by plane, you may wish to contact a guest house or hotel in advance. They will then usually arrange for free transportation to their place. Otherwise just take a motorbike (US$1) or a taxi (US$2) to town. If you don’t know any place to go to, they will ask for your budget and will then suggest the one that pays them the best commission.