The 8 Best Hotels
in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has undergone a quiet reinvention over the past decade, trading its post-war reputation for a hotel scene that now punches well above its weight. The Cambodian capital stretches along the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, and its best accommodation clusters around the riverfront promenade, the French colonial quarter near the National Museum, and the tree-lined streets of BKK1 — a neighborhood whose café density rivals Hanoi's Old Quarter at a fraction of the price. Phnom Penh remains dramatically cheaper than Bangkok or Singapore: a genuinely good mid-range double rarely exceeds €70 per night, and splurge properties offering infinity pools and colonial grandeur rarely top €180.
We've narrowed it down to 8 hotels across three tiers — 2 splurges, 4 mid-range, and 2 budget. Phnom Penh's splurge tier leans heavily on restored colonial architecture and Mekong views rather than flashy international branding. Mid-range is where the city truly shines: boutique guesthouses in BKK1 and the riverside offer exceptional value. Budget options are simple but characterful, suited to travellers who want clean, honest rooms without sacrificing a central location.
| Hotel | Neighborhood | From €/night | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raffles Hotel Le Royal | Daun Penh / Colonial Quarter | €180–380 | Splurge |
| Rosewood Phnom Penh | Riverside / Vattanac Capital | €200–420 | Splurge |
| The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa | BKK1 / Boeung Keng Kang | €75–130 | Mid-range |
| Pavilion Hotel | BKK1 / Boeung Keng Kang | €60–110 | Mid-range |
| Amanjaya Pancam Hotel | Riverfront / Sisowath Quay | €65–115 | Mid-range |
| Mad Monkey Phnom Penh | Riverside / Street 136 area | €35–75 | Mid-range |
| The Billabong Hotel | Boeung Trabek / South of BKK1 | €25–55 | Budget |
| Eighty8 Backpackers | Riverside / Street 88 area | €15–40 | Budget |
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh's accommodation clusters in three distinct zones: the colonial Riverfront along Sisowath Quay, the leafy expat-heavy BKK1 district two kilometres south, and the older Daun Penh quarter around the National Museum and Royal Palace. Choosing between them shapes your entire experience of the city.
The promenade along the Mekong is Phnom Penh's most visited strip — Royal Palace to the north, night market bars to the south, and constant tuk-tuk traffic in between. Hotels here pay a location premium for river views; expect €10–20 more per night than equivalent properties in BKK1. Best for first-timers who want everything walkable, though noise from bars and traffic can be significant at street level.
BKK1 is where Phnom Penh's mid-range hotel scene truly excels. Tree-lined streets hold independent cafés, wine bars, international restaurants, and boutique guesthouses at prices notably lower than the riverfront. It's roughly a 10–15 minute tuk-tuk ride from the Royal Palace. The neighbourhood attracts long-stay expats and travellers who want a base rather than a backdrop — relaxed, residential, and genuinely pleasant to walk in the mornings.
Centred on the National Museum, Wat Phnom, and the old French administrative buildings, Daun Penh is the city's most historically layered quarter. Raffles Le Royal anchors the luxury end here. Streets are wider and calmer than the riverfront, and the neighbourhood feels more colonial-era than anywhere else in the city. Fewer budget options, but heritage hotels here justify the premium with architecture and garden space that BKK1 simply doesn't have.
South of BKK1, the streets around the Russian Market (Psar Tuol Tom Poung) have the most lived-in feel of any central neighbourhood. Budget guesthouses and family-run hotels here undercut the riverfront by 30–40%, and you're within walking distance of some of the city's best street food. It's slower to reach the main tourist sights from here, but for travellers who prioritise neighbourhood life over monument access, it offers the most honest Phnom Penh experience.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Built in 1929 and painstakingly restored, Le Royal is the grand dame of Phnom Penh hotels — a place where Somerset Maugham and Jackie Kennedy once stayed, and where the Elephant Bar still mixes its legendary Femme Fatale cocktail. Rooms are arranged around tropical gardens and three pools, with dark-timbered ceilings, Art Deco tilework, and deliberately unhurried service. The property sits away from the riverfront noise, making it one of the quietest luxury addresses in the city.
- Legendary 1929 colonial architecture and gardens
- Three outdoor pools including a heritage-listed one
- Elephant Bar — iconic Phnom Penh cocktail institution
- Quiet location away from riverside noise
- Butler service and spacious Art Deco rooms
Rosewood Phnom Penh
Occupying the upper floors of Phnom Penh's tallest tower, the Rosewood takes a very different route to luxury than Le Royal — all floor-to-ceiling glass, Mekong panoramas, and razor-edged contemporary design. The rooftop Zи Bar is arguably the best sundowner spot in Cambodia. Rooms feel like elevated glass boxes above the city grid, with Cambodian silk accents and deep soaking tubs. The Sense spa and a remarkable all-day dining concept round out an experience that feels genuinely world-class.
- Panoramic Mekong views from every room
- Zи Bar — one of Southeast Asia's great rooftop bars
- Contemporary Cambodian design with silk detailing
- Sense spa with traditional Khmer treatments
- Central tower location near riverfront walkway
The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa
A restored 1960s Khmer-modernist villa in the heart of BKK1, The Plantation is one of the most characterful mid-range hotels in Phnom Penh. The original 'New Khmer' architecture — flat roofs, open louvred walls, deep overhanging eaves — has been preserved and furnished with vintage rattan and contemporary Cambodian art. A small pool sits in the courtyard garden, and the bar produces some of the better cocktails in the neighbourhood. Walkable to dozens of cafés, restaurants, and the Russian Market.
- Rare 1960s Khmer-modernist villa architecture
- Courtyard pool surrounded by tropical planting
- Walking distance to Russian Market and BKK1 cafés
- Thoughtful Cambodian art throughout public spaces
- Relaxed bar with well-made cocktails
Pavilion Hotel
Hidden behind a colonial-era gate in BKK1, the Pavilion is a maze of interconnected French villa buildings set around a swimming pool and lush garden that feels implausibly calm given its central location. Rooms vary significantly — some are large with four-poster beds, others smaller with garden terraces — so it's worth requesting specifics when booking. The breakfast is reliably good, the staff unhurried, and the whole property operates at a pace that the riverfront hotels rarely manage.
- Peaceful garden pool hidden from street noise
- Varied room types across colonial villa buildings
- Strong breakfast included in most rates
- BKK1 location with easy tuk-tuk access to sights
- Owner-run with genuinely attentive service
Amanjaya Pancam Hotel
Directly on Sisowath Quay at the corner of Street 154, Amanjaya offers the best value Mekong river views in the city — the rooftop K West Restaurant catches the river breeze and puts you eye-level with the Chroy Changvar bridge lights at night. Rooms are compact but finished with silk wall panels and polished dark-wood floors. The colonial facade is photogenic, service is quick and professional, and the Royal Palace is a seven-minute walk north along the promenade.
- Unbeatable Mekong river views at mid-range price
- Corner of Sisowath Quay — best riverside location
- Rooftop restaurant with open-air river terrace
- Seven-minute walk to Royal Palace
- Silk and dark-wood room interiors
Mad Monkey Phnom Penh
Mad Monkey sits at the upper end of the social hostel bracket but offers private en-suite rooms that compete directly with mid-range guesthouses on price. The rooftop bar is one of the most reliably entertaining spots in the city — open late, with a pool, regular events, and a crowd that mixes long-term expats with newer arrivals. It's deliberately sociable rather than restful. Location near the riverside night market puts you within reach of the city's main evening strip.
- Rooftop pool and bar open until late
- Private en-suite rooms at near-hostel prices
- Regular events and a genuinely social atmosphere
- Near riverside night market and street food strip
- Strong tour and transport booking desk
The Billabong Hotel
The Billabong has been a reliable budget anchor in Phnom Penh for years, offering a small outdoor pool, clean simple rooms, and a relaxed garden bar area that attracts both long-stay expats and first-timers. Rooms are basic — tiled floors, decent beds, strong AC — but the pool and the communal feel make it stand out from comparably priced guesthouses. It's quieter than the riverfront, ten minutes by tuk-tuk from the main sights, and draws a steady repeat clientele.
- Small outdoor pool — rare at this price point
- Garden bar with a loyal local expat crowd
- Clean rooms with reliable air conditioning
- Quiet residential street, calm at night
- Good value long-stay weekly rates available
Eighty8 Backpackers
A compact, well-run guesthouse steps from the riverfront with private rooms that undercut almost every comparable option in the area. The rooftop terrace catches a cross-breeze in the evenings and offers a basic breakfast. Rooms are small but fresh, with proper mattresses and functioning hot showers — the detail that distinguishes good budget hotels from bad ones in this city. Staff are consistently praised for tuk-tuk and onward travel advice, and the location is hard to beat for walkability.
- Private rooms at dormitory-adjacent prices
- Rooftop terrace with river-adjacent breeze
- Steps from Sisowath Quay night strip
- Reliable hot showers and strong AC
- Knowledgeable staff for onward Cambodia travel
Frequently asked questions
Is Phnom Penh safe for travellers staying near the riverfront?
Are hotels in Phnom Penh expensive compared to other Southeast Asian capitals?
When is the best time to visit Phnom Penh, and does it affect hotel prices?
Should I stay near the Royal Palace or in BKK1?
Do I need to exchange currency before arriving, or can hotels handle USD?
How far is Phnom Penh's airport from the main hotel areas, and what does a transfer cost?
Is it worth visiting Tuol Sleng (S-21) and Choeung Ek from a central hotel?
How we chose these hotels
Our editorial team reviewed Phnom Penh's hotel landscape and selected 8 across budgets, prioritising properties that capture local character — heritage architecture, owner-run boutiques, surf-town informality — over generic resort-chain accommodations. Where two hotels are comparable, we pick the smaller, owner-run option.
None of these hotels paid to be included, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. Use the "View on Google Maps" links above to find each property's official website, current rates and availability. Prices are estimated nightly ranges in EUR for a double room and will vary by season and availability. Recommendations are reviewed every six months; this guide was last updated April 2026.
When to visit Phnom Penh
For everything you need to plan a Phnom Penh trip — neighbourhoods, food, things to do, day trips, transport — see our complete Phnom Penh travel guide.