Where to Stay in Siem Reap: Best Areas & Accommodation

If you’re searching for where to stay in Siem Reap, this guide has all the best recommendations for neighborhoods, hotels, and hostels.

The main draw to Siem Reap may be the Angkor Wat Archaeological Complex, but there are even more reasons to visit this amazing city! It’s a top tourist spot in Cambodia and in Southeast Asia.

In recent years, many ex-pats have come to settle in this city as well. With so many foreigners flocking here, the food and drink scene has expanded to include many Western and international options. This also added a lot of choices for accommodations at a range of budgets.

Siem Reap is a pretty inexpensive city overall, so backpackers will have no problem finding budget hotels and hostels. The city also has some luxury options as well.

No matter what type of accommodations you are looking for, Siem Reap is ready to welcome you! Make sure to save this guide when you’re booking so you know the best places to stay in Siem Reap.

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Siem Reap Accommodation Quick Guide

Trying to find the best Siem Reap hotels to book without reading the whole guide? Here are my top three recommendations from around the city.

Budget—Bou Savy Villa: This small guesthouse is just a 10-minute walk from Pub Street and many other attractions. They only have 12 rooms, so make sure to book this place early if you decide you want to stay here. They have a nice pool in the middle of the courtyard as well as air conditioning and balconies with great views.

Mid-range—Chhay Long Angkor Boutique Hotel: This hotel is right next to both Pub Street and the Old Market. Angkor Wat is also only 5 minutes away. The rooms are air-conditioned with TVs, kettles, and private bathrooms. You can also upgrade to a suite if you want an extra seating area.

Luxury—Raffles Grand Hotel: This is the best hotel in Siem Reap for those looking for luxury and that want to be close to all the best attractions. The fitness center is huge, and the spa has many different treatments, including facials and massages. Make sure to check out the activities in the evening because they almost always have a yoga or a Khmer dance class you can attend for free.

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Old French Quarter

As a first-time visitor to Siem Reap, make sure to book accommodation in the French Quarter. This area has the best hotels in Siem Reap, including great options close to the Royal Palace and other attractions.

The buildings are stunning as they are modeled after French colonial architecture. The entire neighborhood has some great restaurants and bars that you can walk to from the hotels.

Budget—Mad Monkey Siem Reap: This is one of the best hostels in Siem Reap, just a few minutes walk away from the nightlife scene. All the dorm rooms have air conditioning as well as private locked storage areas for each bed. Make sure to have a few drinks on the rooftop, as it’s a great bar with nice views of the city. There is also a pool on the roof.

Mid-Range—Shinta Mani Angkor Pool Villas: This upscale hotel is in the mid-range price giving you tons of amenities for a small cost. All the rooms have free Wi-Fi, TVs, and iPod docks. They also have an outdoor pool where you can relax. They offer cooking classes at an extra cost if you’re interested in learning how to make Khmer food.

Luxury—Park Hyatt Siem Reap: This is by far the best hotel in Siem Reap, with endless amenities located right in the heart of the Old French Quarter. The hotel even has an art collection inside featuring pieces from Cambodian artists. They also have three bars and three restaurants on-site.

old french quarter, small alleyway with restaurants, potted plants hanging from terraces, tables for restaurants sitting outside

Old Market/Downtown

Just south of the French Quarter, you can stay near the Old Market in Siem Reap. This is a great place to stay if you want to be near the market and many restaurants and bars. The famous Pub Street is also nearby, where you can find the most popular bars and nightclubs in the city.

This area of town is much louder compared to the nearby French Quarter. Most of the people staying here are young backpackers or those that prefer the party scene.

There are quieter hotels to choose from, but in general, this is the area where people come to be loud and dance.

Budget—The Urban: Stay here for a nice comfortable experience near the Angkor Night Market. It’s located in downtown Siem Reap just seconds away from the Old Market. They can arrange tuk-tuk drivers for you, which is super convenient as the drivers speak English and know many places around town since they are used to driving tourists.

Mid-range—Residence Wat Damnak: This hotel is mid-range but has tons of amenities for the price. They have two restaurants, a pool, and a hot tub. They also have a sauna where you can relax. You can get to the Old Market and other attractions in less than three minutes.

Luxury—Golden Temple Retreat: This hotel is great if you want to be outside of the city a little bit. It has a great setting with a lot of greenery around, making it serene and quiet. Make sure to take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool and book a treatment at the spa. They also offer free airport transfers.

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Wat Bo

This is a budget neighborhood, so most of the places you’ll find will be in the low price range, although there are some luxury options as well. They have great hostels if you prefer to meet other travelers and don’t mind sharing a room with bunk beds.

You can get to the Old Market in about 15 minutes on foot, or you can take a tuk-tuk ride and reach in about 3 minutes.

This is also the place to come if you want to eat at Western or international restaurants. They don’t have a ton of local food here, but you can find all your favorite Western eats.

Budget—Lub d Cambodia Siem Reap: If you’re looking for hostel accommodations in Siem Reap, look no further than this one. They have 10-bed dorms with lockers and separate rooms for changing clothes. You can also get a junior room which is a solo room with a TV, private bathroom, and mini fridge.

Mid-range—Riversoul Boutique: This is a great little-budget boutique with free Wi-Fi. You can walk to the Royal Gardens and Pub Street from the hotel. They have a great bike hire system, so you can cycle around Siem Reap. They also have air-conditioning and TVs in every room.

Luxury—Bliss Angkor (formerly La Rose Blanche): This is one of the few luxury hotels in the area. It’s a little further away from the center of town, but the walk is beautiful and shaded. You can enjoy many amenities, including a spa, bar, and gym. The swimming pool is huge, making it a great place to hang out when the weather is too hot.

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What To Do in Siem Reap

Explore Angkor Wat. Seeing this vast complex of temples is a must. It takes up to a full day or more, so wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera. The entire site is about 402 acres, with temples and buildings to see. Get a guide to help you learn about the history rather than walking around solo.
Take a Khmer cooking class. There’s no better way to learn about the traditions and culture of a place than with its food. When you take a cooking class, you can learn about the local ingredients and even take home a few recipes.
Visit the Angkor National Museum. This museum has many different exhibits, most of which showcase famous art and history from different periods in Khmer civilization. The exhibits are interactive, with many different rooms and galleries.
Party on Pub Street. This is the place almost all tourists and ex-pats come to when they want to be out until the early morning hours. I would not recommend coming here if you’re more into casual bars without loud music. This street is strictly for those that want to drink and dance the night away.
Eat some great food. Siem Reap is one of the best cities in Cambodia because of its large selection of international cuisine. Some favorites are Il Forno, Maybe Later Mexican Bar & Grill, and POU Restaurant.

If you want more ideas of what to do in Siem Reap, check out my full guide here!

two monks wearing orange sitting on the steps of a temple in siem reap

How to Get to Siem Reap

The fastest option is to fly to Siem Reap. The airport is international but much smaller than the airport in Phnom Penh or Bangkok.

I recommend first flying into Phnom Penh and spending a few days there, then connecting to Siem Reap.

Buses are also an option if you have more time in your schedule or are on a budget. There are numerous buses from other parts of Cambodia and Southeast Asia.

A bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap is a popular option because it’s very affordable. Giant Ibis has the most comfortable buses, in my opinion. They also make regular stops, so you shouldn’t have issues buying food or using the bathroom.

How to Get Around Siem Reap

The best way to get around Siem Reap is by tuk-tuk. It’s super affordable and safer than hopping on the back of a motorbike.

You can find tuk-tuks on every street. Just wave your hand, and they will come to you. Not all drivers speak English, so it’s a good idea to show them on your phone where you are going.

blurred picture of man driving tuk tuk through the street of siem reap, red tuk tuk, man on motorbike driving tuk tuk

When to Visit Siem Reap

Siem Reap is hot and humid all year, so be prepared for that kind of weather. December and January are slightly less humid, and the days see little to no rain.

However, these months are the top tourist season, so expect crowds at popular places like Angkor Wat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to stay in Siem Reap?

Aim to spend at least three days in Siem Reap. You will need one full day to explore Angkor Wat, and then you can spend the other two days seeing other parts of the city.

If you have more time, feel free to stay in Siem Reap, as there are always more things to do.

Where to stay when visiting Angkor Wat?

If you’re coming to Siem Reap only for Angkor Wat, it’s worth it to stay close by, even though the hotels are a little more expensive in this area. Golden Temple Boutique, Seam Siem Reap Hotel, and Raffles Hotel are all great choices.

Is Siem Reap safe?

Siem Reap is very safe. Most travelers find it much safer than Phnom Penh, with fewer pickpocketers and crime.

At night though, I recommend not walking around alone. There are some sketchy and unlit parts of the town that I didn’t feel very safe in.

As long you stay around the main streets and attractions at night, you should be good.

The main issue in Siem Reap you need to worry about is getting scammed. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that buy Angkor Wat tickets or tickets to other places from random people on the street, claiming to be tour guides.

You then show up at Angkor Wat, unable to find the “guide,” and when they scan your ticket, it ends up being fake.

As a result, you’re best off only buying tickets from official websites and ticket booths. You can also buy tickets online from tour guides that have plenty of reviews.