Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
beds, and there are a few single rooms and nice upmarket
en-suite a/c doubles in a new “villa” next door. Great food and
a lively bar, and they can sort you out
wit
h bus tick
ets,
book
local tours and assist with visas. Dorms
$7
; doubles
$14
Manor House
21 Street 262
T
017 802922,
W
manorhousecambodia.com; map p.66.
A relaxed, gay-
friendly villa-style guesthouse - once the home of a
Japanese diplomat - with a leafy garden and swimming
pool. Spacious rooms have capacious bathrooms, cable TV,
DVD player, safe, minibar and some of the original ow
ner's
furniture. Breakfast is included, as is wi-fi. Over-18s only.
$50
One Up Banana Hotel
Z9-132 Street 51
T
023
211344,
W
1uphotelcambodia.com; map p.66.
A secure,
well-organized hotel with tidy a/c rooms with writing
desks, kitchenettes, kettles, TVs, minibars, hairdryers and
safes. The
upp
er rooms are a bit quieter. Long-term rates
available.
$39
The Patio
134z, Street 51
T
023 997900,
W
patio
-hotel.com; map p.66.
Hidden down a side street, the a/c
rooms here are chic and colourful, if a tad overpriced, and
the more expensive have balconies. The rooftop infinity
pool is fabu
lous
, with some of the best views in town (non-
guests $7).
$90
The Pavilion
227 Street 19, behind Wat Botum
T
023
222280,
W
thepavilion.asia; map p.66.
Boutique
guesthouse in two impeccably converted colonial mansions.
Rooms (all a/c) are beautifully presented but vary; the
garden bungalows are tiny, while some come with private
pools. With a swimming pool (guests and members only, no
kids allowed), sunbeds, verdant gardens, wi-fi and a
restaurant, bar and small spa, it's almost too
hard
to leave.
Advance reservations required by email only.
$50
Top Banana
Cnr streets 51 & 278
T
012 885572,
W
topbanana.biz; map p.66.
Two floors of a/c dorms and
simple budget rooms with a/c or fan in a prime location.
Hot showers, communal TV and DVDs; laundry; onward
transport and tours (although a little pricey); plus a top-
notch balcony restaurant and bar (almost) overlooking Wat
Langka that hosts impromptu parties most nights. The
Mini
Banana
, their new, much smaller and less party-orientated
sister guesthouse (same price
ran
ge), is just t
wo bl
ocks
south al
ong
Street 51. Dorms
$6
; fan doubles
$10
; a/c
doubles
$18
White Mansion
26 Street 240
T
023 555 0955,
W
hotelphnompenh-whitemansion.com; map p.66.
An
impressive family-friendly hotel in a purpose-built
Cambodian villa that gets rave reviews for its big, opulent
rooms and helpful staff. There's also
a nic
e little lap pool
tucked on to one side of the building.
$130
SOUTH OF THE CENTRE
★
Terrace on 95
43 Street 95
T
023 996143,
W
theterraceon95.com; map pp.58-59.
Formerly the
Boddhi Tree del Gusto
, this graceful, out-of-the-way
guesthouse offers beautifully decorated rooms in a
traditional 1930s Khmer wooden house. Replete with
French colonial atmosphere, rooms are adorned with
vibrant Rajasthani block-printed fabrics and colourful art. It
is also home to the good veggie
-frie
ndly
K'jnay Restaurant
and is next to The Flicks cinema.
$50
You Khin
13A Street 830
T
023 224843,
W
youkhinhouse.com; map p.66.
This charming
guesthouse is closely linked to the neighbouring school
and allows the pupils to use the pool during the week.
Despite this it is a lovely, serene spot just a few blocks from
the action. Seven smart a/c rooms off an airy central
staircase, each one tastefully decorated and with enclosed
shower cubicles (as opposed to the usual wet rooms) and a
small relaxation area. The intimate restaurant includes a
collection of guitars for guests to strum on. On the first
floor is a beauty spa and above
a libr
ary with TV and pool
table. Very calm and welcoming.
$38
EATING
Phnom Penh has a vast range of places to eat, from cheap noodle shops and market stalls to sophisticated, pricey Western
places. In addition many guesthouses have small, if usually undistinguished, restaurants, and on the whole, the food in the city
is reasonable. The bustling
riverfront and Sisowath Quay
are lined with cafés, restaurants and bars serving cuisine from
all over the world; the attractive location means that the cheapest single-course meals go for $4-5, and the myriad vendors
and beggars can get a little wearing. For a cheaper choice of backpacker-friendly restaurants and bars, head to nearby neon-lit
EATING WITH A CONSCIENCE
Several cafés and restaurants in Phnom Penh either train the underprivileged in the hospitality
trade or donate profits to help those in need. Expect to pay around $10-12 for a starter and
main course.
Le Café (Mith Samlanh)
See p.86.
Café Yejj
See p.86.
Friends (Mith Samlanh)
See p.84.
Le Lotus Blanc
See p.85.
Romdeng
See p.85.
Sugar 'n Spice Café
See p.86.
