Siem Reap Hotels and Tours beyond Angkor Wat

The reasoning behind this is that it will allow for greater flexibility for visitors to Siem Reap and Cambodia as it will be possible to break up the sightseeing in the temples and explore some of the many other sights and attractions in the area... 

Even though the passes still only will give you access to the temples according to the number of days on the pass, we hope the extension of the Angkor temple passes will encourage people to stay longer and experience more and we would also appreciate some feedback and hear your thoughts and what you have to say about the extended validity.

Siem Reap - more than just the temples...

Due to its proximity to the Angkor temples, Siem Reap is fast becoming one of the world’s tourist hotspots. The road to Angkor is now rapidly developing and a number of Siem Reap hotels and resorts have sprung up here.

Siem Reap is basically a conglomeration of small villages along the Siem Reap River. Each village was built around Buddhist pagodas or 'wats', as the Cambodians call them. These extended from Wat Preah En Kau Sei in the north to Wat Phnom Krom in the south. Phnom Krom litteraly means 'lower mountain' and this is also where the Siem Reap River meets the great Tonle Sap Lake. Some of the buildings and hotels in Siem Reap are influenced by French and Chinese architecture, especially around the Old French Quarter and the Old Market area.

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and the rest of the magnificent Angkor temples are undoubtedly Cambodia's prime tourist attraction and the main reason to visit Siem Reap for most first-time visitors. We would, however, like to encourage people to stay longer and experience more. Even though there are much more to see and do in Siem Reap and the surrounding areas, most people would consider a tour to the Angkor temples as an absolute must...!! Angkor Wat is the pinnacle of Khmer architecture and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It represents Mount Meru, which is supposedly the abode of Hindu deities and the centre of the continent Jambudwipa. Clearly, Hinduism had a major infuence in the early history of Cambodia.

The town itself and its surrounds offer a range of tours and activities for visitors and there is much to see and do in Siem Reap. Other than sight-seeing or taking a Siem Reap tour, tourists can enjoy the Apsara dances, take off on a bicycle tour amidst paddy fields, visit the fishing villages or take a trip to the bird sanctuary.

Thanks to a leap in tourism in the country, tourism related businesses have flourished in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville, but it is also recommended to venture 'off the beaten tracks' and check out destinations such as Battambang, Kampot, Kep, Kampong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng.

From 5-star hotels and classy resorts to a wide range of budget guest houses and hotels, Siem Reap is gearing itself to meet the increasing demands from tourists and business travellers alike. In addition to traditional Khmer food, a wide variety of international cuisines are also available, including Indian, Italian, German, French, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Swedish and Burmese. Shopping is good fun around the Psar Chas area and the night life is also looking up, with a number of bars and pubs springing up here.

Commercial activity in Siem Reap is concentrated around Sivutha Street and the Psar Chas (Old Market) area. These areas are dotted with old colonial buildings. What is known as the Wat Bo area offers a wide range of local guesthouses, affordable hotels and popular restaurants. The Psar Leu area, in turn, is always bustling with local trade activities. The area around Tonle Sap Lake is quite different, with floating fishing villages, paddy fields and even a bird sanctuary.

Whether you prefer to return from a long day of sightseeing Angkor Wat and the Angkor Temples and enjoy a massage in exclusive luxury or getting acquainted with the local people and lifestyle, there are a variety of Siem Reap hotels and places to stay for you. Nowhere else on the web will you find the range of accommodation we offer in the Siem Reap and Angkor region. We offer everything from 5-star luxury hotels in Siem Reap and resort-style properties to locally run guesthouses popular with backpackers and budget travellers. The suite at the non-profit hotel and restaurant training school Sala Bai, arguably, some of the best value for money you will find in the whole of Asia, but make sure to book well in advance as many of the rooms tend fo fill up quickly.

A convenient way to get to this part of South East Asia is with one of many direct flight from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Hanoi, Hong Kong or Taiwan. Alternatively, if you feel a bit adventurous, you can also travel overland from neighbouring Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Especially the Mekong Cruise to and from Vietnam has received much positive feedback. Our site also features interactive maps and pictures of each of the hotels in Siem Reap including individual rooms and facilities. With us, you will never need to wonder what kind of hotel and room you are booking or exactly where it is. You can also book Siem Reap tours and activities through us.

Based locally and perfectly placed to guide you through your travels in Siem Reap and Cambodia, we'd be delighted to assist you in selecting accommodation, explore the Angkor temples, travel off the beaten track to rural villages and get a flavour of the real Siem Reap, and travel off the beaten track to rural villages.