{"code":"KH","location":"South East Asia, Cambodia","faq":[{"question":"What are typical hotel check-in and check-out times in Cambodia, and is flexibility common?","answer":"Standard check-in is 14:00-15:00 and check-out is 11:00-12:00. Large hotels often offer early check-in or late check-out for a fee, usually 50-100% of a nightly rate, while most budget guesthouses do not. Around 70-90% of mid-range and large properties offer free luggage hold, but early or late room access is frequently charged."},{"question":"What taxes and mandatory fees should I expect on a Cambodian hotel bill?","answer":"Statutory VAT is 10% on accommodation. Many hotels also add a service charge, typically around 10%; combined surcharges of about 18-20% on the room subtotal are common in 3-5★ hotels. Some small guesthouses include all taxes in the listed price; always check the final invoice."},{"question":"How much do nightly rates swing between high and low season in Cambodia?","answer":"Peak season (November-February, dry season) rates are roughly 30-80% higher than low season (May-October, monsoon). Phnom Penh hotels during Water Festival (Bon Om Touk, November) can spike 50-200%; Siem Reap around December-January (Angkor peak) commonly sees 30-70% increases."},{"question":"How do Phnom Penh neighborhoods compare for hotel price, walkability, safety, and remote work?","answer":"Riverside (Sisowath Quay) rates are approximately 10-40% above BKK1 for equivalent stars, with high tourist footfall and walkability for dining and landmarks, but increased petty-theft risk at night. BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1) offers mid-range rates, more cafes and coworking, quieter evenings, and generally better broadband. Toul Kork is about 10-25% cheaper, residential, offers more long-stay apartments, but is less walkable for tourist sites. Sisowath Quay is about 10-12 km (6-7.5 mi) or 25-40 minutes' drive from Phnom Penh International Airport. If you require high-speed internet for remote work, check the hotel's broadband policy before booking."},{"question":"What Wi-Fi speeds and coworking availability can I expect across Cambodia?","answer":"Urban hotels in Phnom Penh commonly offer median Wi-Fi speeds of 20-50 Mbps; Siem Reap typically has 10-30 Mbps. Island and remote beaches (Koh Rong, parts of Sihanoukville) usually drop to about 1-10 Mbps with high variance. Phnom Penh has several coworking spaces with day passes usually $15-$24 USD; Siem Reap has fewer, priced $15-$18 USD. For accessibility needs, confirm in advance if coworking spaces provide step-free access or elevators."},{"question":"What lodging-specific scams or safety issues should travelers watch for in Cambodia?","answer":"Scams include fake 'booked' rooms or no-shows after third-party prepayment (common in Sihanoukville), overcharging for tuk-tuk transfers from hotels, and room-key duplicates at budget guesthouses. Phnom Penh riverside experiences most petty snatchings after 21:00, especially during festivals. Use cards or escrowed OTA payments to reduce risk."},{"question":"Do festivals or national holidays affect hotel availability and pricing in Cambodia?","answer":"Water Festival (late October-November) in Phnom Penh leads to nearly 100% central hotel occupancy and rates rising about 50-200%. Khmer New Year (mid-April) causes citywide domestic demand and 30-80% spikes in popular destinations. Angkor temple peak season (December-January) also drives near-full occupancy in Siem Reap. Book 2-8 weeks ahead for festivals."},{"question":"How prevalent are accessible features (step-free access, elevators, roll-in showers) in Cambodian hotels?","answer":"Many budget guesthouses and boutique hotels under $40 USD per night are in older 2-4 story buildings without elevators, with an estimated 40-70% lacking elevator access. Most 3-5★ international hotels provide step-free access and some accessible rooms, though accessibility certifications are rare in Cambodia. Always check with each property if you require features like step-free entry or elevators, as national standards vary and on-site reality may differ."},{"question":"What are payment and currency norms for hotels in Cambodia?","answer":"USD is widely used for hotel pricing and payments, with bills often in USD and small change given in Cambodian riel. Major hotels accept international cards; independent guesthouses often prefer cash. Card surcharges for foreign cards, when applied, are usually 0-3%. Avoid dynamic currency conversion offers in POS terminals."},{"question":"How much cheaper are advance-purchase nonrefundable rates versus flexible rates?","answer":"Nonrefundable or advance-purchase rates are typically 10-30% lower than fully flexible rates for the same room class. During peak dates, the difference can exceed 30%."},{"question":"What are common family and pet policies and fees in Cambodian hotels?","answer":"Children under 5 years often stay free when using existing bedding at many hotels. Extra bed or child breakfast fees are typically $15-$40 USD per night. Pet acceptance is uncommon outside specialized villas; when allowed, pet fees usually range from $15-$40 USD per night. Accessible rooms are rare in pet-accepting properties, so please verify requirements with the hotel in advance."}],"tips":["Pay hotel bills in US dollars (USD); you’ll usually receive small change in Cambodian riel (KHR) at a rate of about 4,000 KHR per $1. Carry 1,000-5,000 KHR notes for tips or local purchases, as many markets and street vendors prefer exact amounts; many large hotels can provide exchange for small denominations on request.","Use bottled water, as tap water is not potable in Cambodia. Most mid-range and high-end hotels provide 1–2 complimentary 500 ml bottles daily, while budget guesthouses typically charge $0.50 to $1 per bottle. Check at check-in for refill stations or larger bottle options if you have higher daily needs or wish to minimize plastic waste.","Standard tipping: bellhops and porters $1–2 per bag, housekeeping $1 per night, and 5-10% at restaurants if no service charge appears on your bill. Tipping in either USD or riel is accepted, though some larger hotels may automatically add a service charge.","Book hotels 4–8 weeks in advance for Cambodia's peak dry season (November to February) and major holidays like Khmer New Year (April 13–15) or the Water Festival (dates vary in October/November), as rates often rise and availability drops. Flexible cancellation rates tend to sell out sooner; confirm cancellation policies during booking.","For short walks to restaurants and embassies in Phnom Penh, stay in BKK1 or Riverside. Tonle Bassac and 7 Makara districts often offer lower rates and are 5–10 minutes away by tuk-tuk from the riverfront. Use the hotel concierge to arrange tuk-tuks or confirm pickup and drop-off convenience.","In Siem Reap and small towns, many guesthouses have 2-3 floors with stairs only and no elevator. If you need step-free access, request a ground-floor room or check elevator availability before booking and specify your mobility needs in your reservation notes.","Use ATMs located inside bank branches or hotel lobbies to reduce card skimming risk. Keep your passport and large amounts of cash in the hotel safe, and store a digital copy of important documents on your phone; most upper-tier hotels offer in-room safes. If unsure, ask hotel staff where to find the nearest reputable ATM.","Wi-Fi speeds vary widely. For reliable connections suitable for remote work, book a 4- or 5-star hotel or serviced apartment in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. If speed is critical, verify 20 Mbps or higher at the property or coworking space, or request a recent speed test result before confirming.","Negotiate tuk-tuk fares before boarding, as meters are rare. In Siem Reap, short rides typically cost $1–5; in Phnom Penh, expect $2–6. For airport transfers, request a fixed rate from your hotel or use the official airport taxi desk; some hotels offer a complimentary shuttle or fixed-rate service, so check the hotel website or ask at the front desk."]}