Focus Cambodia shares our guide to the best places to stay when in Phnom Penh
Penh House & Jungle Addition
Charming and modestly priced, these sister boutique properties in the heart of a historic colonial neighbourhood have welcomed guests since 2018. The classic spires of temples and pagodas add to the stunning view from the pool and restaurant on the fifth-storey Penh House rooftop, while a spa and fitness centre contribute a contemporary flavour to the modernist Khmer architecture. Nearby, the Jungle Addition is like a village of its own, lush foliage embracing a shaded central courtyard area.
Hôtel KVL
Of all the centrally located urban hotels in the capital, perhaps none is as alluring as the KVL, which opened its doors in August 2022. The four-star business hotel — owned by the Vattanac Group, whose glamorous Rosewood Phnom Penh is one of the city’s premier properties — overlooks Sisowath Quay just steps from the Royal Palace. During the annual Water Festival, there is no better place to watch the colourful parade of boats on the Tonlé Sap river than this hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Up by KVL, with an extensive menu of authentic Spanish tapas.
The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa
Any time of day, the central swimming pool at this restored French heritage property bustles with exuberant energy. The surrounding tropical gardens leave no clue that The Plantation is at the heart of one of old Phnom Penh’s busiest districts. Built in the 1930s, restored in 2011 and fully renovated in 2024, the colonial-era structure has spacious rooms, many of them poolside, along with a spa, gym and art gallery locally famed for its rotating exhibits. A highlight of the reimagined entry is newly expanded La Pergola restaurant, where renowned French executive chef Nicolas Malherbe works his wonders.
The Balé
If a riverfront retreat is what you seek, The Balé may be what you’ve been looking for. A member of the Bali-based Lifestyle Retreats group, this modernist boutique hideaway — in the residential Bak Khaeng neighbourhood 30 minutes’ drive north of central Phnom Penh — offers a lazy idyll away from the urban bustle. Guests can relax by the pool watching boats pass on the Mekong, indulge in the spa, or meditate in a courtyard dominated by a sacred Bodhi tree. Theato Restaurant serves a wide range of meals, many of Khmer influence.
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
Anyone who has ever craved the experience of traditional French luxury, liberally sprinkled with modern amenities, will not be disappointed by this magnificent urban oasis. The Sofitel group’s Phnom Penh location (the Phokeethra label honours the Hindu god Brahma, whose shrine is on the expansive grounds) features every imaginable indulgence, from tennis courts and swimming pools to a full range of spa treatments, five exquisite international restaurants and a renowned art gallery. A collection of 1930s photographs is a highlight of the towering lobby.
