Forest King Hotel

Hidden down a dirt road and behind a bit of foliage, a plant- and tree-filled garden leads to the Golden Mango Inn -- it's this tucked-away atmosphere that makes the inn a perennial hit, and the free cold towel and welcome drink on arrival are a nice touch. A stone elephant sculpture topped with a small pool of flowers marks the entrance to the lobby, which is filled with teak-wood staircases, pillars, and ceilings typical of traditional Siem Reap. In fact, almost everything in the lobby is made of teak, from balusters to heavy bench couches, to the beautiful stairways, creating a undeniably charming vibe. All in all, this is a simple and straightforward inn and most guests are couples and traveling friends wanting to relax at a safe distance from the busy, touristy center of town.

Golden Mango Inn is located outside of Siem Reap's center and east of the river and the local Psar Leu Market. This area of town along the National Road is chaotic and crowded, although the guesthouse sits down a dirt side road, making it feel secluded and keeping it safe from noise. While it isn't convenient for those who want to be in the center of town, the inn provides a free tuk-tuk service to Pub Street and the Old Market area, although guests must find their own transportation home. It's 10 minutes by cab to the lively Pub Street and Old Market areas, where there are countless restaurants, bars, trendy boutiques, bookstores, massage parlors, street food stalls, and all manner of tourist wares. The guesthouse is convenient for exploring Angkor Wat, as it's near a shortcut road that bypasses the traffic-clogged main road normally used by tourists coming from the town center. The famed temple is only a 15-minute drive from Golden Mango Inn, though the other temples will take more time to reach. The airport is a 20- to 30-minute drive from the hotel depending on traffic.

The 32 rooms at Golden Mango Inn are divided into Standard and Deluxe categories, with double and twin bed options available in the Deluxe Rooms, and single, double, twin, and triple beds available in Standard Rooms. There's a fairly significant difference between the two categories -- reflected in price as well -- though all are bright and cheerful. Standard Rooms are relatively basic, with dark granite floors and white walls, a handful of simple wooden furniture, and some bright woven tapestries hanging on the wall, giving them a needed dose of color. Deluxe Rooms have mosquito netting over beds, colorful patterned tiled floors, and extra wooden settees with colorful cushions. These rooms also have terraces and charming details like large decorative vases. 

All rooms include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, safes, electric hot water kettles, and TVs -- flat-screen in the Deluxe Rooms and tube-style in the Standards. The Standard Room bathrooms have either showers only or shower/tub combos with pump toiletry dispensers -- they're not the nicest we've seen. Bathrooms in the Deluxe Rooms are far nicer, with rainfall showerheads in walk-in showers, granite vanities, and vessel sinks plus contemporary fixtures. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi and bottled water. Robes and slippers are also provided. 

As a small boutique property, the list of features is predictably small here, though there are a few that make this guesthouse stand out. The swimming pool is long enough for a few laps and set in a verdant courtyard with flowering trees overhead and a terrace with sun loungers and umbrellas to the side. The guesthouse also has a small open-air restaurant serving free breakfasts that include pancakes, noodle dishes, eggs, and fruit, as well as both Western and Khmer cuisine throughout the day and evening. The restaurant is a relaxed place for a meal, with red tablecloths, hanging paper lanterns, and several large stone statues -- there are tranquil views all around the lush garden. In the lobby, there are several free computers for guests to use, and the hotel has bicycles that are free for the taking -- these are particularly handy for touring the closer Angkor temples. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's a free tuk-tuk shuttle into town, though guests must secure their own way back to the inn.