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| Travel & Resources: SIEM REAP / ANGKOR
Utopia's Siem Reap listings are sponsored by... 
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Funkiness, the fantastical and the sublime all co-exist in this friendly, safe and easy-going tropical holiday destination. You'll be doing yourself a disservice if you just fly in and out for an exhausting 2-day temple tour. There's so much to discover and the pace of life so pleasurably lazy that you can easily spend a week here without being bored.
Hidden jungle animal sculptures that pre-date Angkor, peaceful Buddhist temple compounds housing vibrant 200-year-old murals (including a market scene with four arm-in-arm same-sex couples), an air-conditioned modern Museum explaining the art and iconography you'll encounter at Angkor (do see this first before you begin your temple trek), contemporary art exhibitions by emerging Khmer artists, market places bulging with the stuff of everyday Khmer life, cheap and delicious hole-in-the-wall eateries, eco-tours to floating villages and silk farms, more than a bit of gay life and a chance to interact with friendly and approachable locals, worthy social projects addressing the many needs of a largely poor rural population, a "beach" on the edge of a cosmic ocean where locals go to swim and picnic, a chance to get all your Christmas shopping done in a day -- Siem Reap provides vivid memories at every turn.
The population is about 100,000 (that's nearly 4,000 Utopians).
Navigating the local gay scene is easy with our interactive Utopia Map of Gay & Lesbian Siem Reap:
"I have had the services of Affinity Angkor twice and on both occasions they have been professional and fun and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a personalized and enjoyable experience. The first time I used their services was with a party of four, and again when I was in Siem Ream alone. Both times our guide Pilu tailored my trips to exactly what I wanted and the whole experience was relaxed, safe and very funny (Pilu has a great sense of humour). Honestly the best tour guide experience I've had in Asia." -- Rich C., Dec 11, 2012
"I have personally used Affinity Angkor twice in the last 12 months. Both of my experiences were excellent with each of the guides (Pilu and Bolin) providing top-notch service. The guides are well-versed in the history of the Angkor period as well as the surrounding ancient sites and other destinations. They speak excellent English (and other languages as well) and, most of all, they were friendly and flexible with our itinerary. These are guys you will have fun hanging out with, grabbing lunch, and, if time permits, a nice cold beer after your day of touring. I've recommended Affinity to at least 6 other friends/groups and no one has been disappointed. It is a great way to enjoy your time in Siem Reap while supporting gay-owned businesses and entrepreneurs." -- GuyInSF, Nov 30, 2012
"I sent an email and I received an answer very fast. The price was higher than other agencies, but I choose them as they were gay. However, the guide we had was not gay at all. He knew his job and the visit at Angkor Wat was interesting, but he treated us as usual tourists." -- asiatrip, Jul 20, 2012
"I used Gold Tuk-Tuk for six days this month. Sovan is with you all day, from as early as you want, to as late as you want, as he drives you around this extraordinary and beautiful part of the world. Better than just a temple guide, he will take you wherever you want to go around the town and region and is full of interesting suggestions. Traveling by tuk-tuk is fun, comfortable and a hoot! There are a lot of services that charge hidden commissions on entry fees, etc. None of this with Sovan. He is a very honest and principled operator. I was traveling alone so Sovan ate with me and toured the sites with me. But he is just as happy to wait for you while you eat, drink, tour, get massaged or shop. You never have to worry about where anything or anywhere is as he is there waiting to take you to your next destination. He has access to other services if you want a car for a full day up to the mountains. His prices are very cheap when you compare hiring a tour guide who also then must hire a tuk-tuk driver as well. Sovan's prices were so good and included gas. He even offered a discount for bookings of three days or more. I gave him more than he asked as he did such a good job. Email Sovan first before booking with another service. In this case what glitters is golden." -- ghekko62, Oct 28, 2012
SIEM REAP -- Area Code (855-63)
Siem Reap, a bustling trading post sprung up at the gates to Angkor's magnificent world wonders and the majestic wildlife haven of the Tonle Sap lake, is now home to the revival of traditional Khmer arts and culture as well as being Cambodia's capital of cool.
Men in Siem Reap message forum
BBU Rd (inside the 3 Hours Laundry, near by Thunborey Hotel), 078-708-282, email. Different from other cooking classes in town - learn to cook plus learn about Cambodian culture and customs. Help support the local communities and villagers. Gay and lesbian-friendly.
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ABOUTAsia House, Charming City, Charles de Gaulle Ave, Utopia Map, 760-190, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly, ABOUTAsia travel offers guiding, with particular expertise when visiting Angkor Wat. They offer bespoke tours, upscale hotel accommodation, transport and spa deals throughout Cambodia, and can offer advice on gay-friendly clubs while you're here.
Utopia Member Discount
Affinity Angkor UTOPIAN VERIFIED NOV 2012012-254-554, 015-254-554, email. Professional, licensed and openly gay guide to Angkor Wat and Siem Reap vicinity. Explore the wonders of Angkor as well as the charming small-town points of interest. Find out what's new on the local scene and experience an insider's view of historic and contemporary Khmer life. Flexible hours and completely custom intineraries with your interests in mind. You'll steer clear of tourist traps and commission shopping. Honest, friendly and a good sense of humor about life. English and Mandarin spoken. Reasonable rates. Car and tuk-tuk arrangements.
Comments from Utopians:
"We took a tour at Angkor Wat at the end of Nov with Affinity Angkor. Pilu did a great job organizing the logistics of the trip for us! Though we had some ideas, he was very helpful making suggestions and putting together a terrific and memorable two day tour. Sopheara, our tour guide, arrived each day on time with the driver and the car and was ready to roll! He was very well informed, interesting and had a great sense of humor. We could not have asked for a better guide or travel companion. Our trip was a memorable one and that is in many ways thanks to Pilu and Sopheara. Just one word on hospitality: we've traveled a lot, but I don't ever recall feeling as welcomed in a place as was the case in Cambodia." -- Paul and Laurent, Dec 28, 2012
Cambodia Tour Services UTOPIA VERIFIED JUN 2012Tep Vong St, +855 92-999-717, email. A professional, English speaking tour guide who is gay-friendly, licensed, experienced, responsible, honest, punctual, reliable and takes exceptional care of visitors. Being that he is native to the area, he has extremely good knowledge about archeology, history, culture, society, nature, philosophy as well as Cambodian daily life. He provides exciting, adventurous private tours so that travelers may visit more beautiful and authentic places than average tourists, without the crowds. He can arrange hotel accommodation and comfortable, aircon transportation with gay-friendly, English-speaking drivers. Reasonably priced.
092-501-691, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly tuk-tuk driver who is prompt and honest. He knows the gay scene venues, the temples and also the off-beat places and cheap laundry and Khmer food joints. Reasonable English and sincere service. Call when you arrive or send a simple email request well in advance of your trip. You can call his mobile phone whenever you need to get from point A to Z in Siem Reap and Angkor.
Comments from Utopians:
"I booked two full day tours this month. He was a very professional guy. Always on time for pick up. He drove very safely. He helped me to discover the wonderful temples of Angkor the first day. The next day we explored the countryside and the beautiful Kompong Pluk fishermen floating village. He explained to me how the local people live. The price was very good. Don't hesitate write him and book him for day tours." -- Mickael (France), Jan 22, 2012964-732, FAX 760-163, email. Lolei Travel is Swiss-owned, gay-managed and has a long reputation for service and quality in Cambodia. Lolei Travel knows the needs of GLBT travelers. They arrange Siem Reap/Angkor tours and accommodation in men-only resorts or gay friendly hotels. They know the local nightlife, gay spas and gay friendly restaurants. Get special deals and discounts at gay bars and spas included with your booking. Write to them in in English or German and get a personalized offer with itinerary.
#0552, St 26 (off Wat Bo Rd, near Angkor Village Hotel), 963-710, 012-520-828, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly ecotourist agency which organises remarkable insider itineraries across Cambodia to see rare birds and other wildlife in some of Southeast Asia's most undisturbed countryside. Visit great temples on route. Interact with local residents. Get off the beaten tourist path into the wild and experience the Cambodia that most visitors never encounter.
Utopia Member Discount017-703-257, email. Gay-friendly tuk-tuk, aircon car, driver, and tour guide in Siem Reap. English and Chinese spoken.
Click here for Siem Reap hotels and accommodations.
Navigating the ruins of Angkor is easy with our interactive Utopia Map of Angkor:
Click here for Siem Reap bars and clubs.
Click here for Siem Reap cabaret.
Click here for Siem Reap discos.
Click here for Siem Reap massage and spas for men.
Abacus Restaurant Garden & Bar (fine dining) UTOPIA VERIFIED JUN 2012432 Salakanseng, Svay Dang Kum, Utopia Map, 012-644-286, 092-318-528, email. Relax in an elegant, yet casual ambience, as professional, knowledgeable staff serve superb modern European and Asian favorites cooked with the finest local and imported produce. Abacus provides an extensive list of wines from France and the New World. The restaurant boasts a luminous, aircon dining room, accommodating up to 50 diners, an al fresco garden terrace seats an additional 60 guests and a gorgeous, secluded private dining room hosts intimate groups of up to 14. Open for lunch and dinner daily with a la carte weekly specials and creative set menus. Opened in 2004, gay and lesbian-friendly.
Utopia Map, 063-963-574. Where else in the world can you find a fresh baked "chocolate linga" but in Siem Reap? This hip bakery features superb goodies including breads, tropical fruit pastries, cakes and Cambodian-inspired ice creams. Sandwiches, quiche and drinks are also on the menu. The perfect place to refuel after a long, hot day climbing stone temples.
Utopia Map, 965-491, 077-347-762. Foodie alert! Perhaps the best Khmer fine dining in the country. Indigenous food traditions are rising like a phoenix from Chef Johannes' experimental kitchen. Formerly the chef at the 5-star Hotel de la Paix, he is in the process of creating an encyclopedia of Khmer cooking and has opened his own venue to perfect his voyage of culinary re-discovery. All ingredients are fresh-sourced from Cambodia, including cocktail ingredients. Two multi-course fixed menus to choose from each week. Flavor-filled and artfully presented, the meals are filling and full of color, texture and surprise. The interior is modern and understated, allowing the food and the conviviality of the diners to take center stage. Closed Mon.
Same road and side of the road as Home Sweet Home guesthouse, Utopia Map. Favorite haunt of local expats who love the excellent pizza and pasta in this unpretentious and inexpensive local dive. Consistantly delicious and easy on the wallet.
Golden Banana Boutique Resort, Wat Damnak Area, Utopia Map, 012-654-638, 012-885-366, 012-287-988, 063-761-259, email. Poolside dining in a stylish, gay friendly atmosphere with attentive and friendly staff. Serving lunch and dinner. Fancy a dip in the pool? Be their guest and enjoy a wide variety of western and Khmer favorites, with weekly chef suggestions.
Utopia Member DiscountTapul Rd, Utopia Map, 964-838. Open air, fan-cooled heritage terrace on 2/F with local art on the walls and superior crafts in the bookcases. Order their fantastic amok first thing as it needs time to bake. Good variety of Khmer specialties and fruit smoothies. Relaxed ambience and great service from the charming staff.
Viroth's Restaurant (Cambodian) UTOPIA VERIFIED FEB 2013, UTOPIA VISITED JUN 2012242 Wat Bo St, Utopia Map, 012-826-346, email. Gay-owned restaurant whose gorgeous and understated Cambodia Cool design is as much a showpiece as its refined Khmer home cooking. Specialities include chicken satay, green bean salad, yahorn, and roast chicken. We loved the tender lemon pork and large pots of iced Earl Grey. Beautiful urban garden setting and romantic atmosphere. Recently added 2-story addition is super stylish and the perfect setting for birthdays or private parties. The all-male service staff are gorgeous and friendly. Moderately priced food and drinks, good selection of cocktails and wines. Drop by for lunch or dinner. Reservations are a good idea in high season.
Comments from Utopians:
"The FCC (Foreign Correspondent Club) is not a gay place, but it is really nice. The food was OK and the service wonderful. The ambiance is quite different than the FCC in Phnom Penh." -- asiatrip, Jul 20, 2012
Click here for Siem Reap saunas for men.
Stung Thmey St, Utopia Map, 963-330. Superb traditional arts and crafts shop with a modern twist. You can wander through their on-site workshops watching stone carving, metal-working, silk painting, wood carving and more.
53 Veal Village, Kok Chork, Utopia Map, 012-965-207. By appointment only, but don't miss a chance to see Eric's studio workshop. He's designed fabric for top fashion houses like Lacroix and Gaultier. Born in Madagascar, trained in Paris, he's established a cutting edge workshop on the outskirts of town that produces hand-made, vibrantly colored scarves, hats, bags, shirts and dresses at very reasonable prices. Inventive and artful use of local silk and organics, combining Khmer, African and modern European techniques, in surprising textures and super saturated colors that match the visual energy of modern life in Asia. Pieces also available at select 5-star boutiques, such as the Heritage Suites.
Pokambor Ave (on the river, next to the Royal Residence), Utopia Map. Many high quality, small boutique shops with a breezy, beautiful view of the river.
The Passage, parallel to Pub St, Utopia Map, 012-319-116. Superb contemporary Khmer jewelry and wearable art. Truly world-class designs by owner Pisith and other top local craftsmen. Besides being a fascinating artist (almost every piece has a compelling conceptual story behind it), he is also dedicated to cultivating artistic creativity in young Cambodians.
Bakong, Roluos area, Utopia Map. Fantastic Khmer pottery workshop and cotton/silk weavers. Prices here are much lower than at the market shops in town and it's a just short tuk-tuk drive out into the countryside. You will also get to interact with the craftspeople and watch the process of producing the wares on sale here.
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