Steung Siemreap Hotel

Housed in two separate buildings, the older and original Steung Siemreap Hotel is actually the more attractive of the two -- a cream colored French colonial gem. The building directly across the street is also pleasant, and the two-building layout means there are two lobbies, each with a slightly different style. The older lobby has a marble floor, large teak wood pillars, and features gold lit spaces which are occupied by fine stone Apsara and Khmer art carvings. The more modern building has a colorful mosaic-tile floor, as well as teak furniture. Walls are punched up in shades of bright orange, purple, and bold yellow. Given the hotel's location right in the center of Siem Reap, there's not much a social scene, as it's mostly used as a home base for seeing the temples and wandering about town. Still, there are nice places to kick back, including the restaurant and pool. The rates here are reasonable for the location, but the style isn't on par with many of the trendy boutique hotels that compete with it in the three-pearl category. Even so, it remains popular with tourist couples, families, and groups of friends.

It's all about location at the Steung Siemreap Hotel, and this hotel is about as central as one can get in downtown Siem Reap. Pulsating Pub Street -- filled with all manner of bars and nightclubs -- is just down the block, as is the Old Market, which has tons of tourist and artisan stalls. The Siem Reap River and Night Market are also both reachable in just a few minutes' walk, and the street by the river is home to some of the best (and cheapest) street food in the city. There are restaurants, bars, and shops galore in almost every direction, and while one is in the heart of party central, the hotel's street is relatively tranquil -- though there are noises and touts to be sure. The airport and the temples at Angkor Wat can be reached in around 20 minutes by car from the hotel.

There are 76 rooms at this hotel, almost all of which are divided into Superior and Deluxe options, with four suites available as well. All rooms feature polished wood floors, have wooden louvered shutters, and are spacious considering this hotel's location in the middle of town. The look is traditional, with classic mid-tone wood furniture and nearly bare white walls. Fabrics include white linens on beds plus pink upholstery in seating and burgundy curtains. Small framed drawings or etchings of the local area add a little bit of character, but overall the classic look reads fairly straightforward and almost bland.All rooms have modern amenities like flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, electronic safes, mini-fridges, electric hot water kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Deluxe Rooms provide balconies overlooking the street and temples below, and as they are only a few dollars more than Superior Rooms, they're probably worth the splurge. Suites include separate living areas, a kitchen area with a microwave and stovetop range, plus small balconies overlooking the temple across the street, making them excellent for photography and taking in the local life from above. Bathrooms are fairly small, and have bathtub/shower combos and small black granite vanities plus toiletries and towels. Cleanliness isn't an issue here, but the rooms do show minor wear and tear, especially in the older building. 

While most properties around the Old Market area don't have too much in the way of facilities, the Steung Siemreap does well for its category. Almost all of the facilities here are housed in the newer building, which sits on the north side of the street. In the back of the building, there's a sunny outdoor swimming pool, as well as a kids' swimming pool. Surprisingly, the hotel provides a fitness center with modern cardio equipment and a universal pulley machine -- it's a nice addition considering the city-center location and three-pearl category. The hotel's restaurant is done in lots of colors, dark wood, and gold lighting, and it serves a free breakfast buffet, including an egg station and some local dishes. During the rest of the day the restaurant offers an a la carte lunch and dinner, with both Khmer cuisine and western dishes available. Food gets mixed reviews across the board. The only feature housed in the older building across the street is a business area with two free desktop computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and despite there not being a big market for business guests in Siem Reap, the hotel has space for meetings and events. Additionally, tours and transportation can be arranged for a fee.