Phnom Penh

[Hollow Man]

Ro member #1344

Try the ASIA hotel the delux room have bath tub room cost $15-25 usd gf hotel.

Fast eddie 48

Small add. Umm. The ASIA rooms are impeccably white and clean for the price and although it does have a bathtub. No shower curtain in my room or the other room I looked at. Bathroom floor will get wet. However they place an extra thick towel for bathroom mat so my room itself is never wet. Very comfy and clean. Big Luck ($25) has the shower curtains and better views but facilities aren't as new as Asia. More home feel. (older model AC's)

[Fast Eddie 48]

I'm going to be in Phnom Penh from June 22 through 26. It will be my first time in Cambodia, but I've been to other parts of SE Asia. I'd like to find a girl friendly hotel that costs under $50 USD a night. I know people have recommended Flamingo's, but I'd like to have a bath tub or at least an enclosed shower area in the bathroom. I don't like the whole bathroom getting wet when I shower. I read somewhere that Flamingo's doesn't have the bath tub/shower stall arrangement. Also, I'm a bit leery after seeing several posts about theft being an issue there.

Any recommendations? Thanks for the advice.

Ro member #1344

Try the ASIA hotel the delux room have bath tub room cost $15-25 usd gf hotel and the manger ask me if I want girl for LT 35 usd but I like to go out and find my own , they also offer free pick up form the airport I have post info a few month ago do a search .

Fast eddie 48

[Prince Harry]

Lots of PP stuff here today-good.
Yes,there are heaps of ATMs now.
And to go in september-great.Apparently PP ot mian barang right now and there will still be no barang in september-beauty=cheap prices and willing women.
Quality is declining though as more women find western boyfriends/sponsors.
I know this as my very desirable girlfriend is another who has gone straight.
I will be in PP next week and i can provide a birds eye view of cambodia in the wet season.
I expect that things will be hot and sticky for me and the weather will be like that as well.

[Member #1344]

I'm going to be in Phnom Penh from June 22 through 26. It will be my first time in Cambodia, but I've been to other parts of SE Asia. I'd like to find a girl friendly hotel that costs under $50 USD a night. I know people have recommended Flamingo's, but I'd like to have a bath tub or at least an enclosed shower area in the bathroom. I don't like the whole bathroom getting wet when I shower. I read somewhere that Flamingo's doesn't have the bath tub/shower stall arrangement. Also, I'm a bit leery after seeing several posts about theft being an issue there.

Any recommendations? Thanks for the advice.

[Lee66]

I've been in china a while and just know found a internet cafe with no censorship. regarding the local scene, I was including thailand etc. and the time period was in the early 1980"s before aids was in sea. Info came from me talking to locals who speak at least some english, mainly in mae sai, tachilik and bangkok in mid 1990's. while it is true the whites and local monger scene is seperate, the whites begain there bbbj in mass after 2002 or so. locals don't go in for that, just still a quick fuck and no tip.

[Donnylad]

Thanks yet again. Well, that does make things easier. It's the first time I've come across a country whose ATM's don't dispense their own currency!!

Cheers,

Donnylad

[NanaHawk]

ATMs dispense U.S. dollars. There's not enough room in an ATM cash cassette to hold enough Riels to be of any use. But good luck finding ATMs. There might be a couple of dozen of them in the whole country. Maybe 3 or 4 in Siem Reap, maybe a dozen of them in PP, all of these will be in front of Banks.

Please do a search for my previous posts which offer some up-to-date and accurate information relating to ATMs in Phnom Penh.

Any Brit travelling abroad, including Cambodia, should get themselves a bank account with Nationwide to obtain the very best of deals for foreign currencies.

Hawk

[Matt Navan Man]

ATMs dispense U.S. dollars. There's not enough room in an ATM cash cassette to hold enough Riels to be of any use. But good luck finding ATMs. There might be a couple of dozen of them in the whole country. Maybe 3 or 4 in Siem Reap, maybe a dozen of them in PP, all of these will be in front of Banks.

Not quite the case in Phnom Penh. The last reliable count I saw on ATM's was approaching 40 across the (relatively small) city. There are ATM's not only at major banks but also at Caltex petrol stations, along the Riverside and also at major shopping centres. You are never far from cash in PP these days provided you've got funds available in your account!

[Member #2041]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. As a Brit, it is a slight inconvenience to have take US$. I'm presuming here that all ATMS only dispense Riels? I'm also presuming from all your comments, that people will accept Riels in any situation, but it is more cumbersome to carry the notes around?

Cheers,

Donnylad

ATMs dispense U.S. dollars. There's not enough room in an ATM cash cassette to hold enough Riels to be of any use. But good luck finding ATMs. There might be a couple of dozen of them in the whole country. Maybe 3 or 4 in Siem Reap, maybe a dozen of them in PP, all of these will be in front of Banks.

[Donnylad]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. As a Brit, it is a slight inconvenience to have take US$. I'm presuming here that all ATMS only dispense Riels? I'm also presuming from all your comments, that people will accept Riels in any situation, but it is more cumbersome to carry the notes around?

Cheers,

Donnylad

[Dinghy]

And the "on the street" rate is about 4080 more or less (money changers)

4000:1 is the "normal" number - get about $20 in Riel and use them to save maybe 2%

WORD OF WARNING - Every bill must have no rips tears or nicks. Even a small wear on the face of a $1 is enough to have them NOT TAKE IT. I took "new" bills with me and had no problems, but in my wallet, I had 2 with slight nicks - I had to bring those home and spend them later. For the thickness of the pile, you are better off to have nothing larger than $5 (except for the $20 to enter at the airport). Takes up a bit more room, but no shortchanging whatever if you pay in $1 bills or 1+5. Riel is worthless outside cambo except as things to give nieces and grandkids.

[Member #2041]

Basically, they don't have coins. U.S. paper money is the national currency, and Riels are used to make change on a dollar. 1000 Reils = 25 cents.

The best advice is to have U.S. currency in small bills. Breaking a $100 U.S. is quite difficult except at banks. It's good to have U.S. $1s, $5s, and $20s.

[Blunderer]

Hi there. Will be making my first trip in September. Realise it will be the rainy season, so would appreciate it if anyone could advise whether this makes a big difference regarding the ladies? More importantly, I presume all the prices in these reports refer to US $? Also, I presume the payments to the girls are in Riels and not actually in US$? If not, is it because they don't accept Riels or that the price goes up if they are paid in local currency? Does this also apply to all other businesses? On a slightly irrevelant note, do all departure taxes and visa fees have to be in US$ or do they accept Riels?

Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks,

Donnylad

It is worth noting that no distinction is made between dollars and riels in Cambo... you go to the supermarket and both prices come up on the register, often you will get change in a mixture of both... there is a standard exchange rate that everybody just knows - in places with cash registers $1 = 3950 Riels, for everyone else, $1 = 4000 Riels. The dollar is in all ways that matter the national currency and the Riel is simply a proxy for it. Unlike places like Vietnam, you don't get a worse deal negotiating in dollars.

The exchange rate may have changed...

[Hollow Man]

Air Asia Bangkok to Phnom Penh was only 499 baht. WOOO! and now at the PP airport there is a sign that says $2 taxi-Moto to Central Market. worked good for me. took me to CM then directed him to my hotel and added an extra $1 for a total $3 from airport to hotel. $2 is the standard price locals pay. amazing fairness.

first week spent $15 in moto rides just checking out hotels

Paris $15 (kampuchea Krom near CM) fridge tv ac
- Nice clean basic. no terrible bleaching like last time. great window view on upper floors. didnt like male staff. they are the hungry eyed folk that dont make me feel comfortable. you know the type that is very apparent they want your money. they said the massage thing is gone. didnt confirm. decent location and near a lucky market.

Asia $15 (ask for discount to lower price) fridge tv ac
- VERY NICE room for the money. no views. window opens to nothing. Staff is indifferent. they are the ok type that cater to chinese. quiet staff. restaurant there. good location. near stores.

Big Luck $25 (ask discount) fridge tv ac
- 1.5m swimming pool. dry/steam sauna. massage. all on 6th floor roof for $2 each. $6 norm massage. guy downstairs can get a girl to your room for special massage. rooms are lovely with best super wide windows for view. clean and home feel with hoter water thing/fridge/ laundry basket. they replenish your bathroom things like soap daily. excellent staff. breakfast included but you can substitute pool or something. stay in top floors.

Royal heiness $10 (ask discount have to be persistent) fridge tv ac
- dark hotel on a dark street. staff guy who is very helpful. My friend swears by this place and I think it's an ok spot. they try to please.

J-Hotel $15 fridge tv ac
- mostly asians. hotel shrank. they added a casino/club of some sort to it. Honolulu. decent staff. I enjoyed room very much. very clean. bad location. not near anything except alot of other clubs. Parrot and x2

Hotel Deauville $10 (ask discount) fridge tv ac
- great location near CM, sorya, brothels EVERYTHING. bad thing is it's a little run-down and obvious red lights everywhere in hallways. connect to mikado club. good staff. embarassing to bring any normal people here. other guests are... well red light type place.

Chip lay hotel. $13 (possible discount though the fucker wouldn't budge) fridge tv ac
- connected to walk-a-bout. I like the rooms which had a Deauville feel without the red lights. massage in hotel. $20 a pop though may be poss to get it for $15. near shanghai/walkabout/brothels/ and plenty of friendly motos. 2 blocks to lucky market and 3.5 to Sorya Mall

Flamingos $20 (no freakin way yer getting a discount. always booked) fridge tv ac
- enough has been said. top notch hotel. LOVE the rooms. I went here to stay when i got the flu and wanted comfort. near walkabout.

Walk-a-bout $8
- ummm. dont stay here. good for short time. pick a lady and go upstairs for an hour $5.

Lakeside guesthouses $1-$8.
- backpacker area with good food (have to know where) and plenty of packers to talk to. cheap and now ladies can be found here as well. guess they are putting up with it for the business aspect. Blind massages and friendly bars. Great indian food. CHEAP AREA. Low on dough can go here for friendliness. more guesthouses have opened and the roads are paved and drivable. Still is a occasional smell from the lake. Lake is going to be filled up and the lakeside area has been LEASED. all the guesthouses will be gone in a couple of years. sad. I'll miss it.

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Brothels.

St 63 there there. foreigners tend to go to 99D. better selection there i agree but i dont frequent it. St 154 has plenty now as well. also the next street up. I forget the name (81?) has khmer looking girls. will try later. $5 on spot $10 takeaway for me. im chinese type. white people $10 pop $20 take away. the sarting pricew they quote is $40. be firm with a smile. prices drop quick when you walk towards the exit.

Tol Kouk still there, but dirty dirt road and dark neighborhood. offbeaten track type.

Kien Svay is nice. I like it. restaurant for food and they will bring girl to you. still looking for the blue houses. If anyone can help me find that would eb helpful. Bring english speaking moto you trust. no english here all khmer.

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Freelancer bars.

SOB SOB SOB. quality has dropped considerably. SOB SOB SOB. Found out my favorites got married or have western BF. Still the same old viets there. some new faces but not many worthwhile ones. Depends on your taste.

Pick-up a visitor guide in any bar for listing of bars and map.

Martinis.
Same same. prices have gone up kinda. costs have gone up but the girls will still take $10. they rather 15. ST. LT still 20-30.

Sharky.
Same same. wont bother explaining what has been spoken of plenty of times. quality down. Khmer stretchmarks are the soup of the day. tsk tsk. check the belly guys. rub the belly for lines first. khmer tits actually completely deflate after childbirth.

Golden Vine
Girls dance on tables every 30 min. fast jiggling is nice. girls are super duper friendly. $5 barfine place. avg looks 5-7 girls.

Heart of Darkness
Less ladyboys, thank god. dance club. girls go here to have fun and dance (good). really late 2-3am girls go here as last chance to pickup if they failed in other bars. hit n miss. wide range including tourist chicks here.

Riverside
More Riverside girls available. Interesting. take care that the riverside has alot opf druggy chicks that sleep there. take care you dont pick up more than you bargained for. more NGO's afoot. best food/bars though and plenty of tourists to chat.

Getting tired. To be continued.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Ekspat]

Does this also apply to all other businesses? On a slightly irrevelant note, do all departure taxes and visa fees have to be in US$ or do they accept Riels?

Hotels, Restaurants, Ladies, Arrival and Departure fee, all is paid in USD.
Only payments less than 1 USD is in Riel eg. 1000 Riel for a short moto-ride.
Take care, mate!
Cheers!