The Siem Reap Hostel is located right in the heart of city, within walking distance from the old market and lively Pub Street.
When I arrived
The hostel sent a tuk-tuk driver to pick me up from the airport, free of charge. He was standing at the arrival terminal with my name written on a sign. It was super easy to find him.
I arrived at the Siem Reap Hostel two hours prior to check-in time, but my luggage was safely stored away while I enjoyed lunch at the hostel restaurant. The receptionist assisted me with my luggage and showed me to the dorm room.
Rooms
I stayed in a 6 bed female Deluxe Dorm. The room is spacious and fitted with a ceiling fan and air conditioning.
Each bed has its own reading light, while the lockers is located underneath the bunk beds. The lockers are spacious and you should be able to safely store your belonging without any hassle.
Located inside the dorm room is a separate toilet and shower with a wash basin. The water in the shower is hot and the pressure strong.
Facilities
The Siem Reap Hostel has great facilities! There is a swimming pool, open from 6am to 11pm, right next to the bar/restaurant.
The restaurant is fairly priced, but a little bit more expensive than the local eateries around the hostel. It serves both western and local cuisine. The restaurant makes a pretty good veggie burger. Also, I highly recommend the yellow noodle dish. Happy hour at the bar is between 5pm and 8pm, where you can get a 2 for 1 cocktail special or beer for just 50 cents.
The hostel offers yoga and pilates classes and Swedish massages. There is also a cinema that shows different movies each night, a pool table, a fuzz ball table and a book swap.
The travel desk is great and it’s very easy to arrange temple tours. Your onward travel can also easily booked through the travel desk.
Dorm rooms are cleaned everyday between 12pm to 2pm.
Staff
The Siem Reap Hostel employs predominantly local people. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful. The hostel also works with their own set of tuk-tuk drivers. This is very convenient as it takes the hassle out of getting around Siem Reap. You don’t have to haggle over prices as there is a standard rate. Feel free to tip though!
Breakfast
An a la carte breakfast can be ordered, but I suggest you go for the breakfast buffet instead. The buffet is served from 06h30 onwards for just $2. The buffet includes four different kinds of fruit, a selection of cereals, tea and coffee, toast and pancakes served with syrup or jam.
What I didn’t like:
I mistakenly paid a tuk-tuk driver $16 for the sunrise Angkor Wat tour, thinking the cost of the tour was $15. The driver said nothing. I later found out that the tour was only $7. Always ask the price before you pay!
It can get noisy early in the mornings because a lot of people join the sunrise tour to Angkor Wat. But that is to be expected!
What I liked best:
The manner in which the hostel is run. They truly make an effort to employ local people at higher wages.
The 50 cent beer! I had one every night.
The social atmosphere in the hostel is great. It’s very easy to meet new people and make friends.
Would I stay here again?
Definitely yes! The location of the Siem Reap Hostel could not get any better. Remember to contact the hostel in advance to arrange your free airport transfer. The cheapest way to see the Angkor Wat temple complex is through the tours arranged via the hostel.
