My friends and I decided to stay at Frangipani Villa for five nights in early December and we had an enjoyable stay.

The small garden was a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing place to sit, chat, eat, or read.

My room had air conditioning, cable tv, internet connection, coffee and tea.

The restaurant served us bread and scrambled eggs, and we could also ask for fried noodles in the morning with no cost at all.

All staff were so polite to guests.

Frangipani Villa is located in the centre and is very convenient to go to the supermarket or other places such as Russian Market, Royal Place etc.

Overall I found this a great stay and would certainly recommend it to other tourists who would like to stay in Phnom Penh.

www.frangipanihotel.com
#20R, Street 252, Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh 12306, Cambodia
Tel: (855)12 687717 / (855) 23 212 100,
E-mail: frangipani60s@gmail.com

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A sanctuary of calm behind the royal palace, this is a great part of the city to while away a few hours or spend a relaxed evening. Nice artsy shops, a handful of cafes that wouldn't feel out of place in Marylebone and a couple of good restaurants, notably Tamarind with its charming roof terrace.

There's also a Seeing Hands blind massage place nearby which is recommended after an afternoon tramping round the Royal Palace.

Street 240, Phnom Penh

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The places by the lake are backpackery, obsessed with drugs and Angkor beer. OK for a chilled-out day drinking and watching the lake, but paper-thin walls and minimal security did not make me feel safe.

I certainly wouldn't recommend it to lone women. If anything goes wrong (and it did with me) you will have absolutely no help whatsoever.

Capitol Guesthouse looks awful from the outside but on the inside it's scrupulously clean, has cable TV, private bathroom, air conditioning, good security (proper walls!) and all for about $8-10.

It also runs buses to Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap etc so it's very well located. You'll get off the backpackers trail just that little bit and experience much better levels of comfort, security and hygiene. And it's just round the corner from possibly one of the best and friendliest restaurants in Cambodia - Mama's.

Several locations across Phnom Penh. Well known - ask any moto driver. If you get the bus from HCMC or Siem Reap, chances are you'll be dropped off right outside!

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Also named SS21, Tuol Sleng used to be the torture center of Khmer Rouge. More than
10,000 people were killed here during the Pol Pot years. Visiting the centre gives deep insight into the evil forces of man and should be mandatory for every visitor to Phnom Penh.

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Great staff makes you feel very welcome. The best selection of drinks I've seen in any hostess bar in Phnom Penh apart from DV8. Now it's the most popular bar on the street.

#25 street 104, Phnom Penh. www.phnomphennightlife.com

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Friends is a training restaurant which is training young people who have previously been living on the street a trade - be that catering or waiting. It is open from 11am daily and serves a variety of really good tapas - both western and Cambodian.

Near the national museum, Phnom Penh

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We were treated to a fabulous evening's entertainment of mixed media - music, song, traditional dance, shadow puppets and circus.

Since 1994, Sovanna Phum have been reviving some of the treasures of Cambodian culture which were all but lost under the regime of the Khmer Rouge. Artists are now able to earn a living, to provide performances for international audiences and to use their art for educational purposes for the people of Cambodia.

An excellent evening out for only $5.

Performances every Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm.

N°111, St 360 (Corner 105), Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
www.sovannaphum.org

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I was very nervous in the Phnom Penh traffic and he went out of his way to drive slowly and not cut in front of people. He also minded my shopping and found toilets and places that had moved from their map location. Tuk tuk is not glamourous but service was great.

Mr Sokha 855 (0) 12732144 based opposite Toul Sleng Museum

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Kambol go-karting track is great fun for a group (maybe a substitute adrenaline-booster if you don't fancy the idea of the shooting range). 10 USD buys 10 to 15 minutes, cars are pretty speedy!

Head out of town, about 10 minutes after the airport, opposite side of the road.

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If you're staying for a couple of days, it's worth cultivating a regular moto driver (many guesthouses have a bunch of reputable guys).

Saves hassle, and can be great if you strike up a rapport, even better if they speak a bit of English.

Pay 2000 riel per journey (maybe 3000 at 3am), or negotiate a day rate.

Plus if you're planning on being out late, having a moto driver you trust who you can ring up on a mobile is worth the extra peace of mind.

Ask your guesthouse owner

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Run by Cambodian women to western standards, Apsara is a wonderful place to get great Cambodian & Thai massages, with and without oil.

Nr. 17 on Street 63. Phone 092 294 025

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Far and away the best hostel in Phnom Penh. Run and owned by Cambodians, with a relaxed atmosphere, cool bars and happy pizza next door. The clientele were a nice bunch when I was there.

As the name suggests, the best thing about this place is that it is right on the lakeside - I spent many a happy hour swinging in a hammock watching Cambodian lake-life drift by.

Ask any motorcycle taxi guy to take you there. It'll be in your Lonely Planet too.

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This place is a mixed bag. It certainly has the best rooms out of the budget guesthouses along Boeng Kak Lake, and undoubtedly the best view of the sunset. A great place for a beer as the sun sets - only rivalled by the FCC. However, you must run the gauntlet of the Scotsman who runs the place (who is mad as a box of frogs) and his pack of growling dogs.

It's not for the faint-hearted, and Brian's mad jabber can get wearing, but it's definitely worth a visit. If only for the sunset.

Down the very end of the muddy track along the side of Boeng Kak Lake, past Same Same Guesthouse etc.

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OK, it's not Khmer food - but for a really surreal experience, check out this North Korean restaurant. Foodwise, it's cold noodles and seafood pancakes etc. But at about 8pm, all the waitresses will serenade you with karoke singing, classical violin playing, drum beating and Korean dancing...communist entertainment at its best!

N° 400, Preah Monivong, 12302 Phnom Penh
Tel: 023 993 765

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1. Pull up a chair beside the Boeung Kak lake.
2. Wait till dusk.
3. Crack open an Angkor beer and enjoy the spectacle. Like a miniature aerobatics display, hundreds of bats will be skimming the surface of the water in search of insects.

It may not sound like much, but it's one of the most fascinating sights in the whole city. And it's free.

A few inches above the lake, though I'd suggest watching it from the Lazy Fish guesthouse veranda.

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The Central and Russian markets deserve an afternoon visit. With a vast array of goods from gold and silks to knick-knacks and locally grown food produce. Haggling is a must, but should always be done with a smile - a bit of very basic Khmer thrown in goes a long way.

Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung)
Central Market (Psah Thmei)

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Try and befriend a local and get them to take you to some local Khmer eateries and places - much more fun than the standard tourist haunts.

Everywhere!

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This restaurant is very good. The frenetic pace of Phnom Penh’s roads can be left behind. With a style that is clean and modern, The Shop wouldn’t be out of place in any smart urban setting. There is a great Mediterranean menu offering frittatas, quiche, and delicious sandwiches. It also has a wonderful selection of fruit tarts, fresh breads and croissants.

The Shop: No.39, Street 240, 12006 PP
Tel: 023 986 964
Web: theshopcambodia.com
Email: theshop.cambodia@gmail

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There are still some very beautiful parts to PP for example, Street 240, with its galleries, lovely restaurants and tree lined colonial feel.

Steet 240

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There are still some very beautiful parts to PP. For example, Street 240, with its galleries, lovely restaurants and tree-lined colonial feel.

Steet 240

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