Khmer Surin Boutique Guesthouse

We loved the food at the hotel restaurant, and even with both the ground and first-floor dining rooms busy, service was prompt and the staff stayed attentive. Breakfast had plenty of choices, and the coffee was strong. The hotel is about a ten-minute tuk-tuk ride from the Royal Palace. On arrival we were offered fresh coconut while checking in; after we pointed out that we had requested a higher floor, they gladly moved us from the fourth floor to room 11A. Our room was roomy, with a balcony and a large bathroom with a walk-in shower. The decor has lots of character, with reused shutters and old paneling alongside pretty china vases. There’s a pool on the 14th floor with six loungers, a table and chairs, and plenty of towels. Staff across the hotel were always smiling and ready to help. Reception arranged our laundry, which came back that same evening, and housekeeping left the room spotless with fresh towels, robes, soap, and shower gel.

After a dusty, tiring bicycle ride from Vietnam, I was ready to sleep at midday. The staff were so helpful, and when I saw my room I was properly wowed, which doesn’t happen easily. The Cambodian decor is beautiful, though of course that’s subjective. There’s a huge bathroom with a great shower, neatly ironed linen bathrobes, a firm bed, and a view from the ninth floor. I waited until after my nap to use the rooftop pool. Swimming, then stretching out on a lounger and taking in the view, made me feel like I’d hit the jackpot. I’m usually reluctant to eat at hotel restaurants, but this one was packed and the plates looked good, so I booked a table. Breakfast was included, though the extensive à la carte menu made that a little confusing. Everything I ate was freshly made, especially the blueberry pancakes. My one gripe is the automatic espresso machine, which was shockingly bad. I’m a coffee nerd, and I even thought about buying them a proper machine 😅.

I loved how much care someone put into decorating this place. The wood details, tiles, elephant lamps, and wooden window trim made it my favorite-looking spot of the last two months of travel. There were lots of good breakfast choices, including fruit bowls and pancakes. Too bad we only had one night here.

The hotel is nicely decorated and in a good location, but losing my earrings here really spoiled the stay. I was on a ten-day business trip and had the room cleaned on the second day. The safe sometimes locked itself and wouldn’t open for an hour or two, so I left my earrings on the bedside table, thinking the place seemed safe. When I returned that evening, they were gone. I spoke politely to reception the next morning and showed a photo. I didn’t accuse anyone, but had to ask them to check with the cleaners and pass on the picture, as they seemed hesitant. I checked back several times during my stay, hoping for more information and maybe that someone would return them. They seemed to think I’d misplaced them. I searched the room and my bag thoroughly in case the earrings had been knocked off the table, but found nothing and checked out without them.