I go to Cambodia at least once per year, so here is my recommendation for where to stay in Phnom Penh after more than twenty trips. You can also see my choice of the best hotels in the area with photos from my last stay.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh is huge, but it’s easy to decide where to stay, depending on your preferences. The transportation is cheap, and you can always use apps like Grab and Passapp, but why not stay near your favorite places? Check Cambodia Travel Tips for more travel advice.
Riverside – the best area to stay for first-timers
Riverside is the best area to stay in Phnom Penh and is excellent for first-timers in Cambodia. It has something for everyone:
- Some of the best hotels in Phnom Penh are located there
- It’s within walking distance of the most famous attractions
- There are plenty of great restaurants with local and international food to choose from
- It’s easy to get transportation to go everywhere or book a tour
- It’s close to bars and nightlife
- Although pickpocketing is not uncommon, It’s a safe area as there are plenty of other tourists and friendly local people.
However, Riverside is a vast area, and not all parts suit everyone.
The north part near Wat Phnom is not a good area to stay. Visiting the temple during the day is great but unsafe at night.
The middle part is great, with many nice hotels and restaurants, but avoid the two blocks from Riverside between Street 130 and 136 if you are traveling with kids. It’s safe, but it’s the main girly bar area.
The south part near the Royal Museum is the best area to stay in Phnom Penh for sightseeing and if you have limited time in the capital of Cambodia. It is safe and family-friendly, and you can visit many attractions quickly.
Street 172 – best for cheap hotels and food
The accommodations in Phnom Penh and Cambodia are inexpensive compared to the hotels in Europe and the USA, but if you are looking for a cheap place to stay, check out Street 172.
Street 172, one block away from Riverside, is the so-called backpacker area of Phnom Penh. It was much better before the lockdowns, but the area slowly improved. Check this street for cheap accommodations and food.
- There are many cheap hotels and guesthouses
- Excellent and cheap food is available
- It’s not far from the Royal Palace and National Museum
BKK1 – best family-friendly area and western-style places
BKK1 is southwest of the Independence Monument and has many fancy coffee shops and accommodations. There is not much local culture, but it’s stylish and safe for your family and kids.
- One of the safest areas suitable for families and kids
- Many Western-style businesses – cafes, western food and vegetarian restaurants, yoga studios, hair salons and others
- Nice boutique hotels like Baitong Hotel & Resort
Russian Market area – best for nothing, really
Russain Market area is not my favorite part of the city. I don’t know why many travel bloggers advertise it for local vibes. In fact, because of the endless recommendations, the prices in the Russian Market are high. You can get a bargain more easily in Central Market and buy everything you need.
Phnom Penh is huge, and there are many other areas, but they are not suitable for first-timers.
Tip: Avoid staying near a canal as they are stinky.
Best Hotels in Phnom Penh
Sun & Moon Urban Hotel – best for everyone
Location: Two blocks from Riverside, a ten-minute walk to Central Market and National Museum, and right next to the bar area
Pros
- Walking distance to many attractions
- Close to the Central market for shopping
- Close to nightlife but quiet rooms
- Great rooftop swimming pool
Cons
- The shortest way to the Riverside through the girly bar area is bothersome for some people.
- Stylish but not very big rooms
Sun & Moon Urban Hotel is the best value-for-money mid-range hotel in Phnom Penh. You can walk everywhere you need to go, whether sightseeing, shopping or nightlife. Although not very big, the rooms are stylish and clean. The hotel has one of the area’s very few rooftop swimming pools.
Tip: When you exit the hotel, turn left and go to Central Market. Turn right, and you go to bars and Riverside. The street to the National Museum and Royal Palace is right behind the hotel.
Price: $49+ Sun & Moon on Agoda
Amanjaya Pancam Suites – best for affordable aristocratic feeling
Location: Unbeatable location right on the Riverside
Pros
- Affordable price for luxury feeling
- Excellent location on Riverside with many nice restaurants nearby and a short walk to most attractions
- Huge, stylish, and clean rooms
- Famous rooftop bar
- Excellent hotel staff
Cons
- No swimming pool
- Small toilets
Amanjaya Pancam Suites is in an old colonial building that looks spacious and stylish. I’ve stayed there once and had a fantastic stay. It has probably the biggest rooms I’ve seen in the area. Only the toilets are small, but everything you need is provided.
The staff are very friendly and ready to help. The hotel has the best rooftop bar near the Riverside, Le Moon, with a fantastic river view and great cocktails.
Tip: When I stayed there, the staff kept my luggage for five days for my trip to Siem Reap. It’s an excellent opportunity to travel light.
Price: $88+ Amanjaya Pancam Suites on Agoda
Silver Mounts – best for a cheap hotel in Phnom Penh
Location: Right on Backpacker Street 172
Pros
- Affordable price
- Nice and clean rooms
- Close to many eating places and attractions
Cons
- There are cheaper options in the area
- No swimming pool
Silver Mounts is not the cheapest hotel, and you can find other places nearby for less, but for a few dollars more, you can stay in better accommodation. The rooms are basic but clean, and the staff are great.
Tip: Right across the street is the former Blue Dolphin, now Golden Dolphin restaurant with many excellent and cheap meals.
Price: $20+ Silver Mounts on Agoda
Best Central Point – cheapest nice hotel in the backpacker area
Location: Street 172, with many cheap accommodations and restaurants
Pros
- Very cheap and good-sized rooms
- Friendly staff
- Many cheap eating places nearby
Cons
- Basic hotel
- Some rooms are noisy
Best Central Point is one of the cheapest hotels in the backpacker area, with hostels, guesthouses, and affordable restaurants. Yes, you can find cheaper hostels with many people in one room, but why bother saving $1-$2 when you can stay in an actual hotel?
The rooms are basic but good-sized and clean. The staff are nice, and although the hotel changed its owner a few times, they have had the same friendly people for years.
Tip: Book a top-floor room at the back as they are the best and quietest.
Price: $16+ Best Central Point on Agoda
Ohana Phnom Penh Palace Hotel – best mid-range hotel near Riverside
Location: Street 148 near Riverside
Pros
- Excellent value for money mid-range hotel
- Close to Riverside but a quiet location
- Amazing rooftop area
Cons
- Some rooms don’t have a nice view
- Some rooms have a poor Wi-Fi signal
Ohana Phnom Penh Place Hotel is close to the Riverside, with many lovely coffee shops, restaurants, and convenience stores nearby. The rooms are large and comfortable, and the pool is nice and clean. The hotel has one of the best rooftop areas with a restaurant, two jacuzzis, and a lovely river view.
Tip: Get a room with a balcony.
Price: $44+ Ohana Phnom Penh Palace Hotel on Agoda
Tao Riverside Residence – best modern rooms on Riverside and family-friendly
Location: Right on Riverside
Pros
- Spacious rooms with modern design and river view
- Next to famous cafes and restaurants
- Family-friendly – big room capacity and no girly bars nearby
Cons
- No swimming pool
Tao Riverside Residence has the best rooms with a modern design. They are huge and clean, and some have a nice river view. The staff and the owner are friendly.
Tip: Book a room with a river view.
Price: $58+ Tao Riverside Residence on Agoda
Lux Riverside Hotel and Apartment – best for nightlife and bars
Location: In the middle of the most famous girly bar area on Street 136
Pros
- Great service apartments
- Some apartments have a river view
- At the heart of the action on Street 136
Cons
- It’s not a family-friendly area
- No swimming pool
Lux Riverside offers great top-floor serviced apartments and average lower-floor rooms. It’s a party area with many girly bars at your doorstep and unsuitable for kids.
Tip: Book a serviced apartment. It costs a little more but is quieter with plenty of space.
Price: $36+ Lux Riverside Hotel on Agoda
Palace Gate Hotel and Resort – the best luxury value-for-money hotel in Phnom Penh
Location: Opposite Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace
Pros
- Best-priced luxury hotel in Phnom Penh
- Very close to most attractions
- Excellent swimming pool
- Family-friendly hotel, suitable for kids
Cons
- Far from nightlife
- No convenience stores nearby
Palace Gate is an excellent 5-star hotel beside the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. It’s a luxury accommodation but costs much less than Hyatt Hotel and Raffles. Moreover, I visited the pool area recently and can say the hotel has a better pool than Raffles. It’s on my list for future visits.
The hotel has a great restaurant with local and Western dishes and healthy food for kids.
Tip: Their Palace River View Suites have river and Royal Palace views, but ask for a corner room for a similar view for a lower price.
Price: $104+ Palace Gate Hotel on Agoda
Saravoan Royal Palace – best located mid-range hotel near the attractions
Location: Unbeatable location to visit attractions
Pros
- Right next to the Royal Palace and the National Museum
- Big and recently renovated rooms
- Nice staff
Cons
- Far from the best shopping places and restaurants
- No swimming pool
I have never stayed there, because I prefer to stay near many restaurants and coffee shops as I’ve seen the attractions many times. However, I checked the hotel when a friend stayed there.
It’s a great choice if you are looking for affordable accommodation and have limited time to see as many attractions as possible.
The recently renovated hotel has spacious, clean rooms and a lovely green area.
Price: $33+ Saravoan Royal Palace on Agoda
If you are going to Siem Reap, check also where to stay in Siem Reap and the best hotels.