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If you are planning a trip to Siem Reap in 2025, one of the first things to do is find a hotel. But how do you find a hotel if you don’t know the best areas to stay?
It can be very hard looking for hotels if you don’t know the best areas to stay. And it can be hard finding the best areas if you have never visited a city before. Unless, of course, you find an awesome article like this. In this article, we are going to share the best areas to stay in Siem Reap.
Each of the different areas of Siem Reap has its own vibe, attractions, amenities, advantages, and disadvantages. We will share our knowledge and experience to help you get to grips with each of the areas so that you can find the best places to stay. For each area we recommend, we will also suggest some of the best hotels.
We have lived in Siem Reap and also visited many times over the years, so we have a lot of local experience. Please do read this article carefully. Picking the right area to stay will make a big difference to your overall experience and enjoyment.
PLAN YOUR TRIP – Everything you need to know before you go to Siem Reap
Map of the best areas to stay in Siem Reap
Summary of the best areas to stay in Siem Reap
| Advantages and disadvantages | Best hotels in the area | |
| Pub Street area | Lively and bustling. Great facilities & transport is easy from here. Most central area of Siem Reap. Can be intense and noisy. | Ibis Styles Siem Reap and Steung Siemreap Hotel |
| Sok San Road | Best area for backpackers. Nice with chilled vibes & very central. Short walk from pub street. Great shops & restaurants. Some spots can be quite noisy (a few loud bars) | Golden Temple Residence and Garden Village |
| Siem Reap River | Peaceful, tranquil & relatively central. Nice luxury hotels in this area. Can be expensive. Not as much local street food. | Treeline Urban Resort and Apsara Residence Hotel |
| Wat Bo Road | Good balance between proximity to Pub Street & the river. Cheaper accommodation. Some authentic local culture in this area. Slightly further from the center of town. | Maison 557 and Vilroth’s Hotel |
| Phnom Penh Road | Authentic local culture & street food. Can normally get tuk tuks on the main road. A long way from the center of town. The road is busy, dirty and not peaceful. | Borei Angkor Resort & Spa and Angkor Privilege Resort & Spa |
| Airport Road | Best area for luxury travellers. Some big resorts and attractions along this road. Some local culture. A long way from the center of town. Not much cheap backpacker accommodation. | Empress Angkor Resort & Spa and La Residence Blanc D’Angkor |
| Sala Kamreuk Road | Nice vibes and a good balance of local culture and international food. Small boutique and trendy hotels. Slightly out of the way – it takes around 15 – 30 minutes to walk to the center of town. | Eightfold Urban Resort and Hotel Vellita Siem Reap |
What is it like to stay in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap is a fun, fascinating, and beautiful town situated in the north of Cambodia, close to the iconic Angkor Wat temples. Many people visit Siem Reap just to see the temples; however, there are a lot of fantastic things to see and do around Siem Reap. If you have time in your itinerary, we do recommend exploring some of the amazing attractions and activities in the Siem Reap area. Also find out more about The Best Ways to Get Around in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap is a relatively cheap place to stay and explore. The high levels of tourism in Siem Reap mean that you can easily find a wide range of international food, and there are also several convenience stores and a couple of larger supermarkets situated in the town. Siem Reap is also well known for its beautiful and creative night markets. The river running through Siem Reap is also very beautiful. In terms of accommodation, there is a very good range of accommodation, and in general, you do get a lot for your money in Siem Reap.
Planning your trip? You maybe interested in this epic 3 day itinerary for Siem Reap
What are the challenges of staying in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap really is a fantastic place to stay and explore; however, there are some challenges of staying in Siem Reap. Cambodia is a developing country with limited and unreliable infrastructure. As a consequence, traveling in Siem Reap can be challenging at times; for example, the town is prone to power cuts (in fact, many hotels and guest houses now have their own generators). Some areas are also prone to flooding, so take care if you’re traveling around the Siem Reap province during the wet season.
There is a lot of poverty in Cambodia, and a tourist town like Siem Reap is a target for begging and scams, so always be careful, especially if locals are asking you for money.
Don’t miss the full guide – Ethical Ways to Help Out in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a hot and dusty town, and it can be pretty intense and challenging to travel around, especially during the day. There is no public transport system in Siem Reap, so you will need to rely on tuk-tuks to get around. Fortunately, there are plenty of drivers, and tuk-tuks are very affordable and convenient. However, you do need to negotiate a price with a driver every time you want to take a tuk-tuk, and this can be challenging, especially if you are not comfortable or confident with bartering. Find out more about How to take a Tuk Tuk in Cambodia.
1. Around Pub Street
Don’t miss our full and in-depth guide to pub street
This is essentially the central hub of Siem Reap, so if you are looking for a place to stay right in the heart of Siem Reap, we recommend finding somewhere close to Pub Street. This area is fantastic for amenities; there are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants around. There are plenty of night markets nearby and lots of spas for a relaxing massage. It is also very easy to find tuk-tuks in the area. There is a wide range of international food in this area, including Indian food, Mexican food, Japanese food, Western food, and traditional Cambodian food. If you’re looking for some local culture nearby check out Wat Preah Prom Rath.
You can also find some very tasty local food along the side of the old market. There are also several convenience stores and supermarkets a short walk from Pub Street. So this really is a good area to stay if you want everything to be within arm’s reach. There are also a few travel agents near Pub Street where you can book tours, trips, and buses. The main disadvantage of staying around Pub Street is the intensity, noise, and chaos of this area. If you were planning to find a hotel around Pub Street, we recommend looking for places on some of the smaller side streets nearby. There are also some lovely quiet places close to the river near Pub Street.
A few great hotels near pub street
Ibis Styles Siem Reap on Agoda and Steung Siemreap Hotel on Agoda
2. Sok San Road
Sok San Road and the surrounding streets is one of our favorite places to stay in Siem Reap. This is also a good option if you are looking for some of the cheaper budget backpacker hostels and guest houses. Sok San Road is fairly close to Pub Street, and it has many of the advantages of staying around Pub Street. For example, you can very easily find tuk-tuks along Sok San Road.
There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants in this area. You can also find the Temple Design Bar and Restaurant, and there are a couple of convenience stores on Sok San Road. It is only a short walk from Pub Street, but it is a little quieter and less crowded. It is important to be aware that there are a few noisy bars and clubs along the street. If you are a light sleeper, you may wish to choose a different area to stay.
A few great hotels around Sok San Road
Golden Temple Residence on Agoda and Garden Village on Agoda
3. By the Siem Reap River
This is one of the most beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil areas to stay in Siem Reap. There are several upmarket hotels and guest houses situated along the Siem Reap River. The whole section has a beautiful riverside walk, which is mostly covered by trees.
This is a pleasant area to walk even during the hotter parts of the day. There are fewer shops, cafes, and restaurants situated along the river; however, you can still find a few fancy restaurants along the river. Alternatively, you can walk to the central area of town where there are plenty of shops and restaurants.
A few great hotels around Sok San Road
Golden Temple Residence on Agoda and Garden Village Guest House on Agoda
4. Wat Bo Road
Wat Bo Road is close to the Siem Reap River (in fact, it runs parallel to the river). So why have we mentioned this as a different area to stay? We have chosen to recommend Wat Bo Road as an area to stay because it has its own unique vibe and range of accommodation. Wat Bo Road is still located a relatively short walk from Pub Street and the central area. However, there is a good range of more affordable accommodation in this area. Wat Bo Road also has a nice balance between authentic local culture and some amenities for travelers. It is only a short walk from the river, which also adds charm to this area.
A few great hotels around Wat Bo Road
Maison 557 on Agoda (pictured above) and Vilroth’s Hotel on Agoda
5. On the Phnom Penh Road (Route 6 eastbound)
If you are looking for a more local experience, then there are some places to stay situated along the Phnom Penh Road. This is the main road that leads east out of Siem Reap. There are several resorts, guest houses, and hotels situated along this road; however, many of these places are out of the way and a little too far to walk to the center of town. There are a few very nice resorts in this area! The Phnom Penh Road is a relatively busy main road, so it is quick and easy to find tuk-tuks if you are staying in this area.
There is plenty of authentic local street food along the Phnom Penh Road. You can also visit Phsar Leu (an authentic local market that sells a wide range of clothing, fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat). The Phnom Penh Road is a big and busy road, so don’t expect that lovely rural Cambodian feel unless you find a place that is further out of town (and a little walk from the main road). The Phnom Penh Road may be a good way to get away from the tourist chaos of Pub Street, but don’t expect the peaceful village vibes unless you actually stay in a village.
A few great hotels on the Phnom Penh Road
Borei Angkor Resort & Spa on Agoda and Angkor Privilege Resort & Spa on Agoda (pictured above)
6. On the Airport Road (Route 6 westbound)
The Airport Road is similar to the Phnom Penh Road; it is more out of the way and it is easier to find authentic local food and culture. However, there are some large expensive hotels and resorts situated on the Airport Road. The Airport Road also has several attractions such as the Angkor Eye Wheel and the Cambodian Cultural Village. Most of the hotels on the Airport Road are too far from the center of town to walk; however, you can find plenty of tuk-tuks on the Airport Road, so transportation is still relatively easy. If you are looking for small, stylish boutique guest houses with character and charm, the Airport Road is not a good option; however, if you are looking for large, grand, decadent resorts with great facilities, then there are a few fantastic options situated along the Airport Road.
A few great hotels to stay on the Airport Road
Empress Angkor Resort & Spa on Agoda and La Residence Blanc D’Angkor on Agoda
7. Sala Kamreuk Road
Sala Kamreuk Road is situated to the southeast of Siem Reap on the quieter side of the river. It is around 15 – 30 minutes walk from Pub Street (depending on where exactly you stay!). Sala Kamreuk Road (and the surrounding streets) has a nice balance between proximity to the center of town and a more peaceful ambiance. This is also a great area to stay for some of the most luxurious, innovative, and charming accommodation in Siem Reap. There are some very creative and beautiful boutique hotels in this area. You can find affordable local street food around the Sala Kamreuk Road area. There are also some more nice international restaurants, including some very nice Western Food restaurants.
A few great hotels to stay on Sala Kamreuk Road
Eightfold Urban Resort on Agoda (pictured above) and Hotel Vellita Siem Reap on Agoda
