Where to Stay in Phnom Penh: Best Areas & Accommodation
Searching for where to stay in Phnom Penh? This guide has everything you need to know before booking a place in the city.
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. Although it’s not as large as Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, it’s still a big city with many different neighborhoods and areas to choose from when deciding on accommodation.
Choosing the right place to stay depends on which activities you want to do while in Phnom Penh. Most travelers stay in the riverfront district as it’s close to most major attractions. There are plenty of other places to stay if you prefer to be off the beaten path!
In this guide, I’ve outlined the best three neighborhoods and the top hotels in each one, including some of my favorites when I visit Phnom Penh!
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Phnom Penh Accommodation Quick Guide
Budget—Onederz Hotel: This is a hostel in the Khan Daun Penh part of the riverfront district. They have mixed dorms and female-only dorms. The best part is that the Phnom Penh Night Market is just a 2-minute walk away. They also have a few private rooms that cost a little extra.
Mid-range—Sofitel Phnom Penh: This hotel is stunning inside and outside. All of the furnishings in the room are made from dark oakwood. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer beautiful views of the river below. They have five restaurants and a bar on-site.
Luxury—Raffles Hotel Le Royal: This is the best 5-star hotel in Phnom Penh. Every room has a private balcony where you can see the pool or the gardens. The Royal Palace and the National Museum are just a mile away. They have two amazing restaurants on-site. One serves traditional Khmer food, while the other serves French Cuisine. There are also many bars on-site, including the famous Elephant Bar.
If you want to be a little out of the hustle and bustle of the city but still in one of the best hotels in Phnom Penh, I recommend Sokha Phnom Penh. They have an outdoor pool and a beautiful little spa. They have single rooms and suites.
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The riverfront has some of the best accommodations in Phnom Penh. It’s also the best place to stay for first-time visitors because it’s close to many museums and attractions.
You can find some of the city’s best bars and restaurants along the riverfront. You can also save quite a bit of money on transportation by staying here because it’s within walking distance of many places.
The riverfront has some of the best Phnom Penh neighborhoods, but Daun Penh is known as the top place to stay in Phnom Penh because it has the best food and bars.
Budget—Tao Riverside Residence: Right along the Sisowath Quay, this hotel has some of the city’s best views of the river. The rooms are all apartment-style and include kitchenettes, air conditioning, seating areas, and balconies with river views. They also have free Wi-Fi and an airport shuttle for a small additional cost.
Mid-Range—Plantation Urban Resort & Spa: This hotel, located right behind the Royal Palace, has two outdoor swimming pools and an on-site restaurant. The rooms are huge with big windows, so you get nice river views. They also have a fitness center and a spa. Each room also has a separate sitting area with TVs, minibars, and a desk.
Luxury—Rosewood Phnom Penh: Rosewood has many different room choices, including single rooms, double rooms, and suites. All rooms have TVs, private bathrooms, and wardrobes. Make sure to book a room with a balcony as they have spectacular views of the river. They have four restaurants with many different cuisine options, including Chinese, French, Cambodian, and American.
Toul Kouk
Although fewer tourists stay in this area, it’s one of my favorite places to stay when I travel to Phnom Penh. It’s much quieter than the other parts of the city, making it an excellent choice if you’re traveling as a family or with small children.
In recent years, many businesses have opened up restaurants and cafes here, so there are still plenty of places to eat. You can also get to the city center and other attractions in a short tuk-tuk ride.
Budget—Comfort House: This small guesthouse is less than three miles from the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom. The rooms are large and have everything you need, including Wi-Fi and TVs. You can also spend a little extra money and get a room with a balcony.
Mid-Range—Indra Hotel: This hotel is beautiful, with a huge garden space with an outdoor pool and an outdoor eating area. They offer free breakfast and free Wi-Fi. The rooms are spacious and beautiful. Make sure to let them know if you happen to be coming on your honeymoon! When my friend stayed here with her new husband, they covered the bed and bathtub with rose petals and provided free champagne.
Luxury—Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh: This is one of the best hotels in Phnom Penh, set in a beautiful area. It’s within walking distance of Central Market, Wat Phnom, and the Royal Palace. They have free Wi-Fi and a small restaurant on-site, as well as an outdoor swimming pool.
BKK 1
This is the place to stay if you’re looking to be closer to where all the ex-pats generally live. The neighborhood is lively, with many choices for bars, clubs, and restaurants. It’s right in the city center, so most of the hotels here are on the pricier side.
It’s also one of the safer neighborhoods to be in, even at night. As you stroll along, you’ll see that many embassies and governments have their headquarters in this part of town.
Budget—Cozy Boutique Hotel: This is a wonderful budget stay in an up-and-coming area of BKK 1. It’s close to the Boeng Keng Kang Market, where you can get dinner, fresh produce, and drinks. They have a small restaurant on site, double bedrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a swimming pool.
Mid-Range—Duong Chan Hotel: Just a seven-minute walk from the Independence Monument, this hotel has everything you need. The rooms have Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and minifridges. You can also select an upgraded room if you want a balcony with great views of the city. They have a swimming pool and a spa on site.
Luxury—Baitong Hotel & Resort Phnom Penh: This hotel is down a small side street in a quiet location. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Independence Monument. They have a beautiful rooftop bar with great city views. If you have a little extra money, try to get an upgraded room, as they have balconies with small hot tubs on them.
Top Things to do in Phnom Penh
Now that you have some ideas on where to book your stay, here are the top activities around the city not to miss:
- Wat Phnom Daun Penh: This Buddhist temple is one of the main symbols of the country. The landscape is also stunning as the temple sits on top of one of the only green spaces in the city.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: This attraction is recommended for all first-time travelers to Phnom Penh. It’s a great way to learn about the history of Cambodia and see how the country was drastically changed by the Khmer Regime.
- Independence Monument: This monument sits right in the middle of two busy roads, so you can’t miss it. Some people choose just to snap a picture while they drive by. However, you can also walk under it and relax in the surrounding grassy areas. It commemorated Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953.
- Central Market: Head here for food, souvenirs, and anything else you might want to buy while in Phnom Penh. It’s one of the top places for tourists to visit, as well as ex-pats. Make sure you wander around the stalls and buy a few things to support local vendors.
- Wat Botum Park: This is a beautiful park where you’ll find locals and ex-pats exercising in the evenings. On holidays, they also have traditional Khmer dancing that you can watch.
- Phnom Penh Night Market: This is a must for people wanting to try local food. The market is only open in the evening and is the best place to buy fresh produce, ready-to-eat hot food, juice, and snacks.
How to Get to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has an international airport, but it’s much smaller than the ones in neighboring countries like Thailand. If you’re on a strict budget, you might want to consider flying into Bangkok and then connecting to Cambodia either by plane or overnight bus.
Cambodia Angkor Air usually has pretty good prices depending on what time of the year you are flying. You can also use Bangkok Airways or Thai Airways.
There are also ferry options for those coming from Vietnam. The most popular place to leave Vietnam is the Mekong Delta.
Visas on arrival in Cambodia are available for most nationalities, so you can cross the border any way you like and be able to enter the country.
How to Get Around Phnom Penh
The best way to get around Phnom Penh is to use a tuk-tuk. It’s a rickshaw on three wheels, so most travelers feel safer on them compared to riding around on the back of motorbikes.
Motorbikes are the quickest way to get around the city, as they often weave through the traffic. If you decide to use a motorbike, make sure to put on a helmet.
Tuk-tuk drivers and motorbikes can be found on almost every street. You can wave one down as you are leaving your hotel or wherever else you might be.
When to Visit Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has the same hot and humid weather year-round for the most part. From November to May, there is less rainfall, and the temperature is not as hot in the evenings, making it a great time to visit the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you stay in Phnom Penh?
Most travelers spend at least two or three days in Phnom Penh. This gives you enough time to see the top sites like one of the genocide museums, the Royal Palace, and some of the famous pagodas.
If you’re keen on exploring the nightlife scene, you might want to stay a few extra nights so you can explore various parts of the city.
Where do tourists stay in Cambodia?
When visiting Phnom Penh, most tourists stay in the riverfront district so they can be within walking distance or just a short drive away from the best Phnom Penh attractions.
Phnom Penh attracts many backpackers, so there are great hostels around the city. Higher-end travelers stay at one of Phnom Penh’s many 5-star luxury resorts.
Where is the best area to stay in Phnom Penh?
Many travelers stay in Duan Penh and Chamkar Mon. Both these areas are part of central Phnom Penh on the riverside, with many attractions, restaurants, and clubs.
The Mekong River is also part of these two districts, which is where many nightlife options can be found.
Is Phnom Penh safe?
Overall, Phnom Penh is a very safe city. For the most part, I felt very comfortable walking around by myself. At night, consider taking a tuk-tuk rather than walking, as muggings are common in certain parts of town.
Bag snatching is also common when on motorbikes. Always hold your bag close and try not to have any electronics or money visible.
Where to Stay in Phnom Penh: Book Your Accommodation Now!
Hopefully, your search for where to stay in Phnom Penh is over after reading this guide! Phnom Penh has affordable and great accommodation. Most places even have their own restaurants and bars on site.
No matter where you choose to stay, you’ll be able to explore the city’s nightlife and top tourist attractions.
Are you traveling to Cambodia? Which of these places in Phnom Penh are you going to book?
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