Gay Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Phnom Penh, Cambodia - The Nomadic Boys

“Guys, how many days should I stay in Phnom Penh?” …is a question we get asked a lot by our readers. And the answer is, it really depends on how much time you have on your hands to explore Cambodia. We came here expecting to stay for a few days but ended up staying for a few weeks!

Phnom Penh is the capital city and main transport hub of Cambodia. It’s famous for the Killing Fields – a harrowing memorial dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Most come to visit this then quickly move on to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat. For us, we extended our trip here because we quickly fell in love with the bustling Cambodian capital. It’s a very cool, modern, city, similar to Bangkok but on a much smaller scale.

At the end of the day, it depends on how long you’ve got for your Cambodia trip. We think you could easily spend a week (or two!) in gay Phnom Penh and never be bored. However, for those pushed for time, we think two days is more than enough to get a flavor of the city and learn about the country’s sad history.

When is the best time to visit Gay Phnom Penh?

We think Phnom Penh can be visited at any time of year. There is no “ideal” time to go or months to avoid.

In terms of weather, the dry season takes place between November to April. At this time of year, the sky is usually clear blue. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so hotels are at full price, and tourist attractions are heaving with package tourists.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Vietnam Gay Travel Resources

Gay Siem Reap – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Siem Reap - The Nomadic Boys

Angkor Wat is the reason why most people visit Siem Reap. This ancient UNESCO listed religious complex dates back to the 1100s and is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world. It’s a massive circuit of really impressive temples in the middle of a jungle where nature has taken over. The Ta Prohm Temple is the most recognisable thanks to Angelina Jolie sashaying her way through it as that famous video game movie character back in 2001, earning it the nickname the “Tomb Raider Temple”.

Siem Reap is the base for visiting Angkor Wat. We stayed here for 1 week to allow us ample time to explore the magnificent temples as well as spend some time discovering the city and the gay hangouts. It’s super touristic, international with plenty of restaurants, hotels and even a small and fun gay scene based around the aptly named Pub Street.

In our gay travel guide to Siem Reap, we set out practical tips for LGBTQ travellers based on our experience, including the most gay friendly hotels to stay, bar/clubs to check out, inspiration for things to do including Angkor Wat, and more.

Siem Reap Gay Area

Siem Reap doesn’t have a defined gay neighborhood. Instead, the main gay hangouts and hotels are spaced out in and around the city centre. We always started our evening in the touristic area called “Pub Street” because this is where the best restaurants can be found (as well as all the souvenir shops and markets for us to top up our Lara Croft inspired outfits)… In terms of gay bars/clubs in Siem Reap, there are 3 to check out. The most central are Barcode and the Miss Wong Cocktail Bar both located in and around the Pub Street area. Further afield, around 15 minutes walk southeast from Pub Street is DreamBoys.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Cambodia Gay Travel Resources

Gay Cambodia

Phnom Penh - Gay Cambodia The notion of exploring a long-lost city is a thrilling prospect. Deep in the Cambodian jungle, the historical ruins of Angkor are unique and astonishing. Set foot here and you’ll feel part of an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. Once the thriving capital of the Khmer Empire, these relics of an ancient civilization were cloaked by dense forest, forgotten by the world until they were rediscovered in the late 19th century. Considering what Cambodia has endured since, you might wonder if this rediscovery unleashed a mighty curse on the country. Bombed by the US during the Vietnam War, then destabilized by a military coup and a communist insurgency, then ravaged by Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge regime, then occupied by Vietnamese troops, then jolted by a coup d’état, Cambodia has been repeatedly brutalized throughout its recent history. It’s unsurprising that few tourists ventured here during all that turmoil. While other ancient wonders such as the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and the ruins of Machu Picchu attained must-see status, the Angkor temples remained a long way off the tourist trail for a century after their rediscovery. By the time Lara Croft herself came to raid the temples of Angkor in 2000 (in the shape of Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie), things were starting to change, and the fact that key scenes from the film Tomb Raider were shot here helped to reinforce confidence in Cambodia as a tourist destination. As visitor numbers increased, the nearby town of Siem Reap blossomed into a lively resort. In the past few years, it’s grown exponentially with stylish new hotels, gourmet dining, and fabulous shopping. Siem Reap’s leading hotels echo the past. Open since 1932, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is full of romance and drama. Built in an elegant French colonial style, this iconic landmark boasts the largest swimming pool in Cambodia. Surrounded by frangipani trees, its grand design was inspired by the ancient Royal bathing pools of Angkor.

By Stuart Haggas – Full Story at Passport

Cambodia Gay Travel Resources

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Arthur and Paul – Gay Phnom Penh, Cambodia Hotel

Arthur and Paul For an hour, a day, a night or maybe more … enjoy our customized services in a renovated 1930’s building, in the refined and chic Boeung Keng Kang (BKK1) district. Let yourself be transported by its ideal location 2 minutes’ walk from famous Pasteur Street with many shops and restaurants and 5 minutes by tuk tuk from Central Market, the National Museum, the Royal Palace or Sisowath Quay along the Mekong River. Let yourself be amazed by the seventies design of our ten large themed bedrooms each with a view, from 27 square meters (290 square feet) to 43 square meters (463 square feet) each tailored to meet your every desire. Our rooms bear the names of mythical gay couples who give free rein to your fantasies. At Arthur and Paul hotel (A&P), feel free to sleep late as long as you want after your night on the town and have breakfast throughout the day as well as check-out at any time. And when it comes to bedding, Arthur and Paul hotel wins even the toughest comparisons. Indulge yourself with a touch of luxury thanks to our Egyptian cotton bedding sets. Beautifully soft and exquisitely crafted to offer ultimate comfort whilst you rest, Egyptian cotton is an essential ingredient for a perfect night’s sleep, providing a soothing place to rest night after night. Exuding softness, Arthur and Paul’s Egyptian cotton bed sheets are wondrous for a luxurious nights rest and give the most indulgent slumber. Hotel amenities include also the following (non-exhaustive list):

  • Queen size bed (180cm)
  • Powerful air conditioning providing cool and hot air on demand
  • Complimentary internet access wifi broadband technology
  • 22 inch LCD flat screen televisions (HDMI video input to view your movies and photos) with a selection of international channels
  • Large walk in showers
  • Separate toilet with hand shower
  • Wardrobe
  • Desk with international electrical outlets
  • Mini-bar (2 bottles of mineral water provided each day)
  • Kettle with tea and coffee
  • Safe to store your valuables
  • Hair dryer
Let yourself be welcomed, pampered, massaged by an exclusively male staff providing highest quality service to the greatest degrees of elegance and discretion. Let yourself be lulled by the soul of the passionate relationship between the two famous French poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine which inspired the style and set the tone. Be enchanted by the poetry of ARTHUR AND PAUL which will rhyme your emotions, suit your desires of the day: from poetry to sustenance, from room to room, between SPA, steam room, Jacuzzi, the natural swimming pool with its long lap pool ,and of course the restaurant. With Arthur and Paul, an encounter is guaranteed every time.

See the Arthur and Paul Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Cambodia

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Oceanlink Travel – Gay Vietnam Tour Operator

Oceanlink Travel Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Oceanlink Travel assembles members having great passions for the tourism industry. Besides that, our travel product team also specializes not only in running classic tours but also in offering unique and sublime tour programs by bringing tourists deep impressions of culture, local people, and cuisine in Vietnam. Especially, our leading programs are pre-wedding photo shooting, wedding and honeymoon packages for LGBT Tourists. We can turn tourists’ dreams of love into reality by our thoroughness and thoughtfulness, so as to ensure that the tourists will have truly memorable experiences in Vietnam. Why is Oceanlink Travel trusted to provide these leading packages for LGBT tourists?

  • In-house photographer & stylist
  • LGBT friendly tour guides
  • Using our own transportation fleet
  • Travelling with local experts
  • Offering unique & romantic beach resorts

See the Oceanlink Travel Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Vietnam

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Angkor Wat?

Angkor WatOh yes, Angkor Wat and the the Cambodian temples – a bucket list favorite and truly outstanding, if you love ruins. From a distance their enormity and grandeur awed and humbled us as we realized what the toil of thousands of workers had produced. But seriously folks, once inside the huge blocks of stone and surrounded by countless depictions of gods, warriors and dancing girls the excess of it all melds together. To the uninitiated, one interior is like another as they trudge across vast anterooms and then face stairs up to the towers, stairs down to the gardens, stairs up to the gates, stairs down to the pool and stairs up to the main stairs. At every point, the eyes are inundated with imposing statues, elaborate columns and enormous carved panels depicting battles, rituals and kings all with names having six to10 syllables which were reverently intoned by our guide. He had learned it all by rote and happily rattled on (and on) listing everyone’s pedigree and claim to fame. Also included were minute details regarding the hero’s inevitable companion – usually a lion, three-headed elephant, monkey or bullfrog. Our heads aching and reeling from the mostly incomprehensible verbal deluge, but so grateful for the finale, we gushed our thanks and tipped him hugely before trekking half a mile to our tuk-tuk and hurdling on to the next massive dilapidation whose rooms, towers and corridors duplicated what we just left, including the stairs.

By Bill Hanson – Full Story at LGBT Weekly

Cambodia Gay Travel Resources

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