A 15-minute stroll north from the Old Market, along the shady west bank of the Siem Reap River, with its ornate stone street lamps and hotch-potch of animal and religious sculptures, leads you to The Royal Gardens, the Siem Reap city centre’s only open public green ...
A 15-minute stroll north from the Old Market, along the shady west bank of the Siem Reap River, with its ornate stone street lamps and hotch-potch of animal and religious sculptures, leads you to The Royal Gardens, the Siem Reap city centre’s only open public green space.
It is an area that provides visitors with a restful antidote to the dusty streets of downtown, and a handful of free attractions to help you while away a couple of lazy hours if you are lucky enough to be spending more than the requisite three days in Siem Reap.
The official royal residence for King Sihamoni and family when they travel to Siem Reap is an austere building that has long since been overshadowed by resorts and boutique hotels around town.
It is an area that provides visitors with a restful antidote to the dusty streets of downtown, and a handful of free attractions to help you while away a couple of lazy hours if you are lucky enough to be spending more than the requisite three days in Siem Reap.
The peaceful Royal Gardens consists of The River Garden and the rather grandiose-sounding Royal Crusade for Independence Gardens. On the southern side of the gardens lies the building often incorrectly referred to as the “Royal Palace” – it is simply a royal residence — an understated affair, more pied-a-terre than palace, which is not open to visitors. It does, however, hold a significant place in Cambodian history as the temporary home of King Sihanouk while he and General Lon Nol were planning The Royal Crusade for Independence from France– hence the gardens’ name — in the 1950s.
Heading anti-clockwise from The Royal Residence takes you to the eastern section of the garden which stretches down to the riverbank among neat palms and ancient trees, their huge trunks clad with epiphytes, their branches rich with birds and butterflies. The soft and springy Bermuda grass of the River Garden is a great place to sit in the shade and have a picnic or a cold drink as you watch the river gently flow by.
Opposite the Royal Residence on the northern side of the gardens is the impressive Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor which has been lodging and pampering the intrepid, the rich and the famous – including Charles de Gaulle, Princess Margaret and Jackie Kennedy — since 1932. If you are in need of a treat the high tea at Raffles is a wonderful indulgence which costs $16++ a head buffet style or $19++ a head served at your table –book in advance. One is probably enough for two people, just order an extra cup of tea or coffee. There is also a small indoor-outdoor gallery that houses exhibitions of sculpture and photography, entry is free.
Raffles’ gardeners have been maintaining the public formal gardens that spread out in front of the hotel since they opened in 1997. They are home to neatly trimmed hedges, fragrant frangipani trees, lollipop-shaped topiary, and deep beds filled with flaming scarlet and yellow irises. At the centre of the formal gardens is an ornamental pond guarded by four stone lions. The overall effect is pleasing rather than spectacular but there are plenty of photogenic scenes to satisfy the snap-happy traveller. There are also lots of benches to sit on and enjoy the relative silence, but they are mostly in full sun.
The avenue of towering trees that runs roughly north-south from The Raffles Hotel provides a pleasant thoroughfare for aimless promenading, but its real draw is the vast colony of giant fruit bats that lives there. Look up at any time of day and you will see them hanging pendulously from every bough, chirping like hungry nestlings. Time your visit with dusk and you cannot fail to be impressed by the spectacle of thousands of cat-sized bats encircling the treetops like a flock of giant starlings coming home to roost.
At the southerly end of the tree-lined avenue is the small, open-sided Temple of Phomchek Phomchom, and neighbouring shrine sitting precariously on a small island in the middle of National Route six. The temple structure may be small and the statuary unremarkable, but there is usually a lively atmosphere with clouds of incense swirling around worshippers, traditional musicians, shaven-headed widows seeking alms and saffron-robed monks offering blessings. Don’t worry if you can’t understand what the monks say; as long as you make a donation they won’t mind.
If you do want to make an offering you can buy incense inside the temple, or delicately woven lotus flowers from the stalls behind. You can even buy the freedom of a caged swallow, although it’s not a practise to be recommended.
By now you will be just steps from a helpful looking “Tourist information office” which sadly houses less information than the smallest of pocket guidebooks. You will also be just yards from where you started. Take a walk through the shops of Sivatha Boulevard back towards Pub Street and The Old Market area of town, or if it’s a Friday you could always pop into the the Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa on the west side of the gardens, and enjoy some live music, half price drinks and free canapes between 16:00 and 19:30 at their Explorateur Bar.
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Sivatha Boulevard 34 next to Cambodia Commercail Bank, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
One of our best sellers in Siem Reap!
Located in Siem Reap, a 4-minute walk from Pub Street, Summer Bliss Boutique has air-conditioned rooms and a garden. Each room at the 3-star inn has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sun terrace. The property provides free WiFi.
All guest rooms at the inn are equipped with a seating area and a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower, free toiletries and a hair dryer. Guest rooms will provide guests with a closet and an electric tea pot.
For any tips on how to get around or what to do in the area, guests can ask at the reception.
King's Road Angkor is 1 km from Summer Bliss Boutique, while Angkor Wat is 6.1 km away. The nearest airport is Angkor International, 12.9 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a free airport shuttle service.
This is our guests' favorite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Road 67 Banteay Srei Temple Road to Banteay Srei Temple, Siem Reap City ,Cambodia, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
Set in Siem Reap, 18 km from Angkor Wat, Bong Thom Forest Lodge features an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. The property is located 25 km from King's Road Angkor and 26 km from Pub Street. Guests can sample Cambodian and Asian dishes at the on-site restaurant.
At the hotel, the rooms are fitted with a terrace with a garden view. The private bathroom is fitted with a bath and free toiletries. At Bong Thom Forest Lodge, each room is equipped with a seating area.
The accommodation offers a children's playground. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at Bong Thom Forest Lodge.
Staff at the 24-hour front desk can provide guidance on what to do in the area.
Cambodia Landmine Museum is 3.5 km from the hotel. Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport is 36 km from the property.
We speak your language!
Phum Treang Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
Nestled within private gardens and located just before the entrance of the Angkor Wat Temple complex, Angkor Village Resort & Spa offers accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap. A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it boasts a 250 m outdoor pool that meanders through lovely landscaped gardens and guests enjoy use of the resort's daybeds. The property offers two in-house dining options and guests can have a drink at the bar.
Angkor Village Resort & Spa is about 5 km from Siem Reap International Airport. The property offers airport pickup services at an additional charge.
Angkor Village’s cottage rooms feature four-poster beds and private balconies. Each room has a flat-screen cable TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Spacious bathrooms are fitted with a hot tub and organic toiletries. Guests are also welcomed with a tropical fruit platter.
Guests can approach the 24-hour front desk for currency exchange, tour arrangements and concierge services. The full-service Spa Village includes saunas, hot tubs and an air-conditioned fitness room. Guests can browse items in the souvenir shop, or watch cultural performances at the on-site outdoor theatre.
The two in-house restaurants - Aaraama and Le Jardin offer a wide range of cuisines, including local, Thai and French choices. Private picnics, afternoon tea, and local cooking classes may also be arranged.
This is our guests' favourite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.7 for a two-person trip.
We speak your language!
Khna Village, Chhreav Commune, Siem Reap town in the eastern part of the city Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast Included
Boasting an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant, Cheata Residence is set in Siem Reap. The property is located 6 km from King's Road Angkor. The hotel also offers free WiFi as well as a free airport shuttle service.
At the hotel, rooms are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Each room comes with a kettle, while certain rooms also offer a terrace and others also have mountain views. At Cheata Residence, each room is equipped with a private bathroom with free toiletries.
A continental breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation.
At Cheata Residence guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna, a fitness room and an indoor swimming pool. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 4-star hotel.
The hotel also provides a business centre and guests can use the on-site ATM machine or use the fax machine and photocopier at Cheata Residence. Speaking English and Khmer at the 24-hour front desk, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical information on the area.
Pub Street is 6 km from the accommodation, while Angkor Wat is 10 km from the property. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 17 km from Cheata Residence.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Top Town Road,Krous Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
One of our bestsellers in Siem Reap!
Nestled within private gardens, Day Day Inn offers accommodation in Siem Reap. It features an outdoor swimming pool and guests can enjoy meals at the in-house restaurant or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available in all rooms.
The vibrant Pub Street, Old Market and Cambodian Cultural Village are 2.8 km away. Angkor Wat is 8 km from Day Day Inn, while Kravan Temple is 1.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 7.2 km from the property. The property offers airport transfers and shuttle services at additional charges.
Each air-conditioned room is fitted with a flat-screen cable TV. Certain units have a seating area for your convenience. Some units include views of the garden or city. En suite bathrooms include shower facilities, a hairdryer and free toiletries.
Guests can approach the 24-hour front desk for currency exchange, tour arrangements and ticketing services.
We speak your language!
Street 27, Wat Bo Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Location!
A boutique hotel located in central Siem Reap, Home Indochine D'Angkor provides elegant accommodations just a 7-minute walk to the famous Phsar Chas (Old Market) and Pub Street. Guests enjoy access to the outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi is offered throughout the property.
Home Indochine D'Angkor is located 5.6 mi from Siem Reap International Airport and a 15-minute drive from Angkor Wat Temple, a world heritage site. It is a 5-minute walk from the hotel to Siem Reap River. The property offers complimentary airport pickup services.
All rooms are air-conditioned and feature a private bathroom, a cable TV and 2 free bottles of mineral water daily. Rooms also have seating areas and offer views of the garden or pool. You will find a kettle, tea/coffee maker and slippers in the rooms. Toothbrushes are provided in the private bathroom.
Breakfast and fresh juices are served at the restaurant, which also offers local specialties and some Western dishes. There is also a bar on site. Room service is provided on request.
This is our guests' favorite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.7 for a two-person trip.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.
Guest Name: Ms. Lucy Hodges
Country: United States
City: Siem Reap
N.of Person: 3 pax
Travel date: 2025-02-13
Booked: Ceramics Art Painting Tour in Siem Reap
Tour Style: Tour Activities
Duration: 2 Hours
