Maads Hotels
The Jungloo at Floatation
This place is perfect if you want to get out of the city and enjoy a peaceful night out on the water.
We weren’t sure exactly what to expect when it came to “glamping” on the waterfront, but it was more than we could’ve hoped for. Your stay starts off with a transfer to the room via a rice boat. If you are staying at any of the Maads locations, you can enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River for free with a stop at The Flotation. Enjoying the city view from the river with the sun casting light through the buildings and shimmering off of the water was a beautiful way to start our experience.
Upon arriving at The Floatation, we were shown to The Jungloo, which would be our room for the night. The Jungloo is a floating, tented bungalow attached to The Floatation. Staying here was such a unique experience that we would recommend to everyone! The room was beautiful with many thoughtful touches including a deck out front to enjoy the sunset from. As there is only one of these at this location, you are able to enjoy a peaceful night with no one else around. We also were able to enjoy a nice dinner here and complimentary breakfast the following morning before jumping back on the boat and heading over to The Kabiki for our next nights stay.
The Jungloo at Kabiki
The Jungloo at The Kabiki is very similar to the one at The Floatation, except this location is an oasis right in the heart of the city. We enjoyed almost a full day hanging out by the pool only leaving to try out some local food nearby. The grounds are covered in trees and plants attracting more than just a few butterflies and birds hanging around. They’ve also adopted a few cats that you’ll see roaming around the gardens and lounging at the reception.
This location is very family friendly with rooms that would easily accommodate your whole family. There are also kids menus and a paddling pool for them to enjoy. We could have easily spent several days here soaking it all in and relaxing in the amazing hotel grounds. What we loved about this location is that you feel as though you are in the countryside while being in a prime location to explore the city. There were people of all ages staying here, from young couples, solo travelers, families, retired couples and everything in between. We found that The Kabiki has something for everyone.
S21 Museum
We only had three nights and two full days in Phnom Penh, one of which was spent enjoying the beautiful pool at The Kabiki. We knew we wanted to do something in the city, but we weren’t sure of what until we learned about the S21 museum. I only knew a little about what went on during the Cambodia genocide that was primarily during the mid to late 1970s, but by visiting this museum my eyes were truly opened.
Cambodians have turned the dark part of their countries history into an educational experience about the horrors that went on inside of this secondary school turned prison camp. During your visit you learn about what the prisoners went through, including separation of families, forced confessions through torture tactics, and ultimately death for almost all who were imprisoned in this horrific place. If you are in Phnom Penh I would highly recommend going here as we must learn from history so as not to repeat the past. Pay the extra money for the audio tour. Included in the recordings are testimonials from a couple of the survivors including a man who was a child prisoner. Without the recordings, you won’t be able to fully understand what went on here. It is definitely worth the extra few dollars.
Tuk Tuk & Grab
Download the Grab App for you stay in Cambodia (it’s like the Uber of Southeast Asia). It’s a little different in each country, but in Cambodia you can use it to call tuk-tuks, taxis, and other forms of transportation. You will also find many tuk-tuk drivers driving around looking for fares or sitting in more popular areas. These are a great way to get around the city! Just make sure you discuss a price BEFORE starting the ride. Also, make sure your bags are secure while riding in them as there have been cases of passersby snagging them out of your tuk-tuk as you drive by. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and you’ll be just fine. We had no issues while in Cambodia.