SIEM REAP -- area code (855-63)

Hotel Be Angkor On The Passage, parallel to Pub St, Utopia Map, 012-246-912, 012-755-311, FAX 965-321, email. From the gay pioneers of Linga Bar comes this gorgeous, boutique accommodation exactly in the heart of Siem Reap's shops and nightlife, opposite Linga Bar and next to The One Hotel Angkor ("be" means "two" in Khmer). Just three private rooms, each designed in completely unique Cambodia Cool style showcasing the work of a different local artist. The room names hint at the eye candy to be found within: Bamboo, Saffron, and Sepia. Living area with large day bed, desk/dining area (your breakfast is brought to you at the time of your choosing), rain shower, and individual sun decks with views out over the tiled roofs of Siem Reap's heritage market area. Their Linga Spa for men is conveniently located just below on 2/F and fine dining is available in the Aha restaurant on G/F. Conde Nast Traveler Hot Hotel 2008. For the ultimate in luxury, ask about The One Hotel, which has -- you guessed it -- only one luxe duplex. Utopia Member Discount

Angkor Friendship Inn 56 Psakrom St, Vihear Chen, Svay Dangkum, Utopia Map, 092-405-111, 017-433-087, email. Gay-owned, gay and lesbian-friendly guesthouse with single, double, triple and quadruple rooms with large beds, TV (DVD on request), Wi-Fi, aircon, hot shower (quad room has tub), mini-bar, coffee/tea. Free breakfast. Reasonable rates. A short walk to the Old Market, shops, bars and restaurants. Splash pool and bar added in Sep 2009. Massage also available from masseurs or masseuses.

Comments from Utopians:

"Very good value, free airport or bus station pick-up. Large aircon room with minibar and breakfast and Net for only US$15/night. Located walking distance to bars restaurants and spas. Donald and Bong are great hosts and went out of their way to make my stay enjoyable. Also they have almost completed their swimming pool and bar area." -- bazz, Sep 13, 2009

The Cockatoo Resort & Restaurant Wat Damnak Village, Utopia Map, 063-969-069, email. A deluxe, gay-owned resort, with a true "country home" feel, in a gorgeously restored Khmer heritage home and lush garden setting. Close to the center of town and yet completely hidden away from the noise of modern life except for lilting gongs from nearby temples. Peter, a photographer, and Virgil, a writer, have created an oasis for those who crave nature, culture, great food, and conversation in total peace. One of Siem Reap's most gorgeous, private swimming pools, with grass hut cabanas, sun deck and tropical bamboo bar. The downstairs lobby and guestrooms are designed in Asian-Deco style, with Peter's black and white photographs (also for sale if you fall in love with them). Virgil provides sensational home cooking with the freshest local ingredients. The open-air veranda is the perfect place to shade during the day or enjoy the symphony of nature in the evenings. Frogs, cats, butterflies, birds, lizards and blue fireflies all find sanctuary here amidst flowers and citrus trees. Most charming is their Café-Bar Noir! which features classic Hollywood films from the 30s and 40s in the "once upon a time" ambience of a romantic Indochine watering hole. All no-smoking rooms. Free Wi-Fi, airport transfer and breakfast. Utopia Member Discount

Ei8ht Rooms 138/139 Stung Thmey St (6 buildings from Romantic sauna and just next to Artisans d'Angkor), Utopia Map, 063-969-788, FAX 012-250-277, email. A small and discreet gay and lesbian-friendly guesthouse located just a short walk to the shopping and nightlife venues in the Old Market district and just a short tuk-tuk ride away from the magnificent temples of Angkor. Modern colors in clean, basic rooms with tropical-modern furniture and ceiling fans. Room rates start from just US$15 and all rooms come with aircon, cable TV, DVD player, in-room safe, mini bar and a bathroom. Well-stocked DVD library in the lobby, including gay feature films. Two free Net stations in the lobby and Wi-Fi in lobby and some rooms. Lovely patio garden in front and grass-huts on the roof for breezy sunsets. Their staff are smiley, helpful and charming cuties all who aim to provide you with a great experience, every day. Reliable and inexpensive tuk-tuk drivers are easily arranged through reception.

Comments from Utopians:

"Ei8ht Rooms is a gay friendly hotel, centrally located. The most expensive rooms are US$22 and considering that they have aircon, TV, DVD players, in-room safe and private bathrooms, it's the best value hotel I have ever stayed at. The staff is friendly, warm, attractive and their aim is to make you feel welcome and comfortable, like they are friends." -- fg44, May 17, 2009

"I stayed in Ei8ht Rooms and it was a very nice experience. The rooms are clean, cozy, comfy and spacious. The place is also centrally located -- walking distance to the bar district and nearby restaurants, supermarkets, etc. The staff are polite, helpful and were sensitive to my needs." -- wideyeshut, Dec 18, 2008

• Golden Banana B&B
  Wat Damnak area, Utopia Map, 012-885-366, email. Straight-friendly gay bed and breakfast. Located in a small lane just beyond the southwest corner of Wat Damnak, across the bridge from the Old Market, shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Second in the lane. Private garden setting with eleven stand-alone ensuite rooms with aircon, fan, safe and hot water shower. Bar and food from the very good Khmer and international restaurant in the lane. Laundry, 24-hour room service and security. Prices are inexpensive. All three Golden Banana resorts are located in a relaxed village environment, thankfully lacking the "Hey, Mister..." hustle of downtown. Utopia Member Discount

  Golden Banana Boutique Hotel Wat Damnak area, Utopia Map, 012-654-638, 012-885-366, email. Located in a small lane just beyond the southwest corner of Wat Damnak, across the bridge from the Old Market, shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife. First in the lane. Ten duplex units built around a pool. Each duplex has a living room and either a garden or private balcony. All are furnished in a comfortable Cambodian style with modern luxuries like TV with DVD player, Wi-Fi and safe. Gay-owned (same owners as Golden Banana Guesthouse), but also attracts friendly straights (their Boutique Resort below attracts a mostly-gay crowd). More luxurius, and so priced higher, than the B&B, but still excellent value for the money. Click to for more information and a reservation request. Utopia Member Discount

  Golden Banana Boutique Resort Wat Damnak Area, Utopia Map, 012-654-638, 012-885-366, 012-287-988, 063-761-259, email. Gay-owned and mostly gay patrons Located in a small lane just beyond the southwest corner of Wat Damnak, across the bridge from the Old Market, shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife. This private, garen oasis with huge pool is the largest and most luxurius of the three Golden Banana properties. Sixteen multi-level villas and suites with both rain shower and romantic outdoor baths. Plus open-ari deck and splash shower. Deluxe amenities: Wi-Fi, sumptuous beds, mini-bar, flat-screen TV, aircon and safe. DVD palyers available on request. Room service, poolside bar and very good restaurant in the lane. The airy and light-filled villas feature locally crafted furniture from sustainably-harvested palm wood, contemporary Asian art and Khmer hand-crafted silks. The resort utilizes a state-of-the-art German solar hot water system. Complimentary breakfast. Transportation and tour guide services, assistance with a plethora of local activities, and opportunities to contribute positively to local disadvantaged communities. Prices are very reasonable for these luxury duplexes. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I have previously stayed in their Boutique Hotel but the new Golden Banana Boutique Resort is quite extraordinary. The villas all have private upstairs patios with a huge bathtub in the middle, comfortably fitting my rather large torso and my BF as well. Each room has a fridge stocked with good wines and champagnes. The swimming pool is great, and the meals are excellent. Staff are really friendly and cute! We hired a hotel tuk-tuk for the time we were there for a pittance and the driver spoke perfect English and was so friendly. Best of all...the Utopia Member discount rates were incredibly low...5-star service at 3-star rates." -- muliama, Jul 11, 2009

  Hotel de la Paix Sivutha Blvd, Utopia Map, 966-000, FAX 966-001, email. Stylish and every inch designed to delight the senses (from the cool lemongrass breeze that greets you as you step into its stupa-like foyer to the jacuzzi nooks hidden in a pool that makes you feel like you're swimming into Angkor's hidden secrets). Gay and lesbian-friendly Hotel de la Paix is a socially conscious, hip fusion of Art Deco and traditional Khmer culture located in the beating heart of the city, minutes walk from the nightlife and colorful markets. Their duplex rooms with massage table loft plus private outdoor garden bath and sunbathing patio are an OTT antidote to a long day of temple viewing. Their garden courtyard bed swings (!) are the ultimate place to enjoy their superb breakfast. The art gallery/bar with bed-sized lounge seating (a welcome replacment for a traditional lobby) may, like the Collesium, be flooded when the need arises for an exhibition requiring a reflecting pool. Spa, fitness room and wine cellar. They'll even pack a box lunch for your day out sightseeing. Still, the angels are in the details here: the hotel sponsors a local sewing training center for Khmer women (which you are invited to visit), eco-tourism projects, and community support such as donating bicycles to area children so that they can get to school and pedal into their futures.

  Kool Hotel 18 National Rd, 6 Tapaul Village, Svay Dangkum Commune, Utopia Map, 012-206-250, email. Kool Hotel is a friendly, gay-owned and managed 3-star property just off the Airport Rd as you reach town. Twenty-one rooms, nicely decorated with traditional Khmer motifs and modern amenities. Cable TV, in-room refreshments including coffee and tea maker, solar-powered hot and cold water, bathroom amenities, phone, Wi-Fi, remote controlled lighting, energy efficient aircon, and international electric sockets. Beautiful pool area with loungers and large salt water swimming pool for afternoon cool-downs. Just a short tuk-tuk ride away from the shopping and nightlife.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The Kool Hotel arranged a pick-up at the Thai border for US$35. After we passed Immigration we saw our names on a banner carried by our driver who also assisted us to apply for visas at the government rate of US$20/per visa (thank you Vuthy). It took around 2.3 hours from Poipet to Siem Reap and the road in some parts was still under construction. We arrived exhausted and were welcomed with an herb tea, cold towels and tropical fruit. The hotel staff were so polite, friendly and professional. Nat checked us into an Indra King room ($44/night) - first-rate, comfortable bed and very clean. Bathroom was sparking clean with modern amenities. We decided to go for a sunset tour at Bakeng Mountain and Nat helped us arrange that and some other temples for the next day. The sunset was beautiful, but it was so hot. We dined at the hotel. Their amok and green curry were absolutely very yummy; we would recommend it if you prefer Asian food, a bit spicy but we loved it. We went swimming after dinner in the pool, so relaxing after a long hot day on the bus, taxi and at the mountain. We'd like to thank to all the staff. We made the right decision to stay at The Kool Hotel." -- Rosymarch, Apr 8, 2009

  "I spent 3 days at this new hotel run by a gay couple, one of whom is Khmer and the other Thai. The rooms are very clean, nicely decorated and affordable. The hotel is only 5 minutes by tuktuk (always available) to the main tourist area. Very quiet and a definite must-stay. Food is outstanding. Ask for a driver named Vanda who is straight but knows where the gay scene is at (as limited as it is) and will help translate for you if necessary. He is reasonable for daily hire and was very helpful in plotting out my sightseeing (he is not a tour guide, but very knowledgeable). He'll pick up and drop at airport, etc. His English is great and even speaks Thai." -- tommyboo, Mar 27, 2009

  La Maison D'Angkor 71 National 6, Airport Rd, Utopia Map, 965-045, FAX 964-966, email. A gay-friendly, luxury hide-away in a landscaped tropical garden. Conveniently located minutes from the airport on the way into the city. Built in a traditional Khmer classic style, using timber and local fabrics, their large, clean and comfortable rooms will appeal to visitors who wish to experience the feeling of the Khmer way of life, but with completely modern amenities. Safe, desk with comfortable chair and Wi-Fi, mini-fridge, bright naturally-lit bathrooms, aircon and ceiling fans, individual balconies and lanais. A romantic jacuzzi is hidden in the garden and the gorgeous swimming pool and sunbathing area is perfect for cooling off or swimming laps. Their talented local Chef offers daily specialties so that you may discover Khmer cuisine in an open-air Indochine ambience. Breakfast by the pool is included. Perfect for nature lovers who long for a quiet retreat after a day at the nearby wonders of Angkor. Utopia Member Discount

  La Palmeraie Airport Rd, Utopia Map, 092-952-113, 016-909-607, FAX +855-63-963-816, email. Private garden resort just near the airport turn-off and located in a lush, country setting. Nine rooms and two pools, including a large 5-room private villa and garden. Asian antique and art-appointed luxury rooms with modern amenities, balconies, aircon and fan. Large villa also features a gorgeous veranda and salon with bar, and kitchen. Four adjacent villas with private balconies, restaurant/bar and a large family-style suite with Bali-style outdoor bath and shower. The Asian heritage design reflects the personality of owner, Yves, a longtime resident of Siem Reap. Free airport transfers. Close to the golf course. Gay and lesbian-friendly. The resort is closed from June 1-July 15. Same owners as Madame Butterfly restaurant.

• La Residence d'Angkor (a Orient-Express Hotel)
  River Rd, Utopia Map, 963-390, FAX 963-391, email. This gorgeous, gay-friendly 5-star hotel incorporates beautiful Khmer architectural details. Located on the east bank of Siem Reap River, a short walk from bustling local markets and just minutes from the ruins at Angkor Wat. All 54 room and 8 suites are exquisitely appointed, with large en-suite bathrooms featuring an enormous free-form bath and shower with all amenities one could possibly imagine. Their restaurant, The Dining Room, is stylishly decorated and serves contemporary international and Khmer fine dining. The large swimming pool incorporates 45,000 handmade tiles, individually glazed with verdant tones to reflect the romance and mystery surrounding Angkor. The relaxing, open-air bar upstairs is accented by contemporary ceramics and furnishings. A BBQ restaurant (outdoor and indoor aircon seating) and pool bar along with a fitness center were added in 2008. Their spa, with Siem Reap's only indoor pool, and a new wing of luxury suites opens in Sep 2009. Utopia Member Discount
• MEN's
  Near Wat Po Lanka, Utopia Map, 089-787-600, email. gay-owned. Five minutes from the old town center and minutes from Angkor Wat. This exclusive gay men's resort has 10 rooms (deluxe suites and standard rooms) in a contemporary and stylish boutique resort. Free breakfast is served poolside or on the restaurant terrace. All the rooms are equipped with aircon, safe, free Wi-Fi, large LCD TV with satellite channels, telephone, and mini-bar. The guests can swim in the 18m long pool, lulled by the sound of a waterfall, or sculpt their body and sweat in the spacious and well-equipped gym. Guests have a free, unlimited access to the attached spa and sauna area with steam, jacuzzi, dark maze, and private cabins. Enjoy your leisure time with local guys and tourists from around the world.

  Mysteres d'Angkor Behind Wat Polanka, Utopia Map, 963-639, email. A garden boutique resort tucked away in a quiet neighborhood behind a pagoda, close to the Angkor temples and a short tuk-tuk ride to town. 24 rooms, including two suites, surrounding a beautiful swimming pool and massage pavilion. Rooms are decorated in Khmer heritage style using local wood, silk and ceramics. In-room safe, shower, no TV. Wi-Fi access in the lobby and restaurant. Gay and lesbian-friendly and perfect for those who want a calm, nature-filled retreat from the busy city.

  Shinta Mani Oum Khum St (at 14th St, behind the Post Office), Utopia Map, 964-998, FAX 761-999, email. A gay-friendly hotel with spa located in the heart of Siem Reap's Old French Quarter, just near the river and a short tuk-tuk ride from the restaurant and bar area around the Old Market. Nicely appointed rooms, with safe, fluffy bedding, aircon, Wi-Fi, cable TV and mini-bar. Spa service by the pool. Excellent staff (the hotel doubles as a training school and so the staff are charming and motivated). The Hotel also offers guests the opportunity to meet the people of rural Cambodia and participate and assist in local communities. They will be closing for 6 months of complete renovation and upgrade by the designer of Hotel de la Paix, starting in Apr 2010 and slated for relaunch as a modern luxury resort in November 2010. Utopia Member Discount

• SiemReapRooms Guesthouse
  38 Phsar Krom Rd (200m from the Old Market), Utopia Map, 1220-8472, email. A small, well located, gay-friendly guesthouse with 11 immaculately clean rooms. Free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free Net included. Utopia Member Discount

  Soria Moria Wat Bo Rd, Utopia Map, 964-768, email. Soria Moria is a clean, central, comfortable gay and lesbian-friendly 3-star hotel with a special touch, established and run by a young Norwegian couple, with a strong interest in the sustainable development of tourism. Their excellent staff always greet guests with a warm smile and do everything that they can to ensure the very best of Khmer hospitality. Rooms have satellite TV, safe, coffee/tea, mini-bar and full bath with amenitities. Wi-fi throughout. Rooftop bar and jacuzzi has a breezy view across the city. They are a just short walk or quick tuk-tuk ride away from the Old Merket, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Breakfast buffet is included. Utopia Member Discount

  Viroth's Hotel Street 23 (Wat Bo area), Utopia Map, 761-720, FAX 063-760-774, email. A gorgeous, gay-owned boutique hotel for those who are looking for a unique and quiet stay. A half block from the river and a short walk to the Old Market and nightlife. Seven beautiful rooms, with visually delightful Asian modern design, in a renovated 60s house with garden pool. Luxe rooms include a queen-size bed, writing table, Wi-Fi, cable TV, rainfall showers, ceiling fan and aircon, safe, and private balcony/patio. Relax in their rooftop jacuzzi with city view or surrender your worldly cares and woes to a masseur or masseuse in their couples' massage pavilian. Free breakfast on the breezy rooftop terrace/bar lounge. Refined Cambodian cuisine at nearby Viroth's Restaurant. The NY Times (July 2009) dares its readers "to find another hotel that is this chic and this cheap...".

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Impossible to please everyone nor everyone's budget, but if you're not happy where you are, just walk around and there is accommodation of all types at your fingertips. I am no longer concerned if a place is 'gay friendly'. If you are a responsible traveler, this should not be an excuse to settle for tawdry, second rate, overpriced accommodation. Low price end: Golden Temple Villa is in the same street as Ei8ht Rooms and has a wild garden, guest house rates, and on-site restaurant. Upmarket (but still reasonable) is Passagio, a Swiss-owned small hotel just across the river from the old market. Upstairs rooms are quieter and a little more expensive. 1/F has a secluded balcony all round as well as a very clean and welcoming pool. Sparse, but large and clean rooms." -- PC, Feb 11, 2009