The Plantation

This cheery and modern 70-room hotel surrounded by plenty of tropical greenery is walking distance from historic tourist sites (the National Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda) as well as from Street 240, which is where many of the city’s trendiest boutiques and eateries are located.

• The tree-lined infinity pool in the hotel’s central courtyard is a gem-like oasis in the heart of downtown Phnom Penh.
• In the evenings, romantic paper lanterns and string lights bathe the hotel’s courtyards and open-air corridors in an enchanted golden glow.
• The Rooftop Suite overlooks the pool and also has views of the golden roofs of the Royal Palace and Vann Molyvann’s Independence Monument.

Located just behind the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh’s historic center, this 70-room hotel is an oasis of lush greenery, bubbling fountains, and shaded seating areas. Although the entrance is off a lively street filled with tuk-tuks, taxis, and pedestrians, the hotel provides a true respite from the hustle and bustle. Spanning four buildings, the oldest of which dates from the 1930s and was expertly restored in 2011, the modern-style hotel centers on a large slate swimming pool lined with lounge chairs, shaded daybeds, and tropical trees including palms, acacias, and frangipanis. The airy poolside is a perfect spot to unwind after an active day of tourism and is also where the delicious breakfast buffet is served each morning. Other amenities include a very reasonably priced spa, a small air-conditioned gym, and an elegant restaurant housed in the upstairs quarters of the restored 1930s mansion.

Rooms at The Plantation are cheery, bright, and contemporary. Four-poster beds are draped with muslin and enlivened with silk pillows in poppy orange, yellow, or green. The modern furniture is made from local materials like rubber wood (desks) and palm wood (mirror frames.) The best rooms have small balconies with views over the pool (Deluxe Pool View) and the decadent Rooftop Suite, which is great for families, boasts two bedrooms, two bathrooms, three terraces, a private bar, and a Jacuzzi.

Those looking for a chic, but not stuffy, hotel in a prime location will enjoy The Plantation’s clean modern aesthetic and proximity to museums and other tourist sites. However, those who prefer true white-glove treatment will prefer staying at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, which is slightly farther from some of the museums and tourist sites, but provides a higher level of service.