Ultimate Family-Friendly Guide To Siem Reap – Hotels, Activities, More

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN SIEM REAP:

After a day of exploring the Angkor temples, the centrally located Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa is the perfect spot for families to relax and unwind. Make a splash in the kid’s pool, explore the lush gardens or spend rainy afternoons in the kid’s club packed with fun toys and welcome gifts. In addition, the interconnecting rooms are convenient and allow for some privacy after the kids are off to sleep. For those looking for a touch of added luxury, Park Hyatt Siem Reap is a popular choice. With three restaurants, family rooms, babysitting services, and a kids’ pool, this beautiful haven make for the ideal home-away-from-home. Alternatively, the traditional stilt houses at Sala Lodges can accommodate up to five guests and make for a more private and authentic experience. Surrounded by rice paddies and palm trees, and featuring a restaurant offering traditional Khmer cuisine, you might not want to leave.  Siem Reap is packed with amazing family-friendly boutique hotels.  One of our favorites for families is Pavillon D'Orient - a seriously great deal, wonderful pool, and excellent location.

LUXURY FAMILY HOTELS AND RESORTS IN SIEM REAP:

Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Website *Little Steps Top Pick 

Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, www.victoriaangkorhotel.com

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, www.raffles.com/siem-reap

FCC Cambodia, https://www.fcccollection.com/

Belmond La Résidence d'Angkor, Website

LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN SIEM REAP:

Sala Lodges, www.salalodges.com

Phum Baitang, https://phumbaitang.grandluxuryhotels.com/

Viroth's Villa, https://www.viroth-villa.com/

Viroth's Hotel, https://www.viroth-hotel.com *Super stylish!

Shinta Mani Shack, https://www.shintamani.com/

The Aviary, https://www.theaviary.com/ *Top Pick Near Kandal Village

Maison Polanka, https://www.maisonpolanka.com/

AFFORDABLE BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN SIEM REAP:

Pavillon D'Orient, https://pavillon-orient-hotel.com/ *Little Steps Top Pick, Traditional Vibe

Hillocks Hotel And Spa, www.hillockshotel.com *Little Steps Top Pick, Modern Vibe

Mony Reach Angkor, https://www.monyreachangkor.com/

Model Angkor, https://modelangkorhotel.com *Family Rooms

Ananda Hotel, www.anandasr.com *Kandal Village

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN SIEM REAP WITH KIDS:

For a taste of local Khmer cuisine in Siem Reap, pop to Genevieve’s Restaurant where the friendly staff will cook up a mighty Fishy Amok and Cambodian Curry. As far as lunch spots go, it doesn’t get much better than WILD Creative Bar & Eatery. With a menu specializing in homemade spring rolls and delicious cocktails, mocktails and homemade sodas, this popular eco-friendly spot is a proven hit with adults and kids alike. The beautiful garden setting features a swing and a tree fort, which are sure to be a hit with the kids. To get your five-a-day, you can’t go wrong with Fresh Fruit Factory with an offering of smoothie bowls, French toast and ice cream, all featuring fresh Cambodian fruit.  When shopping around near Kandal Village, be sure to visit Sister Srey.  It is amazing!  For dinner with a give-back vibe, head to Haven which is a delightful restaurant and has an excellent training program for locals looking to get into hospitality.

Genevieve’s Restaurant, Bamboo Street, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia, www.facebook.com/GenevievesRestaurant 

WILD Creative Bar & Eatery, Wat Damnak Krong Siem Reap, 17000, Cambodia, www.wild-siemreap.com

Fresh Fruit Factory, 155, Taphul Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia, www.fruitcambodia.com

Sister Srey Café, Sangkat, # 9, Street of Religious, Old Market Bridge, www.sistersreycafe.com Top Pick!

Haven, Chocolate Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia, website  *Top Pick!

More Family-Friendly Restaurants In Siem Reap

Gelato Lab, House #11, Mondol 1 Village Siem Reap, 17252, Cambodia, website 

George’s French Restaurant, George’s Ln, Siem Reap, 17254, Cambodia, www.georges-rhumerie.com

Lum Orng, www.lumorngrestaurant.com *Farm to Table 15 minutes from city

FCC Siem Reap, https://www.fcccollection.com *Classic and very nice

Where To Get A Drink in Siem Reap?  The Best Bars

Elephant Bar, https://www.raffles.com/siem-reap/dining/elephant-bar/

Miss Wong, http://misswong.net/

Glide, https://theaviaryhotel.com/dining/the-glide-bar/ *Near Kambal Village

The Living Room At Park Hyatt, Website

Linga Bar, https://www.facebook.com/linganow/

FCC Angkor, https://www.fcccollection.com/

THINGS TO DO IN SIEM REAP WITH KIDS:

With over 1000 temples, jungle landscapes, narrow pathways, hidden rooms, moats and lakes, the majestic temples of Angkor Complex in Siem Reap truly make for a historical adventure with kids. After a morning of exploring, cool down in your hotel pool before enjoying the Angkor Night Market packed with vendors offering everything from colorful keepsakes and silk souvenirs to leather carvings and rice art paintings. Beyond the temples and history, there are also plenty of fun activities to take part in. We love The Great Escape where you must work as a team to solve puzzles and riddles and explore hidden treasures to escape the themed room before you run out of time. For a dose of culture, check out the Khmer Ceramics Fine Arts Centre where the little ones can get creative in a Cambodian pottery class and last but not least, catch a show at Phare, The Cambodian Circus where theatre, dance and circus arts tell uniquely Cambodian stories with plenty of laughs along the way.

Khmer Ceramic Fine Arts Centre, 0207, River Road, Treang Village, Khum Slorkram, Krong Siem Reap, www.khmerceramics.com *Top Pick!

Phare, The Cambodian Circus, Phare Circus Ring Road, south of the Intersection, Sok San Rd, Krong Siem Reap, www.pharecircus.org *Top Pick!

Angkor Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia, whc.unesco.org/en/list/668

Angkor Night Market, Angkor Night Market St, Steung Thmei Village, Sangkat Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, www.angkornightmarket.com *Top Pick!

The Great Escape, Unit C-39, Angkor Shopping Arcade, National Highway 6, Siem Reap, www.greatescapecambodia.com

Great Siem Reap Family-Friendly Tours:

Ayana Journeys, www.ayanajourneys.com *Food Tours, Homestays, Buddhism Intros

Grasshopper Bike Tours Of Temples, Website *Good for kids ages 8+, Top Pick!

AirBNB Experiences, Website

PURE! Countryside Bicycle Tours, www.facebook.com/purebycicletour

Helicopters Cambodia, www.helicopterscambodia.com

More Fun Activities in Siem Reap:

Art Box, www.artbox.studio

Bambu Stage, www.bambustage.com

Angkor Silk Farm, www.artisansdangkor.com

The Happy Horse Ranch, www.thehappyranch.com

Angkor Wat Putt, www.angkorwatputt.com

Bees Unlimited, www.beesunlimited.com

Lemongrass Garden, www.lemongrassgarden.com

Angkor Climbing Wall, www.angkorclimbers.net

Angkor Zip Line, www.angkorzipline.com

Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre, www.angkorbutterfly.com

WHERE TO SHOP IN SIEM REAP: Night Market, Made In Cambodia Market, Kandal Village

Besides the Night Market, the Made In Cambodia Market in Siem Reap is a great place to support local artisans and designers. From artisan products and luxury goods to restaurants and boutique shops, this is a great one-stop-shop for gifts, goodies, and dining. For parents looking to treat themselves to some chic new pieces, Maison Sirivan offers locally inspired fashion (think floaty dresses, shirts and summer bags!) by a French-Cambodian fashion designer. For eco-friendly home goods, check out Saarti. Here, you can find anything from soy candles, chemical-free perfumes and handmade soap to up-cycled glass bottles and locally made soft furnishings. When shopping for the little ones, pop to Monument Books for toys and books, while at Bambou Indochine you can find quality clothes and accessories for the whole family with locally inspired designs. P.s the gecko design is a great reminder for Cambodia!  Another wonderful area to visit for shopping is the very trendy Kandal Village which is a leafy shopping ares North of Pub Street and South of the French Quarter.  This rising arts and cultural district houses over 25 cafes, galleries, arty homewares, shops, spas and cool fashion hubs.  You can dedicate a few hours here - you will not be disappointed by the unique gifts and homewares and art too.

Made In Cambodia Market

Made In Cambodia Market, www.facebook.com/MadeinCambodiaMarket

Maison Sirivan, www.maisonsirivan.com

Saarti, www.saarticambodia.com

Monument Books, www.siemreap.net/listings/monument-books-toys

Bambou Indochine, www.bambouindochine.com

Kandal Village

Kandal Village, https://www.facebook.com/kandalvillage/

Shop 676, www.facebook.com/shops676

Trunkh, www.trunkh.com

Paradise, www.facebook.com/paradisehome&cafe

Saarti, www.saarticambodia.com

Wild Poppy, www.facebook.com/wildpoppysiemreap

Tribe Cambodia, https://www.facebook.com/TRIBEcambodia/

**restaurants in the area include:  Bong Srei Street Eatss, The Hive (coffee), Crane (coffee), Atmosphere, Maybe Later (Mexican Food)

**book a spa appointment too at Princess Nails (also has kids manicures) or Frangipani Spa

More Places To Shop In Siem Reap:

Smateria, www.smateria.com

Angkor Fashion Plaza, www.facebook.com/pages/Angkor-Fashion-Plaza

Artisans d’Angkor, www.artisansdangkor.com

Theam’s House Gallery, www.theamshouse.com

TIPS FOR A 4-DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1:

* AM: Visit Tonle Sap via boat + Lunch in area

* PM: Visit nearby Beng Mealea temple (68 km away)

Day 2:

* AM: Pottery at Khmer Ceramic Fine Arts Centre

* PM: Swim by pool + early dinner + night market

Day 3:

* AM: Temples all day by tuk tuk or bike tour

* PM: Swim by pool + Kandal Village for manicure + shopping

* PM: Phare Circus

TIPS FOR EXPLORING SIEM REAP WITH KIDS:

*Pace yourselves and choose the three-day Angkor pass. This will allow you ample time to explore (and enjoy!) the centuries-old Khmer Kingdom.

*To avoid the crowds and beat the heat, explore the more popular temples as earlier in the day as possible. Seeing the sunrise over Angkor Wat is well worth the early start.

*For temple-hopping days, be sure to wear hats, comfy shoes and carry plenty of water and sunscreen.

*Hire a tuk tuk and driver for the day. It’s cheap and makes it much easier to explore the temples. Be sure to hold onto the little ones, however, and stay alert as there are no seat belts and plenty of chaotic traffic around.

*While it goes without saying to drink only bottled water, don’t forget to avoid ice too!

*Apply natural insect repellent and wear light, loose clothing in the evenings.
Carry more US dollars than Riels.

*Hire a guide to teach you about the fascinating history and culture behind the temples. There is so much to learn and see!

*Stay in a hotel with a pool – it’s the best place to cool down after a day of exploring temples.

BEST SPAS IN SIEM REAP:

Siem Reap has some absolutely lovely spas for prices that are oh-so-lovely too.  The 5-star hotels do have gorgeous spas with favorites including Le Meridien Angkor Spa (pool access included), Anantara, and the Spa At Park Hyatt Siem Reap.  Boutique Spa favorites include Bodia Spa (a real sensory experience),

Kaya Spa (all-natural ingredients here!), and Fragipani Spa for manis and pedis.

Hotel Spas In Siem Reap:

Le Meridien Spa, https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/fitness-spa-services/details/repmd-le-meridien-angkor/6033162/

Anatara Spa, https://www.anantara.com/en/angkor-siem-reap

The Spa At Park Hyatt, https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/spas/The-Spa-Siem-Reap/home.html

Boutique Spas In Siem Reap:

Bodia Spa, https://www.facebook.com/BodiaSpa/

Kaya Spa, https://kaya-spa.com/

Yoga Classes In Siem Reap

Samadhi Yoga, www.navutudreams.com

Budget Foot Reflexology And Massages In Siem Reap

Temple Spa, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Temple-Massage-siem-reap