About Kampong Cham accommodation

Kampong Cham sits on a wide bend of the Mekong River in eastern Cambodia, a couple of hours by road from Phnom Penh. It's a laid-back provincial capital rather than a headline tourist stop, which is exactly its appeal: quiet riverside streets, a long promenade shaded by palms, and a slower pace than the capital.

Accommodation here is simple and good value, ranging from riverside guesthouses to a handful of modest hotels with pools. Most travellers use Kampong Cham as an overnight base for cycling out to Koh Paen island, visiting Wat Nokor's ancient temple ruins, or exploring the rubber plantation countryside nearby.

Where to stay in Kampong Cham

• Kampong Cham town centre: The main grid of streets near the market and bus station, handy for restaurants, cafes and getting around by tuk-tuk.
• Mekong riverside: Along the riverside promenade, where guesthouses and hotels look out over the water and put you within walking distance of the bamboo bridge to Koh Paen.

How much is Kampong Cham accommodation?

• Budget: AU$15-35, a simple fan or air-conditioned room in a family-run guesthouse, often with a riverside balcony and basic breakfast.
• Mid-range: AU$35-70, a private hotel room with air-conditioning, hot water and sometimes a swimming pool or included breakfast.

What Kampong Cham is known for

• Wat Nokor: An Angkorian-era temple ruin on the edge of town, its weathered sandstone galleries now enclosing a modern working pagoda built right inside the ancient walls.
• The bamboo bridge to Koh Paen: A seasonal footbridge and roadway woven from bamboo, rebuilt by hand each dry season to link the town to Koh Paen island, then dismantled before the Mekong rises again.
• Mekong riverside promenade and rubber plantations: A palm-shaded walkway along the river in town, with quiet countryside roads nearby running through rows of rubber trees.

Top-rated hotels in Kampong Cham

• Mekong Hotel: A long-standing riverfront hotel with dozens of rooms, popular for its position right on the water and easy walk to the promenade.
• LBN Asian Hotel: Set on the riverside promenade with Mekong views, a straightforward option close to the town centre.
• VV Hotel Kampong Cham: A modern hotel option with comfortable rooms, a step up for travellers wanting extra amenities.
• Monorom 2 VIP Hotel: A budget-friendly hotel in the town centre, a reliable base for exploring on foot or by tuk-tuk.

Travel tips for Kampong Cham

• The bamboo bridge to Koh Paen is only in place from around January to April; outside the dry season, boats or a ferry cross to the island instead.
• Hire a bicycle to explore Koh Paen's dirt roads past rice paddies and small villages, it's flat and easy riding.
• Wat Nokor is about 3-4 kilometres from the town centre, an easy tuk-tuk ride or a longer bike ride.
• Kampong Cham makes a good stopover between Phnom Penh and destinations further north or east, so book a room for one or two nights rather than rushing through.