Best budget hotels in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh was founded in 1372 but only became Cambodia’s capital city in 1865.  Located at the intersection of Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers, Phnom Penh has grown rapidly since the 1990s to become one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive travel destinations. In 2024, Cambodia ranked 6th out of 9 Southeast Asian tourist destinations, with over 6.7 million visitors making it to that country. Although it has certain border practices I disapprove of, it’s a beautiful and affordable country to visit. As should be, saving money while travelling is priority, and hereunder, I bring you the 5 best budget hotels in Phnom Penh I recently stayed in and think you will love.

What is a budget hotel?

When travelling across borders, prices change in contrast to what we are accustomed to. Thus, it is crucial to compare (and contrast) when making economic decisions.

In Australia, a country with only 27 million people and a massive landmass of over 7.6m square kilometres, the cheapest hostel (private room) within a radius of up to 2km in a major city centre is most likely A$100. Thus, in terms of accommodation, Australia is an expensive place to stay, and it baffles me why that is the case, given the vastness of the land compared to the population.

It seems that the prices of real estate are set by banks as opposed to the forces of demand and supply, however that is for another day.

Less than a year ago, I stayed at Selina Central Melbourne, now called Roamer Melbourne, in a private room that cost me A$95.34 a night. In contrast, a hostel similar to that in places like Cambodia and Vietnam would cost less than A$15.

Although the term “budget” is relative, I will apply my judgment of what I think most people can afford / or are willing to part with. I believe a hotel in Phnom Penh that is under A$50 per night is budget accommodation, and most travellers will be willing to pay that much without compromising quality.

What is “best”?

Again, “best” is a relative term and will vary from individual to individual. However, some things make a hotel stand out, and that applies to most travellers:

• Price, e.g. hotels that charge below A$50 in Asia and do not compromise quality, will be considered reasonable. This is not the case in Singapore, Korea and Japan; those countries have a higher standard of living.
• location, e.g. city centre hotels are better than those out of town.
• service, e.g. swift, polite and courteous communication, will make a hotel attractive.
• Amenities, e.g., parking, swimming pool, reading tables, etc., will make a hotel attractive.

When did we travel?

Amen and I travelled to Phnom Penh after Christmas, when accommodation prices were higher due to demand. Amen then left for Vietnam for the New Year as I remained in Phnom Penh.

Consequently, the prices I was charged may not reflect those during the off-season; that is, prices will likely be lower.

1. Monsoon Bassac Hotel Phnom Penh

Located in the city centre along Oknha Chru You Hak Street, Monsoon Bassac Hotel Phnom Penh is surrounded by cafes, hotels, massage parlours, bars, and nightclubs. A popular shopping mall, AEON Mall Phnom Penh, is close.

I booked a room with a balcony and a workstation and enjoyed night views of Phnom Penh from the 4th floor. The room had a beautiful bathroom with hot water, and the workstation was nice.

• 1 X Deluxe Double Room with balcony
• Stayed from 3 to 4 January 2025
• Total charge: USD 24.30
• Cashback:A$6.93
• Perks: Parking, free WiFi. However I parked my scooter infront by the road overnight.
• Address: 8z Oknha Chrun You Hak St (294) Phnom Penh Cambodia 12000.
• Phone: +855 7092 1522

2. Okay Palace Hotel Phnom Penh

Located between Preah Norodom Blvd and Preah Sisowath Quay, Okay Palace Hotel is just 2 minutes walk to the Royal Fine Arts University and 5 minutes to the Bay Area.

The hotel facade is finished with dark wood, and the room is spacious with a balcony.

• 1 X Deluxe Double with city views
• Stayed 27 – 30 December 2024 (3 nights)
• Total charge A$129.
• Cash back: A$24
• Coffee and tea, parking, free Wi-Fi, drinking water, express check-in, and welcome drink.
• Address: Street 19, 42, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Phone: +855 77 519 967

3. Poolside Villa Phnom Penh

Poolside Villa is more of a hostel than a hotel; however, it has private rooms. I booked a standard single room because I wasn’t sure of the hotel and wanted to go out for the night. The room was self-contained, but with a tiny bathroom, I could barely fit in.

In front of the hostel, there is a pool, a bar that opens until late, and a work area. I saw a lot of backpackers at the hostel, and the social life seemed to be lively.

On New Year, Bassac Street, only a one-minute walk from Poolside Villa, was packed. The nightlife on Bassac is extreme – it has top bars, eateries and cafes.

I recommend staying around the area.

• 1 X standard double room
• Stayed 31-1 January 2025
• Total charge A$28.54
• Cash back: A$1.25
• Perks: Free Wifi, free pool access, express check-in.
• Address: 18 Abdul Carime Street (21) Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Phone: +855 8737 2017.

4. Rose Emerald Hotel Phnom Penh

Rose Emerald Hotel Phnom Penh is deceptive until you enter inside. The front office staff speak English. The hotel is modern and clean and has a lift to the rooms. Inside, there is a fridge and television. Outside are several Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants, and it is also near Orussey Market.

I booked a twin room because it was the only one available.

• 1 X Superior Twin with City View
• Stayed from 30 December to 31 December
• Total charge A$40.29
• Cash back: A$4.93
• Perks: Drinking water, Free WiFi, express check-in, parking
• Address: No 36, St 232 Corner 115, Sangkat Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh Cambodia 12253
• Phone: +855 2322 3232.

5. Relax Hotel Phnom Penh

Relax Hotel Phnom Penh is the furthest. I hired a scooter to get around. There is free parking in the hotel.

Outside, there are local cafes. I tried going out at night to order some street food and beer. However, most locals do not speak English, so a restaurant sent me away. Then I visited another restaurant. Luckily, one girl spoke English fluently (big sigh of relief).

Unlike the other hotels, relax provides complimentary breakfast.

Overall, the surrounding area around Relax Hotel is quieter.

• 1 Superior double city view
• Stayed 1-2 January 2025
• Total charge A$37.46
• Cash back: A$1.94
• Perks: Drinking water, coffee and tea, free WiFi, Free room upgrade, parking, express check-in, welcome drink, breakfast
• Address: No 81, Oknha Nou Kan (St 105), Corner of St 320, 12304, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Phone: +855 1288 0223.

Pro tips:

• Download the Agoda booking app and keep it handy on your phone. You can also download Trip.com and Booking.com apps. Check which is cheaper to maximise benefits.
• Book cancellable hotels so it is easy to cancel if you change your mind or something comes up; don’t feel bad about it. I always tell myself that if I didn’t have money, none would provide free accommodation.
• Look for deals closer to the date. Agoda will send you notifications from other hotels on the app.
• Try to live in different areas of the city. That way, you explore the city and its suburbs.

Conclusion

Are you planning to visit Cambodia this year? Don’t forget to check out the above best budget hotels in Phnom Penh. Remember, none of the hotels have paid me to write this article, so don’t feel bad.