Kathie's post is a salutary reminder not to do this when tired. I was temporararily (?) confused between Sofitel's ownership of the old colonial hotel in Hanoi, and Raffles' ownership of the Grand Hotel d'Angkor and a similar property in Phnom Penh.

Apologies.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Peter, I was wondering whether you were confusing it with the Monopole in Hanoi. Anyway, we all make mistakes. I appreciate the quality info you provide on this site.

Would like to know the name of the 20 u.s. per night hotel , also is it necessary to use u.s. dollars in Cambodia, can one pay for meals , drinks and cheaper accommodation etc. with the local currency please. I am not planning to go until February next year.

trammie:

Check out http://talesofasia.com

It was recommended by another Fodorite and has a lot of information on Cambodia. Also seem to remember that the writer stays in a pretty clean place for about $20 a night.

There is another recent question on currency in Cambodia. Look for it for more details. The short answer is that people in Cambodia prefer US$.

There are several hotels at $20 or less around Siem Reap. I'm afraid I don't remember the name of the one I eventually chose, but as you leave the Grand Hotel d'Angkor, walk away from the hotel along the road on the left side of the gardens, turn left over the bridge, and it's almost immediately on the left.

You can certainly pay for everything in local currency if you wish, except possibly (if I remember correctly) the entrance ticket to Angkor Wat. No doubt others can confirm.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Visa to enter Cambodia must be paid upon landing at the airport in US dollars. (That should give you a big clue right there!)

To Mike Buckley--

I was the original poster for Ponheary and am so glad that so many people have enjoyed her services as a guide over the past two years. She really is a cut above the average guide.

In two weeks I'm returning to Siem Reap and can't wait to see Ponheary again!

ttt for Lily