The Best of Cambodia & Laos

68
PHNOM PENH
5
WHERE TO STAY
downstairs restaurant is very good, and there is often a peppering of frugal-minded expats
chowing down, content in the knowledge that their wallets remain almost entirely intact.
Many of the rooms face the corridor, so there is a shortage of light. For the very low price,
however, it remains a viable option.
No. 21 St. 172. & 012/831-702. 13 units. $7 single fan cold water; $15 double A/C; $20 double A/C
daylight facing. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: A/C, TV, fridge.
BOEUNG KENG KANG
Moderate
Amber Villa This spacious and well-laid-out hotel offers large, light rooms with cool
tiled floors. They have all the facilities you might need including Wi-Fi, in-room safe,
and free breakfast. There is a restaurant attached. Some of the rooms are a little small,
but manage not to be claustrophobic on account of the intelligent design.
No. 1A St. 57. & 023/216-303. www.amber-kh.com. 7 units. $35 double 1 occupant; $45 double 2
occupants. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; Internet. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar.
Anise Hotel This excellent and really quite funky little place has tastefully decorated
rooms and is situated on a pleasant and quiet street. The staff is helpful in an understated
way and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. It has an attached restaurant serving a
mixture of Khmer and Western dishes. It is also well set up for business travelers incorporating
all the facilities they might need.
No. 2c St. 278. & 023/222-522. Fax 023/222-533. www.anisehotel.com.kh. 18 units. $35 double 1 occupant;
$45 double 2 occupants. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; Internet. In room: A/C, TV, fridge,
minibar.
Frangipani Villa (90s) There are two Frangipani Villa hotels and both are
conceived along the same lines. They are named according to the decade in which the
original houses were built. As you can imagine, the Frangipani Villas 90s is better than
the Frangipani Villas 60s, though both are very good options. The Frangipani Villa 90s
has leafy grounds on a surprisingly quiet and scenic street, conveniently close to
Monivong Boulevard. They have gone for a boutique style, but with brushed concrete
rather than the usual dark-wood and silk route. The garden restaurant is a pleasant haven
from the bustle of the city. The rooms in both hotels are more the size of minisuites, with
a divided living area separate from the bedroom. The actual suites are larger versions of
the same. Staff are hired through an NGO helping street kids (“Pour un Sourire
d’Enfant,” translating as “For a child’s smile”) and it seems to be a policy that works on
business lines as well as ethical lines since they are absolutely delightful.
No. 20R St. 252. & 023/212-100. www.frangipanihotel.com. 15 units. $40 double; $60 suite. MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar; Internet. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar.
Goldie Boutique Guesthouse This is a new Thai-owned boutique guesthouse. It
is stylishly decorated with all amenities. Some rooms have a balcony and those on the
upper floors are particularly good, with decent views of the southern part of the city. The
rooms have picture windows, flooding them with light. They have gone for boutique
styling and carried it off with some aplomb. They have, however, neglected the floors in
the course of the makeover—they are incongruously covered in ’70s-style linoleum. This
blemish actually adds a bit of character and is a cute imperfection. There is also an
attached spa and massage facility.
No. 6 B-C-D St. 57. & 09/998-6222. www.goldieguesthouse.com. 15 units. $20 single; $25 junior suite
balcony; $30 double. No credit cards. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; Internet. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar.