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BABEL SIEM REAP
Boutique
Gallery
Menu
Guesthouse
Eco-Shop
Gallery
Menu
Tours
Where to Eat
Responsible Shopping
Siem Reap Travel Guide & Local Tips
How to visit the temples
Angkor Wat with kids
Siem Reap with Kids
About Us
Environmental Initiatives
Blog
Press
FAQ
Book Now
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Modern bedroom with a large bed, two windows with brown blinds, a ceiling fan, a black nightstand with lamps on both sides, and a small sitting area near a window with natural light.
Hotel room with a large bed with white bedding and brown pillows, two nightstands with lamps, a framed artwork of a tiger above the bed, windows with blinds, a ceiling fan, and a door leading outside to a small patio with a bench, greenery, and a tre
A modern hotel room with a white bed, beige pillows, black nightstands with lamps on each side, artwork above the bed, multiple windows with brown blinds, and a small balcony with a wooden chair and lush green plants outside.
A bedroom with a bed, two pillows, two nightstands with lamps, two windows, a framed picture of a leopard in jungle leaves on the wall.
Bedroom with white bed, brown pillow, black nightstand with lamp, window with view of greenery, and a small outdoor sitting area with wooden bench and table.
A bedroom with a bed, two beige pillows, two nightstands with yellow lamps, two windows with blinds, and a framed artwork of a tiger surrounded by leaves on a brown wall.
Modern bedroom with a large bed, gold pillows, nightstands with lamps, framed artwork above the bed, windows with brown blinds, a ceiling fan, and a tiled floor.
Room with two large beds, each with white linens and beige pillows, black bedside tables with lamps, windows with blinds, and a balcony with outdoor seating. An artwork depicting tropical foliage hangs on a brown accent wall.
A modern hotel room with two beds, each with white bedding and brown accent pillows. There are three large windows with brown blinds, a ceiling fan, a black bedside table with a yellow lamp, a painting on the wall, and a small balcony with chairs out

West Baray: A Day Off, Cambodian Style

West Baray — Tuk Tuk Transfer: $15 round trip from Babel. You choose when to go — no fixed departure times from our end.

West Baray is a massive, rectangular reservoir built during the Angkor period. Measuring roughly 8km by 2km, it is one of the largest hand-built reservoirs on Earth — a true masterpiece of ancient Khmer engineering.

The Local Vibe

Unlike the temples, West Baray is a living destination. It is where the people of Siem Reap go to relax, especially on Sundays.

  • Hammock Life: Rent a small bamboo hut with hammocks to catch the breeze and watch the world go by.

  • Swimming: Do what the locals do — swim in a T-shirt and shorts. West Baray is a family destination and a holy site. Wearing a T-shirt ensures you feel relaxed and fit in with the local vibe.

  • Island Temple: Take a traditional boat to West Mebon, a small 11th-century temple sitting on an artificial island in the centre of the reservoir. Approx. $10–$15 per boat.

Street Food

Forget the fancy restaurants! The shore is lined with food stalls selling the freshest local snacks:

  • Famous BBQ chicken, grilled fish, or local frogs

  • Fresh coconuts and seasonal fruits like mango, jackfruit and pineapple

  • And for the brave — fried crickets and other local bugs. You might surprise yourself!

No Angkor Pass required.

Insider Tip: If you want a quiet experience, visit on a weekday morning, or even the afternoon. If you want to see the real local energy, go Sunday afternoon —its busy and a completely different experience.

The Lotus Silk Farm

The Lotus Silk Farm — Tuk Tuk Transfer: $12 round trip from Babel. You choose when to go — no fixed departure times from our end.

This is an eco-tourism gem!

Since 2003, the Samatoa Lotus Silk Farm has been empowering local women by transforming the sacred lotus flower into rare, vegan, luxurious silk using ancient Cambodian techniques. A 30-minute guided tour takes you through the entire production process — from lotus stem to finished fabric — including a traditional lotus tea ceremony.

  • Adults: $5 | Children under 12: Free

  • Departures every 30 minutes (English & French)

  • Optional Lotus Boat Excursion: $10 per person (A beautiful 30-minute boat trip through the blooming lotus cultivation areas — highly recommended)

Why we love it

This is one of those experiences that sounds interesting on paper and then completely blows you away in person. The process of turning a lotus stem into silk thread is extraordinary — and the women who do it have been perfecting their craft for decades. A genuinely unique experience you will not find anywhere else in the world.

Angkor Silk Farm

The Angkor Silk Farm by Artisans d'Angkor — Tuk Tuk Transfer: $17 round trip from Babel. You choose when to go — no fixed departure times from our end.

A renowned Cambodian social enterprise operating since 1992, creating career opportunities for rural youth while reviving ancient Khmer craftsmanship. The 8-hectare farm offers a free guided tour (English, French, and Khmer) through their eco-friendly production process — Cambodian yellow silkworms, organic mulberry orchards, and master weavers creating intricate Hol Ikat patterns.

  • Location: Puok District, approximately 20 minutes from Babel

  • Hours: Daily, 7:30am–5:30pm

Insider Tip: Combine with a stop at the Living Arts Village by Artisans d'Angkor near the Old Market. For $19 total your driver will include this stop — it completes the picture of Cambodian craftsmanship from silk weaving to stone carving, lacquerware and silver work.

Why visit? This is not just a shop — it is a working farm and workshop where you can watch every step of the silk production process. From the silkworms munching on mulberry leaves to the master weavers at their looms, it is a fascinating and educational experience for all ages- kids love holding the little silk worms!

The shop at the end is genuinely one of the best places in Siem Reap to buy a meaningful, high-quality silk products that will last you a lifetime.

Babel Guesthouse

738 Wat Bo Road
17254 Siem Reap

Contact

babelsiemreap@gmail.com

BABEL GUESTHOUSE (855) 788 58 469

BABEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL (855) 772 99 803

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Babel Boutique

26 Aleah Road
17254 Siem Reap