THEGUIDE
phnom penh
FAHTHAI
127
1 _
WHAT WE
RECOMMEND
If the heat of the season
is becoming too much to
bear, head out of town
to Cambodia’s ancient
capital, Udong. Situated
about 40km from Phnom
Penh, it’s a place of cool
breezes and unparalleled
hilltop views.
2 _
DID YOU
KNOW?
Cambodia uses US$
more than riel, but keep
those notes crisp as many
vendors will not accept
torn bills.
3 _
BODIA SPA
Unwind after a long day
of sightseeing in the
sumptuous surroundings
of Bodia Spa with a
relaxing massage, body
scrub or treatment.
For more indulgent
pampering, book a
session in the private
Harmony Room, which
has a jacuzzi and steam
room decorated with
thousands of petals.
Cnr of Sothearos Blvd
and St 178, T: (0)23
226199
COUNTRY
CODE
+855
EXCHANGE
RATE
KHR4,000 = US$1
FREQUENCY
5 flights per day
OLD-SCHOOL
MOVES
Dance
is an integral part
of Cambodian
culture
S T E P L I V E L Y
Top 3
insider
travel tips
Rest Your Head
LA LIBRAIRIE
One of the capital’s newest
boutique hotels, La Librairie
offers guests a sense of serenity
amid the chaos of Phnom Penh.
Fusing Vietnamese, Chinese,
French and Khmer design, the
hotel boasts contemporary-chic
rooms to go with a swimming
pool where guests can go to
beat the heat.
(22 St 184, T: (0)23 221812, la-
librairie-phnom-penh.com)
Bottoms Up
EMERGENCY ROOM
Hang out with the cool crowd at
Emergency Room, a bar that’s
got personality by the bucket
load. Boasting a lengthy list of
cocktails, spirits and wines to
go along with plenty of funky
sounds, Emergency Room has
quickly become a staple on
Phnom Penh’s nightlife scene.
What’s more, it regularly hosts
one of the capital’s hottest DJ
acts, Kimchi Collective.
(St 240½, T: +855 (0)16
620908)
Top Tables
LA PLAZA
Delicious tapas coupled with
ice-cold jugs of refreshing
sangria are La Plaza’s claim
to fame. Serving up some of
Cambodia’s finest Spanish food,
La Plaza is located in a cosy
shophouse. The
gambas al ajillo
(garlic prawns) and
patatas
bravas
are both mouth-watering
must-tries, as is the inviting
range of traditional paellas.
(22B St 278, T: (0)12 825443)
Stop to Shop
TONLÉ
For fresh designs and guilt-
free shopping, head to Tonlé.
Helmed by established
American designer Rachel Faller
– founder and creative director
of discontinued label KeoK'jay
– Tonlé was recently launched
in Cambodia. Its ethically
produced, simple and fresh
designs, created by Cambodian
women affected by Aids and
HIV, have proved a major hit.
(Cnr of Sisowath Quay and St
110, T: (0)23 210945)
Phnom Penh
TEXT: MARISSA CARRUTHERS; IMAGE: CORBIS
