Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Siem Reap

When you hear of Siem Reap, the first thing that comes to mind is Angkor Wat. The former dingy town is the epicenter of chic Cambodia today and is an emerging gay hotspot. Surprised? The tolerant Buddhist culture helped the foreigner-led gay scene thrive. Did you know also know that traditional Khmer culture recognizes non-binary gender identity? Yes! Even the Cambodian monarchy is liberal in its beliefs and is very tolerant of the LGBTQ lifestyle. All this, coupled with a profusion of gay hotels in Siem Reap, has led to this charming and friendly town becoming a gay hub in Southeastern Asia. Over the last few years, a flurry of gay establishments, particularly gay-owned bars and hotels, led to the LGBTQ set carving out a little haven here. With wink-wink names like Cockatoo and Golden Banana, the gay scene here is thriving, even if people don’t party until 4 a.m.

After all, that’s when everyone, gay and straight, wakes up to head to Angkor Wat, one of the most Incredibly Beautiful World Heritage Sites. Siem Reap is almost synonymous with this massive and breathtaking complex, which also happens to be one of the World’s Most Famous Lost Cities. In fact, most of the Top Things To Do In Cambodia are distributed between Siem Reap and its equally gay-friendly country capital Phnom Penh. What’s more, Siem Reap is also home to a slew of night markets, amazing street food, and museums, besides interesting activities like fish pedicures and dance performances! To that end, here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Siem Reap.

Men’s Resort & Spa – Gay Hotel

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Men’s Resort & Spa – Gay Hotel is a hotel literally designed by (gay) men for (gay) men! It’s not just one of the best gay hotels in Siem Reap, but one of the best gay hotels in Asia. With just 15 rooms and suites, staying here is a very personable and intimate experience. All rooms are sexy to boot and decorated with male nude paintings, more than enough to get you both into the mood. What’s more, they’re all modern, spacious, and even have their own balconies.

That said, all the action at this gay hotel is around the large outdoor swimming pool and the sprawling, gold-and-black tiled sauna and Jacuzzi. The saltwater pool is surrounded by lush foliage and a waterfall, lending the area a tropical jungle and a secluded feel. It’s a very popular cruising area too, as is the sauna. In fact, the sauna is pretty (in)famous as it’s the only gay sauna in town, making it very popular with both locals and travelers. If that wasn’t enough, the place even has a gym where you can show off your beach body or gaze at equally good beach bods, depending on what you want. The cherry on top is the team of talented massage boys who will service (wink-wink) your aching limbs whenever you want, in the privacy of your rooms.

Rambutan Resort 

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Located right next to Golden Banana is Rambutan Resort, one of the gay friendly hotels in Siem Reap. There are many things amazing about this hotel, especially its central location. It’s a few minutes’ walk to Pub Street and its posse of gay bars. Despite that, its surroundings are quiet, ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep. All rooms at Rambutan are chic with huge beds and immaculate bathrooms. Their absolute best feature, though, is that they all have their own private terrace with a splash shower and outdoor bathtub! So, draw yourself and your partner a bath and slip into the warm waters for a little outdoor action. After all, there’s nothing more relaxing after a day of temple-chasing than relaxing in an outdoor bathtub with a beautiful companion and some bubbly. Plus, it even gears you up for an evening of rambunctious fun!

Begin your day with an amazing included breakfast, which is served until midday, and that too by the pool. Are you headed out early for a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat? The hotel even prepares and packs breakfast boxes for you to take, which is a wonderful touch. However, the thing you’ll love most about the resort is their work with the local community. When they opened in 2006, they were Siem Reap’s first gay friendly hotel, offering a safe space for local LGBTQ people to work. What’s more, they employ and train staff from surrounding local villages. If that wasn’t enough, they encourage their staff to study by funding their university studies and even run a scholarship program to fund education for locals!

3 Monkeys Villa

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Run by French gay couple Hervé and Stéphane, 3 Monkeys Villa is one of the absolute best gay hotels in Siem Reap. This male-only gay guesthouse goes out if it’s way to make your stay super homey, memorable, and unique. With just six rooms, staying here is a hoot, especially if you love making new friends or are here to mingle with other gay travelers. The rooms here are an absolute treat; they’re huge, modern, and every room has its own private balcony. It’s like a cozy enclave where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with your partner. Ensuite bathrooms are chic and immaculate, perfectly catering to all your needs.

Since there are just six rooms, it’s an amiable and amicable atmosphere that forms by the pool area, which is the favorite part of the hotel. It’s also where most of the fellow gay guests congregate, which means that there’s always someone to chat or hang out with. The hosts are particularly amazing and help you figure out all your plans and itineraries. For instance, they advise where the best gay parties are happening, help with picnic lunches, and even ensure that your complex Angkor Wat plans are all set. Finally, they even organize a host of private gay events at the hotel, bringing local drag queens to perform by the poolside!

Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa

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Gay travelers looking for affordable luxury will love the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, one of the most gorgeous gay friendly hotels in Siem Reap. This centrally located colonial-style luxury resort hotel oozes a francophone vibe and lies just 15 minutes from Angkor Wat, one of the World’s Most Extraordinary Temples. Rooms are huge and immaculate with modern comforts and retrofitted wood furniture. You can see the attention to detail, armchairs with footstools, and Vietnamese raw silk bedspreads. What’s more, all rooms come with cozy balconies that open either onto the courtyard pool or the Royal Gardens arranged around two patios filled with Frangipani trees. Even the bathrooms are decadent with dark wood furnishings and bathtubs for a bubble bath a Deux.

The rest of the hotel is equally impressive, with the large saltwater pool in the central courtyard taking centerstage. It’s sprinkled with wooden salas where you can enjoy a massage, ensconced by dense tropical foliage for complete relaxation. There’s even a smaller plunge pool where you and your partner can enjoy a nice dip, followed by a lounge on the sun loungers on the large wooden pool deck. After a long day of exploring the city, pamper yourself with a massage or body treatment at the Healthysens spa. If you want even more indulgence, there’s even a salon that offers foot massages. Rent the three eye-catching 1930s Citroen C6 limos for temple or city tours if that wasn’t enough.

Anantara Angkor Resort

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Gay couples who don’t mind staying slightly out of the way will love Anantara Angkor Resort, one of the chicest gay hotels in Siem Reap for couples. Not only is the airport a mere 10-minute ride, but also the gay scene is a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride. Choose from 39 spotless ground- and first-floor suites that exude classic luxury with darkwood furniture and hardwood floors. Khmer artwork and state-of-the-art mod-cons complement them, including usual ones such as flatscreen TVs to perks such as a modest but free mini-bar.

The central courtyard is the hub of all action, dominated by the gorgeous saltwater swimming pool. After a lazy swim and a lounge, head to the in-house spa for a divine massage, followed by a soak in the hot tub. It’s a great way of unwinding after visiting all the temples. Afternoons are best spent by the pool or at the L Lounge that offers high tea and afternoon cocktails as well. It also serves a generous breakfast buffet, while the main restaurant is known for serving modern Khmer dishes with western twists. However, the Anantara is most known for offering unique experiences, including intriguing local market trips, village trips around Siem Reap, and lake and temple tours.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort

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Gays looking for luxury will more than find it at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, one of the largest luxury gay friendly hotels in Siem Reap. Featuring colonial-inspired architecture with typical Khmer elements, everything about the hotel is larger-than-life, even the rooms. Even standard rooms are great and feature views of either the garden or the pool. Nevertheless, furnishings everywhere are flawless, with polished hardwood floors and a flurry of free amenities such as fresh fruit bowls, minibars, tea kettles, and coffeemakers. For a patio and easy pool access, go for the rooms downstairs. However, upper floor rooms are more romantic, with small balconies and spacious bathrooms with spiffy fittings and deep-soaking bathtubs.

What’s absolutely delightful about the Sofitel is that it has Siem Reap’s biggest freeform saltwater pool, complete with a swim-up bar! Lay back on the plush off-white loungers after a refreshing soak and enjoy cocktails from the bar. If you have the energy after all those temple visits, there’s a small gym too. Or, you could head straight to the spa, which offers a slew of wellness treatments. The main restaurant serves all meals, with its dinners sometimes accompanied by traditional Apsara dance performances. However, the second poolside restaurant that serves French fare is more fitting for a romantic and intimate dinner.

The Privilege Floor@Lotus Blanc

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As the name suggests, The Privilege Floor@Lotus Blanc sits on the first floor of the smart Lotus Blanc Resort. Seamlessly melding Cambodian and French aesthetics, it’s one of the chicest gay hotels in Siem Reap. It sits halfway between the town center and the airport, perfect for gay travelers who want to stay away from the bustle. Choose from just 23 rooms and suites, all very bright and simple yet oozing with elegance. Hardwood floors and cool furnishings aside, they have immaculate bathrooms that are very spacious and feature soothing rain showers for a luxurious bath for two. What’s more, you’ll also find double vanities and a freestanding tub that’s large enough for two people for a romantic soak. Finally, most rooms have small patios that overlook the pool or the garden.

But, that’s not all. While choosing rooms, you have two options, one with breakfast or select one of the two comprehensive holiday packages. Nevertheless, you get access to all the amenities, starting with the gorgeously long aqua pool surrounded by massage salas, sunbeds, and coconut trees in the garden. After a swim, a massage at the sala sounds just about right. The on-site restaurant serves both Cambodian and international dishes and a delicious English and Asian à la carte breakfast. If you’re the buffet breakfast kinds, then you can also join the Lotus Blanc buffet breakfast.

Park Hyatt Siem Reap

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Minimalistic and elegant to boot, the Park Hyatt is one of the chicest gay friendly hotels in Siem Reap. The entire hotel is an incredible marriage of über modern and ancient Khmer aesthetics. Think minimalist and contemporary décor and larger-than-life sculptures in all the corridors. Choose from 104 rooms and suites, of which even the entry-level ones are spacious and quietly elegant with a slew of mod-cons. Think flatscreen TVs, Nespresso coffee machines, iPad docking ports, and minibars, topped off with Khmer-style biscuits and fresh fruit. However, it’s the spacious bathrooms that are nothing less than ostentatious. A pair of sliding windows separate the rooms from the bathtubs, which are large and deep-soaking enough for two people. Tip-top, indeed.

The rest of the hotel is equally impressive, right from the traditional torch-lit Apsara dance performances in the central courtyard to the modern gym. Choose from two pools, of which the larger is a series of small pools connected by a small bridge, making it perfect for long and romantic walks. After a swim, a massage and a soak are a must at the on-site spa. The on-site restaurant-cum-lounge serves everything from high tea to a long list of wines, but it’s the Cambodian cuisine at the flagship restaurant that you shouldn’t miss. Breakfast is a hearty affair with a la carte eggs, cereals, cold meats and cheeses, fresh fruit juices, pastries, and Asian breakfast soups – yum!

Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor

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Stay at the intimate Belmond La Résidence Angkor, one of the most exclusive gay hotels in Siem Reap. Located in a prime riverside spot, the hotel is a hop, skip, and jump to the gay scene and a haven of serenity. This is thanks to the tropical greenery and towering palms that provide a welcome respite from the hubbub of the town.

All suites are spacious, bright, and decked out in light hues. Sprawl out on the silk cushions on the king beds and use the bamboo mats on the polished wood floors to their full measure, if you know what we mean. That said, it’s the marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and egg-shaped bathtubs that are the icing on the cake. What’s more, all suites boast outside space too. In fact, the ground-floor Junior Suites have balconies with secluded double daybeds and direct pool access!

The resort’s centerpiece is a stunning saltwater pool that’s ensconced by lush vegetation, parasol-shaded sun loungers, and guarded by an Angkorian stone lion. Besides a fan and a straw hat, you’ll even get a poolside care basket that includes high-factor sun cream. Talk about bespoke service. Aside from a small gym, the sleek Kong Kea Spa, which has a Zen-like relaxation pool, is the place to head to for relaxation. What’s more, the hotel offers a host of complimentary daily activities such as half-day cooking classes, bicycle tours, and tours of galleries accompanied by a local. The nightly buffet is a cincher for Cambodian cuisine, while the poolside restaurant is perfect for breakfast. Do try nightcaps at the Martini Lounge; they’re sure to put you into a mood.

FCC Angkor by Avani

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Its name might say Foreign Correspondents Club, but that’s in name only! Welcome to FCC Angkor by Avani, one of the best gay friendly hotels in Siem Reap. Tucked in an elegant 1960s French Khmer riverside villa, this upscale boutique hotel is a favorite with discerning gays. All 52 rooms and newly refurbished and minimalist in design, complemented by colonial-era design elements. Moreover, they all boast floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open out others to a long wooden walkway or the pool – divine. Plush and comfortable beds and spacious yet minimalist bathrooms with bathrobes, huge walk-in shower areas, and bathtubs make up the rest of the place.

The narrow and long saltwater pool forms the epicenter of the resort. During the day, the combination of the turquoise waters and the sunbeds makes it a relaxing space. By night, it’s lit up atmospherically, as is the Visaya Spa, which offers a stunning array of treatments. There’s a poolside gym as well, that is if you’ve come here to work out. The hotel even provides free within-city tuk-tuk rides, which you can take to explore the gay scene here. The first-floor restaurant serves delicious meals, including a sumptuous à la carte breakfast with Cambodian and American favorites. Do enjoy a drink at the Scribe Bar.

Anjali by Syphon

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Occupying the top spot is attractive and upscale Anjali by Syphon, one of the loveliest gay hotels in Siem Reap. The eco-friendly resort is a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the town center, but you can be forgiven for thinking that you’re in the middle of nowhere. A pathway flanked by a mini-jungle gets you to the resort, which is decked out in a pastel blue and green hues and rattan leaf sculptures. Even the lowest category rooms have plant-ridden balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. Nevertheless, all bathrooms feature cheeky sliding rattan doors, behind which sit decadent rain showers and bathtubs filled with flower petals for amorous sessions. Organic toiletries in lacquer boxes and glass water bottles complete the picture. Oh, and some rooms enjoy direct pool access, so make sure you choose those.

The long saltwater pool is especially pretty, surrounded by lush dense, and lush foliage that you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle. An adjacent bar is perfect for ordering cocktails one after the other, after which a massage or a body treatment sounds just perfect. Or, you could enjoy a soak in the hot tub. During the day, indulge in cooking classes or rent bicycles to explore the town. Plus, the hotel has a posse of cars and tuk-tuks that you can rent to explore the temples of Angkor. Finally, the gastro bar-cum-restaurant has everything from wines to delicious meals, including a scrumptious breakfast.

Best Gay Neighborhoods in Siem Reap

Straddling the eponymous river of the same name, Siem Reap doesn’t exactly have a defined gay neighborhood. Instead, the main gay bars, clubs, hangouts, and hotels are spaced out in and around the city center, which is right along the river. In fact, the heart and soul of the city are the glitzy and scintillating Pub Street, which is home to the best gay and otherwise bars, restaurants, and even shopping markets, which also sell Lara Croft-inspired outfits (role play, anyone)? Most of these bars and places lie on the western side of the river, save Miss Wong, which lies on the river’s eastern banks.

However, all gays, Khmers, and travelers should head to one place is the Golden Banana. Located on the eastern side of the river, slightly south of the gay scene, this boutique resort started out as a humble B&B. Today, it’s not just a great spot for gay travelers to gather but also has a secondary role – that of a sanctuary for young Cambodian men who’re exploring their sexual identity.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Siem Reap

Perhaps Siem Reap’s most iconic gay bar was Linga Bar, which is not just the city’s but the country’s oldest gay bar. However, it’s been permanently shut. That said, a throng of newer gay bars have taken on its mantle and are keeping the Pride flag flying high in the city.

• Miss Wong: This refined newcomer to Siem Reap’s gay scene is modeled on old Shanghai, complete with gold silk lanterns and cherry-red walls. Not only is its owner gay, but also the bar welcomes a wide range of clientele, gay and straight. On typical nights, you’ll see everyone mingling over mocha martinis and lemon-grass-infused vodka concoctions.
• Barcode: Barcode is perhaps the most iconic gay bar on Pub Street and the most centrally located of all of Siem Reap’s gay hangouts. The decor is absolutely OTT – think vintage French renaissance style! Most drag shows begin around 9:30pm and continue until 11:30pm, after which the place becomes a raging dancing space.

Best Gay Saunas in Siem Reap

• Men’s Resort and Spa: Siem Reap has one gay sauna, and boy, is it popular! It’s no surprise, since it’s the one at Men’s Resort! While it’s free for guests to use, outside guests and locals need to take a day pass. Since it’s the only safe gay cruising spot in Siem Reap, it’s very, very popular.

Best Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Siem Reap

• Siem Reap Gay Pride: Siem Reap has been hosting Pride celebrations for a long time. In 2018, the city’s Pride events officially kicked off the 10-day Gay pride celebrations in Cambodia. The three-day event sees cocktail parties, themed events, yoga and detox sessions, a big gay tuk-tuk race (yes, that’s a thing!), and a huge pool party at Rambutan resort. So, get out your most vibrant and teensiest clothes and have a rambunctious time at Siem Reap’s pride celebrations.