Gay Cambodia Cambodia City Guide

While Angkor Wat somewhat takes the limelight, Cambodia is a magnificent travel destination in its own right, offering ancient civilizations, unkempt natural wonders and unbelievable value for money throughout. Siem Reap, home of the Angkor Wat’s sprawling remains, will first surprise you with her contrasts. Along the central hub loaded with fancy boutiques, upscale dining options and countless bars and clubs, you’ll also find eager tuk-tuk drivers and salesmen peddling anything from oil painted canvases to fried insects. In addition to famed temples and traditional culture, you’ll also discover burgeoning LGBT, art and fashion scenes. The same goes for Mekong-flanked Phnom Penh, the nation’s sprawling Capital crammed with a mix of 1960s modernist architecture, frenetic markets and wild nightlife. As for the rest of the country; make time for it! From hedonistic islands to expat-run towns, Cambodia has something for everyone, stretching all the way to the indulgent resorts of the Khmer Riviera. Clueless about what to do in Cambodia? Let Mr Hudson’s ultimate Cambodia travel guide enlighten you.

The best hotels in Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Compared to other Asian capitals Phnom Penh may feel provincial, but nonetheless, the streets can get quite hectic. Escape the roar of a thousand tuk-tuks in the little oasis of Rambutan, a gay-owned boutique resort around a gorgeous pool on a quiet street south of central Phnom Penh. Built by a French-Cambodian architectural firm run by the daughter of one of Vann Molyvann’s students, it retains the retro feel of New Khmer architecture, brightened up with Dutch owner Dirk de Graaff’s pick of local art.

For the men-only, clothing-optional experience, try the French-run Arthur & Paul resort and spa next door to Rambutan. This cruisy little oasis consisting of a large villa and garden offers spacious and luxurious rooms with homoerotic artwork. All floors are linked by a spectacular spiral staircase, and the downstairs restaurant (aptly named Mâles) and bar are wrapped by a beautiful pool. The bathhouse (yes, that kind of bathhouse) is also very popular with locals.

Siem Reap

For a perfect stay in Siem Reap, book a room at the upscale Shinta Mani Club, a breezy 15-minute tuk-tuk ride away from Angkor Wat. The modern design by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley was inspired by the temple complex and includes quirky details like tables on swings and Hindu deities crayoned on blackboards. Excellent service and generous support of local causes helped this property’s ratings skyrocket to one of the best in the world.

Khmer Riviera

In the 1950s, king Norodom Sihanouk decided the sleepy fishing village of Kep would make the perfect location to create his own Southeast-Asian Riviera. Led by the monarch, the area became an artistic playground for the wealthy French colonial elite, and an estimated 150 villas in the style of the homegrown Modernist New Khmer movement appeared along the coast. When the country fell to the Khmer Rouge, many of these ostentatious villas were stripped and destroyed. Today, about 30 remains, covered in graffiti, slowly pulled apart by vines and roots. Three of them, however, were salvaged by the Belgian entrepreneur Jeff Moons. A single gay father raising an adopted Khmer son, Moons has built a new life in Cambodia, providing jobs and schooling programs for the local community by running the villas as luxury boutique resort Knai Bang Chatt. The fabulously decorated rooms with ocean views attract a well-heeled crowd, seeking both natural and architectural beauty while enjoying the culture and delicacies of the crab market nearby. Those interested can still visit the other ruins – a fascinating, if somewhat ghostly, experience.