Daun Penh & Riverside Hotels
Hotels in Daun Penh & Riverside, Phnom Penh
By SmileJet Editorial Team · Updated May 2026
The historic core of Phnom Penh, hugging the Mekong waterfront. Walking distance to Royal Phnom Penh Dental Hospital and Phnom Penh International Dental, and to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum. The right call for first-time visitors who want a sense of place.
About the neighbourhood
Daun Penh takes its name from the legendary woman who founded the city. The Riverside strip runs along the Tonle Sap and Mekong river confluence and is the city\'s ceremonial centre. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the Independence Monument, and Wat Phnom (the namesake hill temple) all sit within walking distance.
The pace is calmer than BKK1. Less embassy and dining traffic, more heritage and cultural-tourism foot-traffic. The riverside walking path between the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom is busy by 5pm with locals exercising, vendors selling roasted corn, and tourists watching sunset over the river. It is one of the more pleasant evening environments in any Southeast Asian capital.
Two of our six SmileJet-verified clinics are based in or near Daun Penh: Royal Phnom Penh Dental Hospital and Phnom Penh International Dental. Both are walking-distance from any of the recommended hotels below.
Recommended hotels
Plantation Urban Resort
Mid-range, ~US$80/night
Boutique colonial-era property with a large garden pool – the standout amenity in the neighbourhood. Popular with SmileJet patients for the combination of central location, recovery-friendly pool, and walkable proximity to the Royal Palace and the Daun Penh clinics. Quiet at night despite the central address.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Luxury, ~US$220/night
The classic colonial-luxury option in Phnom Penh, opened 1929. Full-service spa, the famous Elephant Bar, three swimming pools, and a heritage-preservation restoration. Right call for special-occasion trips (anniversary, milestone birthday) where the trip is the celebration as much as the treatment.
Pavilion Hotel
Mid-range, ~US$70/night
Compact boutique with a walled garden, hidden entrance, and a small but well-positioned pool. Quieter than Plantation Urban Resort. Strong choice for solo or couples patients wanting a calm base without sacrificing central location.
Indicative rates – actual prices vary by season; the dry season (November to February) is highest. SmileJet partner rates apply to confirmed bookings via your coordinator.
What is walking-distance from Daun Penh hotels
Within 10 minutes walk:
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- National Museum of Cambodia
- Royal Phnom Penh Dental Hospital
- Phnom Penh International Dental
- Sisowath Quay riverside walking path
- Wat Ounalom (the historic Buddhist temple complex)
- Foreign Correspondents\' Club (FCC) for cocktails or coffee
Within 15 minutes walk or short tuk-tuk:
- Russian Market (3km, US$3 by tuk-tuk)
- Wat Phnom (the city\'s namesake hill temple)
- Independence Monument
- BKK1 dining district (10 minutes by Grab)
Phnom Penh International Airport: 8km, 25 to 30 minutes by Grab.
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Free. Tell us your hotel preference (heritage / boutique / luxury) and we book at SmileJet partner rates.
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