We had decided to go really upscale in Siem Reap, and had made a reservation at Hotel de la Paix. However, to my chagrin, they just told me they cannot confirm a reservation because for one of my days they've sold out the entire hotel to a group that has already put a deposit down. Our dates are not changeable because we already have our air tickets from Siem Reap to Hong Kong.

We would much prefer to stay close to town, which was one of the attractions of Hotel de la Paix in the first place.

Could you suggest an alternative? If not a 5* hotel, then a very nice hotel, in town, with a lovely swimming pool?

Thanks!

I stayed at Pavillion d'Orient and it was fantastic. Staying "outside" of the tourist ghetto is actually a plus, in my opinion. And Siem Reap is such a laid back and historic town, I find it nicer to stay in a small boutique hotel rather than the monster high-rises.

BTW, the difference between staying "in town" and at places in the regular town, is about 5 minutes. Presumably if your goal is to visit the wats it will make absolutely no difference to you. And the Pavillion will include the tuk tuk in your room rate.

I also hired their guide Sokpai and a/c car and had a fabulous time. The hotel really takes care of you with very personalized attention.

sf, I'd highly recommend La Residence d'Angkor. We were undecided between de la Paix and La Residence and after seeing both far preferred La Residence. The rooms are very nice(especially the suites), the architecture gracious Cambodian teak, the pool and grounds lovely. Excellent in town location, walkable to many restaurants. Didn't have dinner in house, but breakfast was quite good.

The regular rooms either face the street/river or the pool. They have tiny balconies. The pool view was totally obscured by major foilage so we thought the river would have been better. They were concerned about noise, but it seemed fairly tame to us. In the end we moved to a suite which had a more urban view.

The only thing I didn't like in the regular rooms was that the shower/bath was open to the bedroom which wasn't appropriate for our family group. Once we moved to a suite, that problem was taken care of. The suite also had a wonderful balcony.

kuluk, there are now high rises in Siem Reap???? When I was there the hotels maxed out at three stories. And there wasn't anyplace I'd describe as "the tourist ghetto." Has Siem Reap changed that much?

I always considered the location options "in town" vs. the road toward the temples (i.e., a highway location). In town was nice to be able to walk places.

The one hotel I thought was really too big in Siem Reap was the Sofitel.

I highly recommend La Residence also and was very happy I chose there to stay rather than Hotel de la Paix. The Victoria Angkor is lovely too with a beautiful salt water pool.

Thanks for your help. I'm going to check these out (pictures and prices!) now. We were actually originally waffling between La Residence and de la Paix and chose the latter partly because it was less expensive. But there's a rate for La Residence on Expedia now (non-refundable, unfortunately) that's pretty darn good, so we might go for it. But I'm going to check out Pavillon d'Orient and Victoria Angkor first.

Appreciate the help (and sure hope there are no "real" highrises in SR!).

I second the Victoria Angkor! One of the best places I have stayed. And they have a great breakfast buffet. The pool is fantastic and a great place to relax after being in the dust hot sun of the ruins all day. Request a garden/pool view room.

Residence is gorgeous!

I was in SR about ten years ago and the hotel scene was a very different one than it it today. But the place I stayed is lovely and it still garners good reviews on TA; check it out and see what you think. It has oodles of local charm, and a pool:


http://www.angkorvillage.com/

eks, was it the Angkor Village Hotel (close to town) or the Angkor Village Resort (farther from town) that you stayed at?

Angkor Village hotel, close to town. Really lovely. More of a boutique hotel; set around reflecting pools...

eks, I know you're a "Four Seasons" person...so between the Angkor Village Hotel at $120 a night, and La Residence at $280 a night, which would YOU choose? (I haven't discounted any of the others either!)

Oh goodness,this is now confusing me, i was all set on De La Paix.......

I stayed at the Angkor Village Hotel as well some 10 years ago. It is charming, but my no means five star or a splurge. The beds were rock hard. We had no difficulty getting up before sunrise each morning - lol. There are many newer and no doubt more comfortable places available now. AT the time I stayed there there were few choices.

BTW, I recommended de la Paix to two friends who subsequently stayed there. I don't think you can go wrong there, Smeagol. One said it was the nicest hotel they had ever stayed at, the other loved it and both are very well-traveled.

sf, I'd choose La Residence or the Victoria or Shinta Mani over Angkor Village.

Again, thanks.

smeagol, we'd still be staying at de la paix if it were available for our dates.

thanks both i will stick with HDLP.

SF: I don't remember any negatives about Angkor Village except that the pool was rather small for swimming laps..
But I did stay there a long time ago. Remember that I am a swimmer and so the size of the pool might be an issue for me now. But that is a BIG price difference.

Otherwise I would have no hesitation returning. As Kathie said, it is not a five-star hotel but I thought it was charming all the same, even if the service was not totally polished.

i also stayed at angkor village.... it was ok but i would not stay there again....we also did not like the food... i would rate it 3*....

the sofitel is a lovely hotel just outside the town....

Oh, sorry about the "highrise" comment. In Ubud, I consider anything over 2 stories to be a high rise! Yikes! Didn't mean to give anyone a heart attack. But many of the 5 star hotels did look large and imposing, versus my cute little boutique fave, P d'O. But as for true 5 star, I am very familiar with the Orient Express brand and they are tops in Bali and Luang Prabang. Hopefully they would also be the same in SR.