You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
140<br />
BATTAMBANG & NORTHERN CAMBODIA<br />
7<br />
BATTAMBANG<br />
outside sitting areas. <strong>The</strong> terrace on the fourth floor is particularly pleasant, with potted<br />
plants and comfy rattan chairs. <strong>The</strong>re is also a shaded ro<strong>of</strong>top restaurant from which you<br />
can survey the red tiled ro<strong>of</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Battambang below you. <strong>The</strong> prices for all this thoughtful<br />
design are astonishingly low. <strong>The</strong> A/C single and the fan single are the same—they just<br />
disable the A/C if you don’t need it and bring up a fan.<br />
1008B St. 2. & 092/530-293. www.senghouthotel.com. 35 units. $15 A/C double; $20 A/C double superior<br />
view. V. Amenities: Restaurant. In room: A/C, TV, fridge.<br />
Spring Park Hotel From the outside the Spring Park looks simply awful, having<br />
been built in the weirdly blocky architecture that blights so much <strong>of</strong> Thailand. But once<br />
inside, you find yourself facing an incongruously very well-designed interior. Once you<br />
make your way to the bedrooms, the surprises continue. <strong>The</strong> rooms are large and airy,<br />
and furnished with brightly colored bedspreads and tasteful silk cushions. All the facilities<br />
are state <strong>of</strong> the art and the hotel is also set up for business travelers with Wi-Fi<br />
throughout and conference rooms equipped with audiovisual aids. <strong>The</strong> staff is friendly<br />
and attentive. It is an immensely good value, even by Battambang’s high standards.<br />
East bank <strong>of</strong> the river. Old NH#5. & 012/849-999. Fax 053/730-999. 78 units. $8 fan double; $11 standard<br />
double; $13 superior double; $20 deluxe. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; Internet. In room: A/C,<br />
TV, fridge.<br />
Teo Hotel <strong>The</strong> Teo holds a special place in the hearts <strong>of</strong> those journalists, de-miners,<br />
and NGO workers who knew Battambang when the Khmer Rouge were still just up the<br />
road. <strong>The</strong> good news (apart from the war being over) is that years later it is still gleaming.<br />
<strong>The</strong> spotless cleanliness <strong>of</strong> the Teo is a site to behold, and during the day you may trip<br />
over a legion <strong>of</strong> blue-shirted women scrubbing, polishing, and mopping. Any clothes<br />
thoughtlessly discarded on the floor will be returned to you within hours all washed and<br />
pressed. If all this sounds slightly fascistic, it is not—the staff at the Teo is supercasual<br />
and friendly. <strong>The</strong> rooms are on the small side but include a fridge and TV. Despite the<br />
recently arrived competition, the Teo’s rates are actually lower than they were a decade<br />
ago. <strong>The</strong> Teo claims to have free Wi-Fi, but this is not quite a reality since it is very rarely<br />
working and doesn’t penetrate the walls <strong>of</strong> the guest rooms.<br />
St. 3. & 053/952-288. 87 units. $13 double; $25 VIP. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; Internet. In room: A/C,<br />
TV, fridge.<br />
WHERE TO DINE<br />
Battambang may not rival either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap for choice, but it certainly<br />
has a few eating options that stand up in terms <strong>of</strong> quality. All establishments are cash only.<br />
Bus Stop WESTERN This Australian-style restaurant/pub serves huge portions <strong>of</strong><br />
fantastic home cooking. <strong>The</strong> sausage and mash is particularly good. <strong>The</strong> pork chops are<br />
delicious with lots <strong>of</strong> thick, tasty gravy, and when it comes to a full English breakfast the<br />
Bus Stop is in master class territory. <strong>The</strong> beers are super cold and the draft Angkor beer<br />
is a very reasonable 75¢. <strong>The</strong> Bus Stop’s pub is a meeting place for expats and has a full<br />
range <strong>of</strong> spirits.<br />
149 St. 2. & 053/730-544. www.busstopcambodia.com. Main courses $5. Daily 6:30am–10pm.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Cold Night KHMER/WESTERN Like the Teo Hotel, the Cold Night is an<br />
establishment that dates from the days when Battambang was a much rougher place than<br />
it is today. <strong>The</strong> restaurant has actually moved in the intervening years but it still retains