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Wondering where to stay in Cambodia?
There is certainly no shortage of incredible Cambodia accommodation options available. In fact, the sheer number of hotels in the country can leave you stumped about which one to choose! After over 10 years of both traveling and living in Cambodia, we’ve stayed in quite a lot of hotels all around the country.
We strive to find unique hotels in Cambodia with environmentally friendly practices that are also involved in the local community. It’s great knowing your money is not only providing you an amazing stay but is having a bigger impact as well.
The great news is that most Cambodia hotel rates, even at luxury hotels, are usually less than half of what you’d spend for a night in a chain hotel in the USA or Europe.
From stays in boutique hotels to eco-lodges, modern-day glamping tents to historical buildings, we have been lucky to experience a wide range of unique accommodation in Cambodia that we want to share with you.
Read on to find out about some of the most unique Cambodia accommodation options.
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These are our top recommendations for unique places to stay in Cambodia based on our personal experience.
Note: All photos are our own.
Siem Reap Accommodation
Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel (Midrange Boutique)
Check out the latest rates. Read our full review here.
What makes it unique?
- Gorgeous saltwater pool.
- Extensive menu including vegan food options.
- Supports community projects.
- Focused on local staff training and growth.
- Involved in local art and music scene.
- Lovely spa using locally made beauty products.
- Supports local businesses including craft breweries, eco producers, and more.
- Fantastic location, convenient yet peaceful.
- Crocodile views.
- Owner Ilana runs a fantastic blog with great information about Angkor Wat and Siem Reap.
Templation Hotel in Siem Reap (Sustainable-Luxury)
Check out the latest rates. Read our full review here.
What makes it unique?
- The closest hotel to Angkor Wat (only 5 minutes away by tuk-tuk!)
- Expansive property with native flora and trees preserved.
- Villas with private pools and outdoor rain showers, built to blend in with the land.
- Support social causes, health initiatives, environmental causes, and the arts in Siem Reap.
- Solar panels connected to an electric grid to partially power the hotel.
- Rainwater is collected seasonally to use where possible throughout the grounds.
- Vegetal roofs provide optimal airflow in the buildings to cut down on air conditioning.
- Rotating gallery displaying pieces by local artists.
Beautiful spa using natural, locally sourced products (same products in villa bathrooms!)
Check out more of the Best Hotels in Siem Reap
Getting to Siem Reap
There are lots of ways you can reach Siem Reap, either by bus, minivan, private taxi, or flying.
Bus or Minivan: There are dozens of bus companies in Cambodia, but they are not all equally good. Check out our recommendations for the Best Bus Companies in Cambodia
Private taxi: Although this option is a bit more expensive than taking a bus, it’s definitely faster and you’ll have the freedom to make stops along the way whenever you need to. Check out prices for private taxis to Siem Reap.
Flying: Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Airlines, and a few other airlines make several trips a day to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. You can also fly to Siem Reap from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Luang Prabang.
Check prices for flights to Siem Reap.
Phnom Penh Accommodation
Floatation (Glamping = Glamorous + Camping)
Check out the latest rates. Read our full review here.
What makes it unique?
- Eco-friendly design.
- The only low impact, zero emissions floating hotel in Phnom Penh.
- Innovative eco-friendly design.
- Have it all to yourself.
- A romantic, tech-free night away (no wifi!).
- A different perspective of the city.
- See local life on the river.
The Jungloo (Jungle-igloo) at Kabiki (Eco-Glamping)
What makes it unique?
- An eco-friendly glamping experience in the heart of Phnom Penh’s historic district.
- Escape the city chaos and be surrounded by lush jungle in the middle of Phnom Penh’s capital.
- Excellent location near the Independence Monument.
- Innovative room design with heat/sun radiation, a double skin natural cooling system, and sound protection.
- Room is made from bamboo and has recycled wood furniture.
- A fully equipped bathroom with wastewater eco-treatment and refillable shampoo and soap dispensers instead of plastic.
- Your own private entrance, a large private terrace, and above-ground private pool.
- Read more about the Jungloo’s eco-friendly design.
Find activities to do in Phnom Penh.
The Plantation Urban Resort and Spa in Phnom Penh (Luxury)
Check out the latest rates. Read our full review here.
What makes it unique?
- Convenient location in the heart of Phnom Penh, behind the Royal Palace.
- Supports local arts through a rotating gallery on site.
- Works within the local community on environmental initiatives.
- An oasis in the center of hectic Phnom Penh.
- Top notch breakfast buffet.
- Our favorite spa in the city.
Read: 10 Awesome Places to Go in Cambodia.
Sihanoukville Accommodation
Dara Independence Beach Resort and Spa (Historical Luxury)
Check out the latest rates. Read our full review here.
What makes it unique?
- Cambodia’s first luxury hotel.
- Built in the 1960s by King Norodom Sihanouk and French architects.
- A symbol of Cambodia’s independence from French rule.
- Jackie O once stayed here!
- Abandoned for decades, now restored to its original glory.
- Beautiful sea views from all the rooms.
- Huge property with private beach, jungle, and an infinity pool right on the ocean.
- Large bungalows with private pools, great for groups and families.
Read: Best Buses to Get to Sihanoukville
Koh Rong Accommodation
Sok San Beach Resort (Island Eco-Luxury)
What makes it unique?
- A private nature resort on Sok San Beach.
- SCUBA center on site and island tours available.
- Part of the Refill Not Landfill program to reduce single-use plastic bottles.
- Environmental initiatives like no plastic straws, recycling bins throughout the property, composting, and beach clean-up days.
- Ongoing environmental education for staff.
- Gift shop with locally made products from the social enterprise Artisans D’Angkor.
- Delicious buffet breakfast every day.
- Walking distance from a small fishing village with local Khmer restaurants.
- Option for private speedboat service.
Generator and fiber optic cables for Wifi from the mainland
Book a ferry to Koh Rong Island.
Kampot Accommodation
Eden Eco Village (Eco-Budget)
Check out the latest rates. Check out more of our favorite accommodation options in Kampot here.
What makes it unique?
- Bungalows built from recycled materials.
- Compost toilets.
- Yoga classes on the river.
- Located in a Cham fishing Village.
- Eden Eco Village supports the local community and social enterprises, including the Banteay Srey Project, a women’s spa.
Read: The Best Bus to Get to Kampot
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Ken Osborne says
We have a home in Kampot, Cambodia and have lived there since 2013. Every time we visit Phnom Penh, we stay at Khmer Surin on Street 57 in BKK1. They have comfortable, clean rooms and an excellent restaurant visited by many of the residents of the city also.
Jennifer Joslin says
How amazing that you live in Kampot! What a beautiful place for a home. Thanks for sharing your tip on Phnom Penh accommodation. 🙂
Mags says
These are some really cool spots. I’d love to check out the floating bungalows when I finally make it to Cambodia.
Ami Bhat says
I think I like the floating bungalow the most. Water around me always is therapeutic. And to be able to get it right at my doorstep, must feel heavenly. The Eco village would be my next choice. Hope I get to Cambodia sometime soon and I will definitely look these up for my stay. Cheers
Punita Malhotra says
Now i am in a fix! Which one do I pick? They all look amazing. I had not envisioned that Cambodia will be a luxury vacation, but now I am thinking differently.
Catherine Salvador Mendoza says
The Mekong Floating Bungalows- I’ll absolutely choose this one. For one particular reason, no wifi! haha Most of us when we travel or check in, we never forget and the first thing to ask is if they have wifi or not but having the absence of it, the setting is much more romantic! I’d also like this hotel because you can get a glimpse of the local life over the river. It’s nice to witness things like that in a new place for us. Actually, I like all of these hotels, because they’re simply, unique!
Samantha Sparrow says
The floating bungalows on the Mekong look so amazing! I’ve wanted to stay in floating accommodation like this ever since seeing the water bungalows in the Maldives! I love the idea of staying in the Eden Eco Village too, it looks so beautiful and peaceful!
Jean says
Love the unique accommodation on offer. Cambodia is general has so much to offer. Can’t wait to head back one day and explore even more and stay in a floating bungalow
Vanessa says
My vote is for The Plantation. I love the bright colors and, frankly, you had me at “spa”!
Anuradha Goyal says
I would definitely choose Mekong Floating Bungalows – that seems like quite an experience to live so close to water. Do you get the feeling of floating or the water moving beneath the bungalow? The post is a great compilation of alternate and more sustainable living in Cambodia.
Lavonne Cloke says
I love Bohemiaz Phnom Penh. It is only a 20 minute drive out of the city and is a cute little oasis on a lake. They offer yoga twice daily and the food is amazing. They even have a Sunday roast weekly. Feels like you’re staying with family.
Jennifer Joslin says
Good to know, we’ll have to check it out!
Karina says
They all sound lovely, and I love how so many of them are eco-friendly in one way or another. I would definitely like to stay in the floating bungalow or the eden eco village. I’ve never used a composting toilet before, so I’m not sure how that works, but traveling is all about new experiences, right? 🙂
Karla Ramos says
These hotels are just amazing. I would go for the floating hotel. These would be top choices if I decide to go to Cambodia again.
Barb says
Wow, these hotels look amazing. I will have to bookmark this page in case I return back to Cambodia some time in the future.
Megan Jerrard says
I would love to stay in a floating Bungalow – I love the focus here on an eco friendly design, that it’s low impact to the environment, and such a unique way to spend a romantic night. That said, crocodile views is definitely one of the most unique hotel room views I’ve ever heard of so I would definitely consider a night at the baby elephant boutique hotel too!
Danijela says
I’d definitely choose those floating bungalows! What a great way to spend few days in Cambodia! Love that it’s eco-friendly, all covered in wood, soo romantic! I’m a sucker for water of any kind, so this would be perfect.
The only thing though – no wifi? Hm, would have to manage, I guess. 😛
Anna Johnston says
I would love to experience the Eden Eco Village, how amazing to do yoga on the river and it’s very cool to be in a place that has been created using recycled materials. Gives the accommodation a homestay feel to it, which is what I have done when I visited Cambodia.
Simon says
Hi guys,
I stayed at Beong Kak lake on my two previous visits, so was bummed to hear it got filled in recently… searching for a similar alternative, and the Mekong floating bungalows look like they might do the job! Thanks for the tip
Julie says
OMG these are so cool! I’d love to stay in any of these, but I guess the floating bungalows might be my first choice! But yoga classes on the river also sound awesome too. So random question- how much of an issue are mosquitos?
Hugo Cura says
I’d have to pick the very first one as my favorite – the floating bungalows! What a gorgeous location as the pictures attest.
Love the concept, the design, and those views!
Anne Slater-Brooks says
I am loving the floating hotel in PP. That is definitely one way to view the city from a different angle. My favourite memory of that city however is the most incredible foot massage. My husband and I became addicts