Ohana Phnom Penh Palace Hotel

For the price, the location is the real draw: the hotel sits by the river in a busy tourist area, near the royal palace and other attractions, with restaurants and nightlife a short walk away. On weekends the riverside boardwalk fills with fairs and food stalls, mostly locals but also some tourists. It's a colorful, fun scene right outside. The rooftop breakfast was decent, with plenty of fresh vegetables and tropical fruit for vegetarians and vegans. There were also lots of meat options and eggs made to order, though I didn't try the meat. I enjoyed the two pools and the small, well-equipped gym. The building and rooms feel dated and poorly maintained for a four-star hotel by Western standards, more like two or three stars. There were slight signs of mold in the bathroom and it felt worn overall. If you're fine with an okay hotel in exchange for a great location, and don't need deluxe, it could suit you.

Weekend access takes some planning: from 5 to 11 pm, roads to the hotel close for the walking market, and no vehicles can get through. Guests then have to walk about 1 km back, which could be hard for older people. During our stay, though, the staff were attentive, polite, and friendly, and the spacious room was clean, well kept, and quiet thanks to good soundproofing. The toilet had all the toiletries. Breakfast had a good mix of local and Western food, and the clean pool was a welcome refresh after a hot day. The riverfront is a short walk away, shops are nearby, and tuk-tuks are easy to find outside. A pleasant stay with good service and facilities, as long as you bear the weekend road closures in mind.

Two pools, breakfast included, and friendly, helpful staff make this good value. They even arranged a motorbike for me at the hotel for $8 a day. The rooftop is fantastic at sunset, and two beers for $2 was a perfect way to finish the day.

The rooftop restaurant has great views, and breakfast was lovely, with Western and Asian food. There's also a nice pool and mini gym on the ground floor, plus a sauna and steam room upstairs. The hotel is close to the Royal Palace and other sights, with excellent service, as you often find in Asian countries. I booked through a travel agent, so I can't comment on the room price. No complaints.