Pavilion

Set ten minutes’ walk from the Royal Palace and a few more from the riverfront, the Pavilion can boast of a rather privileged location — fitting, given its history as a royal residence. It’s built from a compound of four villas, one of which belonged to Queen Kossamak, King Sihanouk’s mother. After a careful restoration, these villas now house a total of 36 rooms and suites in a style that’s more or less equal parts contemporary and classic: the buildings are protected, which influences the floor plans, but the décor is light, clean, and boutique-inspired.

It’s also more than a little bit luxurious, featuring a pair of swimming pools: the Lush Pool, shaded throughout the day by tall trees, and the Sun Pool, whose defining attribute should be self-explanatory. A pair of poolside lounges serve breakfast followed by drinks and a light menu of Khmer and international dishes. Meanwhile a small spa offers massages and other treatments, and the hotel makes bicycles available for those who wish to explore on two wheels. Given its intensely urban location, it’s a marvel of privacy and tranquility, and when it comes to convenience it’d be hard to surpass.