The Siem Reap Hostel

The Siem Reap Hostel is a happening place that's popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It also happens to be a bright and cheerful spot, with rates that are incredibly reasonable for its proximity to Pub Street and the center of town. The front desk greets visitors just through the entrance and opens up to a simple lobby furnished with wooden tables and chairs plus a travel desk displaying dozens of pamphlets and brochures. The restaurant/bar and pool are just beyond here, so there are plenty of guests constantly coming and going, and it's an easy place to be social. A couple of rattan sofas provide seating in a hallway space, and there's a game room with a pool table. Some dashes of color throughout brighten things up, including hand-painted butterflies near the pool, and paper lanterns overhead in the restaurant/bar. Overall, it's a simple property with an inviting atmosphere that brings together budget tourists of all stripes.

The Siem Reap Hostel is located on the east side of the town's river, next to the Wat Damnak Temple. From here, it's only a seven-minute walk to wild Pub Street and the Old Market area of central Siem Reap. Not only is the east side of the river less congested than the other, it's also home to some of the city's trendiest dining spots and international restaurant chains like Hard Rock Cafe. These are all within a five-minute walk. Being near the temple, the street is quiet, though some rooms can pick up noise from early morning prayer sessions. The temples at Angkor Wat are about a 20-minute drive from here, while the airport can be reached in about 25 minutes. Travelers should expect a 20-minute drive to the airport as well. 

The hostel's 20 air-conditioned rooms consist of 12 dorm-style units and eight Private Rooms. The dorms are divided into Basic and Deluxe -- Basic Dorms are either co-ed or all-female and have four or five bunk beds, all of which come with their own private reading light as well as small under-bed lockers. Clean shared bathrooms with toilets and showers are located outside of the rooms in the hallway. The Deluxe Rooms have en-suite bathrooms with a separate shower, and three bunk beds as well as balconies. Black furniture is utterly simple and floors are done in off-white tiles; green accent walls do a good bit to brighten things up.Private Rooms sleep two to three people and are quite spacious, making them suitable for a family. These rooms also have balconies, several of which overlook the courtyard of the nearby monastery. Though sparsely furnished, the rooms have a few rattan chairs and a wooden cabinet for storage, and the blue accent walls add a welcome dash of color. There are no amenities like mini-fridges or safes, but the private rooms do have TVs and well as en-suite bathrooms. Bathrooms include spacious granite vanities and separate showers, which can be a rarity in Siem Reap where most budget lodgings have wet room-style bathrooms.

For a hostel, the property offers a nice array of facilities, including a small covered swimming pool. There isn't much space to lay out and sunbathe, but it's fine for a cooling dip after touring the Angkor Wat temples all day Cambodia's heat. The space is clean and modern, and there are fun additions like an oversized Connect Four. The hostel also has a restaurant/bar that's a popular spot with guests and offers cheap prices plus a great happy hour. A continental breakfast is served every day and includes cereals, toast, pancakes, and fruit, though it's only included with Private Room rates (however, this is Siem Reap and the cost is quite low for those in dorm rooms). Unexpected extras include a cinema room with free screenings of movies every afternoon and evening. A small game room overlooks the street outside and has billiards and foosball. There are daily yoga classes offered for an extra fee as well. A travel desk is on-site that runs a variety of cheap local tours to temples and other attractions. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and laundry is included in Private Room rates. All rates also come with free airport pickup.