The Best of Cambodia & Laos

104
SIEM REAP
6
WHERE TO STAY
City River Hotel Here are simple accommodations near the town center. Popular
with bus tours, the tidy new City River Hotel handles it all with ease. Shiny lacquered
wood in the lobby is as bright and airy as the friendly staff, who snap to in their starchy
uniforms, quite a rarity in this category. As the name suggests, you’re right on the Siem
Reap River, a short walk from the popular Old Market area. Rooms are spartan, with no
real decoration to speak of, but are clean and quiet; the bus tours haven’t had at them yet,
so this is one to get to before it falls victim. And the price is reasonable, though there are
few amenities. They do, however, offer guests access to the nearby Bopha Angkor hotel
(p. 102) with use of the pool.
No. 0511 Achasva St., Wat Bo, Siem Reap. & 063/763-000. Fax 063/963-963. www.cityriverhotel.com. 60
units. $68–$99 double; $150 suite. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; limited room service; tour services.
In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Internet, minibar.
Ei8ht Rooms This is a very unique guesthouse that actually has 12 rooms. This confusion
aside, they have attempted to create a boutique experience at a very affordable
price. The two buildings themselves are very standard, large concrete houses. It is what
they have done with them that sets it apart. Muted yellow wash on the walls, modernist
(almost Dalí-like surreal) fixtures and fittings, oddly shaped but pleasing furniture, and
plenty of dark silk all contribute to the urban chic atmosphere. The staff are exceedingly
trendy and very friendly. Some will appreciate the artsy flow; others will find it twee. We
just liked the fact that it is so different.
138/139 Streoung Village. & 063/969-788. 12 units. $25 double. MC, V. Amenities: Internet. In room:
A/C, TV, fridge, minibar.
Ivy Guesthouse The Ivy Guesthouse represents cheerful, basic backpacker territory
at its best—a leafy, willowy cove that looks as though hobbits may appear. There are no
hobbits though, only little pockets of budget travelers nestling in the foliage. The downstairs
restaurant and surrounding garden is convivial if a little in need of an actual gardener.
The upstairs tiled balcony is a peaceful place to loll about rustically in hammocks.
The basic rooms are very basic indeed and at $6 this should be no surprise. If you start
flinging your cash around wildly and splurge for the $8 room, you will get a wooden
cabinlike space of decent size and sleep on a wooden dais. These rooms are strange but
have a lot of character. The Ivy is a mixed bag, but for the budget-minded it is a good
option as long as you pick your room carefully. The staff is smiley and charming.
Just off Pokambor Ave. & 012/602-930. 20 units. $8 fan double. Amenities: Restaurant; bar.
La Noria La Noria is a mellow group of bungalows connected by a winding garden
path. The guesthouse is near the town center but you wouldn’t know it in the hush of
this little laid-back spot. Rooms are basic but have nice local touches. Terra-cotta floors,
wooden trim, and small balconies are all neat and tidy, and fine hangings and details like
shadow puppets and authentic Khmer furniture round out a pleasing traditional decor.
Bathrooms have no separate shower consoles, but are small and clean. The place is light
on amenities but has a small pool and makes up for any deficiency with gobs of charm.
The open-air restaurant is a highlight, serving good Khmer and French cuisine. The hotel
is affiliated with Krousar Thmey “New Family,” a humanitarian group doing good work,
and there’s a helpful information board about rural travel and humanitarian projects.
Down a small road off Rte. 6, to the northeast of town. & 063/964-242. Fax 063/964-243. www.lanoria
angkor.com. 28 units. $39 with fan; $49 with A/C. No credit cards. Amenities: Restaurant; outdoor pool.
In room: A/C (optional).