Where to stay in Siem Reap – What you need to know
Siem Reap is the third most populous city in Cambodia.
Capital of the homonymous province, Siem Reap is located in the northwest of the country, about 320 kilometers from the capital, Nom Pen.
Siem Reap is one of the most tourist cities in Southeast Asia as it is the main gateway to the Angkor region.
It’s hard to think of Siem Reap without the Angkor religious complex coming to mind, which, also known as Angkor Wat, is an archaeological complex composed of more than 1000 temples scattered throughout the jungle and is considered one of the symbols of Cambodia.
In addition to the Angkor complex, Siem Reap stands out for the colonial style and Chinese architecture in the old French quarter, its central market and the Phare Circus.
In the city, there are museums, traditional Apsara dance shows, a Cambodian cultural village, souvenir shops, silk farms, rice paddies, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near Tonle Sap Lake, as well as a vibrant nightlife and great food.
Siem Reap presents a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. The city is generally hot throughout the year, with high temperatures that never fall below 30ºC in any month. Siem Reap also has a long wet season that begins in May and ends in October, with the dry season covering the remaining six months.
The transport in Siem Reap, as in the rest of Cambodia, is dominated by traditional taxis and tuk-tuks.
Being the tourist capital of Cambodia, Siem Reap has all kinds of accommodation: from backpackers hostels and party hostels to the most modern five-star hotels.
As for the best areas to stay in Siem Reap, the central Pub Street area offers the best nightlife in the city(See accommodation in Pub Street). On the other hand, for luxury accommodation and charming streets, we recommend the Old French Quarter of the city. (See hotels in Siem Reap’s Old French Quarter).
However, if you want to focus your visit to Siem Reap only in Angkor, hotels in that area about 7 kilometers north of the City Center are usually great options for travellers on a budget (See accommodation near Angkor).
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Accommodation Options in Siem Reap
Hotels in Siem Reap
The best hotels to stay in Siem Reap
Hostels in Siem Reap
Hostels and cheap stays in Siem Reap
Apartments in Siem Reap
Would you like independence? Book an apartment in Siem Reap
Bed & Breakfast in Siem Reap
Inns, B&Bs and guest houses in several areas around Siem Reap
Best areas to stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia
1. Best area: Pub Street & Night Market
Pub Street is the tourist area par excellence in Siem Reap. Pub Street is a very lively area, full of restaurants, bars, shops and street stalls selling traditional food.
Here, thousands of tourists gather every night to taste Cambodian food, go for drinks or just for a walk.
Like most tourist areas in Asia, Pub Street can be an overload for the senses, but it is certainly an unmissable place when visiting Siem Reap.
While it is a vibrant and, sometimes, sleazy nightlife area, it is a safe area to stay in Siem Reap.
The Night Market is a large enclosure with Khmer-style kiosks where you can find souvenirs, food stands, and even massage establishments.
If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the place where taste some of the typical specialties of the Cambodian street-food, including chicken heart skewers or insects.
Being in the heart of the city, the Pub Street area is an excellent area from which to explore Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.
The accommodation in this area is varied and includes everything from backpackers hostels to luxury options.
Pub Street is the best area to stay in Siem Reap for sightseeing and nightlife.
What makes this the best area to stay in Siem Reap
- Heart of the city
- Best area for nightlife
- All kinds of hotels
- Night Market
- Best area for sightseeing
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top Pick1920 Hotel occupies a well-preserved commercial house/building located in the center of Siem Reap and offers accommodation where contemporary style is combined with classic details. It is located just minutes from the Preah Prom Rath pagoda, the old market and a wide selection of restaurants and shops.
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Budget Option
Viva Hotel is located in the center of Siem Reap, just 50 meters from Pub Street and the old market. It houses a restaurant and a bar. It also offers a free pick-up service at the airport, the ferry port or the bus station.
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Midrange Option
Apsara Centrepole Hotel is just 1 minute walk from the Siem Reap bar street and its many night markets. The establishment has a restaurant, outdoor pool and lounge bar. There is free WiFi.
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Luxury Option
Khmer Mansion Boutique Hotel enjoys an excellent location and offers elegant and cozy rooms 200 meters from Angkor Night Market and the famous Pub Street. It has an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi access throughout.
2. Old Frech Quarter
The Old French Quarter of Siem Reap is the historical district of the city par excellence.
It is located north of the Pub Street area, and east of Taphul Village.
In this area, you can appreciate buildings of different styles, among which the French and Chinese colonial stand out.
This area is next to the Siem Reap River and its main street is the Sivatha Boulevard, which concentrates much of the luxury accommodation in Siem Reap
The French Quarter is probably the most charming area to stay in Siem Reap.
Many of the old mansions in this area have been converted into luxurious restaurants and boutique-style hotels.
While the Old French Quarter is not the cheapest area to stay in Siem Reap, it stands out for its high cuisine (Khmer and fusion), and for being the most charming area to stay in the city.
What makes this the best area to stay in Siem Reap
- Colonial architecture
- Luxury hotels
- Great food
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
Somadevi Angkor Premium is located in Siem Reap, a 10-minute walk from the night market and the old market. It has a spa, outdoor pool and fitness center. There is also free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
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Luxury Option
Hotel Somadevi Angkor Boutique and Resort offers comfortable and modern accommodation in the center of Siem Reap. The hotel has a restaurant, an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi in public areas.
3. Taphul Village
Due to its location in the heart of the city, west of the French Quarter, Taphul Village is one of the best areas to stay in Siem Reap.
Articulated around Taphul Road, this neighborhood concentrates some tourist attractions such as the Angkor Market.
Taphul stands out for its almost infinite variety of dining options, and for being a less noisy option to stay in Siem Reap than Pub Street.
Taphul Village gathers much of Siem Reap’s backpacker accommodation, and its streets are always packed with fast food stalls of delicious Khmer cuisine.
In addition to backpacker hostels, Taphul Village also has a wide variety of midrange accommodation, as well as some boutique-style options and the occasional luxury hotel.
Being in the heart of the city, the Taphul area is especially well-located for visiting other Siem Reap neighborhoods such as the French Quarter or the Wat Bo area, across the river.
What makes this the best area to stay in Siem Reap
- Center of Siem Reap
- Best area for backpackers
- Party hostels and nightlife
- Great street food
- Angkor Market
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
Mekong Angkor Deluxe Hotel offers modern and elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi in Siem Reap. It has an outdoor pool, business center and free parking.
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Budget Option
Bokre Angkor Hostel is in the center of the historic city of Siem Reap, just 400 meters from the city center and a 15-minute walk from attractions such as Pub Street, the central market and the old market. Free WiFi is available throughout.
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Midrange Option
Lavender Angkor Boutique is located in Siem Reap, less than 1 km from Pub Street and an 18-minute walk from King’s Road Angkor, it offers a restaurant and views of the pool. There is free WiFi.
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Luxury Option
Mony Reach Angkor Hotel is located in Siem Reap, 600 meters from Pub Street, it offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor pool and a fitness center. The property has a bar, a shared lounge and a garden. The accommodation features a 24-hour reception, room service and currency exchange service.
4. Around Wat Bo
The area of Wat Bo is located on the east bank of the Siem Reap River.
The Wat Bo itself is the most beautiful Buddhist temple in the city (if you don’t consider the Angkor complex, obviously). The temple, unlike Angkor, still has a religious function and is an excellent place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Being on the other side of the river, the area of Wat Bo is less central than those described above and, therefore, quieter.
However, the area is full of mid-range restaurants, boutique-style hotels and a variety of shops.
What makes it an excellent area to stay in Siem Reap is that, in addition to being less noisy, the area of Wat Bo is just 15 minutes walk from the most central areas of the city.
Wat Bo is an excellent area to stay in Siem Reap for those looking for calm and mid-range hotels with excellent value for money.
What makes this the best area to stay in Siem Reap
- Peaceful area
- Boutique hotels
- Near the center of the city
- Wat Bo temple
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
La Rose Blanche Boutique offers accommodation in Siem Reap and is surrounded by private gardens. It has an outdoor freshwater pool, a restaurant and a bar. There is free WiFi in all areas.
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Budget Option
Chayra Angkor Hotel is located in the center of Siem Reap and offers relaxing spa treatments and bicycle loans. There is free WiFi in all areas.
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Luxury Option
Angkor Village Hotelis located near the colonial settlement, it offers accommodation away from the bustle of Siem Reap. This hotel, which has a beautiful Khmer architecture and is located in a private landscaped garden, has a free-form outdoor pool. This property has a restaurant and a bar.
5. Near Angkor Wat (Charles de Gaulle Road)
Charles de Gaulle Road is one of the main avenues of the city of Siem Reap. It connects the City Center with the door of the Angkor complex to the north.
This great avenue, although in itself is rather grim in personality, concentrates much of the luxury accommodation and, being the main point of access to the city’s tourist jewel, it is also one of the main areas to stay in Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat.
You should know that the hotels on this avenue are usually large isolated resorts, so, while they are convenient to visit Angkor , you will most likely need to hire taxis or tuk-tuks to get around the city.
In addition to the Angkor complex, this area also hosts the Cambodian War Remnant Museum, located in a former military command post and prison during the Cambodian Civil War and the reign of Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot.
What makes this the best area to stay in Siem Reap
- Angkor Wat
- Resort-type hotels
- Cambodian War Remnant Museum
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Pick
Regency Angkor Hotel is located on the main road that goes to Angkor Wat, 6 km from the temple and offers an outdoor pool and fitness center. There is free WiFi in the rooms. The property is 2.5 km from Siem Reap’s old market area.
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Budget Option
Shining Angkor Boutique Hotel is located 5 minutes drive from the famous Angkor Wat temple and the old market. This hotel has an outdoor seawater pool surrounded by tropical gardens.
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Luxury Option
Le Méridien Angkor is a 10 minutes’ drive from Angkor Wat’s tempo, it offers a fitness center and outdoor pool. The rooms feature traditional Khmer designs, such as dark wood floors and sophisticated silks. There is free Wi-Fi in public areas. Free parking is provided.
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