4-Star Luxury Hotel for the Backpacker Price of $40/night!
The first thing you notice about Sokha Palace Siem Reap Hotel is just how pretty it is! The architect, painters, decorators and maintenance staff did a fabulous job (see my photos). The second thing you notice is how delicious the huge buffet is – including free espresso drinks. Third, you notice that the rooms are not only nice but that everything works well (aircon, hot water showers, refrigerator, wifi, and cable TV with news channels from a half dozen countries like CNN). Fourth, it is in a quiet location less than 15 minutes from Angkor Wat, and only a $2 tuktuk ride to Pub Street or anywhere else in Siem Reap.
But then you notice the best part: the outstanding hotel staff. For example, the Front Desk Manager Phyrun personally helped me when I could not make my room keycard work, and even brought me a bucket of ice. Originally I booked five nights during Chinese New Year with Trip.com discounts for $39/night, but he gave me a free upgrade from a garden view double with king bed to a pool view room. I liked it so much I wanted to extend, but the best I could find online was $41/night garden view, $51 for pool view. I asked Phyrun if I could get the upgrade again if I bought the $41 online, and he said no – but he smiled and said he would give it to me for $40/night the Khmer rate instead (normally $50 for barangs like me)!
The restaurant had other examples of great staff. Some days the restaurant is overflowing with several hundred guests, other days only a few dozen. Yet they maintain the quality and personal touch from the egg and soup station, to the bountiful buffet, to the waiters and waitresses that clear the tables. The Restaurant Manager Somedy and his Assistant Manager Chhaiya keep it all flowing smoothly. Even on the busiest day, waitress Chanthla took the time to show my Khmer friend’s elderly stepmom the way they fold the napkins. Today the espresso machine was not working for a while, so Chhaiya offered to have a waiter drive over to the sister hotel to bring me lattes. I repeatedly declined, but was very impressed by the excellent customer service attitude.
So the real beauty of this French chateau style hotel is its employees, including very efficient housekeeping and grounds staff. I checked out the “5-Star” Sokha Resort on the other side of its convention center, but did not like it half as much (especially for 70% more per night). Normally I would be afraid to write a review of a hotel that I like so much, but with 456 rooms I don’t have to worry about it being full. Do yourself a favor and stay here when in Siem Reap.
