We stayed in Pacific Hotel when we went to Phnom Penh, Cambodia last March 29 to April 1, 2012. From Vietnam we were supposed to go to Siem Reap. But because we were not able to book earlier (we enjoyed HCMC all too well), there were no more slots available for the trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia on March 29. The hotel booking we paid in advance for our stay in Siem Reap went to waste. There was not really much of a choice so, Phnom Penh, it is. Saved us the 12 hour long ride from HCMC, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia. It also meant we’ll have extra days to go around Phnom, Penh.
Because of the change of plans, we arrived Pacific Hotel in Phnom, Penh, Cambodia two days earlier. We were originally booked with Marcau Hotel by our friend and missionary to Cambodia, Pastor Edu. But Marcau was fully booked upon our arrival. But the manager of Marcau Hotel, Hieng Siek Kim made arrangements for us to stay in Pacific Hotel instead, which we were very grateful for. Nora, the front desk staff of Marcau Hotel was also the one who arranged for us our trip back to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on April 1. Having arrived from a seven hour long land trip from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, all we really wanted was to settle in our room and rest our tired bodies.
Our family got two rooms, one for my boys and me and another for my parents. We took the bigger room. We stayed in Pacific Hotel for three days. For a standard room, there was space aplenty, to our son’s delight. The hotel is not new, judging from the unresponsive airconditioning unit and fridge. But nothing that their staff was not able to take care of.
We were just too tired when we got to the rooms that we were not able to take decent photos. There was even a set of cabin furniture that serves as coffee table at the far end of the room. I personally loved the space. I wonder why they charge the same for the room that my parents stayed in, when it was a whole lot smaller.
I like the spacious toilet with bath tub. But it could have been nicer if they had a bidet installed.
We had our late dinner at Pacific Hotel when we arrived. We just did not have the energy to go around the area and check out other restaurants. From what we observed, Cambodians speak better English by notches higher than Vietnamese. Their history would explain why. But I did appreciate this as soon as we arrived Phnom Penh. It finally felt, for once in days, that we do not need to struggle communicating with the locals.
Buffet Breakfast at Pacific Hotel was pretty basic. We still favor Thien Xuan Hotel’s buffet breakfast. Definitely the best from amongst the hotels we stayed in during this trip. If we would go visit Phnom Penh again, we sure will consider to stay in Pacific Hotel again. Plus, the nearby Ratanakiri Spa is worthy of going back to. The hotel’s location is good. Being just a few blocks away from the nearby Soriya Mall.
While I know I have not posted a lot about our Vietnam – Cambodia trip yet, I thought, I should at least finish with all the hotel reviews since I have already published two posts of the hotels we stayed in Vietnam – Thien Xuan Hotel and Ha Hien Saigon Hotel. I know all too well how hotel reviews come in very handy for travelers. Reviews of real hotel guests are the ones I personally look into when considering hotels for our trips. Pacific Hotel is a decent three star hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Pacific Hotel
234 Monivong Boulevard
Sangkat Phsar Thmei II
Khan Daun Penh, Oreussey
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
