Pool Clubs and Riverside Bars
Siem Reap does not have beach clubs. What it has instead is a riverfront, hotel pools open to non-guests, and a cluster of bars along the Siem Reap River that serve the same purpose: somewhere to spend a hot afternoon with a drink in hand, ideally in or near water. The options are genuinely good and considerably cheaper than equivalent experiences in Bali or Thailand.
Hotel Pool Day Passes
Several of the city’s best hotels sell day passes to non-guests, giving you access to the pool, sun loungers, towels, and sometimes gym and spa facilities for a flat fee with a food and beverage credit included.
Park Hyatt Siem Reap: The most centrally located luxury pool in the city. Two pools including a saltwater lap pool and an infinity pool set in tropical gardens. Day pass includes $20 food and beverage credit and access to the steam room and fitness centre. Book directly with the hotel. Sivutha Boulevard.
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra: One of the largest and most impressive hotel pools in Siem Reap, with a Banteay Srei-inspired waterfall feature and 12 poolside cabanas. Day pass available with a complimentary welcome drink. National Route 6.
Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa: Saltwater pool surrounded by a leafy garden near the Royal Gardens. Available to non-guests who purchase food and drink. One of the most reliable and consistently recommended options for a quiet afternoon swim.
Riverside Bars
The east and west banks of the Siem Reap River have a growing cluster of bars and open-air venues that are at their best in the late afternoon when the heat starts to ease. The riverside walk connects the Old Market to the night markets and is pleasant on foot in the early evening.
R-Bar at Rambutan Oasis: In a quiet pedestrian alley near Wat Damnak across the river. Craft cocktails with house-infused spirits, a peaceful garden setting, and some of the most thoughtfully made drinks in the city. Happy hour daily 4 to 6pm with cocktails at $3.50. One of the most characterful bars in Siem Reap away from the tourist strip.
Duckmart Riverside: On River Road north of National Road 6. Open 24 hours. Not a pool club. Four tournament-quality billiards tables, a full bar, sports screenings, darts, and a genuinely mixed local and expat crowd. If you want somewhere unpretentious, well-priced, and reliably good at any hour, this is it. A Siem Reap institution.
Practical Notes
Pool day passes at major hotels are subject to availability and should be booked in advance, particularly during peak season between November and February. Most open from around 8am and close at 8 or 9pm. Bring sunscreen. The UV index is high year round and poolside hours add up.
A full listing of bars, pool clubs, and riverside venues is in the Going Out section of SiemReapLife.com.
