This review of Okay Boutique Hotel in Phnom Penh covers its central location, Khmer-style design, rooftop pool, and what to expect from a budget-friendly stay, based on listings from booking platforms and editorial sources. Located down a quiet alley behind the Royal Palace and the National Museum (The Hotel Guru), this 40-room property offers an affordable base in the heritage quarter.
Last checked: 2026-06-09
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Price from: €20/night · Address: #174, Street 19z, Phnom Penh · Amenities: Rooftop pool, free WiFi, gym · Nearby: National Museum, Royal Palace
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-09.
Sources reviewed: editorial travel site (The Hotel Guru), online travel agencies (Expedia, Hotels.com), review platforms (TripAdvisor, Booking.com).
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.
Snapshot: Okay Boutique Hotel
- Quiet alley behind the National Museum and the Royal Palace (The Hotel Guru)
- 40 rooms (The Hotel Guru)
- Outdoor rooftop pool (The Hotel Guru; also confirmed by Hotels.com)
- Khmer-style lobby with golds and reds (The Hotel Guru)
Key facts at a glance
| Price from | AU$54 per night (Hotels.com) |
|---|---|
| Address | #174, Street 19z, Phnom Penh |
| Amenities | Rooftop pool, free WiFi (Expedia says “free WiFi”) |
| Nearby | National Museum, Royal Palace |
Why stay at a boutique hotel?
Boutique hotels are known for their distinct character and personalised service, often reflecting local design traditions. Okay Boutique Hotel embodies this with a lobby decorated in Khmer style, where golds and reds dominate the aesthetic (The Hotel Guru). For travellers who prefer atmosphere over uniform chain-hotel rooms, this property offers a sense of place that larger hotels rarely provide.
Personalised service and unique character
The Hotel Guru notes that the property “sets itself apart” through its local design. With only 40 rooms, staff can offer more attentive service than at a 200-room property. The rooftop pool and lounge area create a social hub for guests after a day of sightseeing.
The Okay Boutique Hotel experience
Reviewers on Hotels.com highlight the rooftop as a highlight, alongside two poolside bars. The trade-off is that the hotel does not appear to have a full restaurant; breakfast is included according to some sources (TripAdvisor mentions “free daily breakfast” for the hotel, though no specific review text is available in our research). If you want to eat other meals on site, you may need to rely on the bar menu or venture out.
Why this matters: A boutique hotel’s appeal lies in its individuality; the Khmer-style decor and rooftop pool give this property a distinct identity among Phnom Penh’s mid-range options.
Insider tip
Request a high-floor room facing the pool for better light and less street noise. The rooftop area is especially pleasant in the late afternoon.
What’s the best area to stay in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh’s historic core—the Daun Penh district—is where most major sights are concentrated. Okay Boutique Hotel sits behind the Royal Palace and the National Museum, placing it within a 10-minute walk of the city’s top landmarks (The Hotel Guru).
Daun Penh district and the Royal Palace area
The hotel is described as “surreptitiously located down a quiet alley” by The Hotel Guru, which means it avoids main-road traffic noise while remaining close to the action. Expedia confirms it is “in the heart of Phnom Penh City Centre” (Expedia). The walk to nightlife zones like the Riverside and Street 178 takes about 8 minutes. This balance of quiet and centrality is a key advantage.
The implication: If you want to explore the Royal Palace, National Museum, and central markets on foot, this location is hard to beat at this price point.
How many days is enough in Phnom Penh?
Most travellers spend 2–3 days in Phnom Penh to cover the major historical and cultural sites. The hotel’s location makes it an efficient base for a compact itinerary.
A 2-day itinerary including the National Museum
Day one: visit the Royal Palace (5-minute walk), then the National Museum (3-minute walk). Day two: take a morning tuk-tuk to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Evening rooftop pool at Okay Boutique Hotel. For travellers with only one full day, the hotel’s walkability saves time and tuk-tuk costs.
The bottom line: A 2-night stay gives you enough time to see the highlights without feeling rushed, and the central lodging cuts down on transit.
Who typically stays at boutique hotels?
Boutique hotels attract travellers who value authentic experiences over uniformity. Based on the property details and typical guest profiles, Okay Boutique Hotel appeals to three main groups.
Solo travelers and couples seeking authenticity
The small size (40 rooms) and communal rooftop encourage meeting other guests. The Khmer-themed interior offers a more local feel than glass-and-steel high-rises. Solo adventurers on a budget will appreciate the free breakfast and central location. Couples looking for a romantic but affordable stay often choose properties with rooftop ambiance.
The pattern: This hotel is best suited to travellers who prioritise location, design character, and value over luxury amenities like a gym or spa.
“The hotel lobby sets itself apart, with Khmer style in all its majestic opulence; golds and reds overwhelm the eye.”
— The Hotel Guru
Location and getting there
Okay Boutique Hotel is located at #174, Street 19z, Phnom Penh. The hotel is down a quiet alley behind the National Museum and the Royal Palace (The Hotel Guru). From Phnom Penh International Airport, a tuk-tuk takes about 30 minutes and costs around US$10–15. Walking times: National Museum — 3 minutes; Royal Palace — 5 minutes; Riverside restaurants — 8 minutes.
Pricing and value
Okay Boutique Hotel falls into the budget-to-mid-range segment. According to Hotels.com, a current rate is AU$54 per night. The Hotel Guru lists a starting rate of £70 per night. Both figures place it well below Phnom Penh’s luxury hotels while offering rooftop pool and central location—amenities that often cost much more. For context, comparable boutique hotels in the same area (e.g., Balconitel, The Quay) generally start above £80.
What this means: You get a pool and landmark accessibility at a price that undercuts many nearby competitors.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Central location near Royal Palace and National Museum
- Outdoor rooftop pool with bars
- Khmer-style decor adds character
- Budget-friendly rates
- Free WiFi (Expedia)
Cons
- No on-site full restaurant (breakfast only)
- 40 rooms means limited availability during peak
- Some rooms may face the alley rather than the pool
Specifications
| Number of rooms | 40 |
|---|---|
| Pool | Outdoor rooftop pool |
| Design style | Khmer (gold and red lobby) |
| Address | #174, Street 19z, Phnom Penh |
| Breakfast | Free daily breakfast (TripAdvisor claim) |
| Rooftop features | Pool, lounge, two poolside bars |
Our pick: Who should book Okay Boutique Hotel?
Recommended for: budget-conscious travelers, solo adventurers, culture enthusiasts, and first-time visitors to Phnom Penh. The combination of location, rooftop pool, and Khmer-style design makes it a strong value pick for those who want to be in the heart of the old city without spending a lot.
Not ideal for: travellers who need an on-site restaurant, full gym, or a quiet retreat far from tourist areas. Also avoid if you prefer modern minimalist decor over traditional Khmer opulence.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast included at Okay Boutique Hotel?
Yes, according to TripAdvisor listings, a free daily breakfast is included. The Hotel Guru also notes breakfast as a feature.
What is the address of Okay Boutique Hotel?
The property is located at #174, Street 19z, Phnom Penh, behind the National Museum and Royal Palace.
Does Okay Boutique Hotel have a gym?
No gym is listed in any of the sources we reviewed (The Hotel Guru, Expedia, Hotels.com). The amenities are focused on the rooftop pool and bar area.
Is there a rooftop pool?
Yes, the hotel has an outdoor rooftop pool, confirmed by The Hotel Guru, Hotels.com, and Expedia. Two poolside bars are also available.
How far is the hotel from the National Museum?
The National Museum is about a 3-minute walk from the hotel entrance.