Siem Reap Hotel question
 

We are looking for a moderately priced hotel in Siem Reap and are considering the Tara Angkor, Bopha Angkor and Somadevi. (Actually these are fairly inexpensive - around $50-60/night)The Bopha seems to have a lot of character and a beautiful pool area, while the other two are more modern hotels. Any comments on these would be most appreciated, or if you have another suggestion in the same price range, please let me know. - June

The Bopha has gotten some good reviews here. I don't remember reviews of the others, but do a search on each of the hotel names here and you'll find any reviews.

Go to the Bopha if you prefer small, boutique type hotels. The other two are bigger "tour group" hotels. The rooms might be a bit bigger, etc but not as much charm. Another plus to the Bopha is the saltwater pool. I find many of the pools in SR to be over chlorinated.

Kathy - the problem is that we've done our searches of reviews and my husband and I disagree on which hotel to pick. I won't tell you who prefers which since we were hoping for Fodorites to lean one way or the other to help us make a decision!

In my opinion the Bopha Angkor is the best of the 3. While their standard and superior rooms are small they are quite adequate for the time you will spend in them. If you can afford a few extra $ then get a deluxe room (either garden or pool) which are double the size. I have stayed here and a lot of my clients have also with no complaints other than the lighting is dull. But they all loved the pool and the friendly staff.

The Somadevi is a newer hotel (2007) and the rooms probably more up to date. It is in a good location within the town and is a much larger hotel.

The Tara is out of town on the road to the temples. It is not really in walking distance of the town centre. This is a new large hotel and priced higher than the other two.

I do not know of anyone who has stayed at these so cannot give an opinion.

Bottom line is that - for $60 ish a night, you'll get a horrible, bland room in a gigantic complex designed exclusively for Asian package tourists OR you can go stay in some cool, friendly boutique place with lovely people and not feel like a mass-produced hamburger.

Thanks again for all the wonderful words of wisdom written here. You have all vindicated me again and we will be staying at the Bopha where I told my husband we should be staying all along. No problem though...after he schleps along on his bike, he will have collapsed and will not be in need of a hotel room. After I return in my A/C driven auto, I will be able to enjoy the delightful pool at the Bopha.

Sounds like a plan!