Luxury Hotel Stay in Siem Reap: Practical Matters

Start with the document that lets you arrive. Our Cambodia visa 2026 guide describes the e-Visa as the route to use: apply online on the official portal, evisa.gov.kh, and expect the approval by email within 3 to 5 business days. The listed e-Visa fee is 36 USD, and the passport needs at least 6 months of validity.

Our two visa pages differ on one point. The 2026 guide says visa on arrival has ended, while the older Cambodia visa overview still mentions it. Entry rules change, so confirm the current rules on the official source before you book flights, and apply through that portal only.

Siem Reap runs on the US dollar. Our dollar advantage guide explains that riel comes back as small change, at 4,000 riel for 1 dollar. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants, while markets and small shops usually prefer cash.

On the booking side, check whether your rate is prepaid or payable at the hotel, and whether the total shown includes taxes and service. Those details sit in the rate description. The price guide and the booking guide walk through them.

Tipping is appreciated and traditionally uncommon in Cambodia. For hotel staff and spa therapists, our respectful traveller guide puts the usual gesture at 1 to 2 dollars. For restaurants, 10 to 15% is described as generous and welcome, and for tuk-tuk drivers rounding up the fare is a kind gesture.

At a luxury spa, our spa guide cites 10 to 15% for luxury treatments. Some venues add a service charge, so read the bill before tipping. Carry dollar singles for porters and housekeeping.

Siem Reap is described in our safety guide as one of the safer cities in Southeast Asia, with road traffic as the main concern. Agree tuk-tuk prices before you ride, use ATMs inside banks or hotels, and keep copies of your passport, visa and insurance.

Choose travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Our healthcare guide names Royal Angkor International Hospital as the international-standard option with a 24/7 emergency room, and notes that smaller clinics often ask for payment upfront, so keep your receipts for the claim. Ask your hotel to help you reach a hospital quickly.

Temple dress is the rule to pack for. Shoulders and knees are covered at Angkor temples, and the dress code is enforced at the upper level of Angkor Wat, per our Angkor temples guide. Light long trousers and a t-shirt work well, and a scarf or sarong in your bag is a handy backup. Shoes come off before temple buildings, so wear pairs that slip off easily.

If you plan a costume photo shoot, read our note on the Angkor costume rules: from July 2026 only authentic Khmer traditional attire is accepted in the park. For evenings, our nightlife coverage says some upscale venues ask for smart casual. Dress codes inside each hotel are to be confirmed on the hotel's page, so pack one smart outfit for dinner and ask the hotel when you book.

Hotels usually welcome requests that arrive early. Write them in the notes field when you book, repeat them by email a few days before arrival and mention them again at check-in. Treat requests as wishes the hotel confirms, since they are usually subject to availability.

For eating out, our vegetarian restaurant guide lists places that mark vegan options clearly. Ask your chosen hotel what it confirms in writing.

Run through this list a week before departure.

Still comparing hotels? The complete guide ranks all 10, and the planning guide places these checks in a five-step plan.