When I arrived at Be Happy guest house in Siem Reap this week, I literally felt that I had walked into paradise! Beautiful rooms, amazing pool, cheap beer and I’m surrounded by plants and animals, with the temples of Angkor Wat just a tuk-tuk ride away! Be Happy is part of Baby Elephant Boutique hotel and you have access to the same facilities offered at Baby Elephant. So if you either can’t get a booking at Baby Elephant or are looking for a cheaper option, book Be Happy!
Introducing Be Happy Guest Houses Siem Reap
BE Happy Siem Reap is a small inexpensive guest house with 12 rooms in an old renewed colonial French guest house, with an attractive external facade, enclosed by tropical plants, outdoor lounge seating, and gardens.
Location of Be Happy Guest House Siem Reap
BE Happy is off a quiet lane only around 10 minutes’ walk to town, you’ll relish the peaceful quietness while being close to everything. The hotel is located just 7 kilometres from Angkor Wat, and 20 minutes from the airport. Look hard in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and you’ll see there are very few rare French-style colonial buildings as exclusive as BE Happy.
This relaxing city guest house offers a sense of the Cambodian countryside to guests, with it’s garden setting, while still only a short walk or tuk-tuk ride from the centre of town. The little property has been affectionately restored and converted by the founding team behind the award-winning Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel which has been open since 2015.
Be Happy at Baby Elephant – An Eco Concept
BE Happy is brimming with love and character. It’s a cute yet affordable budget accommodation choice with a very special environmentally friendly twist.
I love the ECO concept behind Be Happy Guest House. A wing at Baby Elephant, they are sustainable, ethical and creative and focus on responsible travel. They have a system for use of towels to minimise laundry, eco toiletries and reuseable Bamboo straws in the bar!
At the core of the BE Happy mission is happiness, an invitation to the guests to slow down and enjoy the amazing array of options for holidays that Cambodia provides. The guest house offers an organic spa (a free tuk-tuk ride away), a beautiful tropical garden, tours and transport services, 24-hour staff, and the gorgeous shared saltwater pool at neighbouring Baby Elephant.
Restaurant with 50% Vegan Menu and Born Free Juice Bar
Along with this is the new BE Happy’s juice and smoothie bar, serving up vegan Cambodian food in a gorgeous shaded garden setting. Born Free Juicery is a 100% plant-based casual garden restaurant. Offering delicious healthful vegan organic juices and food, they also serve organic, biodynamic wines, craft beers & bespoke cocktails by own resident mixologist.
The Born Free menu is inspired by SE Asian health and wellness methods, incorporating local superfoods, kombuchas, but with fun and modern dishes too. I loved the Thai curries.
They use ingredients that are farmed or sourced in Siem Reap. It keeps in line with the eco-friendly concept – Bamboo straws; plastic free initiative and the takeaway boxes are biodegradable. All-natural ingredients are used, and self-made syrups and sauces.
What’s Included in your Room Rate?
Included in your room rate are free organic room amenities, unlimited purified water refills, a free vegan breakfast and free bicycle rental.
You also have pool access and complimentary towels. Make sure that you plan for a rest day in Siem Reap to make the most of the facilities!
Be Happy Guest House – The Rooms
BE Happy offers both twin rooms and double rooms. The double rooms are great for couples or solo travellers or for those who simply want a larger bed! The twin rooms are compact but comfortable for travelling friends and companions.
These rooms provide Asian-style bathrooms with excellent hot water and organic toiletries. I’ve got to say I love the ‘bum gun!’ Eco friendly means no need for toilet paper when you have fresh water! (Although toilet paper is available if it’s a luxury you just can’t do without!).
All rooms also have unlimited complimentary filtered water, slippers, safes, seating, and plenty of plugs to charge your devices.
I would totally recommend a stay at Be Happy Guest House if you are in Siem Reap. If you have a bit more cash to spend, upgrade to the more luxurious rooms at Baby Elephant.
Further Reading on Siem Reap and Cambodia
While you are staying in Siem Reap, you will most likely spend at least 2-3 days exploring the temples. My ultimate Angkor Wat Guide will help you to buy tickets, choose your temple routes and have a successful trip. I have also written a Grand Circuit guide to help you to plan the big loop. As well as these guides, I also have information on the following individual temples…
If you are travelling through Cambodia’s capital city, you might also be interested in reading about what to do in Phnom Penh and taking the Phnom Penh killing fields tour.