Siem Reap hotels

Hotels in Siem Reap

Located in the central hub of northwest Cambodia and a gateway town for exploring the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap hotels are surrounded ancient monuments, boutique bars and bustling markets.

Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is a popular base for visitors travelling to the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site. A centrepiece of the Khmer civilization as it flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, the temples of Angkor attract pilgrims from the farthest reaches of Cambodia and travellers from all over the world. There are over a thousand different temples here, ranging from piles of rubble to magnificent structures. The most spectacular of all the temples is Angkor Wat, generally understood to be the largest religious structure on the globe.

Most likely built as a funeral temple for Suryavarman II in the 12th century, Angkor Wat boasts such a plethora of extravagantly detailed carvings that it would take a lifetime to fully appreciate all of the temple's details. Also unique amongst all the structures in Angkor is the fact that the temple faces west, traditionally associated with both death and Vishnu.

Museums

One of the best places to learn about the history of Angkor is the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap. The museum features an impressive range of interactive exhibitions covering the religious and social background of the Khmer people, and is a good way to build a little context to what you'll see in the temples at Angkor.

For a glimpse into the more recent troubles that have plagued Cambodia, the Cambodia Landmine Museum outside of Siem Reap features a surprisingly engaging series of exhibitions on the process needed to deactivate landmines. There is a mock minefield where visitors can try to locate deactivated landmines. Proceeds from tickets go towards mine-awareness campaigns.

Markets

To experience the modern side of Siem Reap you need to wander through one of the city's many markets. Psar Chaa is a buzzing labyrinth of bargains where you'll find everything from t-shirts to silverware. Close to Sivatha Street, the Angkor Night Market is a hub of stalls that really come alive after the sun has set. Take the time to explore the night market and you'll uncover handcrafts, silks and trinkets. Close to Psar Chaa there are also a number of boutique shops selling gifts and clothing – for example, Senteurs d'Angkor offers both beauty products and spices.

Nightlife

Siem Reap is home to some of Cambodia's most famous bars and clubs. Phare is one of the more unique venues in town, modelled after Cirque du Soleil and featuring a variety of circus, theatre and dance performances. Miss Wong is a chic bar that wouldn't be out of place in 1920's Shanghai, while Asana is a traditional Cambodian watering hole where you can sample cocktails made using rice wine.