Frequently Asked Questions

Planning your stay in Siem Reap?

This FAQ page covers everything you need to know about Babel Guesthouse and Babel Boutique Hotel - from rooms and amenities to what makes the Babel experience unique

Is Cambodia safe to visit right now?

Yes. Despite recent headlines, daily life in Siem Reap hasn't changed. There's a real but localized border conflict with Thailand, far from the main tourist areas — it affects Thailand's side too, not just Cambodia's.

We've lived here almost 20 years and are raising our own kids in Siem Reap. Normal travel sense applies, same as anywhere. Read our full answer: Is Cambodia Safe to Visit in 2026?

  • Babel Hotels are known for their strong commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. We have been a part of the community since 2008, with a focus on creating a welcoming, community-driven environment while minimizing our environmental impact. Babel employs 26 staff and works with 18 tuk tuk drivers, all offered fair wages, on-site English lessons, and scholarships through the Babel Education Program at Build Bright University, ACE School, and the University of South East Asia.

  • Yes - Babel Siem Reap has two locations: Babel Guesthouse and Babel Boutique Hotel.

    Babel Guesthouse is the social, family-friendly choice, while Babel Boutique Hotel is an intimate, upscale villa recommended by the New York Times. Both are located in Wat Bo Village and share the same responsible tourism values.

  • Yes, Babel features Cambodia’s first eco shop and refill station. We offer plastic-free alternatives and environmentally friendly products that are locally and ethically produced, helping guests reduce waste during their stay.


  • Responsible tourism at Babel means actively supporting the local community and environment. We invest in staff education, provide fair working conditions, and offer ongoing training, including on-site English lessons. We also collaborate with local organizations and like-minded businesses to promote sustainable practices and encourage guests to travel in a way that benefits the local community.

  • Our 1 7 tuk-tuk drivers are an important part of the Babel family. We ensure fair wages, provide financial support during emergencies such as illness or family crises, and have helped some drivers pursue further education. Many of our drivers have worked with us long-term.

  • Yes, Babel Hotels follow a strong plastic-reduction policy. We do not use single-use plastic amenities in our rooms. Instead, we provide refillable personal care products, and offer bamboo toothbrushes and combs upon request. Drinking water is provided in reusable glass bottles, and refill stations are available throughout the property. Babel also has its own Eco shop and refill station with products produced in Cambodia, to encourage sustainable choices.


  • The Solhaug Fund was founded in 2010 in honor of Katrine Solhaug's father, John-Daniel Solhaug. It supports education in Cambodia, funding the Babel Education Program and the Young Adult Program at Sangkheum Center for children.

The Babel Experience

Family-Friendly Hotel

  • Yes, Babel Guesthouse is a highly family-friendly and budget-conscious accommodation in Siem Reap. We’ve designed our space to be welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for children of all ages.

    Families can enjoy:

    • Multiple play areas with plastic-free toys

    • A comfortable TV lounge

    • Games, books, and coloring activities

    • Child-sized chairs and high chairs

    • Pool toys for added fun

    • A relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that makes parents feel at ease

    Overall, Babel offers a calm and friendly environment that many families describe as a “home away from home.”

  • We are a budget-friendly option for families who want to experience the local side of Siem Reap.

  • Siem Reap is widely considered one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in Southeast Asia for families. The local Khmer culture places a huge emphasis on family values, and you’ll find that locals are incredibly kind, patient, and protective toward children. Beyond the warm hospitality, the city is very easy to navigate; with a much slower pace than Phnom Penh and plenty of green, pedestrian-friendly spaces along the riverside, it’s a place where you can truly relax. At Babel, we prioritize this peace of mind by ensuring all our transport staff are ChildSafe certified, providing a secure and supportive 'home base' for your Cambodian adventure.

  • Yes, we offer a dedicated kids’ menu with healthy and child-friendly options, available at both of our hotels.

    Popular items include:

    • Chicken fingers

    • Fish fingers

    • Hummus with vegetable sticks

    • Fried rice

    • Mac and cheese

    We aim to provide nutritious, tasty meals that children enjoy while giving parents peace of mind.


  • While we do not have traditional connecting rooms, we offer spacious configurations across both our properties to comfortably accommodate families and groups.

    At Babel Guesthouse: We offer a variety of layouts designed for families, including:

    • Twin Double Rooms

    • Triple Rooms

    • Quadruple Rooms

    At Babel Boutique Hotel: We have two specific rooms that are perfect for larger groups or families:

    • One Large Family Room: Comfortably fits four guests, with ample space to add an extra bed or baby crib.

    • One Triple Room: Located immediately next door to the Family Room, making this combination the ideal setup for families wanting to stay close together.

    Planning your stay: If you have specific needs regarding bedding, room locations, or extra equipment like cribs, please let us know at the time of booking. We are happy to help arrange the best setup for your family’s comfort.

  • Yes, baby cots/cribs are available upon request, free of charge (subject to availability) at both of our properties.

    As a family-friendly hotel in Siem Reap, we recommend requesting a cot in advance so everything is ready for your arrival.

  • Yes, both of our pools are designed with families in mind, making us a great choice for a family-friendly hotel in Siem Reap.

    At Babel Guesthouse, the pool is suitable for children and we provide toys to make it even more fun.

    At Babel Boutique Hotel, the pool is smaller and deeper, with wide steps for easy access. Many families enjoy this quieter, shaded space after a day exploring Siem Reap.

    Please note that there is no lifeguard on duty, so children must always be supervised by a parent or guardian.


  • We do not offer in-house babysitting services. However, as a family-friendly accommodation in Siem Reap, we can help arrange trusted local babysitting services upon request.

    Please contact us in advance so we can organize a reliable and experienced caregiver for you.

  • Yes, our restaurant is very child-friendly, making dining easy for families staying at our Siem Reap hotel for families.

    We offer:

    • A dedicated kids’ menu

    • High chairs

    • Flexible meal options

    • A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere

    We’re used to hosting families and aim to make mealtimes enjoyable for both parents and children.

  • Yes, we can arrange a variety of family-friendly tours and activities in Siem Reap, making us a convenient choice for a family hotel in Siem Reap.

    Options include:

    • Temple visits at a relaxed pace (including Angkor Wat)

    • Food tours

    • Countryside experiences

    • Cultural activities suitable for children

    Our team is happy to recommend experiences based on your children’s ages and interests.

  • Yes, Babel Siem Reap is well-suited for babies and toddlers, and is often recommended as a family-friendly hotel in Siem Reap.

    We provide:

    • Kids menu

    • Safe play areas

    • High chairs

    • Baby cots

    • A calm, relaxed environment

    Our goal is to make traveling with young children as easy and comfortable as possible.

  • Yes, we offer plenty of space for children, which is one reason we’re considered a kid-friendly hotel in Siem Reap.

    At Babel Guesthouse, you’ll find three dedicated play areas designed for safe and creative play.

    At Babel Boutique Hotel, we provide a curated selection of books, wooden toys, and Montessori-style activities for quieter play

Location

  • Yes, Babel Guesthouse is located about 1 km from Pub Street. It is a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute drive. The guesthouse is also just a short walk from the river and the Royal Independence Gardens.

  • Yes, Babel Guesthouse is approximately 7 km from Angkor Wat, which is about a 15-minute drive. It is located on the north side of the city center, making it a convenient base for visiting the temples.



  • Yes, Babel Boutique Hotel is about 1 km from Pub Street. Guests can reach it in around 10 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by tuk-tuk.


  • Yes, Babel Boutique Hotel is located approximately 8 km from Angkor Wat, which is about a 20-minute drive depending on traffic.



  • Yes. Both Babel Guesthouse and Babel Boutique Hotel are centrally located and within easy walking distance of the Siem Reap River and the Pub Street area.

    We are situated on streets with safe, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, making it convenient for our guests to explore the heart of Siem Reap on foot. Whether you are looking for local dining, night markets, or riverside strolls, you can access most major attractions directly from our front doors.

  • We strongly believe that Wat Bo is one of the best areas to stay in Siem Reap. It is a relaxed, residential neighborhood located east of the river, close to Pub Street and within easy reach of Angkor Wat. The area offers a mix of local cafés, restaurants, boutique shops, and supermarkets, while remaining quieter than the main tourist zones.


  • Both properties are located in the Wat Bo Village neighborhood in Siem Reap. They are about a 10-minute walk, or 2–3 minutes by tuk-tuk, from each other, making them a convenient option for groups traveling together.


  • Babel Boutique Hotel is located in a residential area with local cafés and restaurants that typically close by 10:00 PM, making it very quiet at night.

    Babel Guesthouse is closer to a main road and a slightly busier area, but guest rooms remain quiet with minimal outside noise. Guests can also relax in the restaurant and pool area, where daytime noise is hardly noticeable.


  • Yes, Siem Reap is generally safe to walk around at night. Most streets are well-lit, and crime affecting tourists is rare. As with any destination, it’s best to stay aware of your surroundings and take normal precautions.

  • This depends on your travel style—but for many travellers, Wat Bo is one of the smartest choices. While first-time visitors often look at the busy center near Pub Street, staying in Wat Bo gives you a better balance of comfort, convenience, and local atmosphere.

    Wat Bo is just a few minutes by tuk-tuk from the city center, so you’re never far from nightlife or major attractions. At the same time, it’s noticeably quieter and more relaxed.

    What really makes Wat Bo stand out is what’s right outside your door:

    • A wide range of restaurants and cafés

    • Laundry services, ATMs, and local grocery shops within easy walking distance

    • A more authentic neighborhood feel, without sacrificing convenience

    In short, Wat Bo offers the best of both worlds: close to everything, but away from the noise

Tours & Transportation

  • The easiest way to visit Angkor Wat is by tuk-tuk. We can arrange a trusted driver for a private temple tour directly at the reception. Other options include a private car or minivan, or renting a bicycle, motorbike, or electric scooter.



  • Yes, we can arrange private tours to Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. Options include tuk-tuk, private car, or minivan, and can be organized directly with our English-speaking reception team upon arrival.

  • Yes, we work with a selection of trusted, licensed guides. Tours are available in multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Chinese.


  • Yes, we can arrange airport pickup from Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport upon request.

    • Private car (1–4 people): $35 USD (one way)

    • Minivan (groups of 5+): $40 USD (one way)

    Please contact us in advance to schedule your transfer.

  • Our reception staff will be able to help you book tickets for a bus to Phnom Penh. We can also arrange for one of our truseted, English speaking taxi drivers to take you.



  • Yes, we can help you with getting to the islands in the south of Cambodia from Siem Reap. Our reception staff can reserve a seat in a comfortable night bus, or in a day bus if you prefer. We can also arrange private transfer to the harbor with one of our taxi drivers.


Rooms & Amenities

  • Yes, Babel has an on-site restaurant serving fresh, locally sourced food with a strong focus on vegetarian and vegan options.



  • Yes, both Babel Guesthouse and Babel Boutique Hotel offer free high-speed WiFi throughout the property, making them ideal for remote work and digital nomads.

  • We offer a variety of room types, including:

    • Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms

    • Family rooms

    • Boutique-style deluxe rooms

    • Budget-friendly options

    All rooms include air conditioning, hot water showers, WiFi, and comfortable bedding.

  • Yes, Babel Boutique Hotel has a saltwater swimming pool, ideal for relaxing after visiting the temples or exploring the city.

  • Yes, Babel Guesthouse also has a saltwater pool, which is larger than the pool at the boutique hotel. Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurant and communal spaces.




  • Yes, you are welcome to store your luggage with us. For valuables, we recommend using the safe at reception, as we cannot take responsibility for items not securely stored.

  • Babel Guesthouse and Babel Boutique Hotel do not have private parking. However, street parking is available directly outside both properties.

Payments,  Policies & Practical Information

  • When you book directly with Babel, you get the best of everything — and none of the hassle.

    Why Book Direct?

    When you book directly with Babel, you get the best of everything — and none of the hassle.

    Free cancellation until 2 days of arrival. Life happens. Cancel up until two day before your arrival at no charge. Any cancellation after this - Full charge - full stay.

    No deposit required. We trust you. Book your room without paying anything upfront.

    A real person to talk to. Have a question? Email us!

    You support us directly. Every booking through a third-party platform costs us a significant commission fee. When you book direct, more of your money stays with our team, our drivers, and our community.

    The best price. If you ever find us cheaper somewhere else, just contact us and we will match it.

  • Yes, we accept card payments, including Visa and Mastercard.

  • Yes, you can pay in US dollars or in the local currency (Cambodian Riel), or use a combination of both. Please note that we cannot accept torn, heavily damaged, or very old US dollar notes.

  • Check-in is from 2:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM. Early check-in or late check-out may be available upon request.

Digital Nomads & Long Stays

  • Yes, Babel Guesthouse and Babel Boutique Hotel are both well suited for digital nomads. We offer fast WiFi, comfortable workspaces, and a relaxed atmosphere that supports both work and leisure.

  • Yes, Babel Boutique Hotel offers excellent value for travelers seeking comfort and quality in Siem Reap. The hotel features nine spacious, well-designed rooms with modern amenities, including climate control, ceiling fans, minibar, large smart TVs, high-speed fiber WiFi (50+ Mbps), and multiple power and USB outlets.

    Each room also includes a large desk and comfortable chair, rainfall shower, separate bathtub, blackout curtains, and a private balcony or outdoor space—making it ideal for both short stays and longer visits.

  • Babel Guesthouse has a social and welcoming atmosphere, with shared spaces such as a garden, restaurant, and bar where guests can meet and relax. There is also a quieter pool area at the back of the property for those seeking a more peaceful environment.

    Babel Boutique Hotel offers a more quiet and private experience, ideal for guests looking for comfort and tranquility.