Blue Lime

The Blue Lime looks unassuming from the outside. In fact, it would be easy to miss, as it only has a tiny sign on the entrance, and there's a wooden gate hiding the front door. Once through the gate, a concrete walk leads past a small rock garden with stone statues into the lobby. The lobby, like the rest of the hotel, is minimalist, with plenty of glazed concrete, a gray tile floor, a few brown couches for relaxing, and paneled lighting around the front desk. There are computer terminals as well as a reading rack full of guidebooks and novels left by other guests. Most folks won’t linger in here too long, preferring the far more attractive pool and restaurant area outside, both of which have free Wi-Fi connections. It’s a quiet, adults-only crowd as the hotel does not allow children under 16, and redirects families to their sister property, the Kabiki. This is meant to be a serene place, and not a good choice for those who want to party.

The Blue Lime is located in a quiet alleyway off of busy Street 19 in the heart of Phnom Penh. It’s extremely central to the city's most lively areas. The Royal Palace and Tonle Sap riverfront are about 10 minutes east of the hotel on foot, while the city's night market is a 15-minute walk north. The hotel is right across from the Royal Institute of Fine Arts and the National Museum, and there are plenty of trendy boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants within a five-minute walk. It’s easy to find tuk-tuks day and night, as they park right in front of the hotel and at the alleyway corner. They can be a hassle, but are harmless, and the hotel even has a suggested price list on the door so guests can be prepared to bargain. The BKK1 ex-pat enclave, also filled with boutiques and cafes, is a five-minute tul-tuk ride south, and the airport can be reached by car in 35 to 40 minutes.

Like many boutique hotels in Phnom Penh, the Blue Lime combines bright pops of color with an urban-chic minimalism. This means there's vibrant throw pillows and textiles alongside gray tile floors, glazed concrete bathrooms, and accents like clothing rods made from bent rebar. Burnished hardwood furniture softens the look and the four-poster beds draped with mosquito netting add an elegant vibe. Lower category rooms, though, are cramped and a bit dark, as the main body of Standard Double Rooms don't have any windows. Standard Twin Rooms offer a bit more space and even have small balconies. Higher category rooms have features like patios or small plunge pools. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players, minibars, electric kettles for coffee or tea, and tiny safes that aren't big enough for laptops or even larger iPads. Bathrooms are narrow and have inconvenient layouts, with the concrete shower stall dividing the room in half. Toiletries are provided, but water pressure and temperature can be an issue.

The Blue Lime is a small hotel with few features, but does have a lovely swimming pool, which is the focal point of the hotel. The pool uses chlorinated salt water and is 50 feet in length, long enough to swim a few laps. It's surrounded by cozy salas (cabanas) that have mattresses, cushions, and fans, and are a great place to unwind and escape. The staff serve drinks out here, and the hotel’s small restaurant is also outside under the trees. The restaurant serves free breakfast for guests, and then is open throughout the day and evening for Khmer and international a la carte meals. Other than a couple of free computer terminals in the lobby and a basket full of guidebooks and novels for guests to peruse, there are no other facilities at the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout.