Asia - Hotel in Siem Reap

My wife and I will be in Siem Reap 8/14-8/16. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel that is not too expensive (Under $150/nt preferably under $100/nt). We are not necessarily looking for something incredibly luxurious, but require air conditioning and strongly prefer free internet. We also would much prefer a hotel with a good location and the ability to walk places.

We have been considering the Bopha Angkor hotel. Any comments? ANy other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I don't remember the prices of other 5* hotels but I do seem to remember the Meridien being under your asking price. It's closest to the sights but a $1-2 tuk-tuk ride gets you to/from town. I can't remember about internet being free or not but keep your expectations low as super-high speed connections don't really exist. At least, not when I was last there.

My wife and I will be in Siem Reap 8/14-8/16. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel that is not too expensive (Under $150/nt preferably under $100/nt). We are not necessarily looking for something incredibly luxurious, but require air conditioning and strongly prefer free internet. We also would much prefer a hotel with a good location and the ability to walk places.

We have been considering the Bopha Angkor hotel. Any comments? ANy other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Bopha Angkor is a HUGE tour bus hotel on the highway east of the river. It gets good reviews but the location isn't the best and I shun the mega-hotels.

Have a look at Agoda to get an idea of the number/style of hotels in town.

One I'd recommend is the Victoria. Location is good, free wifi, good pool, decent breakfast and under $100 (except for the suites). They have various discounts for 2/3 night stays.

Another is Tara Angkor. Cheaper at ~$50, not as good a location, but still a $1 tuk tuk ride to town (per ride... NOT per person).

There are many others so have a look.

Thanks for the heads up on the Bopha Angkor we will definitely cross that one off our list. We had considered the Meridien, but wanted something a little closer to downtown.

We are mainly interested in a hotel that will allow us to walk out the door enjoy what downtown has to offer. I understand that tuk tuk rides are cheap but would still prefer to do some walking. I don't mind taking a tuk tuk to the temples.

Does anyone have any comments on Steung Siem Reap Hotel?

Thanks for the heads up on the Bopha Angkor we will definitely cross that one off our list. We had considered the Meridien, but wanted something a little closer to downtown.

We are mainly interested in a hotel that will allow us to walk out the door enjoy what downtown has to offer. I understand that tuk tuk rides are cheap but would still prefer to do some walking. I don't mind taking a tuk tuk to the temples.

Does anyone have any comments on Steung Siem Reap Hotel?

Check out the Victoria. As well look at a site like Agoda and see what they have on offer for price and location. It will open your eyes to what you're not currently privy to.

I've stayed at the Steung Siem Reap. It's in town so walking out the door will be an invitation to hear 'tuk tuk sir' at every step. The pool is salt water and the breakfast sparse. Other than that the rooms are OK.

I have stayed at Le Meridien on 2 of 3 visits to REP.
I thought it was great for pool, rooms, and value with C+P.

Tuk a tuk into town most every evening,
and that is part of the fun.

I stay with friends who run a guest house. But during renovations of the property I stayed at the FCC. VERY pleasantly surprised: smart, comfortable and in a great location. I'm sure the place is available via a multitude of discount websites, but prices are likely to be in the upper zone of your range.

I have stayed at Le Meridien on 2 of 3 visits to REP.
I thought it was great for pool, rooms, and value with C+P.

Tuk a tuk into town most every evening,
and that is part of the fun.

According to the Le Meridien Siem Reap any use of points results in no breakfast. Considering the location isn't near much, paying for breakfast everyday makes the stay a fair bit more expensive.

Thanks for the heads up on the Bopha Angkor we will definitely cross that one off our list. We had considered the Meridien, but wanted something a little closer to downtown.

We are mainly interested in a hotel that will allow us to walk out the door enjoy what downtown has to offer. I understand that tuk tuk rides are cheap but would still prefer to do some walking. I don't mind taking a tuk tuk to the temples.

Does anyone have any comments on Steung Siem Reap Hotel?

Check yout the FCC - quite good rates through OPODO.

Both the Steung and FCC seem to have what I am looking for. Good location and reasonably nice places that arent too expensive. From what I can see, Steung has a better location but the FCC seems like a nicer place. Is there any reason to choose one of the places over the other?

According to the Le Meridien Siem Reap any use of points results in no breakfast. Considering the location isn't near much, paying for breakfast everyday makes the stay a fair bit more expensive.

Unless it's changed very recently, that's not the experience in the Meridien thread in the SPG forum. Also not my personal experience as a Platinum.

According to the Le Meridien Siem Reap any use of points results in no breakfast. Considering the location isn't near much, paying for breakfast everyday makes the stay a fair bit more expensive.True, and we did pay more than we
might have wished for the nice breakfast buffet.
The location was not a downside for us at all.
Once you squeeze into the Tuk, you are in !
And the pool was REALLY nice.

Unless it's changed very recently, that's not the experience in the Meridien thread in the SPG forum. Also not my personal experience as a Platinum.

I was looking at using cash + points last weekend and the hotel contacted me with that info.

Dear XXXXXXXX

Greetings from Le Meridien Angkor!

Many thanks for your interest in choosing our hotel for your upcoming visit in Siem Reap. Further to your inquiry to our Customer Contact Centre, I regret to inform you that breakfast is not included for reservation made using Starpoints.

We welcome any opportunity to be of further assistance.

Kind regards
XXXXXXX



Now, if there's a diff between a straight points reservation and a cash/points res then this might not be the final word.

Both the Steung and FCC seem to have what I am looking for. Good location and reasonably nice places that arent too expensive. From what I can see, Steung has a better location but the FCC seems like a nicer place. Is there any reason to choose one of the places over the other?

Have you done research on the myriad hotels in REP? I'm not a fan of the FCC for a handful of reasons (which are irrelevant here) and I've no info on the hotel side of the REP FCC. However, the Steung Siam Reap is a very poor choice. I'd seriously recommend checking out another hotel that is A) close to town but not in town and B) a place with an edible breakfast and a clean pool, two things the Steung definitely does NOT have.

You can do much better for your money at many other hotels.

Both the Steung and FCC seem to have what I am looking for. Good location and reasonably nice places that arent too expensive. From what I can see, Steung has a better location but the FCC seems like a nicer place. Is there any reason to choose one of the places over the other?

I checked out the Steung. It looks great on a website, but for me it's a case of fur coat and no knickers. FCC has the knickers. All in all, it's a grown-up hotel, if that makes any sense: and quite a contrast to the PNH operation.

I will be traveling to Siem Reap in August for 3 nights. I am hesitating between The Sofitel and Raffles. Can anyone give me their opinion.

I was looking at using cash + points last weekend and the hotel contacted me with that info.

Now, if there's a diff between a straight points reservation and a cash/points res then this might not be the final word.

I'd contact the Starwood Lurker. This is clearly against SPG T&C's. Doesn't matter whether it's straight points or C&P.

I'd contact the Starwood Lurker. This is clearly against SPG T&C's. Doesn't matter whether it's straight points or C&P.

I'll followup on this for pure informational reasons. Thanks.

I will be traveling to Siem Reap in August for 3 nights. I am hesitating between The Sofitel and Raffles. Can anyone give me their opinion.

I haven't stayed at the Sofitel but I prefer the Raffles location. The latter is walking distance from town, the museum and Lucky Market. The Sofitel is proximal to the museum but further from town.

If you stay at the Raffles I'd recommend getting a Landmark room or better. I don't care for the State rooms. Also I don't think the Elephant Bar at Raffles REP is offering a happy hour anymore.

We last stayed at the Raffles Jan 2011 and the service was far below previous stays. We haven't been back since, but not because of the service, just been checking out other hotels.

I haven't stayed at the Sofitel but I prefer the Raffles location. The latter is walking distance from town, the museum and Lucky Market. The Sofitel is proximal to the museum but further from town.

If you stay at the Raffles I'd recommend getting a Landmark room or better. I don't care for the State rooms. Also I don't think the Elephant Bar at Raffles REP is offering a happy hour anymore.

We last stayed at the Raffles Jan 2011 and the service was far below previous stays. We haven't been back since, but not because of the service, just been checking out other hotels.

Dsquared, do you have a favorite hotel in REP? What places have you tried? What were your impressions.

I was looking at using cash + points last weekend and the hotel contacted me with that info.



Now, if there's a diff between a straight points reservation and a cash/points res then this might not be the final word.

Did you inform them you are spg platinum ?

For non-platinum guests, I don't think any spg hotel will provide complimentary breakfast with either points or C&P booking.

I will be traveling to Siem Reap in August for 3 nights. I am hesitating between The Sofitel and Raffles. Can anyone give me their opinion.

I have never stayed at the Raffles but stayed many times at the Sofitel and for me is extraordinary. See some reviews here :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/le-club-accorhotels-accor-club/1074836-my-introduction-sofitel-angkor-phokeethra-golf-resort-spa.html

Did you inform them you are spg platinum ?

For non-platinum guests, I don't think any spg hotel will provide complimentary breakfast with either points or C&P booking.


I am not, nor have I ever insinuated I was, Platinum. This might have been reason for differing viewpoints/policies on breakfast.

Dsquared, do you have a favorite hotel in REP? What places have you tried? What were your impressions.

I happen to like the Victoria which is practically adjacent to the Raffles near a park, palace and river. My biggest complaint is the narrow tub/shower and their breakfast champagne can be bought for $5.80 per bottle in Lucky market.

I've stayed at the Raffles, quite good but with varying levels of service; La Residence, which was very nice but not overwhelming; and a handful of lower rung places like the Steung Siem Reap and Tara Angkor. I'll leave the guesthouses off the list since it's not what you're looking for and I have no clue what they were anyway. The unknowns to me are the Le Meridien and Sofitel. The is also the Hotel De La Paix which is supposed to be nice.

For the price I'd say Victoria is fantastic. At a lower rung I'd say Tara Angkor is better that Steung. But understand i don't like to be in town. I go for the temples (over and over again) and really don't care for REP at all... I find it an overpriced tourist ghetto... but I know that many on this board do like it. To each their own.

Dsquared, Thanks for your advice.
I will probably reserve at Raffles.

I checked out the Steung. It looks great on a website, but for me it's a case of fur coat and no knickers. FCC has the knickers. All in all, it's a grown-up hotel, if that makes any sense: and quite a contrast to the PNH operation.

I'm tentatively booked the FCC 19-22 July. I really don't need luxury and even though I expressed my absolute desire to be "in town" the FCC has been pushed on me by a tour operator. I may disassemble the tour and book the hotel portion myself online (and only pay agency for tour portion), but had a few questions:

1. From what I read FCC is substantially nicer than the Steung. Although I really like the location of the Steung--how bad was the Steung, really, for two days, anyone ...?

2. One of the reasons for wanting to be 'in town' is that I'm in a wheelchair (power) and want to be in easy wheelchair distance to Pub St and non-hotel restaurants, street food, markets, etc. Google says FCC to Pub St is 1.0km and a 12 min walk. Would that be accurate? Doesn't sound too bad, but again it's the rainy season.

Glad I found a wheelchair accessible van for the tours. Any other nice hotel recommendations within walking distance of 'town' would be welcome.

Thanks

1. From what I read FCC is substantially nicer than the Steung. Although I really like the location of the Steung--how bad was the Steung, really, for two days, anyone ...?

2. One of the reasons for wanting to be 'in town' is that I'm in a wheelchair (power) and want to be in easy wheelchair distance to Pub St and non-hotel restaurants, street food, markets, etc. Google says FCC to Pub St is 1.0km and a 12 min walk. Would that be accurate? Doesn't sound too bad, but again it's the rainy season.



We wouldn't go back to the Steung. Is it survivable? Yeah.

If you're in a wheelchair then the FCC isn't for you. The sidewalks on either side of the road parallel to the river toward the market and pub street are in atrocious shape. You'd be relegated to the side streets (literally the streets) in order to get anywhere.

One of the reasons for wanting to be 'in town' is that I'm in a wheelchair (power) and want to be in easy wheelchair distance to Pub St and non-hotel restaurants, street food, markets, etc. Google says FCC to Pub St is 1.0km and a 12 min walk. Would that be accurate? Doesn't sound too bad, but again it's the rainy season.


Wheelchair living is never easy, but it can get much more difficult in the developing world. But you know that.

I spent a day going round Hanoi with a fellow hotel guest who has mobility problems. It opened my eyes to the frustration kerbs, pavements, steps and pot holes can present. The nice side was that the "invisibilty" he says he experiences at home was quite reversed in Vietnam.

I'm sure SR will present challenges. You'll get assistance from residents: sometimes a tad over-enthusiastic, but well-meant. Clearly you'll be better off staying as close to the centre as possible, and to achieve this you could have to compromise on some other aspects of accommodation. I'd go for the Steung if you like its location, and make the most of it. The other city centre big player is the de la Paix, but I think that was scheduled to close down sometime soon. You might like to check.

The other city centre big player is the de la Paix, but I think that was scheduled to close down sometime soon. You might like to check.

The de la Paix is likely in the top 10 list of hotels in REP. I'd be very hesitant to believe there's any plans to shut it down.

The de la Paix is likely in the top 10 list of hotels in REP. I'd be very hesitant to believe there's any plans to shut it down.

It's closing for renovations and will re-open as a Park Hyatt.

It's closing for renovations and will re-open as a Park Hyatt.

Interesting, thanks.

If you're in a wheelchair then the FCC isn't for you. The sidewalks on either side of the road parallel to the river toward the market and pub street are in atrocious shape. You'd be relegated to the side streets (literally the streets) in order to get anywhere.

Actually, I surprisingly much prefer the streets to the sidewalks--even in the US--mainly because as my mother accidentally taught me when I first got hurt, "you can't fall off the sidewalk!!!" Streets are generally much more flat and even worldwide.

Wheelchair living is never easy, but it can get much more difficult in the developing world. But you know that. .... I'd go for the Steung if you like its location, and make the most of it. The other city centre big player is the de la Paix, but I think that was scheduled to close down sometime soon. You might like to check.

Thanks. Yeah I've done most of the world in the wheelchair and have found certain cities to have wonderful public transport, but terrible wheelchair public works (primarily continuity of sidewalks--NYC, BCN, FRA come to mind); then others that have neither and you just make do with what you got--like All of S America, KUL, Bali, BKK, CPT. Cities like TYO, HKG, SIN are a dream! Puts the US to shame notwithstanding our laws.

As far as between the FCC and Steung, looks like I'll take the Steung solely on location. After all, the idea is to not spend much time there in my barely 2+ days there.

Actually, I surprisingly much prefer the streets to the sidewalks--even in the US--mainly because as my mother accidentally taught me when I first got hurt, "you can't fall off the sidewalk!!!" Streets are generally much more flat and even worldwide.



The side streets are fine and i also typically walk in the street in non-big city Asia. Along the 'river' in Siem Reap is not one of the streets I'd do that in however.

Siem Reap's streets are indeed more even than the sidewalks... but that doesn't say much.

Interesting, I'll be in Siem Reap in August too! different dates though, 8/17-20 ;)
My price range is somewhat lower than what you guys mentioned - so I'm looking for a local family-run b&b/guesthouse. I'm looking at Agoda of course, but if you have any recommendations (or know places to absolutely avoid) I'd be happy to hear them.
It's my first time in Cambodia and Siem Reap.