Authentic Cambodian Angkor Chalet

Dany made amazing breakfasts, and the family were so friendly. Sophat, Dany, and their family made me feel welcome, and I loved staying in their comfortable, authentic Cambodian house. The room had good mosquito nets on the beds and fans to keep it comfortable. During my three days there, two months into the rainy season, I didn’t see a single mosquito. The frogs’ lovely nighttime sounds sent me to sleep, and the bathroom and shower were good too. The house is inside the UNESCO World heritage area, close to Angkor and other temples. It’s just a short bike ride to Angkor, with a dedicated bike path running along the main road.

We booked for the night of 10/18/2024 because of the good reviews and the location near Angkor Wat. When we arrived around 6 pm, only three children, perhaps 7, 5, and 3 years old, were home. They didn’t speak English. We waited about 45 minutes, but no adult came back. It was dark, hot, and humid in a rural yard with no air conditioning, and we were very scared. My husband knocked on at least three nearby homes before finding someone who spoke English and called the number on our booking sheet. About 10 minutes later, the owner returned by Tuck-tuck and took us to our room, where there was no WIFI. He said it wasn’t working and we’d have to wait until the next day. We were leaving at 5 am to see sunrise at Angkor Wat and visit other temples, so that didn’t work for us. In the end, he agreed to drop us at a hotel near downtown Siem Reap. That hotel was very nice, cost about the same, and had much better conditions. I would seriously suggest you NOT stay at Authentic Cambodian Angkor Cottage. It was the scariest day of my life, alone in a dark, remote place with no adults, thinking about the scary stories you hear about Cambodia.

The family, especially the mother and kids, were super welcoming and friendly. The girls are playful, and breakfast was amazing: you choose from the menu and they cook it fresh. There’s lots of greenery around the property, which gives it a relaxing feel. If you’re curious about local Cambodian life and up for an adventure, it’s an interesting experience. I’d suggest no more than two nights, then consider staying closer to central Siem Reap. The downsides were significant for us. The room was extremely hot during the dry season in April, and we couldn’t sleep. We’re usually not picky travelers, but we found it unbearable and left on the third day instead of staying four nights. The price was much higher than a nice city-center hotel with a pool and AC. The owner seemed more focused on making money than on guests’ experience. Since the homestay is far from the center, food cost double what we’d pay there. It also felt like nothing had been invested in improving the property, such as adding a mobile cooler for the guestroom or improving the family’s living conditions. There was no Wi-Fi on the property, though the booking app said there would be. Neighbors played music from 6 am until late at night, sometimes loud party music, so the sounds of nature weren’t always what you heard. We tried to keep this review objective. Please keep booking here to support the kids’ education and future, as they have so much potential.

Sophat, his wife Dany, and their family were easy to get along with and spoke good English. They’ll give you space if you prefer, though there’s also a real chance to connect with kind, hospitable Cambodians. I love children, so I enjoyed spending time with their 14 (?) year old son and 3 year old son. There are plenty of animals too, if you like them. The breakfasts were always delicious, and the location was great. As of January, 2022, there was no western toilet on the property, though that didn’t bother me. There were noisy neighbors with karaoke, roosters, and dogs, which isn’t the host family’s fault. You can accept that as part of the authentic Cambodian experience or put up with some noise in the evenings and early mornings, when it’s loudest. Most of the day is peaceful. After traveling around Cambodia more, I found the noise level pretty similar wherever I stayed.