Seeing Siem Reap

Siem Reap in General

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Cycling through the local villages Photo - Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Siem Reap itself isn't a particularly remarkable city, but there are some things about it that are really great and there are some things you should know to help you enjoy everything properly.My Siem Reap Top Five . . . .1. Angkor TemplesNo doubt if you are considering a trip to Siem Reap, this is the thing that will be drawing you there and the Temples of Angkor really do live up to the hype. Made famous by the Tombraider films featuring Angelina Jolie, they are every bit the adventurer's dream. We absolutely loved wandering around the many varied temples. Be sure to include at the very least, Angkor, Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom in your visit.2. Floating V...Read More

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Le Tigre de Papier

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Restaurant | "Service Let The Place Down"

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We visited Le Tigre de Papier in Siem Reap after seeing it mentioned in our travel guide. It is located in the town centre on the street that is known as 'Pub Street'. It is right in the middle of the street so it is right in the thick of the action as it were. We would have really enjoyed our visit no doubt, if the service hadn't have been so appalling.Pub Street is the nightlife centre of Siem Reap and Le Tigre de Papier holds centre stage, so it is easy to find. It is quite a casual place and it isn't that big either so it is pretty much always busy. There are two floors though so there are plenty of tables, even if they are pretty well squashed in. You do end up sitting quite close to ...Read More

We visited Le Tigre de Papier in Siem Reap after seeing it mentioned in our travel guide. It is located in the town centre on the street that is known as 'Pub Street'. It is right in the middle of the street so it is right in the thick of the action as it were. We would have really enjoyed our visit no doubt, if the service hadn't have been so appalling.

Pub Street is the nightlife centre of Siem Reap and Le Tigre de Papier holds centre stage, so it is easy to find. It is quite a casual place and it isn't that big either so it is pretty much always busy. There are two floors though so there are plenty of tables, even if they are pretty well squashed in. You do end up sitting quite close to your neighbours although the fact that the place is loud, it doesn't really matter. It's not the kind of place you'd go for a romantic meal anyway!

It offers a selection of Khmer food, namely the traditional barbecue, which is a lot of fun because you get a whole lot of food and you cook it yourself on a specially designed silver barbecue that sits on your table. We had actually already tried this elsewhere and the restaurant is also very proud of its brand new pizza oven, so we went for pizzas instead. There are traditional flavoured pizzas, but we opted for something a bit different and went for a spicy chicken one and a Khmer one. They were both absolutely delicious and were obviously made with the freshest ingredients. They were huge too, which was great for two people who were starving hungry by the time we got there!

The food was ridiculously cheap too, especially compared to Western prices. The pizzas were only a couple of pounds each. We had the two pizzas and a couple of beers each and the total bill was less than £10. we decided not to go for desserts as there are a couple of ice cream parlours near by that we wanted to try instead but they do have a selection if you feel the need.

A quick look around the restaurant and a glance at what other people were eating told us that the portion sizes were huge in everything and not just the pizzas. There were some fantastic smells coming out of the kitchen, which is open plan so you can see into it - something I always think makes the restaurant more trustworthy.

So it all seems good so far, why only two stars I hear you say! Well it was totally down to the service which was completely useless. We were initially waiting ages to be served, which was awful because we were really hungry; we ended up having to call someone over to take our orders. To be honest, it was really busy and the staff weren't exactly standing around doing nothing, so we were prepared to let this go, but then we saw our pizzas on the pass and they were left there for fifteen minutes before they were brought over (without cutlery). obviously by this time they were stone cold and so we had to send them back. I hate complaining but in the meantime we had ordered drinks with two different people and hadn't had them yet, so we were getting very annoyed by this stage. The final straw was when we saw one of the staff steal money from the cash machine that is located inside the restaurant. Someone came in to withdraw cash and took his card, but left the money behind. Now my initial thought was that it served him right for being a doofus, but then when we saw the waitress take the money without looking around to see if the man was still in the restaurant, we were pretty unimpressed. Unfortunately we couldn't see the man whose money it was or we'd have done something about it. As it was, we were so fed up with the place that we just asked for our bill and left.

It was a shame really because it could be such a great place but the service really let it down and it would have been a lovely meal. Not recommended. Read Less

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on April 30, 2013

Le Tigre de Papier

Siem Reap, Cambodia
+855 (0)12 659 7

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Triangle Bar

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Restaurant | "Funky and Cool"

Super Salad Photo - Triangle Bar, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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We went to Triangle Bar in Siem Reap mainly because we were attracted by the fact it was a rooftop bar that offered views over the town and it looked really funky. We weren't disappointed because we had a great night, the food was good and the atmosphere was lovely.The restaurant is located on the corner of Pub Street and is on the second floor so it is open top, but means that it is a great spot for people watching because you can literally see everything that is going on below. You go up via a little shopping mall type place below which we found surprisingly difficult to find because it wasn't particularly well signposted. We were warmly welcomed and shown to our table straig...Read More

We went to Triangle Bar in Siem Reap mainly because we were attracted by the fact it was a rooftop bar that offered views over the town and it looked really funky. We weren't disappointed because we had a great night, the food was good and the atmosphere was lovely.

The restaurant is located on the corner of Pub Street and is on the second floor so it is open top, but means that it is a great spot for people watching because you can literally see everything that is going on below. You go up via a little shopping mall type place below which we found surprisingly difficult to find because it wasn't particularly well signposted.

We were warmly welcomed and shown to our table straight away. There is a bar area that you can go to and just have a cocktail but we were starving so headed straight for our table, which we got to choose - a nice touch. The tables are low but large so can accommodate up to eight people easily, although we didn't feel out of place with just two of us at ours. There are huge fire heaters above each table which are lovely and warming in the cool night air but also add to the natural feel of the place.

The menu is extensive and there is lots to choose from. We were drawn to the place because it offers Khmer food with a modern twist. We opted to share one of the platter starters which included four different salads. They were served on a long platter and were all delicious. There was a spicy chicken one that we particularly liked and one that had a sweet sauce on that went really well with the noodles. They were all really fresh and tasty and made a great, light way to start our meal. We had a couple of Khmer curries for main, both chicken and both absolutely delicious. They were beautifully seasoned and spiced to perfection and served with lovely scented jasmine rice. All of the food was very well presented and it was like cheap fine dining.

The service was good for the most part, we did order a couple of drinks part way through our meal that seemed to disappear into the ether, but aside from that the staff were very good and friendly. It was clear that many of them like to use the opportunity to practice their English, so they will happily chat to you.

After our meal we stayed for a drink because they have some really funky swinging sofas that you can have a nice lie down in comfort. They hang from the ceiling and have little tables in the middle and cushions all the way around which is really lovely.

The whole place has a great atmosphere and it is a lovely place to have a meal or just a couple of drinks. It is a very popular place so there is a great feel to it. It is upmarket without being stuffy and I would definitely recommend a visit. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 30, 2013

Triangle Bar
Sivutha Boulevard
Siem Reap, Cambodia
855 63 964 575

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Sonalong Boutique Village & Resort

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Hotel | "Comfortable and Cheap"

The 'Toilet Roll' Bed!! Photo - Sonalong Boutique Village & Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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We stayed at the Sonalong Boutique Village in Siem Reap for a few days as a base for visiting the nearby temples of Angkor. The hotel was nice although not fantastic, but it was considerably cheaper than many of the alternatives in this city.We paid about £40 per night for the hotel and this included breakfast and a free transfer to and from the airport, which is about fifteen minutes drive away. We were amused to find that the transfer was by tuk tuk, which was a fun start to our visit, not least because we had to watch the driver fit two huge suitcases tot he back. I'd recommend taking the time to organise the included pick up before you arrive because the hotel is slightly off the beate...Read More

We stayed at the Sonalong Boutique Village in Siem Reap for a few days as a base for visiting the nearby temples of Angkor. The hotel was nice although not fantastic, but it was considerably cheaper than many of the alternatives in this city.

We paid about £40 per night for the hotel and this included breakfast and a free transfer to and from the airport, which is about fifteen minutes drive away. We were amused to find that the transfer was by tuk tuk, which was a fun start to our visit, not least because we had to watch the driver fit two huge suitcases tot he back. I'd recommend taking the time to organise the included pick up before you arrive because the hotel is slightly off the beaten track and I get the impression that a lot of drivers don't know how to find it.

The hotel is about a five minute walk from the centre of Siem Reap. It is a great location because it is central, but not right in the thick of it so it makes for a very quiet stay. The actual road it is on is quite quiet and, at night, very dark. Whilst we were fine walking up and down it and it is perfectly safe, I imagine that it would be a bit intimidating for a single traveller.

Our first impressions of the hotel were great. We got a very friendly welcome from the staff and an little introduction to the resort and surrounding area whilst enjoying a local drink. The resort is very well designed with lots of natural gardens surrounding all of the buildings, which made the whole place feel very secluded and tropical, which was nice considering that Siem Reap is quite a loud and brash city.

The hotel is made up of two story buildings each containing four rooms over the two levels. We went for one of the rooms on the higher floor because we thought it'd be much more private after reading a few other reviews of the place. There are only steps up to the second floor, so if you need somewhere that is wheelchair accessible or you can't manage stairs, you need to ask a room on the ground floor.

The rooms are quite nice although fairly basic. They have everything you need in them, but it is a slightly tired and worn version of everything you need. The bed was a bit weird to be honest and I know it is going to be hard to describe, but I'll have a go. It was holey, almost like hundreds of toilet rolls put on their side, squished together and covered with a mattress protector. As bizarre as it sounds, it was actually very comfortable and we had three good nights sleep in it. There was also a small wardrobe, a television and tea and coffee making facilities. Amusingly, there was a laptop sized safe that doubled up as a bed side table and was actually very handy! There is very good air conditioning in the room as well as a ceiling fan.

The bathroom again was a little tired although perfectly adequate. We did have a problem with the shower flooding the bathroom a couple of times, but I think that was probably because the drain was partially blocked and so the water wasn't draining out quickly enough. There was a hairdryer in the bathroom as well.

The rooms on the second floor have pretty huge balconies that have big ceiling fans on and odd but comfortable wooden chairs and it is a great place to while away some time.

There is a pool in the centre of the resort that is surrounded by gardens. It has a few loungers that are very comfortable. A couple of them are like double beds and are a great place to spend the last few hours of the day after a busy morning exploring temples.

There is a restaurant at the front of the hotel where they serve breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfast is included and you get to choose from a selection of egg based dishes (omelettes) and continental style food from a menu. It is pretty basic although the fruit salad was delicious and very fresh and I really enjoyed the jam that came with the toast. We didn't eat dinner in the restaurant so I can't comment, although they do offer a selection of sandwiches and snack food for lunch, which was all great and exactly the kind of snack we wanted - the spring rolls were delicious and the fries surprisingly good. We were amused to overhear the German couple next to us ordering a tuna sandwich and the waiter asking whether they'd like their tuna rare, medium or well done! To be honest I think there was a communication problem there, rather than them actually making a rare tuna sandwich!!

There is a reasonable internet connection in the hotel and wifi is free. They can organise currency exchange and trips as well as guides. We booked a tuk tuk for the day to explore the temples at Angkor through the hotel and it was waiting for us in the morning and excellent all round.

Overall I would recommend the hotel as a nice budget option. The location is good and it is in walking distance of the main things in Siem Reap. The staff are very friendly and the facilities are good, but it is a budget option is a fairly poor country, so don't go expecting The Ritz. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on April 23, 2013

Sonalong Boutique Village & Resort
Street 27
Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Floating Village

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Attraction | "A Village on Stilts"

Houses on Stilts Photo - Floating Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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We visited the floating village as part of our stay in Siem Reap. The village is about ten kilometres outside of the city and is well worth a visit if you are there because it is quite a fascinating place. We visited in January, when the water was low, but you can still enjoy it regardless.Getting there is easy via a number of ways. There are loads of organised trips that go out here throughout the day and week. You can organise one of these via your hotel or through one of the tourist offices in the city. They are reasonably cheap and go on air conditioned coaches. You can also hire a tuk tuk and driver to take you out there. Hiring a tuk tuk will cost you about £15 for a whole day, whic...Read More

We visited the floating village as part of our stay in Siem Reap. The village is about ten kilometres outside of the city and is well worth a visit if you are there because it is quite a fascinating place. We visited in January, when the water was low, but you can still enjoy it regardless.

Getting there is easy via a number of ways. There are loads of organised trips that go out here throughout the day and week. You can organise one of these via your hotel or through one of the tourist offices in the city. They are reasonably cheap and go on air conditioned coaches. You can also hire a tuk tuk and driver to take you out there. Hiring a tuk tuk will cost you about £15 for a whole day, which is excellent value. You don't need it for a day because it will only take you about fifteen minutes to get out there and there isn't a massive amount to see, but I'm not sure if you can hire a tuk tuk for less than that.

We actually went on bikes. We hired a couple of bikes from one of the many many bike rental shops in Siem Reap. The bike hire was fantastic value at $1 per day, including a bottle of water and a map of the area. The bikes are pretty rickety and I wouldn't recommend them for really long periods of cycling but they were excellent for us and they have baskets on the front to carry all your things.

We cycled out towards the floating village along the main road which isn't massively busy one you get out of the main area and is easy to follow because you just have to keep to the side of the river and go straight ahead. The cycle out is lovely and you go through all the authentic little villages, waving to the locals as you pass which is lovely.

When we got there, we found that there wasn't a lot to see but what there was, was really lovely and picturesque. The village is well named because it basically sits on a huge lake which differs massively in size between the rainy and dry seasons. As I said, we were there in dry season but that didn't mean we enjoyed it any less. All of the buildings are on huge stilts, which means that you can get the feel for what it is like even if there is no water. There is a school, a police station and even a football court, all of which are on stilts and float when the water level gets high enough.

The people there were lovely and very welcoming, considering that we had come to gawk at their homes. At one point, we had loads of village children surrounding us, fascinated by our camera with its digital display! You can really get a feel here for just how poor the country is, because people live in little wooden houses and they don't have much, but they are happy all the same which is nice.

There is a little centre where there are shops and a couple of cafes. There is also a temple up on a hill that you can climb up to and it is worth doing so because it affords fabulous views across the village. Wear long shorts and cover your shoulders if you want to go up here though, because it is a religious place.

On the way back from the village, we stopped at one of the many canopy bars which are a lovely place to have a rest. They all have lots of hammocks where you can swing merrily whilst sipping fresh coconut (for $2) and look out the beautiful scenery in the distance.

I'd definitely recommend a visit to the floating village and it is especially fun if you cycle out there. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 30, 2013

Floating Village

Siem Reap, Cambodia

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