Where to stay in Phnom Penh

·3 March, 2023
·Samantha - Travelling King

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA Wat Ounalom in Phnom Penh, headquarter of Cambodian Buddhism

Cambodia’s capital city holds an interesting juxtaposition of French Colonial and Cambodian heritage.

While many first-time travelers to Cambodia pass up Phnom Penh for the allure of Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat temples, it’s worth spending a few days exploring this side of Cambodia.

At the confluence of the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap River, this bustling city offers a unique cultural experience, just a bit off the beaten path.

This city of 1.5 million people has several areas to choose for your Phnom Penh accommodation, so we’ve put together this guide for where to stay in Phnom Penh in 2023.

Remember that when deciding where to stay in Phnom Penh, other areas are just a quick tuk-tuk ride away.

We will cover off all types of Phnom Penh accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Phnom Penh hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Phnom Penh Cambodia

This guide shows off the best hotels in Phnom Penh Cambodia, best places in Phnom Penh to visit, the best places to stay in Phnom Penh, hotels near Phnom Penh attractions, Phnom Penh neighborhoods guide and many more.

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Table of Contents

Chamkarmon – Where to stay in Phnom Penh for long term travellers

At the southern edge of Phnom Penh’s central district is Chamkarmon, an area undergoing rapid development and expansion in recent years.

Gleaming high-rise buildings are home to nearly 200,000 local residents who live and work here. Some of the attractions of this area include the Olympic Market, the Russian Market, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

It’s also home to the Boeung Keng Kang market, which is sometimes referred to as BKK1. Being a residential area, this is the best location to stay in Phnom Penh if you are looking for a long-term alternative to Phnom Penh hotels and prefer an apartment rental.

Where to Stay in Chamkarmon

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Chamkarmon

Budget accommodation in Chamkarmon

Mid range accommodation in Chamkarmon

Family Friendly accommodation in Chamkarmon

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Chamkarmon

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA Psah Thom Thmey (Central market in Cambodian) morning market

Daun Penh – Where to stay in Phnom Penh for tourists

Daun Penh is the most central area of Phnom Penh and therefore the best place to stay in Phnom Penh for tourists who only have a short time to stay in the capital city.

It’s an interesting mix of modern buildings and historic architecture, as well as some of the best things to see in Phnom Penh.

At the center is Wat Phnom, the site of a 14th-century Buddhist temple, in addition to the Royal Palace, the Independence Monument, and the National Museum of Cambodia.

This area has the largest selection of accommodation in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and a huge selection of restaurants to choose from as well. With all of the parks and play areas, this is also a very family-friendly place to stay in Phnom Penh.

Where to Stay in Daun Penh

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Daun Penh

Budget accommodation in Daun Penh

Mid range accommodation in Daun Penh

Family Friendly accommodation in Daun Penh

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Daun Penh

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA Cambodia Post Office main building in Phnom Penh city in Cambodia

Riverfront District – Where to stay in Phnom Penh for nightlife

At the northern end of Daun Penh along the Tonle Sap river is the Riverfront District, or Sisowath Quay.

With a plethora of bars, restaurants, and the Phnom Penh night market, this is the best area to stay in Phnom Penh for nightlife. Sisowath Quay is also where you’ll find the most budget-friendly accommodation options.

If you are a budget traveler wondering where to stay in Phnom Penh, backpackers love the Riverfront District for cheap accommodation and delicious street food.

This also happens to be the launching point for one of the must-do activities in Phnom Penh: taking a ferryboat ride around the rivers.

Take a look at the below suggested hotel in Phnom Penh near riverside:

Where to Stay in Riverfront District Phnom Penh

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Riverfront District

Budget accommodation in Riverfront District

Mid range accommodation in Riverfront District

Family Friendly accommodation in Riverfront District

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Riverfront District

Phnom Penh city skyline and Tonle Sap River. Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city in Cambodia.

Sangkat Tumnob Tuek – Where to stay in Phnom Penh with kids

To the west of Daun Penh and Chamkarmon is the area called Sangkat Tumnob Tuek. It is home to the National Olympic Stadium, which hosts soccer matches, swim meets, concerts, and local events.

The surrounding area is largely residential and is a good option for travelers looking for family-friendly accommodations in Phnom Penh.

There are supermarkets, shopping centers, and restaurants nearby, and the riverfront is just four kilometers away, making it easy to explore all of Phnom Penh from this home base.

Where to Stay in Sangkat Tumnob Tuek

Budget accommodation in Sangkat Tumnob Tuek

Mid range accommodation in Sangkat Tumnob Tuek

Family Friendly accommodation in Sangkat Tumnob Tuek

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Sangkat Tumnob Tuek

Queen Mansion

PHNOM PENH CAMBODIA - A quiet tree-lined street in Phnom Penh conceals residential spaces behind gated facades yielding to commercial activity at the far end.

Phnom Penh Airport – Where to stay in Phnom Penh close to the airport

The Phnom Penh International Airport is about 15 kilometers west of the riverfront. Obviously, this is a good area to stay in Phnom Penh if you have a late arrival or a very early departure from the airport. It’s also a good option if you can’t find budget-friendly accommodation closer to the city center.

Be sure to factor in your transportation costs, though, as you may save money on a hotel only to spend it on tuk-tuk rides.

To get from the airport to the city center, there are several options, including bus, taxi or tuk-tuk which can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, or the train which takes 30 minutes.

Where to Stay in Phnom Penh Airport

Budget accommodation in Phnom Penh Airport

Mid range accommodation in Phnom Penh Airport

Family Friendly accommodation in Phnom Penh Airport

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Phnom Penh Airport

PHNOM PENH CAMBODIA Inside view of the airport in Phnom Penh Cambodia.

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Article written by: Samantha - Travelling King

Hi, my name is Samantha, Finance Managing Guru by day, Travel Blogging Enthusiast by... well... day too! Haha! Travelling King is the destination hotspot for the wannabe traveller! Showcasing affordable, luxurious getaways for the budget conscious! With the combination of my financial knowledge and travelling experiences I aim to show you, with a little planning, the right budget and a realistic goal you can fulfil your travel fantasies and explore the world whatever your budget or desires may be!