DATE STAYED: April 25, 2012 – April 28, 2012 (4d/3n)
THE RATE: 12 USD/day (For consistency’s sake, 1 USD is 43 PHP)
THE ADDRESS: Route 6 (Airport Road) No. 261, Group 17, Taphul Village, Svaydangkum Commune, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
THE FACILITIES:
Bou Savy is one of the most highly recommended guesthouses in Siem Reap. Upon checking the reviews online, I inquired via email the rate of their fan room for two persons for a three nights’ stay. Mr. Bovuth, the owner, replied a day after with the following quotation:
Two Person USD 66.00 (03 Nights Accommodation with Twin Fan Room +Daily Breakfast + Get one time Dinner + Sightseeing tour with Tuk Tuk + Complimentary drinking water for trip + Pick up and transfer services + Free internet, Free WiFi).
– Day One: After having breakfast, start to visit South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of Leper king, Takoa, Ta Prom. Break for Lunch. Afer Lunch visit Banteay kdey, Srah Srang and Angkor Wat.
– Day Two: After having breakfast, start to visit Pre Rup, Banteay Srey, Banteay Samre. Break for Lunch. After visit East Mebon, Tasom, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Sun Set at Bakheng Mountain.
I was thinking that I can get a better deal if I’ll book a room and just DIY the temple tours, so I did not confirm right then. After two months of research and several computations and guesthouse comparisons, I realized that Bou Savy offered the best deal. We availed the 66USD package of Bou Savy Guesthouse, which I divided into 12 USD per night for three nights for the accommodation and 15 USD per day for two days for the tour. I treated the breakfasts and one-time dinner as freebies. Fortunately, the room was still available when I confirmed our reservation.
I was worried that we will have to wait for the pick-up service, like what happened with Okay Guesthouse, especially with the change of drop-off point. But I was pleasantly surprised when our driver was already there when our bus arrived at the terminal. He led us to his tuktuk and drove us to the guesthouse. Upon arriving and while waiting for our room assignment (which was on the second floor), we were each given a free mango shake and a damp cloth to refresh ourselves. What a nice way to welcome their guests! Little gestures like these made us feel important even if we just booked a fan room with them. I knew right then that I made a good decision. This thought was verified when they gave us a little package of candies before we left their guesthouse.
What is inside our room? twin beds, aircon (which was off), ceiling fan, desk, chair, lampshade, exhaust fan, vanity table and chair, clothes hanger with hangers, tv, miniref, bath towels, and an en suite bathroom with hot and cold shower.
Pros: Mr. Bovuth was very accommodating and he answers email inquiries a day after, if not on the same day. The room was big! Even if we only availed the fan room, we did not feel the heat because of the exhaust fan and because the guesthouse is surrounded with trees. The guesthouse is located away from the market and even if it’s near the main road, you will not hear the noise. Another plus is the free pick-up service, daily breakfast and one-time dinner! Saved us a lot 🙂 The guesthouse also has a computer room where guests can use the computers with internet connection for free. For the tour, the tuktuk driver assigned to us was polite and friendly. And upon checking their website, they now have a swimming pool! It was still being constructed when we stayed there.
Cons: NO elevator (but they will bring your bags to your room). NO closet nor phone. The toilet was a bit small and the shower is weirdly situated. There are many mosquitoes in the computer room. The guesthosue is quite far from the market, so either walk or hire a tuktuk.
THE VERDICT: 5/5
Will I stay here again? Yes! Now that they have a pool, I would definitely stay here again.