Five Star Hotels in Siem Reap

Exploring Siem Reap

People mostly come to Siem Reap for one thing, to walk among the remains of the amazing Angkor Wat temple complex just north of the town. Siem Reap itself, a large, modern city set amid the relatively poor Cambodian countryside, booms with tourists year round. It is loaded with western-friendly restaurants, bars, and hotels, many of which are five-star. The Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa near the airport is a good choice.

The Angkor Archaeological Park is massive (bigger than Siem Reap itself) and takes days to explore fully. Angkor Wat is the main entrance and the most impressive temple, and is thus the busiest site. There is also a Killing Fields in town, along with many other temples and side attractions, such as floating villages on Tonle Sap lake where boat trips are fun.

Sights nearby

The temples are king, with Angkor Wat the big highlight. There are many different temples in the park, while the town has some decent sights and museums that are within easy reach of the area’s accommodation.

Angkor Wat
The ruins of Angkor Wat reside within Angkor Archaeological Park, which is home to many temple complexes. Angkor Wat is the main temple here and the world’s biggest religious structure. Flanked by a massive moat and surrounded by a generous covering of trees, it is huge and resplendent, with many high stupas and stunning architectural lines. If you are short on time, be sure to see this temple which sits behind the lesser-seen Bayon temple from the late 12th century. It features many levels and stone faces.

Wat Preah Prom Rath
This new temple on Pokambor Avenue in the town contrasts with the archaeological park’s more ancient offerings. The 500-year-old temple sits amid pretty grounds and is noted for its ornate, glittering stupas and lush garden setting. There are various Angkor period styles on show here, along with many carvings, murals, and an ancient, reclining Buddha image.

Killing Fields and Angkor National Museum
To the north of the town is Wat Thmei temple and a Killing Fields memorial. The memorial contains numerous skulls of those slaughtered by Pol Pot's army. The site is not as visited as the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, but is nevertheless a poignant reminder of the country’s tragic past. Not far from here is the Angkor National Museum, which takes a close look at the temple complex. The Le Meridien Angkor hotel is nearby.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Siem Reap has a huge number of restaurants and eat streets, such as Pub Street in the city centre, which has the best range of eateries for foreigners. It is near the hospital and is surrounded by several other strips with bars and eateries, such as Street 7. Many of these venues are well presented and have terraces spilling onto the road, and serve anything from Cambodian to Japanese and Western food. The nearby old market is good for shopping, while Central Market is ideal for trinkets. The upscale hotels in the centre, such as the Borei Angkor Resort & Spa, also offer good eating.

Public transport

People can walk the city centre as it is mostly on a grid pattern and flat. Many places offer bicycle rental for exploring the town and the park, though visitors cannot rent motorbikes in Siem Reap. Motorbike taxis, known locally as motodop, are the quickest way to get around, while tuk-tuk (motorised rickshaws) are equally visible and slightly more comfy and more expensive. Taxis from the airport are fixed price. There are also tour companies which offer transport services from the airport and between the temples.