The Moon Residence & Spa

The Moon Residence & Spa is locally-owned boutique property done in a traditional decor of teak wood and Khmer artwork. It has a charming riad-like design -- the low-rise white buildings face inwards to a lovely courtyard pool, which takes the focus away from its busy location and creates a tranquil atmosphere. On one side of the pool is the restaurant; on the other, the rooms. As a small, locally-owned property, there’s a personal approach here, with an attentive 24-hour reception, free cold water served by the pool, and a light and airy poolside restaurant that plays soft Khmer music and has a flexible menu. The hotel also supports its local community and can arrange community-based activities for guests, like cooking classes and local village tours. Downsides here are impressively few. The odd mistake or two when ordering food -- largely due to language barriers -- can be frustrating, but are by no means a deal breaker in this category of hotel. There's also occasional noise from local religious ceremonies, and some construction work taking place in the surrounding area. The hotel draws tourist couples, families, and solo travelers seeking a quieter central base to explore Siem Reap and Angkor.

The Moon Residence & Spa sits southwest of Siem Reap's tourist-heavy center. It has a best-of-both-worlds location, allowing its guests to combine a quieter stay with proximity to Siem Reap's action. The center’s lively downtown streets -- lined by restaurants, bars, and shops -- are within a quick walk, and it's only a 10-minute stroll to the Night Market and popular Pub Street. The latter is home to all manner of debauched good times. Keep in mind that the streets aren’t always evenly paved in the area, and there’s often construction work taking place. However, it's far enough out of the center to avoid constant tourist hassles involving massages and tuk-tuk solicitations. Angkor Wat is a 20-minute drive from here, and the other temples are a little farther away. Siem Reap’s airport also takes around 20 minutes to reach by taxi. Rates at the hotel include tuk-tuk transfers to and from the airport. 

Rooms at The Moon Residence & Spa have traditional decor that's pleasing and well-kept, with lots of teak, Khmer artwork, and a color palette of browns and rusty reds. All rooms have plenty of storage space, small seating areas, and balconies that overlook the courtyard pool. Amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars. Large concrete bathrooms are visibly open to the sleeping area -- worth noting for more modest guests -- and have separate tubs and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads (and excellent water pressure -- not always a given in this part of the world). Wall-mounted hairdryers and toiletries are provided, as are robes and slippers. Entry-level Landmark Rooms are a generous 500 square feet (47 square meters) and come with the option of a king-size or twin beds. Higher-category rooms are done in the same decor and have even more space. A family room adds an additional twin bedroom that sleeps two children. 

This tranquil property is centered on its saltwater swimming pool, surrounded by a few comfy loungers. Other features include a small lobby with 24-hour reception and La Lune Restaurant and Bar, which has a poolside setting -- some tables are laid out right beside the pool. A buffet breakfast is included in the rates. The menu covers local and international dishes, and the chef is happy to take requests. There’s also a small on-site spa with a treatment room complete with bathtub. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel supports its local community and can arrange community-based activities like cooking classes and local village tours. It also offers various packages that include excursions to Angkor, spa treatments, and private dinners. Tuk-tuk transfers to and from the airport are included in the rates.