Planning a trip to Battambang, a city with an important architectural heritage? Here are our accommodation ideas for where to stay in Battambang.
Battambang is a town in northwestern Cambodia, on the banks of the Sangker River. For almost 500 years, Battambang has been the province’s main commercial center, with an economy based on the production and marketing of wood, bamboo, precious stones and rice. Battambang is renowned for its colonial buildings, such as Sala Khaet, the former governor’s residence, its temples and its activities.
Although it’s Cambodia’s second-largest city, Battambang has retained its provincial character, offering visitors a calm atmosphere in which to explore the surrounding countryside. If you’re staying in Siem Reap, make the most of a day trip to the heart of Battambang – it would be a shame not to get to know this one of Cambodia’s must-sees… For those who’d like to immerse themselves in the city for the duration of a stay, the town offers a wide range of accommodation options, from the most typical to the most authentic. Here’s our selection of the best places to stay in Battambang!
Psar Nat
Photo credit: Flickr – Erwan Deverre
Battambang is a small town, so it’s advisable to stay close to Psar Nat, the city’s famous market that gives this area its name, to take advantage of all the amenities and activities available. Among travelers’ favorite spots is The Blue Guest House , just 200 meters from Boeung Chhouk market and 300 meters from Psar Nat. The latter is the city’s most important center of interest, where you can meet the inhabitants of the surrounding villages who bring and sell their freshly-picked produce, the ideal opportunity to discover local products. Still in the Psar Nat district, you can also visit the colonial buildings.
Other popular hotels include theAsia Hotel, located right in the heart of the city with all the services you need within a 5-minute walk, the Lux Guesthouse with its spacious rooms, the Royal Hotel Battambang, just a stone’s throw from the market, and the Happy Villa. One of the advantages of the city is that you’re sure to find accommodation on the spot without having to book days in advance.
Among the must-see places to sleep is « Chez Sam« , a place run by a couple, Anelyse and Sarom, offering traditional dwellings with wooden rooms on stilts. Sarom is of Cambodian origin and has lived in France. He’ll be happy to guide you around the city. This Tuk Tuk tour is an opportunity to get off the beaten track and discover Khmer culture, traditional crafts and villages and traditional houses.
Battambang is quite small and can easily be explored on foot. If you’re looking for a nice place to stay, you’ll have to stray slightly from the city.
Wat Kor
Photo credit: Flickr – Erwan Deverre
Wat Kor is a commune located just two kilometers from Battambang, along the Sangker River. Here you’ll find cultural, farming and tree-planting villages surrounded by rice paddies, and magnificent wooden houses dating back to the early 20th century. Most of the trees surrounding these homes are over a century old.
Samrong Knong
Photo credit: Flickr – travelingsoutherner
On your way to the village of Samrong Knong, you’ll have the chance to sleep with a host family and discover traditional kmhère cuisine. The accommodation is simple but authentic, and you can even borrow bicycles to tour the village. Part of the cost of the night will be donated to the village orphanage, where you can also volunteer for a few days.