Parklane Hotel Siem Reap: Your Cambodian Dream Getaway Awaits!
Parklane Hotel Siem Reap: Your Cambodian Dream Getaway Awaits!
Parklane Hotel Siem Reap: My Cambodian Dream…with a Few Quirks! (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, so I just got back from Siem Reap, and let me tell you, figuring out where to stay felt like wrangling a particularly stubborn temple monkey. But after some agonizing, I landed on the Parklane Hotel Siem Reap, and…well, it was an experience. Here's the REAL deal, the good, the bad, and the slightly bizarre, all laid out for your indecisive-traveler-brain.
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- Title: Parklane Hotel Siem Reap Review: Dreamy Getaway or Just a Stay? (Honest Guide)
- Keywords: Parklane Hotel Siem Reap, Siem Reap hotels, Cambodia hotels, accessible hotel, wheelchair accessible, spa, swimming pool, restaurants, Asian cuisine, international cuisine, free wifi, family-friendly, breakfast, airport transfer, clean hotel, safe hotel, review, honest, travel guide, Siem Reap travel.
- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of Parklane Hotel Siem Reap! Accessibility, food, activities, and those little quirks. Is this Cambodian getaway your dream, or just a stay? Find out here!
Let's dive in, shall we? 🏊♀️
Accessibility: The Good and the…Slightly Less Good
Now, I need to preface this: I don't have mobility issues. But I'm always keen on places that claim to cater to everyone. The Parklane says it's accessible, right? Well… Wheelchair accessible? Yes, technically. The lobby and public areas felt reasonably navigable. Elevator? Present and accounted for. But…some of the pathways outside to the swimming pool [outdoor] and restaurants weren't exactly perfectly flat. I’m talking tiny dips, a couple of barely-noticeable bumps. Nothing MAJOR, but if I WAS in a wheelchair it would be a little more challenging than, say, a perfectly paved American suburban parking lot.
The Room: My Temporary Kingdom (And Its Minor Quirks)
My room was pretty darn nice. And honestly, super important, it had air conditioning that could wrestle a bear. It's freaking hot in Siem Reap! The air conditioning in the public areas was welcome too. The bathrobes were lush, the slippers were… well, slippers. Standard stuff but appreciated. Having a refrigerator was amazing for storing those leftover fruit smoothies you inevitably end up with.
Side note: The complimentary tea was decent, but the coffee…let’s just say, it wasn't the reason I woke up early. Speaking of waking up, the alarm clock was a bit of a mystery. I have no clue how I set it or un-set it. But the wake-up service? Perfect. Got me up and ready for those sunrise temple visits.
One thing though? The soundproofing was…patchy. I could hear chatter from the exterior, some laughter. I was slightly relieved knowing I wasn't being too loud. The blackout curtains were GREAT. Sleep is precious.
Food! Oh, the Food! 🍜
Okay, here's where Parklane truly shines. Dining was generally a highlight. I was obsessed with their Asian breakfast. I devoured the pho every day! The Asian cuisine in the restaurant was consistently delicious. Their Western cuisine was fine, but really…go for the local food. You're in Cambodia! There's a Buffet in restaurant, which was fantastic for breakfast. The breakfast [buffet] was extensive, complete with a dedicated egg station where the chef was incredibly kind despite my indecisiveness. They got coffee/tea in restaurant, although, as I mentioned, the coffee was…there. The Poolside bar was a solid way to unwind after a day of temple-hopping with your preferred bottle of water.
I never tried the room service [24-hour] but I was sure hoping to. The salad in restaurant was fresh. The desserts in restaurant were tempting. Also, a few of the staff would crack me up. I swear I saw one guy bring the wrong plate, say that it had a slight imperfection, and it still ended up being delicious! A true artist.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Temple Days
As I made it clear earlier on, Parklane has a swimming pool [outdoor]. It's a very pretty pool with a view, and it was perfect for cooling off after a scorching day. They've got a gym/fitness center, but, honestly, I looked at it and retreated to the pool. I am not a gym person! There's a Spa. The massage was good, really good. I tried the Body wrap, which was…interesting. I also enjoyed the sauna and steamroom.
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind (Mostly)
Okay, I’m a bit of a neat freak, let’s be honest. And I was impressed with the precautions at Parklane. There was plenty of hand sanitizer, and staff wore masks, and they provided anti-viral cleaning products. They obviously had some kind of Daily disinfection in common areas, because everything was spick and span. Also, the rooms sanitized between stays. Made me feel safe. I also did see staff trained in safety protocol, including safety of food.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter
This is where Parklane really surprised me. The concierge was incredibly helpful in arranging airport transfer and tours. They helped me get the taxi service for one of the most awkward and best moments of my life. The daily housekeeping was efficient. The dry cleaning was a lifesaver (Cambodia's heat is no joke). There's a convenience store for quick snacks and essentials.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Vibe
I didn't have any kids with me, but the hotel seemed genuinely family/child friendly. I saw some kids' facilities around, and I'm sure they have a babysitting service in case someone in your group feels they need the help.
Internet Access: The Modern Traveler
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! The Internet access – wireless worked smoothly, and I managed to upload all those Instagram-worthy temple photos, and even get some work done. So that was good.
Getting Around:
They offer airport transfer, which I strongly recommend. Makes life SO much easier. I definitely used the taxi service for getting around Siem Reap. They also have car park [free of charge].
The Upshot: Would I Go Back?
Overall, the Parklane Hotel Siem Reap delivered. It wasn't flawless, (nothing ever is, REALLY), but it had a lot to offer: clean, well-appointed rooms, good food, a lovely pool, and a genuinely friendly staff. The accessibility had a few small glitches, but it was mostly good, and, for the price, it was a great value. Also, the quirks? They're part of the charm. So, yes, I'd recommend it. Just be prepared for a little bit of… well, humanity. And embrace it!
LG Hotel Jember: Your Luxurious Indonesian Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your average, perfectly-planned, color-coded spreadsheet of a travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt at a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, based around the Parklane Hotel. Prepare for chaos, because that's how I roll, and I suspect, how Cambodia rolls too.
The "Trying-to-Be-Organized" Itinerary (with heavy doses of reality):
Day 1: Arrival and Bewilderment at the Parklane Hotel (and possibly my sanity?)
- Morning (ish): Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport. Okay, here's the first hiccup. My flight? Delayed. Standard. Cue the internal grumbling about budget airlines and my inability to pack light (seriously, how does one pack light for ANYTHING?). Find the hotel (hopefully). Getting through customs feels like an eternity. Pray my luggage makes it.
- Afternoon: Arrive at the Parklane Hotel. Initial impressions? Ooh, looks kinda fancy. And AC! YES! Check-in. Then the room… and the mosquito net. I have mixed feelings about mosquito nets. On one hand, they're essential. On the other, I instantly feel like I'm sleeping in a very elegant fishbowl. Settle in. Probably collapse on the bed for a solid hour of jet lag recovery (or at least, attempt it).
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Explore the hotel grounds. Pool time? Maybe. Or maybe just hide in the air conditioning. Dinner at the hotel restaurant, or… maybe venture out? Depends on how brave I'm feeling after that flight. Decision fatigue! I'll probably end up just ordering room service because I'm tired. And who can resist that sweet, sweet hotel air conditioning?
- Impression: The Parklane is… clean and chic. I'm not sure how useful that pool will be, considering the oppressive heat, and the fact that I can barely be bothered to walk ten feet to the bathroom.
Day 2: Angkor Wat, Sunrise, and Existential Dread (and Delicious Noodles)
- Pre-Dawn (like, REALLY pre-dawn): Get up to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. This is the part that everyone, everyone, raves about. This is the part where I will probably break down. Get ready as early as possible. Pray the tuk-tuk driver shows up on time.
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat: Witness the sunrise. The famous sunrise. Hopefully, don't trip over anything in the dark. Try to appreciate the historical significance of the place while battling a mild existential crisis triggered by the sheer age of these buildings. Everyone talks about this being magical, and I am sure it is, but there is also… I am getting up at 4 am.
- Morning: Explore Angkor Wat. Get lost. Get slightly overwhelmed. Take approximately 500 photos of the same temple. Try to pretend I understand a single thing about Khmer architecture. Success: Not likely.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple (faces!), and potentially other temples in the Angkor complex. Embrace the heat. Drink ALL the water. Sweat profusely. Marvel at the skill of the ancient builders. Wonder if they had sunscreen. Wonder why I didn't learn more history before I came.
- Lunch: Find a local restaurant. Eat everything in sight, potentially including questionable-looking street food that may or may not lead to immediate regret (I'm looking at you, questionable-looking street meat I had in Bangkok, 2019). Bonus points if they have cold beer.
- Afternoon: Collapse. Back to the hotel. Pool time? Nap time? Maybe a massage? (Highly likely. I'm a sucker for a good massage.)
- Evening Revisit the hotel at the restaurant - Or whatever is near the hotel. Dinner. Maybe try to get some work done (because, you know, adulting). Then crash in bed. Maybe.
- Emotional Rating: Sunrise at Angkor Wat is said to be moving so I am excited. But also slightly terrified. I'm very emotionally overwhelmed.
Day 3: Ta Prohm, Tomb Raider, and the Art of Doing Nothing (Almost)
- Morning: Visit Ta Prohm (the Tomb Raider temple). This is the one with the giant tree roots growing all over it. Prepare to be amazed. Prepare to take a lot of photos. Prepare to feel like an actual tomb raider myself, except less cool and more sweaty and probably wearing slightly inappropriate footwear.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Explore more temples in the complex, or go to the Landmine Museum (if I'm feeling brave and want a dose of reality) or just… relax. This is where the "flexibility" of my plan comes in. I might be exhausted. I might be full of energy. Who knows? I'm certainly not a planning person.
- Lunch: Find a restaurant. Try to eat something different. Try not to offend anyone with my questionable chopstick skills.
- Afternoon: Chill by the pool. Read a book. Write in my journal (ha! I'll probably just post a bunch of Insta Stories). Maybe even attempt to learn a few basic Khmer phrases. (But let's be honest, I'll probably just end up saying "thank you" incorrectly and looking like an idiot).
- Evening: Find out a local market. It'll be a hot mess of cheap souvenirs and questionable snacks.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, I've had three days to adjust to the heat, the food, the travel, and what I thought would be a magical trip. I am honestly feeling a bit… flat. I love history and culture, but I feel lost in the temples. I am in awe of the craft but I am tired of the sweat and the sun. I need a break.
Day 4: Cooking Class and the Sweet Taste of Freedom (Or, At Least, a Semi-Competent Meal)
- Morning: Do a cooking class. I've always wanted to learn how to cook authentic Cambodian food. Hopefully, I remember to do it. The prospect of learning to cook Khmer curry sounds amazing. I envision myself creating culinary masterpieces, impressing everyone with my newfound skills. Realistically, I'll probably burn something. (I'm not a good cook.)
- Lunch: Eat whatever I've made, and pray the instructor doesn't mind if I make the dish like crap.
- Afternoon: Free time. Revisit a temple? Get a massage? Shop for souvenirs? All of the above? The possibilities!
- Evening: Dinner on my own. Probably in the hotel, just to avoid the hassle of deciding. Or maybe I find a place. One can dream. Early night. I hope.
- Emotional Rating: A bit more hopeful. Cooking class should be fun, even if I can tell I'll be a mess.
Day 5: Departure (and the Aftermath of Awesome/ Exhaustion)
- Morning: Final dip in the pool (if I haven't spent all my time at the pool already), pack my suitcase, and savor one last delicious breakfast? or maybe just cry about having to leave.
- Late Morning/Afternoon: Check out of the Parklane Hotel. Head to the airport. Go through the whole security thing again. Wait for my flight.
- Emotional Rating: Sad to leave, but definitely ready for a hot shower and my own bed. This trip will become a memory. Some of the memories will be good, some of them bad, but all of them will be… well, mine. And I'll probably never, ever, look at a mosquito net the same way again.
Postscript:
- This is the raw, unfiltered version of my trip to the Parklane Hotel in Siem Reap. It will be subject to change. Drastic. And probably for the better.
- I'll have to update it once I get back. You should have seen the look on my face!
- I can tell it will be an adventure. I can bet everyone else is going to love it. I hope I do, too.
Parklane Hotel Siem Reap: Your Cambodian Dream Getaway - (Maybe?) Let's Figure It Out!
Okay, So What's the Deal with Parklane? Is It Actually Good? Spill the Tea! (or, you know, the Amok)
Alright, alright, buckle up, because this is where it gets...complicated. Look, I've been to Siem Reap. LOVED it. Honestly, it's one of those places that burrows into your soul. Now, Parklane… well, let's just say it's not *always* the picture-perfect postcard. Is it good? Yes. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Depends what you're after.
**My Take:** I went in expecting swanky luxury based on some of the photos, and the reality was... a little less polished. Still, the staff genuinely *tried* to make up for any hiccups.
So, the 'deal'? It's a solid, mid-range hotel with a prime location. Just keep your expectations in check. And DON'T assume the pool looks as pristine as it appears in the brochure. (More on that later... *shudders*).
Location, Location, Location! Where Exactly is Parklane Popping Off?
Ah, the golden ticket: location. Parklane scores big here. It's super close to Pub Street (yes, it's touristy, but you *will* go – admit it!), the Old Market (get ready to haggle!), and basically everything you'll want to see.
**Anecdote Alert:** I remember stumbling back after a particularly enthusiastic night (thanks, Angkor Beer!) and thinking, "Thank the gods I don't have to trek miles back to my hotel!" seriously, it was a godsend. Being tired after a long day exploring the temples with no energy is a thing.
The Rooms – What's the Vibe? Are They Clean? (That's the Important Question!)
The rooms are...well, they're functional. Clean-ish? Look, it's not the pristine, marble-floored perfection you might see in those Instagram posts. But, and this is a big 'but,' they're perfectly adequate.
**Expect:** Comfortable beds (thank goodness!), air conditioning that actually works (crucial in the Cambodian heat!), and a basic, no-frills bathroom.
Also I remember my room's view: a glimpse of a courtyard and the faint smell of... well, let's just call it "local life." It wasn't exactly a five-star panorama, but it gave a feeling of authenticity. Remember this place is near Pub Street, so don't expect peace and quiet, it's loud and messy.
The Pool! Did You Use The Pool? Was It a Dream or a Nightmare? (Please, tell me the truth!)
Okay, fine. Let's talk about the pool. *Deep breath*. I’m going to be totally honest here. The pool… well, let's just say it wasn’t what the pictures promised. It was...murky. Not actively gross, mind you, but not exactly inviting.
**My Pool Disaster:** I remember REALLY wanting a refreshing dip after a brutal day at Angkor Wat. The sun was BEATING down, I was sweating like a pig (charming, I know), and I was dreaming of cool water. I got to the pool, and... *sigh*. It just looked… a little tired. Like it needed a good scrubbing and a serious dose of chlorine. I dipped my toes in, thought better of it, and opted for a cold shower. It was a HUGE disappointment, honestly. The photos definitely oversold it.
So, my advice? Temper your pool expectations. It might be fine, but don't bank on it being your personal oasis of perfection.
Food, Glorious Food! What's the Breakfast Situation?
Breakfast at Parklane is...standard hotel breakfast fare. There's an egg station (essential!), some pre-cooked things that might or might not look appetizing (choose wisely!), and fruit.
**Tip:** Go for the omelet. It's usually the freshest option. And pile on the fruit – it's delicious and refreshing.
**The Verdict:** Not gourmet, but it gets the job done. Fuel up for those temple explorations!.
The Staff - Are they Friendly? (Because that can make *or* break a trip!)
YES! Honestly, the staff were lovely. This is the biggest positive for me. They're genuinely trying to make your stay pleasant. They're polite, helpful, and always smiling (even when dealing with demanding tourists!).
**My Staff Story:** I had a minor issue with my AC (surprise, surprise). The staff jumped on it immediately, and fixed it within minutes. They really do make an effort.
So, big thumbs up for the staff. They're a definite highlight.
Okay, so, Should I Book Parklane? The Million-Dollar Question!
Here's the deal: if you're looking for budget-friendly, a FANTASTIC location, and a decent place to crash after a day of exploring, then YES. Book it.
But, if you are a luxury snob… maybe find something more upmarket. Seriously. There's nothing *terrible* about Parklane, but it's not the Ritz. It's good, honest solid.
And just remember my pool WARNING! Book it with your eyes open, and embrace the adventure! Siem Reap will blow you away, no matter where you stay.
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