Kampong Thom hotels and guesthouses guide
Sambor Village Hotel is a top choice in town
There is a reasonable, if limited, array of accommodation in Kampong Thom, with a couple of upmarket locations and half a dozen good Western-orientated guesthouses. There are a couple of decent mid-range hotels, budget priced mini-hotels, and a host of cheap digs for predominantly travelling Khmers. Finding a room is Kampong Thom is easy enough, and there is no need to book in advance unless you plan to stay over a Khmer holiday period, or if large tour groups happen to be staying in town overnight – usually at either Arunras or the Stung Sen Royal Garden Hotels.
With the town being small enough to traverse on foot, it’s only a few minutes walk to most properties. When arriving at the centrally located bus stop, its best to avoid the bargain local guesthouses that back onto the public transport area, as these can be noisy and often accommodate more intimate guests after dark. A much better and option is to take the short stroll one block across the NH6, where two of the town’s few named streets, Sereypheap Boulevard and Prachea Thepatay Street, intersect.
Here, opposite the post office, sits the most popular resting spot, the Arunras Hotel, with its little sister guesthouse next door. On the other side of the market at the northern end of the Sereypheap Boulevard, across the highway from the internet pharmacy, is the slightly upscale Stung Sen Royal Garden Hotel, while further north on the opposite river bank is presentable Mittaheap Hotel.
The most luxurious accommodation option is the boutique bungalows at Sambor Village Hotel; 500m east of the NH6 from the Sereypheap intersection, while the newly opened Kampong Village Hotel, with slippers and bathrobes, is also a short stroll from the centre. Outside of the city, on the road to Phnom Penh, is the unique community-supporting Khmer Village Homestay, where you can learn about, and join in, traditional village activities such as weaving and ox-cart riding.
Insider Tip – If arriving by bus, ignore the touts and make your own way back to the main highway. Cross the road and grab yourself a snack or fruit shake at the food stalls opposite the market. This will place you right in the centre of town.
Kampong Thom hotels and guesthouses
Arunras Hotel & Guesthouse: Formerly the Neak Meas, this long-running and popular guesthouse, with good travel connections (tourist buses stop outside), Arunras operates both a basic guesthouse and slightly more upmarket hotel. Often full, given its popularity with Khmer government officials and tour groups, the cable TV – notably the English football – are a major draw card. Guesthouse rooms start from just US$3, with ensuite, while air-conditioned rooms go for around US$8.
The hotel, situated next door, is five stories high, making it the tallest building in town, and also has the only elevator in Kampong Thom. This also means that the hotel has some decent views, notably on the third-floor terrace, of the local countryside and in particular Santuk Mountain. Rooms here start from US$10 with air-conditioning and TV, making it excellent value. There is a large restaurant, and even a nightclub out the back. English-speaking moto drivers who run trips to Sambor Prei Kok congregate out the front. 39Eo, Street Sereypheap, Arunras Hotel tel: + (855) (0)62 961 294, Arunras Guesthouse tel: + (855) (0)62 961 238.
Sambor Village Hotel: A rare oasis of class, this is the town’s first and only genuine upscale boutique accommodation. Situated just 500m from the central market but a world away, each room is an elegant riverside bungalow complete with large four-poster beds, quality Khmer interior design and elegant furnishings. The bungalows also feature a large living area and private balconies, prices ranging from US$50 – US$80. With one of the best restaurants in town, free WiFi, complimentary bicycles and a brand new swimming pool, this is definitely Kampong Thom’s classiest spot. Street Prachea Thiptay, tel: + (855) (0)62 961 391....More details and booking
Kampong Thom Village Hotel: A relative newcomer that fills the growing flashpacker mid-range gap, the hotel has 16 rooms with all the trimmings from just US$20. The in-room refrigerators, bathrobes and slippers, on-request hair-dryers and in-house massage service are a welcome touch of sophistication. The onsite business centre hints at the intended market, while the laundry service and convenience store take care of practicalities. 562 Kampong Thom Village, tel: + (855) (0)62 962 311.
Stung Sen Royal Garden Hotel has comfortable rooms
Stung Sen Royal Garden Hotel: Located just south of the Stung Treng on the main highway, this popular establishment, along with the Kampong Thom Village Hotel, are the best quality accommodations in the city after the Sambor Village. The rooms (US$20) are large and well-appointed, with full-sized bath tubs, fridges, air-conditioning and TV, while the suites (US$5 extra) are huge. They also operate a reasonable currency exchange service and a pleasant Chinese restaurant. NH6, tel: + (855) (0)62 961 228...More details and booking
Mittapheap Hotel: Housing 23 rooms in a four-storey yellowish building just across the bridge from town, this is cheap, clean option is the only establishment to take advantage of the sweeping river views. Large, spotless if plain rooms with balconies start at just US$5, ranging up to US$13 for two double beds, TV and air-conditioning. NH6, tel: + (855) (0)62 561 213. $$
Moha Sambath Guesthouse, Penh Chet Guesthouse, Santepheap Guesthouse and Sok San Guesthouse: All located on Deakcho Meas Street, behind the bus station, these similarly unremarkable guesthouses are the best of unhygienic, but (literally) dirt-cheap bunch, for the truly budget-conscious only. Squat rooms with communal bathrooms cost as little as US$1. Be warned that most hotels on this street double as brothels after dark.
Khmer Village Homestay: Experience the ‘real’ Cambodia at this unique community-based tourism destination, an hour south of town, which showcases Khmer village life. The proceeds from the range of bamboo chalets help the local poor, making this type of tourism is both welcoming and educational. Dining is in a communal longhouse which supports a purpose-built Khmer dance floor veranda. Offering one and two-day packages that feature weaving and woodcraft workshops, pony-cart tours of the local village and a not-to-be-missed sunset ox-cart ride, the rates include breakfast, lunch and various tastings. NH6, 50kms south of Kampong Thom, One night – US$20, Two-night package – US$35, tel: (+855) (0)12 635 718.
