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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When visiting the wine country in California we like to find accommodation in small and quiet towns. This took us to the Metro Hotel in Petaluma. It’s a big old house that’s been recently restored and turned into a hotel.

It’s very clean and comfortable and upon entering the premises you get the feeling of being in France. Old French paraphernalia have been brought in and used as decoration for both the common areas as well as the rooms: posters imitating the style of the 1930s, original road signs, a metro map of Paris, quaint chalk blackboards with messages written in French, garden gnomes like the one in Amélie… The only modern artefacts are plasma TVs in the rooms and in the reception area.

The furniture is simple and comfortable and it imitates the old country house style of southern France. Beds, wardrobes and bedside tables vary in each room giving them a sense of uniqueness. This, and their white kitten playing around the reception area, made us feel like we were staying at a friend’s house rather than at a hotel, something we appreciated.

When we stayed at the Metro Hotel they didn’t serve breakfast, yet they had two thermoses with coffee and a jug of milk for the guests. It looked like they were doing some more work in the house and we were told they’ll open a cafe soon.

The service at the Metro Hotel was efficient and almost invisible. The reception is only open certain hours a day and if arriving late (or leaving early) the receptionist leaves you instructions upon reservation of how to check yourself in.

A good place if you want a quaint and relaxed stay in the wine country.

www.metrolodging.com/

Metro Hotel & Cafe
508 Petaluma Blvd.
Petaluma CA 94952
Tel: (707) 773 4900

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