Cambana Residence

We loved having the pool as a place to swim during the day, away from the busy tourist centre. A five-minute tuk tuk ride gets you to the restaurants and local shops, and it’s also convenient for visiting Angkor Wat and nearby temples. Cambana residence staff were so sweet and helped with all our questions and requests. We stayed four days and three nights, and everything went wonderfully, beyond what we expected. The rooms were spacious, comfortable and very clean. Breakfast was made with care, tasted great, and had plenty of choices, from eggs and toast to local noodle soup. We’d recommend it for couples or families wanting some privacy with easy access to the sights.

The construction was the big problem for us. We chose Cambana Residence for its pool, but nobody told us about the renovations when we booked. There was visible dust and debris in the water, so we never used the pool, and no other guests seemed to be using it either. Work started around 7:20 in the morning and continued until 6:00 in the evening. On our last two days it was almost impossible to relax or sleep in. The people were a real bright spot. Everyone, from the front desk to the kitchen, was welcoming and attentive, and they arranged our Angkor tours with a guide and driver smoothly. Bunthorn was an incredible driver, reliable and professional, and made the stay special. Breakfast was convenient, with strong black coffee, eggs cooked to order, fresh fruit, and fresh menu dishes alongside the buffet. The chef clearly takes pride in the food. Our room had a lovely pool view, a great bed and couch, and was spacious and very comfortable. Housekeeping brought clean sheets, fresh towels and bottled water each day. We want to love this place because the staff are amazing, but paying for an amenity we couldn't use and losing the chance to rest was frustrating. Once the work is done, it could be a perfect stay. Until then, expect noise and a dusty pool.

Bunthon, the tuk tuk driver, was a real highlight. He was very good on our two-day temple tour and took us to tourist lunch spots both days. They were probably pricier than local restaurants, but convenient and the food was good. I highly recommend him. The room was a nice-sized superior, with a balcony tub, shower, safe, a large fridge freezer, and a small kitchen area in the lounge. There were two TVs with some English channels. Breakfast was okay, with eggs cooked to order, and the staff were amazing, friendly and ready to help. There was building work we hadn't been told about by our travel agency. It meant a 7 a.m. wake-up and noise all day, so it wasn't a relaxing stay for us. We didn't use the pool.

Avoid this place. Major construction meant drilling and hammering woke us very early every morning. They shouldn't take reservations until the work is finished. We booked for the balcony bathtub, but it was no use to us because the hot water only lasted about five minutes.