Suggestions...Stay in Siem Reap or Angkor Wat?
 

I'm looking for some guideance as to where to stay when visiting Ankgor Wat. Is it smarter to stay in the Angkor Wat area (and is this even possible) or Siem Reap?

I've read that it's best to get up at dawn to the avoid the crowds, and to take a break during the hot afternoon hours. So is it wiser to stay around Angkor Wat, or is my only option Siem Reap?

There are no hotels within the archaeological park. Siem Reap is small, it really doesn't matter where you stay in Siem Reap as far as proximity to the temples is concerned.

most of the hotels are over priced because they have a captured market...there are hotels and guest houses at every level however...

siem reap, imo, is a crummy town....the temples are among the best in the world and there are many of them, angkor wat being the biggest...

get a guide book

I liked Siem Reap. Don't miss Dead Fish Tower, it's a bar/restaurant with live reptiles.

Siem Reap is the name of the town. Angkor Wat (Wat = temple) is the main temple in the area, the largest and in terms of detail the most significant. Mots of the hotels entail the same travel time to and fro the temples (and you will probably choose to see others in addition to Angkor Wat eg Angkor Thom, Bantey Srei) which is 10-15 mins. You are right that getting up at dawn and making an early start then resting between 12-3 is the preferred way to avoid dehydration and get the most out of the experience. Advise your budget and people will reco hotels. IMO you should also get a car, driver and guide. Cost = US$40/day plus temple admission.

I like Siem Reap a lot, but if you want to be as close as possible to Angkor Wat, try to stay on the road that leads out of town to the temples. (Although it will only be a 10 minute difference in travel time.)

You can also hire just a driver and car (no guide) for US$20/day and self-guide using a well-researched book like Dawn Rooney's.

Thanks for all of your advice. I understand that Angkor Wat is a temple, I was just referring to that general area. Now I realize that all SR hotels are within 15 minutes, and not much closer...

This is an add on to my Thailand trip, so I'm pretty much winging it for two days. So excited!!