Best Place to Stay in Siem Reap: A Top Hotel Guide
Home to the spectacular Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a must visit destination on your Southeast Asia itinerary. When it comes to choosing where to stay in Siem Reap, there are a few different aspects to consider.
Our ideal hotel: A spot in the center within walking distance to most activities but is still peaceful, private, and affordable.
We stayed at The Urban in Siem Reap’s bustling center and had the BEST 4-night stay there. The Urban ticks all of our boxes!
It’s located right in the center, but it’s located down a quiet side street, is sparkling clean, and offers luxury-on-a-budget prices.
In this post you’ll get our honest review of The Urban, as well as a run down of the different areas of Siem Reap, what they offer, and where to stay in each district.
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The Best Areas to Stay in Siem Reap
Old Market and Pub Street: Best for Nightlife
This area of Siem Reap is classed as the city center. It’s here where you’ll find shops, restaurants, pubs (and tourists) on every corner.
Aside from pub street – the clue is in the name – you’ll be able to peruse the local night market for Cambodian street food, drinks and souvenirs.
A recently opened hostel in the city, locally owned, and small yet social.
Gecko Hostel is a great option when choosing where to stay in Siem Reap because it has the perfect mix – close to Pub Street, yet cozy and small if you prefer a quieter vibe like us.
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🏆 The Urban 🏆
Our pick. We’re unsure if you can tell, but we really did have the best time at The Urban. Luxury on a budget just hits different!
When you’re ready to escape the hustle and bustle of the Old Market streets, this hotel provides the perfect escapism.
Jump in the pool or relax on your balcony with a city view. For convenience, the hotel offers a free airport shuttle. A great deal considering the aiport is about a 30-minute drive away.
Wat Bo: Budget Friendly Option
Just across the river, you’ll find the area of Wat Bo. There are an array of high-end restaurants, boutique hotels, and trendy bars to spend your time in.
The neighborhood was ranked as one of the coolest in the world by Timeout magazine a few years ago!
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The Siem Reap Chilled Backpacker
This hostel is super cheap, given its location. There are friendly common areas if you’d like to meet people. Don’t let that put you off though, it’s nice and quiet at night so you can get a good night’s rest.
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🥇 Angkor Tempora Boutique 🥇
A serene escape with a huge focus on impeccable service, providing luxury at an affordable price. Angkor Tempora is a great option when choosing where to stay in Siem Reap with its stunning gardens and peaceful pool area.
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Authentic Khmer Village Resort
A bungalow with a jacuzzi, or a villa with a private pool, take your pick! The resort is out of the city, but the hotel provides support when booking tours, transport into the city, or arranging onward travel.
Old French Quarter: Best for First Time Visitors
In the Old French Quarter, you’ll get a real feel for the city’s colonial past thanks to all the historic French-style buildings.
Whilst you’re in the area, explore the Royal Gardens and Royal Residence for more history. Don’t miss the Made in Cambodia Markets either to pick up some locally made handicrafts.
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🥇 U Dara Inn 🥇
Get your fix of impressive architecture in this hotel, set in a historical building. You’re guaranteed clean and comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. You’re close to all the main attractions here too.
Another well located option, just with a little more luxury. The staff here are super helpful and the breakfast is great. Let the employees help you arrange transport and tours, after you’ve eaten a hearty breakfast.
Even though you’re right in the center, you wouldn’t think it once you’re sunbathing by the pool of this tranquil oasis.
During your stay, don’t miss the happy hour and sample some delicious Khmer dishes at the in-house restaurant.
Charles de Gaulle Boulevard: Home to Luxury Stays
As you drive along this main road that leads to Angkor Wat, you’re going to see lots and lots of impressive, luxury hotels.
If you want to be closer to Angkor Wat, you’ll still find accommodation for every budget. You’ll be close to the Angkor Archaeological Park and the Angkor National Museum for your fix of Khmer Kingdom history.
This place has a huge emphasis on sustainability and giving back to the local community. Relax in the rooftop pool, knowing you’re supporting a community instead of just traveling.
The decor here is traditional and the rooms are comfortable to ensure the most enjoyable stay.
There is a tranquil atmosphere that surrounds this hotel. Staff are polite and helpful, rooms are cleaned to the highest standard, and you’re close to the temples so can get out and enjoy an Angkor Wat sunrise.
Free laundry, free mini bar, what else do we need to say! There are tuk tuk drivers on-hand to take you for a day in the city, and the villas feel very very romantic.
The Best Hotel in Siem Reap
⭐ OUR CHOICE ⭐ – The Urban in Siem Reap
We arrived in Siem Reap late one Wednesday evening following a long travel day from Don Det in Laos. Just a short walk from the bus stop, The Urban is set on a side street close to the Night Market.
Our Arrival at The Urban
The entrance is very unassuming, but rest assured, luxury and tranquility await as soon as you cross through The Urban’s leafy doors.
First, you will be greeted by the most hospitable staff ready to help with your bags and guide you through checking in – a breath of fresh air for us after 30 days of budget backpacking in Laos.
Our Room at The Urban
After our welcome drinks and a plate of complimentary fresh fruit, we were taken to our room. To our surprise, our reservation had been upgraded to a Suite with Terrace room!
The room included an amazingly comfortable bed, a bathroom with a separate toilet and waterfall shower (huge in Southeast Asia!), and a seating area.
The Amenities at The Urban
While the rooms at The Urban were a massive bonus for us, the pool was the real star of the property. Surrounded by lush greenery with plenty of chairs and towels, the pool is incredibly peaceful and refreshing.
The temperature in Siem Reap was over 100 degrees (38C) and afternoons by the pool absolutely saved our sanity!
As well as the poolside seating, there were cozy benches scattered around the grassy areas surrounding the rooms.
During the evenings, sample the tasty pizza from the hotel restaurant and take advantage of happy hour with a delicious cocktail.
Every time we left and returned to the hotel after a day of exploring, the attentive staff members would check in with us, offering a cold wet face towel and making sure we were enjoying our stay.
When the time came to leave Siem Reap, the hotel staff helped us arrange complimentary transport to the bus station for our trip to Battambang.
Heading to Battambang? Find out some unique things to do in Battambang!
Things to Know About Accommodation in Siem Reap
- Siem Reap is a big party destination! Choosing whether you want a party hostel in a loud neighborhood or a more chill space to rest is the most important choice to make when picking accommodation.
- Air conditioning in Siem Reap was a non-negotiable requirement for us. Cambodia as a whole is HOT and Siem Reap is no exception.
- Siem Reap is a surprisingly sprawling city so make sure you check the location of your accommodation! While Grab tuk tuks are cheap, we prefer to be able to walk as much as possible.
- Many hotels will accept cash and cards to pay for your accommodation. If you choose to pay in cash, you can pay with either US Dollars or Cambodian Riel.
TOP TIP: When paying with US Dollars, make sure they are in perfect condition with no folds or creases. Imperfect notes likely will not be accepted. Your change will usually be given back in Cambodian Riel.
Our Favorite Things To Do in Siem Reap
Angkor Wat at Sunrise
A Tour of Angkor Wat
A trip to Siem Reap will not be complete without a visit to the spectacular Angkor Wat.
There are plenty of options to choose from when booking your tour to the ancient temple so be sure to do your research.
👉 We did this sunrise tour and would absolutely recommend it to anyone. The 4.9 star rating with over 5,000 reviews speaks for itself 👈
Check Out the APOPO Visitor Center
Learn about how this organization uses rats to help clear unexploded landmines. In Siem Reap, don’t miss the chance to meet these intelligent animals!
The rats trained here are truly unsung heroes – you’ll leave the visitor center with a new level of respect for a creature who doesn’t have the best reputation elsewhere in the world.
Eat Western Breakfast
Support a local business at The Source Cafe and indulge in the best Western breakfast we had during our time in the whole of Southeast Asia. It was so good we went back twice!!
Notable dishes were the hash brown eggs benedict and the veggie breakfast burritos.
Drink Fifty-cent Beers
In comparison to other Southeast Asia destinations, you will notice Siem Reap can be a little more expensive.
Fear not, we found a spot for a juicy chicken burger to tide you over for $1 at Taste For Life. Add on a 50 cent draft beer to make it a meal!
Our Final Thoughts on Hotels in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is often the first point of entry to Cambodia for many travelers, usually after a very long travel day.
The last thing you want when arriving in a city after a 10 hour bus ride is a hot and noisy dorm room.
The Urban was truly the PERFECT place to book when we decided where to stay in Siem Reap. However we do understand a hotel is a splurge for budget travelers.
Take a look at The Urban, but if you need a cheaper option, or are seeking a more social atmosphere, browse our other recommendations we have shared!
