Located in north-western Cambodia, Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor archaeological site, home to the temple of Angkor Wat. The city lies directly to the south of this expanse of Khmer Empire remains, covering an area of almost 400km². Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, they are Cambodia’s foremost tourist attraction. This positioning means that Siem Reap has become a top destination. So it’s essential to know the different areas where you can stay in Siem Reap.
To help you make the most of your stay, we’ll give you details of where to stay in Siem Reap. This categorization takes into account the location and liveliness of the area, as well as places of interest and the range of accommodation on offer.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Siem Reap, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Siem Reap:
- $ this very affordable hotel with well-equipped rooms
- $$ this accommodation, located in the heart of Siem Reap
- $$$ this luxury hotel complex, a stone’s throw from the French colonial quarters, the old market and bar streets
Map of different areas to stay in Siem Reap
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Siem Reap
Areas where to stay in Siem Reap
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Siem Reap.
To stay in the lively Old French Quarter
The Old French Quarter is a fairly extensive district around Boulevard Sivatha in central Siem Reap. With its French- and Chinese-influenced architecture, it's the liveliest part of town. The presence of numerous stores, restaurants, cafés and bars makes staying here all the more attractive.
The main sites of interest in this area are :
- the Old Market, a popular spot in the south of the district
- Pub Street, the hub of Siem Reap's nightlife, with its many bars and restaurants.
- the night market, the ideal place to buy souvenirs
- the Royal Residence, a complex where the King of Cambodia lives when he visits.
To stay in the Old French Quarter is the best way to experience Siem Reap to the full. Accommodation in this area is mainly in hotels.
Recommendations for accommodation in the Old French Quarter
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Hotel with family suites for up to 8 people. Swimming pool, bar and restaurant available. Interesting place to stay in this area.
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Luxury hotel complex offering spacious accommodation decorated with contemporary Khmer-inspired works of art. 3 restaurants, swimming pool, bar and spa.
Lodging at Wat Bo Road, Siem Reap's trendy spot
The name of this district comes from Wat Bo, one of Siem Reap's oldest temples. Wat Bo Road is located across the river from the Old French Quarter. Much less lively than the Old French Quarter, it is home to a number of high-end restaurants and hotels. It's the trendiest part of town and a pleasant place to stay.
Essential sites to see in this area include
- Wat Bo temple, an 18th-century Buddhist building with well-preserved paintings
- the Made in Cambodia Market, selling Cambodian handicrafts
- the excursion to the Kulen elephant forest, starting in this area.
The Wat Bo Road area is therefore ideal for staying in a fairly peaceful district, just a 10-minute walk from the bustle of the Old French Quarter. Accommodation here is mainly hotels, to suit all budgets.
Wat Bo Road accommodation tips
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Hotel offering modern, spacious rooms at excellent value for money. A balcony, swimming pool and spa are also available.
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Hotel complex in the heart of Siem Reap. Fair rates for the services offered and the comfort of the rooms. Balconies overlooking the pool or garden.
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Luxury hotel set in tropical gardens. Rooms include traditional Cambodian artifacts and are decorated in a 1950s-inspired style.
To stay in Sok San Road, close to the center
Situated to the west of the Old French Quarter, the Sok San Road sector is a preferred accommodation area for those taking a road trip with Siem Reap as a stopover. Its location is ideal. Both close to the center and close to the main roads to the West, you can enjoy the district's lively atmosphere.
The main sites of interest around the Sok San road are :
- Wat Svay Dongkum, a 19th-century Buddhist temple
- The Happy Horse Ranch Farm, a place for horseback riding.
The main places to stay on Sok San Road are hotels and apartments. There are also numerous bars and restaurants along the 1.5km road.
Recommendations where to stay on Sok San Road
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Just 200 meters from the lively center, this aparthotel offers very decent rooms at low rates.
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Mid-range hotel with spacious rooms with balconies, spa, pool, bar and restaurant.
Accommodations along NR6 for a relaxing break
Linking the north-west of the country to the capital Phnom Penh in the south-east, NR6 passes through Siam Reap between its airport and the north of the town center.
Accommodations along this route are mainly mid-range and upper-range hotels with wellness facilities. This makes it the ideal district in which to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of central Siem Reap. Its direct proximity to the airport makes the area attractive for those wishing to combine relaxation with a visit to the Angkor archaeological site.
The presence of a large number of restaurants, cafés and shops along this route also makes it an attractive place to stay. It's worth pointing out, however, that there aren't really any sites of interest to see in this area.
Accommodation tips along NR6
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Excellent value for money for this spacious B&B with two swimming pools, bar and restaurant.
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Hotel complex two kilometers from the center. Three swimming pools, spa, restaurant and garden.
To stay along Boulevard Charles de Gaulle, before visiting Angkor
With a length of 5 kilometers, the Boulevard Charles de Gaulle crosses Siem Reap from its center, more precisely the royal residence, to the Angkor site in the north.
Deciding to stay along this boulevard can be a good idea if you want to be away from the heart of the city and still get to Angkor as early as possible. Sunrise is one of the best times to visit the site. The play of light on the temples and the relative absence of tourists make it even more pleasant to explore.
Accommodation along Boulevard Charles de Gaulle ranges from luxury resorts to budget hotels. Most of these are within the first two kilometers of the center. Note, however, that few of them are very close to Angkor.
Idea for accommodation along Boulevard Charles de Gaulle
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Hotel with spacious rooms, swimming pool, restaurant and spa at attractive rates. Ideal for staying along the Boulevard.
Summary
Knowing the different areas where to stay in Siem Reap is useful for visiting the town, but especially the archaeological site of Angkor. To fully experience the city’s liveliness, staying in the Old French Quarter is the best choice.
For a quieter, more central location, the Wat Bo Road and Sok San Road areas are ideal. If you want to be close to the main roads to the airport or the Angkor site, staying around Route Nationale 6 or Boulevard Charles de Gaulle is a good choice. In any case, whatever your choice of accommodation, we strongly advise you to make your reservation as early as possible, as Siem Reap is very touristy.