Best accommodation in Cambodia

Finding accommodation Cambodia is seldom a problem. Standards are generally good, and prices are still among the lowest in Asia. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville have plenty of accommodation in all categories, and even smaller towns usually have a reasonable choice of guesthouses and a few modest hotels.

Budget accommodation

Budget accommodation in Cambodia is generally of excellent value and available in a range of guesthouses and hotels (note that many places that call themselves guesthouses are more like small hotels). Most places are functional concrete boxes, although there’s a growing range of more characterful accommodation, particularly on the coast and islands and up in the hills of the northeast, where you’ll find rustic wooden cottages, stilted cabanas and even the occasional treehouse. 

Most places have a mix of fan and air-conditioned rooms or allow you to take a room with or without the a/c turned on. Fan rooms typically go for $10–12/night, $15–20 (or a bit more in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) for rooms with a/c. Virtually all rooms are en suites with showers, sinks, and Western-style toilets, although some places only have cold water. Wi-fi is available pretty much everywhere (and is virtually always free) apart from village homestays, and there might also be a TV, although it won’t always have any channels on it worth watching. 

Some but not all places have mosquito nets – mozzies aren’t usually a major problem, although you should always have insect repellent with you. You might also be able to bargain down your room rate if you stay in one guesthouse/hotel for a few nights or longer, especially in more downmarket places.

There are a burgeoning number of hostels in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Sihanoukville. Fancier places offer dorms with a/c and beds fitted with individual plugs and reading lights, although if you’re travelling as a couple, the price of two dorm beds may not work out any cheaper than taking a double room elsewhere. On the islands, a number of establishments offer hammocks and tents for a few dollars.

Mid-range and luxury

Mid-range (roughly $25–100 per night) and luxury ($100 and upwards per night) accommodation is found only in major towns and tourist hotspots. Mid-range accommodation includes smart business-style hotels along with lower-end boutique hotels and resorts. Facilities are often not significantly different from those in more expensive rooms in budget hotels and guesthouses (with a/c, hot water, minibars and perhaps tea- and coffee-making facilities). However, rooms are likely to be more comfortably and stylishly furnished. You’ll probably also get a pool, an in-house restaurant, and perhaps other facilities, including a gym or spa. Breakfast may also be included in the price.

Luxury accommodation is widely available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and a few other places. Reserve in advance and check online for special deals. Accommodation in this price bracket ranges from international five-star chain hotels to chic boutique hotels and idyllic resorts constructed in traditional Khmer style. Many top-end establishments offer memorable style and luxury at far lower prices than you might pay in other Asian countries, although rates at the very best places still run into hundreds of dollars per night.

Check whether government tax and service are included in the quoted price at more expensive places, as these can add as much as 20 percent to the bill.