Pension Lodge

The dorm bed was just okay, and it was a little dusty, like it hadn’t been used for a while. For the price, though, the rooftop bar and seating area are a great spot to relax after sunset. There’s also a decent-sized pool out front for cooling off in the daytime. The rooftop deck and pool make this a good-value place to stay.

The guesthouse is cheap, and sadly that’s about the only good thing I can say. The AC didn’t work, and the fans could barely cope with the hot, humid weather. The rooftop bar and the bar or restaurant by the pool weren’t operating, the pool wasn’t in a state where I wanted to get in, and the toilets were “in repair.” The dorm bathroom barely deserved the name. There were also so many mosquitos in there that I stopped counting the bites the next morning. The service was okay, but not great. At that dorm price it’s hard to complain too much, but I wouldn’t stay here again.

We came to see Angkor Wat and booked a room at Pension Lodge with a fan. We ended up on the third floor in a tiny, boiling room with just a small fan. It felt 7 or 8 degrees cooler on the terrace where they hang blankets to dry, and at one point I thought about sleeping out there. The shower head leaked hot water everywhere, so it seemed like there was more on the ceiling than on the floor each morning. The service was terrible. The staff were very unfriendly. I wasn’t expecting them to act like clowns, but surely they could manage one smile or a simple “Have a good day” or “Hope you enjoyed your stay.” Nothing, not once. The WiFi was pretty good, and the small pool was an okay extra. It’s cheap, has a pool, and isn’t far from Pub Street. This was the first hostel where I saw signs telling guests not to bring in outside food or drinks. I think they also have a restaurant, but I never smelled food cooking or saw anyone eating, so it seemed more like a small bar. I didn’t try the rooftop bar, so I can’t comment on it. We didn’t suffer as much as that may sound. On the second night we moved to another room, and I think we paid extra for it. You’ll have to ask my wife about that, she handles the money at home. My money, actually. By “handles” I mean she takes all of it and doesn’t let me see a penny. Angkor Wat is great, go see it and take your time, it’s huge. Rent a motorbike and explore that way. Good luck.

The dorm beds are cheap, but you get what you pay for. They’re lined up end to end, and I wound up playing footsies with the person in the next bed. It was hot, with fans but no ventilation, and the dorm was reached by narrow stairs. In a fire, there’d be no hope. Lots of unhappy backpackers seemed to be staying there because it was the cheapest place they could afford. The staff were nice, and the private rooms might be okay. The best thing was the upstairs cafe run by Anna.