Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel

The Sky Bar has an amazing view at night, and the location is excellent. Breakfast was good, with fresh fruit and omelets that were always great, even though the selection wasn’t huge. The hotel feels old and could use a renovation. The bed was comfortable and the AC worked well, but it was loud. There was some issue at check-in, though I’m not exactly sure what happened. The day before leaving, we dropped off laundry, then when I went to collect it at 4pm, I was told management had just changed and they no longer offered laundry service. I took the dirty clothes back to my room and told them they needed to update the room literature, which still says laundry is available. The room quality is reflected in the price.

The rooftop is a lovely spot first thing in the morning, before Phnom Penh gets hot, and the poolside bar has decent food and plenty of cocktails. I enjoyed the two-for-one happy hour a bit too. The hotel has a quiet style that fits the city and its culture, with enough modern touches to keep it from feeling stuck in the past. There’s a lovely welcoming smell of lemongrass oil or incense when you enter, I’m not sure which. Reception staff were great and changed my room when I wasn’t happy with it. The room was spacious, with views of the Royal Palace, the museum, and the river, and the price was very good.

I’m traveling with a group of nine this time, and the rooms and service have all been exemplary. Piseth Tep, the supervisor, was so kind and patient. Piseth Din at the bar was another dedicated member of the team, and Phearith (Madelyn) at the front desk was helpful, thorough, and fun to talk to. Everyone is professional, friendly, and knows their stuff. It’s my sixth visit to Phnom Penh, and this is my favorite hotel. It’s clean and well placed near the Mekong, the breakfast is great, and the rooftop views are gorgeous.

The staff were brilliant, friendly, attentive, and helpful, and they moved us straight away when we reported problems with our first room. That room was dark and dirty, with cockroaches in the bathroom. The replacement upstairs was better, but the rooms still feel tired and neglected, with grubby door surrounds and dated, not very clean bathrooms. The rooftop pool and bar, where breakfast is served too, also looked worn out. The hotel is in a great spot opposite the palace and its gardens, and the staff deserve a lot of credit. The owners should refurbish the place soon. Their excellent team and the guests deserve better.