The taxi pulled up to Riverside Suites where a young man helped schlep suitcases up two flights of stairs. Know upfront that this hotel is not handicapped accessible. Conveniently located near Sisowath Quay in the heart of Phnom Penh’s riverside area, Riverside Suites had four different suite types in nine luxurious room with balconies, free Wi-fi in rooms and common areas, and breakfast was included; served in either La Croisette Restaurant across the street, or your suite.
The hotel can also arrange transfers from Phnom Penh airport to the hotel. Rates are: tuk tuk $12 (two persons plus luggage), or air conditioned car $15 (maximum four persons plus luggage). I suggest taking one of the easily bookable flat rate, airport taxis for $9 US.
Riverside Suites room in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Riverside Suites room sitting area, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
I used Booking.com (one of my favorite sites) to book the Riverside Suites and our room only had a partial riverfront view. My other quibble was a skimpy breakfast at La Croisette that allowed: one cup of coffee, a two-egg omelet or yogurt and fruit (a very small portion). We stayed at the Star Royal Hotel, a few blocks away on our last visit to Cambodia. Although the hotel itself was dated, with prices half that of Riverside Suites and a large buffet breakfast, you may want to consider staying there.
Riverside Suites bathroom sink, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
another view of sitting area, Riverside Suites, Phnom Penh
Steve and I went all out and stayed at Le Royal, now a Raffles Hotel, in 1999. My thinking then was, “If it was good enough for Jackie Kennedy to stay in, it was good enough for me.” This very luxurious hotel did have advance purchase rates (at this writing) for either courtyard or garden view wings which included breakfast and Internet for $221.00; very reasonable for a hotel of this distinction.
Exhausted, we could barely muster enough energy to unpack and attempt to find Cambodian Riel to use for the next 10 days. The very nice receptionist hopped on her motor bike and zoomed off “somewhere” with a $100 bill and returned with 398,700 Riel. Try to convert only what is needed since, Riel are almost worthless once you leave Cambodia.
My Riverside Suites opinion? Rooms were large, and personnel helpful but many hotels with comparable rates offer more bang for your buck.
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