Where To Stay in Phnom Penh: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Every Budget

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I honestly didn't have very high expectations before my visit to Phnom Phen, but after exploring Cambodias capital I already know I’m coming back again soon. In my opinion this is one of Southeast Asia’s most underrated capitals.

One thing that makes Phnom Penh especially appealing is how affordable exceptional hotels can be. Or the myriad of stunning boutique stays.

You’ll find beautiful heritage mansions turned into hidden retreats, urban resorts with jungle-like pools, design-forward stays, riverside classics and some seriously good-value luxury hotels.

Places that would cost triple in Bangkok, Singapore or Europe often feel surprisingly accessible here.

Whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning to stay awhile, these are the neighborhoods and hotels I’d choose.

What’s the Best Area To Stay in Phnom Penh

If it’s your first time in the city, I’d focus on these three areas:

• BKK1 — Best overall area to stay
• Tonlé Bassac — Best for food and nightlife
• Riverside / Daun Penh — Best for museums & sightseeing

Each area has a different personality and where you might want to stay depends on what kind of trip you want.

Why Stay in BKK1?

If I were staying in Phnom Penh for a week or more, I’d choose BKK1 without hesitation.

This is the neighbourhood that often makes people fall for the city.

It’s leafy, walkable by Phnom Penh standards, packed with cafés, restaurants, wine bars, creative spaces and some of the city’s best boutique hotels.

Mornings here start with excellent coffee and tropical fruit bowls. Days drift between brunch spots, hidden courtyards and galleries. Evenings turn into cocktails and long dinners.

It has an expat-meets-local energy that feels relaxed without losing Cambodian character.

Stay Here If:

• You love boutique hotels
• You care about food and café culture
• You want a walkable-feeling neighborhood
• You’re staying more than a few days
• You like a local-meets-expat atmosphere

Best Hotels in BKK1

The Pavilion

If someone told me they wanted a romantic adults-only boutique hotel hidden in the middle of the city, this is where I’d send them.

Set inside a restored colonial villa, it has lush tropical gardens, multiple pools and a peaceful atmosphere that feels miles away from traffic outside.

It's a true urban oasis and one of Phnom Penh’s loveliest stays.

White Mansion

One of Phnom Penh’s boutique classics. It's set in a former American embassy residence, and somehow feels intimate, elegant and relaxed all at once.

Think colonial architecture, shuttered windows, polished interiors and a lovely pool hidden away from the city noise.

If you like boutique hotels with soul, this one is hard to beat.

Aquarius Hotel & Urban Resort

One of the best-value design hotels in the city. It has minimalist rooms, a stunning rooftop infinity pool and some of Phnom Penh’s best skyline views.

The rooftop alone makes it worth considering and sunset from the pool is magic.

Plantation Urban Resort & Spa

This is a longtime favourite, and for good reason. The resort has beautiful gardens, a large pool, elegant rooms and a resort-like calm while still being central.

Why Stay in Tonlé Bassac?

If your ideal city break revolves around cocktail bars, cool restaurants and lively evenings, Tonlé Bassac is where you want to be.

This area has become one of Phnom Penh’s most exciting neighborhoods. It feels creative and energetic.

It’s home to Bassac Lane — one of Phnom Penh’s best nightlife scenes — and some of the city’s most exciting dining. For cocktail bars, cool restaurants and a younger creative scene, Tonlé Bassac is hard to beat.

Stay Here If:

• You love food and nightlife
• You want a cooler, younger neighborhood vibe
• You plan to go out at night
• You like urban neighborhoods with character

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Best Hotels in Tonlé Bassac

Baitong Hotel & Resort

Possibly the most beautiful hotel in central Phnom Penh.

Even though it's right in the middle of the city it somehow manages to feel tropical, design-forward and serene.

There are jungle-like pools, gorgeous architecture, excellent food and a rooftop bar. It feels far more expensive than it often is.

Patio Hotel & Urban Resort

A smaller boutique option with a beautiful rooftop pool and a very appealing location. It's stylish without trying too hard and perfect if you want boutique charm without splurging.

Why Stay Near Riverside

If it’s your first time in Phnom Penh and you want to be close to the city’s major sights, staying near the river makes life easy.

You can walk to the Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom and the lively riverfront promenade.

It can feel busier and more touristy than BKK1, but it’s practical. If practical is what you want, then this is a good area for you.

It’s touristier, yes — but undeniably convenient.

Stay Here If:

• You want to walk to major attractions
• You only have a few days
• You like historic areas

Best Hotels Near Riverside

Raffles Hotel Le Royal

This is an institution and arguably Phnom Penh’s grandest hotel.

If old-world glamour is your thing, this is the place. Think heritage luxury, high ceilings, famous cocktails, impeccable service and serious history.

For some it might be a splurge, but this place is worth splurging on.

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

This is one of the prettiest luxury stays in the city.

It feels elegant without feeling formal with beautiful Khmer-inspired interiors, excellent location and a rooftop pool with palace views.

Is Phnom Penh Good for Luxury Hotels?

I would say it's more than good. It's excellent.

This city punches far above its weight when it comes to beautiful hotels. And compared to many major Asian capitals, luxury here can feel astonishingly affordable which makes Phnom Penh an ideal place to treat yourself and stay a couple of extra nights.

Final Thoughts: Where To Stay in Phnom Penh

If you want my honest advice:

Stay in BKK1 if you want the best overall experience. It's easy to get to most areas either by a long walk or short tuk tuk ride.

However, If you know you're looking for a fun night out then you might as well base yourself in the heart of it in Tonlé Bassac.

If you want a truly luxurious stay, see all the major sights and you only have a couple of days I think the Riverside is a logical place to base yourself.

No matter which of these hotels you decide to stay in, I'm sure it will be a good base to explore Phnom Phen from.

I hope this helps you plan your upcoming vacation Phnom Phen. If you have any questions about travel in Phnom Phen or Cambodia in general, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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