The accommodation market in Cambodia is vast and heterogeneous. For the same price, quality can vary greatly depending on the city, neighborhood, and establishment. This guide presents the main categories, their actual prices, and what you can reasonably expect from each.
Types of Accommodation
Bunk bed in dormitory for 4-12 people
Private room, family-run
Charming, design, attentive service
Chains, guaranteed standards
Pool, spa, beach
Entire rental, equipped kitchen
Guest Houses: The Heart of Cambodian Travel
The guest house is the iconic accommodation in Cambodia for independent travelers. Run by Cambodian families or expatriates, they offer a private room with a bathroom (rarely shared above 15 USD) in a more personal atmosphere than a standard hotel. Prices range from 10 to 30 USD depending on the city and standard.
What you generally find: air conditioning (sometimes a fan below 15 USD), hot water (check!), WiFi, breakfast optional. What may be missing: elevator, safe, bathtub, room service.
Boutique Hotels: The Best Quality/Experience Ratio
Cambodia — with Siem Reap leading the way — has an impressive range of boutique hotels for the price. Between 50 and 100 USD per night, you can find establishments with refined design, often housed in colonial houses or contemporary constructions inspired by Khmer architecture, with a pool and attentive staff.
Phnom Penh is also full of boutique hotels in the BKK1 and Daun Penh neighborhoods. In Kampot, several French colonial houses have been converted into charming addresses between 40 and 80 USD.
By City: What to Expect
Siem Reap
The city with the best quality accommodation. From dorms at 8 USD near Pub Street to luxury villas around Angkor, the offer is very broad. The Wat Bo Road area is quiet and convenient. The Pub Street area is suitable for party-goers but can be noisy. For a temple-centered stay, a hotel located between Pub Street and the Old Market is ideal.
Phnom Penh
The BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1) and Daun Penh (historic downtown) neighborhoods concentrate most of the good addresses. BKK1 is modern, safe, full of cafes and restaurants. Daun Penh is more central but more touristy. Avoid areas near Riverside in the evening for tighter budgets.
Kampot & Kep
Kampot offers the best value for boutique hotels in Cambodia. Several addresses between 30 and 70 USD rival what you find in Siem Reap for twice the price. Kep has a more limited offer, but a few beachfront resorts are worth a visit.
Sihanoukville & the Islands
Sihanoukville has lost much of its tourist charm. On Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, beach bungalow accommodation (15-60 USD) remains the main experience. Book in advance during high season — the islands are small and bungalows fill up quickly.
High Season vs Low Season
During high season (November-February), prices can increase by 20 to 40% compared to the listed rates, especially in Siem Reap and on the islands. In low season (May-September), many hotels offer reduced rates and availability is excellent — despite the heat and monsoon rains.
💡 Booking Tip
For stays of 3 nights or more in a guest house or independent boutique hotel, it is often possible to get a 10-15% discount by booking directly via email rather than through Booking.com — the hotel saves on commission and passes some of that on to you.
Where to Book
Booking.com and Agoda dominate the online booking market in Cambodia. Agoda is often more competitive for Asian addresses. For high-end resorts, the hotel's official site sometimes offers the best rates with perks (breakfast included, early check-in).
Compare hotels, guest houses, and resorts in Cambodia. Free cancellation on most properties.
Search for accommodation →Frequently asked questions
Tight budget: 5-15 USD (dormitory or basic guest house). Mid-range budget: 25-60 USD (comfortable private room). Comfort budget: 60-150 USD (boutique hotel with pool). Luxury: 150-400 USD (Rosewood, Raffles, Amansara).
In high season (November-February) in Siem Reap: 2-4 weeks in advance. On the islands in December-January: 1-2 months. Off-season in Phnom Penh: a few days is enough.
In guest houses and independent hotels, yes — especially for 3 nights or more, in low season. Book directly via email to maximize your chances of getting a discount.