Villa Dani

SM Art Center is 3.8 km west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is the closest place to the hotel under “museums & galleries”.

The next two places under “museums & galleries” from Villa Dani are The River Gallery (6.0 km) and The Cocoon House - Art Gallery, Concept Store, Fashion Vintage and Skate Shop - by Cocoon Limited (7.5 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

A small, purpose-built museum on the edge of Siem Reap city, SM Art Center gathers handmade artworks by Cambodian artists across a series of exhibit rooms, with a QR-code audio guide available in several languages. The building itself, along with an attached cafe and a garden out front, is part of the experience, and a gift shop sits at the end of the visit. Workshops are also offered, including a painting session set in the garden that some visitors have taken as a hands-on complement to the galleries.

Guests consistently describe the space as clean, creative, and a welcome change from temple-heavy itineraries, with several noting that the artwork touches on Cambodia's modern history, including the late 1960s, and encourages quiet reflection rather than quick viewing. The ticket price is widely mentioned as reasonable, with a lower rate for Cambodians and students than for foreign visitors. A few reviewers found the layout and flow between exhibits confusing, and one noted the gift shop leans toward the craft-tourism style found elsewhere in the city, though most still called the overall visit worthwhile.

Plan on around 45 minutes if you want to see everything properly, longer if you add a workshop. The museum is open daily from 8am to 5pm. It suits travellers looking for something contemporary to mix into a Siem Reap itinerary otherwise dominated by temples, and those with an interest in Cambodian art and recent history in particular. Booking ahead for a workshop, such as the garden painting session, seems worthwhile given the personal attention some guests received.

• At 3.8 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 158 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

Krong Siem Reap 171201, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 A

Ground Zero: Martial Arts & Yoga Centre is 4.8 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is the closest place to the hotel under “restaurants”.

The next two places under “restaurants” from Villa Dani are HAVEN (5.1 km) and Mealea Watbo (5.1 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

This is primarily a martial arts and yoga training centre in Siem Reap that also runs a small cafe for members and visitors, serving fresh meals, coconut water and smoothies under the guidance of a chef who co-owns the place. The centre offers disciplines including Bjj, Kun Khmer and Bokator, alongside yoga and movement classes, plus facilities such as an ice bath. Longer stays are possible too, including a 28-day retreat format.

Guests consistently describe a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere where newcomers are folded in quickly by both staff and other trainees, even if they arrive nervous or with no prior experience. Coaches are praised individually for distinct teaching styles and personalities, which reviewers say keeps training varied rather than repetitive. The food served on site comes up often and favourably, described as fresh and appealing rather than an afterthought to the training. No significant complaints or caveats appear in the available reviews.

This suits travellers looking to combine a stay in Siem Reap with structured physical activity, whether that is a single drop-in class, a short course, or the longer 28-day retreat. It is less a conventional restaurant stop and more a training base with a cafe attached, so visitors coming purely for a meal should expect the food to be secondary to the martial arts and yoga programming. Opening hours run from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Friday, with shorter hours on Saturday and Sunday, so it is worth checking the schedule for specific classes before turning up, particularly for popular sessions like the ice bath or Kun Khmer training.

• At 4.8 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 320 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

163 Sombai Rd, Krong Siem Reap 171204, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 A

Phsar Leu Thom Tmey is 4.9 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is the closest place to the hotel under “markets”.

The other place under “markets” within reach of Villa Dani is Phsa Kraom Market (6.1 km).

Phsar Leu Thom Tmey is a large indoor market in central Siem Reap that stocks an unusually wide range of goods under one roof. Visitors find fresh produce, seafood, meat, clothing, footwear, electronics, jewelry, and gold alongside food vendors and kitchen items. The market also has money changers. It operates early — from 3 AM most days — reflecting its primary role as a local supply hub rather than a tourist destination.

Visitors consistently note this is a genuinely local market where tourists are rare. Those seeking authenticity appreciate the lack of tourist pressure and the variety of fresh produce and Khmer food on offer. Shoppers report that prices are competitive compared to supermarkets and town-centre money changers, and that most vendors are willing to bargain. The main limitation is language: English is spoken far less here than at Old Market, so communication can be difficult. Some visitors found this an asset rather than a problem, valuing the untouched local atmosphere it suggests.

The market opens at 3 AM and runs until 8 PM daily, making it accessible throughout the day, though it functions most actively as a morning market. Go early if you want the fullest selection of fresh goods and the most authentic atmosphere. Wear comfortable shoes for navigating the indoor stalls. Bring a phrasebook or translation app if you speak no Khmer, and be prepared to navigate by pointing and patience. It suits visitors who want to shop as locals do and experience the working market life of Siem Reap, rather than those seeking a polished, English-friendly shopping experience.

• At 4.9 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.3 out of 5 by 4,173 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

NR6, Krong Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Tuesday: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Wednesday: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Thursday: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Saturday: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Sunday: 3:00 A

The Bean Embassy Roastery & Specialty Coffee is 5.1 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is the closest place to the hotel under “cafés & bakeries”.

The next two places under “cafés & bakeries” from Villa Dani are Dialogue (5.5 km) and The muffin man, Siem Reap (5.6 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

The Bean Embassy is a roastery-café set on the grounds of the Chocolate Garden east of Siem Reap, away from the town's busier streets. It has its own on-site roastery, a small house with plenty of surrounding green space, and both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu runs from breakfast plates, poached eggs and hollandaise among them, to pastries like almond croissants, alongside a full specialty coffee list with detailed flavour descriptions and the option to choose your coffee's strength and sweetness.

Visitors consistently rate the coffee itself very highly, describing it as rich and well-made, with attentive staff who explain the beans and offer small touches like free cookies or water alongside the order. The setting is repeatedly praised for its quiet, family-friendly, green atmosphere, a contrast to more central cafés. The recurring criticisms are the price, which some guests find high for Cambodia, and occasional slow service at busier times, along with air conditioning that has not always kept up with the heat.

It opens early, from 6am daily until 9pm, which makes it a good stop for breakfast after an overnight bus or an early start to the day. Because it sits on the Chocolate Garden grounds outside the central Pub Street area, it suits visitors looking for a slower, quieter morning or afternoon rather than a quick coffee between sightseeing stops. Bringing a book or planning to linger is worthwhile, since guests describe it as a place for sitting and relaxing rather than passing through, and it works well for couples, families, or anyone wanting a calmer alternative to the town centre's cafés.

• At 5.1 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 1,358 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

8VW7+HF5, 52 Chocolate Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Thursday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Friday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Saturday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 6:00 A

HAVEN is 5.1 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is among the three closest places to the hotel under “restaurants”.

The next two places under “restaurants” from Villa Dani are Ground Zero: Martial Arts & Yoga Centre (4.8 km) and Mealea Watbo (5.1 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

HAVEN is a garden restaurant on Chocolate Road in Siem Reap, open daily except Monday from 10am to 10pm. It operates as a training restaurant, giving disadvantaged young adults hands-on experience in hospitality, and the owners are frequently on site, often stopping by tables to chat with guests. The menu runs from curries to salads to vegan options, alongside cocktails and coffee, served in a leafy, relaxed setting that guests describe as an oasis from the streets outside.

Reviews are strikingly consistent: visitors praise the food quality across multiple dishes, from the fish to a vegan carrot cake to a beef salad described as beautifully plated, and several mention returning more than once, including one group of twenty who noted every dish arrived together and on time. Service is repeatedly called warm and attentive, with more than one reviewer describing staff handling a problem, such as a payment issue, calmly and helpfully. The training-restaurant concept is mentioned often and clearly adds to the experience for many diners, who say knowing the purpose behind the place makes the meal feel more worthwhile.

Given the volume and consistency of praise, HAVEN suits travellers looking for a relaxed sit-down meal rather than a quick bite, including groups, couples, and anyone wanting vegan or vegetarian choices alongside more standard dishes. It is closed on Mondays, so plan around that, and the garden setting makes it a good lunch stop if you are already exploring the area rather than a destination requiring a special detour, though several guests treat it as exactly that.

• At 5.1 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 2,738 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

Chocolate Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 A

Mealea Watbo is 5.1 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is among the three closest places to the hotel under “restaurants”.

The next two places under “restaurants” from Villa Dani are Ground Zero: Martial Arts & Yoga Centre (4.8 km) and HAVEN (5.1 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

Mealea Watbo is a Cambodian restaurant on Street 26 in Siem Reap, open daily from 11 in the morning until 11 at night. The setting combines traditional and modern decoration, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and guests mention a view that adds to the experience. The menu runs through Khmer staples such as fish, chicken and soup dishes, finished with desserts like coconut ice cream served with rice jelly and watermelon.

Visitors describe the food as flavourful and well presented, with several first-time tasters of Cambodian cuisine saying they were won over from the first bite. Value for money comes up often, with more than one reviewer calling it the best they have found in Siem Reap. Staff attentiveness is a recurring theme, and one server, Kakada, is repeatedly singled out by name for her warmth, clear English and thoughtful recommendations, including relocating diners indoors when insects became a nuisance during an outdoor meal. The lone practical note is a request to remove bones from the fish soup, a small detail rather than a wider complaint.

Given the long daily hours, it suits both a casual solo dinner and a small business gathering, as one guest describes using it for a work dinner. It works equally well for travellers wanting an introduction to Khmer food and for those who already know it and want a reliable, well-run spot. With close to 1,300 reviews and a rating that sits at 4.9, it draws a steady crowd, so arriving during peak dinner hours may mean a short wait, though nothing in the reviews suggests reservations are essential. Outdoor seating is worth requesting for the view, provided you don't mind the occasional insect that comes with dining near greenery in the evening.

• At 5.1 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 1,331 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

Street 26, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Friday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Su

Kulen Elephant Forest is 5.5 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk. It is the closest place to the hotel under “parks & nature”.

The next two places under “parks & nature” from Villa Dani are Royal Independence Gardens (6.1 km) and Flying Foxes (6.2 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

Kulen Elephant Forest is an elephant retirement sanctuary set within a forested park outside Siem Reap, where a small number of elephants live out their later years in a natural setting rather than performing or giving rides. Visitors join a guided tour through the forest, observing and, in many cases, getting close to the elephants as they roam, bathe or feed, with mahouts and staff on hand to explain each animal's background. Lunch is included as part of the day, and transport to and from the centre is arranged for guests.

Reviews are strikingly consistent: guests repeatedly praise the guides by name, describing them as knowledgeable, funny and clearly attached to the elephants, and several mention that the mahouts treat the animals like family. The focus on retirement and rehabilitation rather than entertainment comes up often, as does the sense that the operation supports both the elephants' welfare and the local community. The pacing of the tour is mentioned favourably, with breaks built in, and food is called a highlight rather than an afterthought. The one practical caveat raised is accessibility: the terrain is not well suited to wheelchairs.

The park opens daily from 8am to 6pm, and given the nature of the visit — walking through forest terrain to spend time near the elephants — it works best for travellers who are reasonably mobile and interested in conservation rather than a quick photo stop. Families with older children and couples looking for a slower, more reflective wildlife encounter seem well suited to it, and booking a guided tour rather than turning up independently appears to be the standard way to visit.

• At 5.5 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 1,179 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

52 Street 26, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 A

Fellini Siem Reap is 5.5 km north-west of Villa Dani — a short ride rather than a walk.

The next two places under “restaurants” from Villa Dani are Ground Zero: Martial Arts & Yoga Centre (4.8 km) and HAVEN (5.1 km), so there is a choice within a few minutes.

An Italian restaurant on Bamboo Street in Siem Reap, serving pizza and pasta alongside a full separate vegan menu, with cocktails and dessert also on offer. The setting is elegant and relaxing enough to be remembered for the atmosphere as much as the food, and it is open daily from late morning into the evening.

Guests are consistently enthusiastic, with a very high volume of reviews backing up the praise. Pizza and pasta dishes such as papardelle come up repeatedly as fresh and well presented, and the vegan menu is singled out more than once as unexpectedly extensive and well executed. Service is a recurring theme too, with individual staff members and managers thanked by name for attentiveness, including small touches like a complimentary birthday dessert or keeping a toddler entertained at the table. Several visitors mention returning more than once during a single stay in Siem Reap, and more than one comparison is made favourably against actual restaurants in Italy. No significant complaints or caveats appear in the feedback.

Given how often repeat visits are mentioned, arriving without a reservation on a busy evening could mean a wait, so booking ahead for dinner is worth considering. It suits couples, families with children, and anyone travelling with dietary restrictions, given the dedicated vegan options. The combination of Western comfort food, wine and cocktails, and attentive service makes it a reasonable choice for a night that steps away from Khmer cuisine, whether for a casual meal or something closer to a celebration.

• At 5.5 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 1,461 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

Bamboo St, Krong Siem Reap 17254, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Su