The Old Market Area (Pub Street): If You Want the Energy
This is ground zero. If Siem Reap has a heartbeat, it’s loudest here. The Old Market Area – basically centered around Pub Street – is where most first-timers end up, and honestly, I get it.
The streets fill up after sunset. Bars spill onto the sidewalks, restaurants blast music, and the Night Market hums with vendors selling everything from silk scarves to fried tarantulas (yes, really). It’s chaotic, sure, but also kind of electric.
- What I Liked: You can walk to almost everything. Late-night food? Two minutes away. Need a tuk-tuk at 5 AM for sunrise at Angkor Wat? They’re already waiting on the corner. There’s also a ridiculous number of hotels here – from party hostels to solid mid-range spots.
- What Got Old: The noise. If you’re a light sleeper, forget it. I heard karaoke until 2 AM. Also, everything’s priced for tourists. That $2 pad thai you saw on Instagram? It’s $5 here.
My Honest Take: Stay here if you’re young, social, or just want to be in the thick of it. But pack earplugs.
Wat Bo Area: The Sweet Spot
After my first trip, I switched to Wat Bo – and I’m glad I did.
It’s maybe a 10-minute walk from Pub Street, but the vibe shifts completely. The streets are tree-lined and quiet. You’ll pass actual neighborhood temples where locals pray, not just tourists taking selfies. There are small cafes where I’d sit with iced coffee and watch the city wake up.
- What I Liked: Peace. You can actually hear yourself think here. The boutique hotels have personality – think garden courtyards and hand-carved furniture, not generic chain vibes. You’re still close enough to walk to Pub Street when you want dinner or drinks, but you’re not drowning in it.
- What to Know: It’s quieter, which means fewer late-night options right outside your door. If you want to bar hop, you’ll walk or grab a tuk-tuk. And there aren’t many true budget places here – it skews mid-range.
My Honest Take: This is where I’d stay again. It feels like you’re actually in Cambodia, not just a tourist bubble. The balance is perfect.
Taphul Village: Budget Traveler's Dream
If you’re watching your wallet, Taphul Village is the move.
It’s close to Pub Street – maybe a 10-minute walk – but the prices drop fast. I’m talking guesthouses for $8 a night, street food for under $2, and local markets where you can grab fruit for breakfast.
- What I Liked: It feels real. You’ll see families eating dinner on their stoops, kids playing soccer in the alleys, and vendors who don’t immediately inflate prices when they see you. The accommodations are basic, but clean and friendly.
- What to Expect: Don’t expect luxury. The rooms are simple. There’s not much nightlife here – it’s a residential area. But honestly? After a long day at the temples, I just wanted a fan, a bed, and maybe a cold beer from the corner shop.
My Honest Take: If budget is your priority, this is where you go. You’ll save money and get a glimpse of local life that most tourists miss.
Charles de Gaulle Boulevard: Luxury Near the Temples
This is the fancy side of town. Charles de Gaulle Boulevard runs north toward Angkor Wat, and it’s lined with high-end resorts. Think infinity pools, spa treatments, and breakfast buffets that could feed a small village. You’re also way closer to the temple complex, which matters if you’re chasing that sunrise shot.
- What I Liked: The proximity to Angkor Wat is unbeatable. Some mornings I’d roll out of bed at 4:30 AM and be at the temples in 10 minutes. The resorts are stunning – I’m talking marble bathrooms and beds you sink into.
- The Trade-Off: You’re far from town. Getting to restaurants or the Night Market means a tuk-tuk ride every time. And yeah, it’s expensive. This isn’t backpacker territory.
My Honest Take: If you’ve got the budget and the temples are your main focus, this makes sense. But I missed being able to walk to dinner.
My Pick: Wat Bo Area
If I’m being completely honest, Wat Bo is where I’d book again.
It’s close enough to Pub Street that I can walk there for dinner or a beer, but far enough that I’m not hearing DJ sets at midnight. The hotels have character – small, family-run places with real charm, not corporate cookie-cutter rooms. And the streets themselves are beautiful, with temples and trees and that slower rhythm that reminded me why I love traveling in the first place.
I liked waking up here. I liked walking to breakfast at a neighborhood cafe where no one spoke English but they made the best baguettes I’ve ever had. I liked that it felt like a place people actually lived, not just a place designed for tourists.
That balance is hard to find, and Wat Bo nailed it.
