Jaya House River Park

Jaya House River Park is one of the most loved small hotels in Siem Reap, and our pick for travellers who want calm, style and a conscience. Its 36 rooms are set in gardens around two swimming pools, each with a balcony or direct access to the garden and pool, and the design draws on Khmer art deco with local crafts and textiles. The hotel is famous for its stand against plastic: in 2016 it co-founded the Refill Not Landfill campaign to cut single-use plastic bottles in Cambodia, and it supplies refillable bottles, homegrown teas and its own Jaya Organics natural skincare. Trorkuon Khmer Restaurant serves all-day Khmer and Western dishes with healthy and vegan-friendly options, and there is a spa for after-temple massages. The hotel also arranges temple tours, photography tours and jeep trips, and supports tree planting and community projects. Expedia guests give it a perfect 10 out of 10.

Location and getting around: Jaya House stands on River Road beside the Siem Reap River, about a six-minute tuk-tuk ride from the town centre in the direction of Angkor Wat, which makes early temple starts a little shorter. Its neighbours include the École Française d’Extrême-Orient, the Enkosa pagoda and the Angkor Conservation compound. The Old Market, Pub Street and the Angkor National Museum are a short ride away.

Rooms: room types range from deluxe king and twin rooms to junior suites and junior pool suites with direct access to the water. All have air conditioning, Wi-Fi and the hotel’s handmade teas and natural toiletries.

Who it suits: couples, design lovers and eco-minded travellers who want a quiet garden base close to the temples, and families who will make good use of two pools.

Good to know: airport pickup from the new airport, about an hour away, is free for bookings of two nights or more, with a surcharge each way for one-night stays. Book early for November to February, when the hotel is often full.