Penh House Hotel: Phnom Penh's BEST Kept Secret (Luxury Awaits!)
Penh House Hotel: Phnom Penh's Best Kept Secret? Buckle Up, Buttercup! A Review That's Almost as Luxurious as the Hotel Itself.
Okay, so "Penh House Hotel: Phnom Penh's Best Kept Secret (Luxury Awaits!)" – that's what they say. And honestly? They’re mostly right. This isn't your cookie-cutter chain hotel experience. This is a legit treasure trove of Cambodian charm, and yeah, a healthy dose of luxury. This won't be your typical, robotic review. Prepare for honesty, folks. Prepare for rambles. And prepare for some seriously good recommendations. Because after my stay, I'm practically glowing.
First things first: Accessibility & Safety (Ugh, Gotta Cover the Basics!)
Look, I'm not a mobility expert, but from what I could see, Penh House tries to be accessible. The elevator (yes, there’s an elevator – rejoice!) is a lifesaver, and they mention "facilities for disabled guests". However, I didn't get a chance to really assess this, so it's worth checking with the hotel directly for specific needs.
Now, the safety stuff? I'm paranoid (thanks, 2020!), so this was a HUGE selling point. They've got all the bells and whistles: CCTV, a 24-hour front desk and security, fire extinguishers EVERYWHERE (I peeked!), and smoke alarms that didn't go off for even a second, not even when I (accidentally) set off the toaster one morning. They're obsessed with cleanliness, and it shows. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. Seriously, I felt safer than at my own damn house (and my house is currently being held hostage by a rogue dust bunny army). Bonus points for hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff trained in safety protocol. (And they actually use those protocols, not just wave a bottle of sanitizer dramatically and disappear).
My Honest Foodie Diary: Dining, Drinking, and the Ever-Present Hungry Ghost
Alright, let's get to the good stuff! The food. Oh, the food.
My biggest recommendation? The breakfast! Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, and the buffet in the restaurant is seriously divine. Try the pho! They also take Breakfast in room very seriously. One morning, I found myself in my pjs, watching the rain. The breakfast came, and it was perfect. The Asian cuisine is the food of love. The Western felt strangely comforting, like a warm hug.
The Poolside Bar: They got the perfect pool with a view. You'll want to spend all day next to their swimming pool [outdoor] and Poolside bar. Order yourself a cocktail and just soak up the vibes. It's bliss.
Happy Hour: Happy hour is where it's at, folks. And a bottle of water arrives at your time of need.
Restaurants: There are more than one! You have Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, a Vegetarian restaurant, I'll be honest: I loved the food.
Room Service (24 Hours): Because sometimes, you just need Pad Thai at 3 AM. They got it, and it arrived in like, minutes. Seriously impressive.
The little things: Essential condiments. This is a BIG deal. I am a condiment snob.
The Spa (Where My Soul Officially Melted)
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. I spent a large chunk of my time here in the spa. And OH. MY. GOD.
The Massage: I went with the full body massage. It was heavenly. The masseuse was a sorceress. My knots? Gone. My stress? Evaporated. I'm pretty sure my chakras realigned themselves.
Body scrub? Body wrap? Foot bath? Consider it all done. I felt clean, refreshed, and unbelievably pampered. This is a Spa/sauna that's worth the trouble.
They’ve also got a sauna and steamroom if you’re into that kind of thing (I'm more of a "lay down on a massage table and be worshipped" kinda gal).
Gym/fitness: Never saw it. That's the beauty of a spa!
The Rooms (Where Luxury Meets "Oh My God, This Is Gorgeous")
The rooms, are stunning. I stayed in a non-smoking room, which was heavenly.
- The bed: Extra long bed. I'm tall. This was heaven.
- The bathroom: They have a separate shower/bathtub, so you're not fighting for shower space. Also, the towels were thick and fluffy (important). Bathrobes? Yes, please. Slippers? Don't mind if I do.
- Amenities: You've got your air conditioning, complimentary tea, free bottled water. Coffee/tea maker, In-room safe box, Mini bar, refrigerator, satellite/cable channels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free]. The usual, except fancy.
- The view: I had a window that opened, and it overlooked the city. You need to get a room with a view. Seriously.
- Little touches: The decorations were sleek and stylish, and the blackout curtains meant I was able to sleep like a baby despite the bright lights. I also absolutely adored the soundproof rooms.
The Services & Conveniences (They Really Thought of Everything!)
Okay, this is where Penh House really shines. They have thought of EVERYTHING.
- The staff: The staff are genuinely lovely. Helpful, friendly, and they seem genuinely happy to be there. They even offer concierge.
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually works! I'm talking consistent, reliable internet (I needed to work, sadly).
- Laundry/Dry Cleaning/Ironing: Did all of that. Painlessly. I'm a disaster with laundry.
- Everything Else: They offer Currency exchange. They have a Convenience store. They're pros at Daily housekeeping, and Luggage storage. I'm sure they've got more, but I was too busy enjoying myself to take it all in. There's a safety deposit box.
Things to Do (Besides Just Spoiling Yourself Silly)
- Airport Transfer: Seamless. Easy. Done.
- Taxi Service: They call one for you. Easy.
- Car Park: Plenty of parking, and free!
- I'll be honest, I spent most of my time at the hotel and on day trips. So I can not give a very detailed tour around Phnom Penh.
My (Possibly Unprofessional) Conclusion: Should You Book?
Absolutely. Penh House Hotel isn't just a hotel. It's an experience. It's a sanctuary. It's a place where you can truly unwind, be pampered, eat delicious food, and feel safe. It’s not perfect – nothing is. But for the price, the location, and the sheer effort they put into making your stay amazing, it's pretty darn close.
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Luxury 1BR Cebu IT Park Condo: Avida Tower Breathtaking Views!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a messy, glorious, opinionated travel itinerary in Phnom Penh, specifically centered around the Penh House Hotel. Consider this less a polished travel guide and more… a caffeinated, jet-lagged rant filled with questionable life choices and the faint smell of sunscreen. Let's GO!
Penh House Phnom Penh: The Grand Mess (and My Beautiful Disaster)
(My Brain's Current State: Slightly fried, fueled by lukewarm coffee and a lingering sense of impending doom. But hey, we're here, right?)
Day 1: Arrival and the First, Terrible Wrong Turns
1:00 PM (or thereabouts – who even knows anymore?) Airport Pick-Up: Okay, so the Penh House promises an airport transfer. Brilliant! Except… the guy holding the sign? Looked suspiciously like a distant cousin of a lemur I once saw at a zoo. He barely spoke English, the AC in the car sounded like a dying walrus, and the drive felt like navigating a chaotic ballet of tuk-tuks and motorcycles. My first thought? "Welcome to Cambodia, where sanity goes to die… gloriously."
- Pro-Tip (or maybe just a desperate plea): Pack a small bag of sanity pills. You'll thank me.
1:45 PM (give or take): Arrive, finally, at the Penh House. The building? Stunning. Seriously. That colonial architecture? Swoonworthy. The reception staff? Ridiculously friendly, like, almost too friendly. I'm suspicious. This is Cambodia, after all… prepare to be charm-bombed.
2:00 PM: Check-In Catastrophe: My room? Gorgeous! A four-poster bed, a balcony overlooking… something. (I can't remember. Jet lag, remember?) BUT! The air conditioning? DOA. I swear, I nearly melted into a puddle of sweaty despair. This is where the "charming" part of the staff comes in. They offered immediate help, which, I must admit, was exceptional. Within the hour, a new unit had been installed. Crisis averted.
3:00 PM: Nap (or attempted nap): Failed miserably. The city sounds… they're relentless. Motorbikes honking, street vendors shouting, distant temple bells… It's a symphony of chaos. I gave up and decided to confront the chaos head-on.
4:00 PM: Wandering the Streets & Losing My Way (and My Mind): Armed with a map that was clearly designed by a sadist, I ventured out. I promptly got lost. Multiple times. I stumbled into a market that smelled of durian (I think it's a food here, but I'm still not convinced). I haggled for a ridiculously overpriced scarf (because apparently, I'm also a sucker). Saw a random wedding. Got completely overwhelmed. And loved every single chaotic second of it.
- Quirky Observation: Cambodian street food is a gamble. Sometimes amazing. Sometimes… a gamble. My stomach is currently playing Russian Roulette.
7:00 PM: Dinner at Romdeng and The Mosquito Wars: Recommended by the Penh House, Romdeng (a restaurant run by a NGO) was a delight. The food was good, the ambiance was… different, let's say exotic. It was only interrupted by the mosquito assault – a brutal, relentless onslaught of biting misery. Note to self: slather on the bug spray. Next time, bring a hazmat suit.
8:30 PM: Stumbling Back to the Hotel: Exhausted, sunburnt, and possibly mildly traumatized, I stumbled back. I ordered a beer at the Penh House bar, collapsed into a chair, and vowed to conquer Phnom Penh… tomorrow.
Day 2: The Killing Fields, The Silver Pagoda, and The Trauma of Tuk-Tuks
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at Penh House: Breakfast was… decent. The coffee, thankfully, was strong. The fruit was fresh. The staff? Still ridiculously friendly. I’m starting to suspect they're plotting something.
- 10:00 AM: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): I'm going to be brutally honest here. This was brutal. The scale of the atrocities… it's almost impossible to comprehend. The photographs, the stories… it’s a heavy experience. I needed to sit down for a while afterwards, and just think. It’s something everyone should experience in order to understand.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: Heartbreak. Outrage. A sense of profound responsibility to never forget.
- 12:00 PM: The Killing Fields (Choeung Ek): Another gut punch. The mass graves, the memorial stupa filled with skulls… it's impossible to remain unmoved. The audio guide is utterly necessary. It adds a dimension of history that helps you understand what happened.
- Emotional Backlash: I needed a drink. And a hug.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch (or, Attempt at Lunch): Ate at the Killing Fields cafe. The food was… functional.
- Rant: Why is it so hard to find good food after a day like this? It's like my taste buds had decided to go on strike.
- 2:30 PM: The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: Back to a somewhat more serene environment. The Royal Palace is, of course, gorgeous. The Silver Pagoda? Also beautiful, if you can manage to ignore the hordes of tourists blocking your view.
- Quirky Observation: The guards at the Silver Pagoda look incredibly bored.
- 4:00 PM: Tuk-Tuk Disaster (the sequel) – A Deep Dive: Okay, so I thought I was getting the hang of tuk-tuks. I'd learned the price-haggling game, I knew to hold on for dear life. Nope. Today, my tuk-tuk driver took me on a "shortcut" that involved potholes the size of small cars, a near-death experience with a truck, and the distinct feeling that he was trying to milk me for every riel I had. Afterwards, I had to walk away, and take a deep breath.
- Rant: Tuk-tuk drivers are a law unto themselves. I love them (mostly), but I have the feeling they're also going to be the reason I die.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a Riverside Restaurant: Watched the sun go down while I ate. The food was… okay.
- 7:30 PM: Regrouping and Re-Evaluating: Contemplating the meaning of life, the price of tuk-tuks, and the sheer exhaustion of being a tourist. Considering a new career.
Day 3: Markets, Massage, and a Possible Meltdown
- 9:00 AM: More Penh House Breakfast: Still friendly. Still decent.
- 10:00 AM: Central Market (Phsar Thmey): A sensory overload in the best possible way. The colors, the smells, the sheer energy of the place. I bought some silk scarves, some knock-off designer bags (don't judge me!), and a few random things I'll probably never use.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, Cambodians could sell ice to Eskimos. Their salesmanship is legendary.
- 12:00 PM: Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung): A slightly more local experience. More affordable. More chaotic. More… everything. I haggled for a ridiculously expensive bag (because I clearly haven't learned my lesson).
- 1:30 PM: Foot Massage: I needed this. I really, really needed this. I found a little massage place tucked away on a side street. It was pure bliss. My feet (and my sanity) were saved.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure. Unadulterated. Bliss.
- 3:00 PM: More Street Food (and a potential stomach ache): Couldn't resist. I ate some noodles from a street vendor. They were delicious. I'm now waiting for the inevitable consequence.
- 4:00 PM: Relaxing by the Penh House Pool: Ah, finally. A moment of peace. The pool is small, but a welcome respite from the heat and chaos. I read a book. I sipped a beer. I contemplated whether I should stay here forever.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner and farewell at Topaz: Amazing food, perfect atmosphere and an excellent end to Phnom Penh.
- 7:30 PM: Packing (or the messy equivalent): I can't seem to fit my 15kg luggage. Things don't matter.
Day 4: Departure (and the lingering memory of durian)
- 9:00 AM: Last Penh House Breakfast (and the staff's continued cheerfulness): I'm starting to think they're secretly robots.
- 10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping (because I obviously didn't buy enough already): More scarves. Maybe a Buddha statue (though I'm not
Penh House Hotel: Phnom Penh's (Mostly) Wonderful, Secret Escape - Let's Get Real!
Is Penh House REALLY a "Best Kept Secret"? Or Just Well-Marketed?
Okay, let's be honest. "Best Kept Secret" is a bit… much. It's on Instagram, folks. I saw it there! (Judge me, I deserve it). But it *does* feel special. It's tucked away, not on the main drag, so you're not battling hordes. Walking in, I legitimately gasped. The lobby? Pure Instagram bait. And that's okay, because it actually *is* beautiful. So, maybe a slightly-less-secret secret? Yeah, I'd say that's fair.
Is it actually LUXURY? I've been burned by "luxury" before...
Right?! "Luxury" these days could mean a slightly nicer towel. Penh House… it's not over-the-top, crystal chandeliers and all that jazz. (Thank GOD.) It's more… refined. Think: beautiful design, comfy beds (THAT I CAN VOUCH FOR, I practically lived in mine), killer views, and a pool worthy of a magazine spread. Yes, the pool! It's the real deal. I spent an entire afternoon there reading, and I swear, I forgot all my troubles. Almost. Until…
The Small Imperfection: Okay, here's the realness. The AC in my room, while effective, was… talkative. It made a *whirring* noise, like a tiny jet engine. Slightly annoying? Yep. Did it ruin my stay? Absolutely not. (Earplugs, my friend. Earplugs.) And even that whirring noise adds character, doesn't it? Character I'll definitely be talking about when I'm recommending the place.
That Pool... Seriously, Tell Me About The Pool!
Okay, fine. You want the pool? You GOT THE POOL! It's... *sigh*...it's gorgeous. Picture this: a rooftop oasis, overlooking the bustling city, but somehow, miraculously, it feels peaceful. The water sparkles. The lounge chairs are comfy enough to nap in (and I did, repeatedly). They have attentive staff who bring you cold drinks. It's the kind of place you could easily lose a day (and quite possibly, a sense of time).
My Utter Obsession with the Pool: I swear, I spent like 8 hours there across my stay. I took pictures of it from every angle. I even saw a particularly handsome (and possibly single) gentleman reading a book nearby. Honestly, the pool is like the heart of the hotel. It's where you unwind, where you recharge, where you decide that, yes, you *do* deserve that extra cocktail.
What's the food like? I'm always skeptical of hotel restaurants...
Okay, I'll be honest. I'm a foodie. A judgy foodie. And hotel restaurants can be… hit or miss. Penh House? Hit. BIG hit. The breakfast? Divine. Seriously, get the avocado toast. *Do it.* And the dinner menu? Creative, delicious, and not ridiculously overpriced. I had a fish dish that was just… * chefs kiss* (I'm sorry, I'm trying not to be cliché, but it was that good!).
My Food Confession: I may or may not have ordered room service at 2 AM after a night out. Please don't judge. The burger was amazing. I have no regrets. (Maybe a *few* the next morning, but still…)
Is the location convenient? I can't be stuck in a hotel that's miles from everything.
Location is *everything* in Phnom Penh, and Penh House nails it. It's near the Royal Palace, the riverside, and a bunch of cool cafes and bars. You can walk to a lot of stuff. Tuk-tuks are readily available (bargain HARD, though!), and getting around is super easy. It wasn't *perfectly* quiet at night due to street noise... but that's Phnom Penh for ya, baby! Embrace it! (And maybe pack some earplugs, just in case, like I said before).
What's the staff like? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or just… robots?
The staff is a HUGE part of what makes Penh House special. They're genuinely friendly, helpful, and eager to please. They remember faces, they offer recommendations, and they're always smiling. There was this one girl at reception, I think her name was Srey, who literally saved me. I'd accidentally locked myself out of my room at 2 AM! (Don't ask.) She was there within minutes, with a smile and a key card. Absolute lifesaver. They're the opposite of robots. They're human, and that's what makes the stay feel so much more authentic. They're attentive but not intrusive, which is a fine line, and they nail it.
Okay, spill the tea! Any Downsides?? What's NOT perfect?
Alright, let's get the reality check. No place is perfect. Aside from the AC, which I already mentioned, let's talk about a couple of minor niggles. First, the elevator is a bit slow. Like, *really* slow. If you're impatient (like me!), you might find yourself taking the stairs after the second time you have to wait. Which, side note, the stairwells are kinda cool, with some neat art, so not ALL bad. Then there was the tiny little problem with the... wait for it... door locks. One of the doors opened a little bit easily, if ya give it a slight jiggle. They're old-style keys, so not super secure, but mostly fine. Just don't leave valuables lying around, you know?
My Truth: Those are truly *minor* complaints. Honestly, even they added a bit of charm, in a weird way. It's a place with a soul, not a sterile hotel chain. These quirks are not dealbreakers. Not even close. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to return to Phnom Penh… and I absolutely plan to.
Would you go back? Or is it all hype?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. I'm already plotting my return. The pool aloneComfy Hotel Finder
