Villa Langka

A low white wall, wooden gate, and a security guard mark the entrance to Villa Langka, with its lovely garden and pool hidden safely away inside. The public spaces at Villa Langka are all open-air, from the lobby to the poolside restaurant. The vibe is inviting and relaxed, with plenty of cushions and comfortable places to sit. The lobby is small, with teak chairs and orange-and-red cushions, and a daybed where guests can sip a welcome drink as they wait to check in. A few plants flank the entrance, and a few computers are available for guests' use. Villa Langka, with its laid-back, cheerful vibe, is family-friendly and welcomes children, though guests include everyone from solo and business travelers to couples.

Villa Langka is located in the historic, central area of Phnom Penh, just south of Independence Monument on a small side street that connects to several busier streets but is mostly traffic free. There is lots of motorcycle and bicycle parking out front. It is a 10- to 15-minute walk to the riverside and the Royal Palace area, and the hotel is close to plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, especially on 278 Street, which is around the corner. Atmospheric Wat Langka temple is a one-minute walk from the hotel, and it's a short tuk-tuk ride to the Russian Market for plenty of bargain souvenir shopping. Several tuk-tuks are always waiting outside the hotel. Phnom Penh International Airport is about a 40-minute drive away. 

There are 48 rooms at the Villa Langka -- half are housed in a traditional Khmer villa, and half are in the hotel's modern wing. Standard Single and Double Rooms are small and basic, with white tile floors, narrow balconies, and bed throws and cushions made from Khmer textiles, but bathrooms are sleek and modern, with white tile walls, granite countertops, and black tile floors. Deluxe Rooms are larger and have carved teak chairs, plus shower/tub combos in the bathrooms. Suites, located in the Khmer villa, have open-plan living rooms with sofas, contemporary art pieces, a large bathtub and storage room, and wide terraces overlooking the pool. Suites also have more personality, with colorful accents, four-poster beds, and attractive decorative tile work. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, mosquito repellent spray and netting, woven pool bags, and free Wi-Fi. Some guests have complained of noise from neighboring establishments.

Villa Langka has a lovely swimming pool that sits within a garden amid tropical foliage, with small, elevated platforms with mattresses and cushions to laze on, and umbrella tables. The hotel's restaurant, Soul Kitchen, is adjacent to the pool and offers tables on the wooden pool deck, plus additional seating in an open but covered area with dim yellow mood lighting. The restaurant's breakfast buffet is included in the room rate, and a range of Khmer and European dishes -- including pizza and Greek salads -- are served at lunch and dinner, with wine, cocktails, and a selection of beers available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and children are allowed here, unlike other boutique hotels in the area. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee.