Investing in Cambodia: What’s the Difference Between Condominium, Serviced Apartment, and Condotel?
Cambodia's property market has been booming — especially in major cities like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap. If you're considering buying or investing, you’ll encounter three main types of properties: Condominiums, Serviced Apartments, and Condotels.
Each offers different benefits depending on your goals.
Let’s break them down clearly:
1. Condominium
A condominium is a private residential unit within a building or complex of similar units. Owners own their individual units and share ownership of common areas (gym, pool, corridors, lobby). Below are the noticeable points for a condominium:
- Full ownership of an individual unit. ➔ A condominium allows you to purchase and fully own an apartment unit within a residential building. Ownership is secured by a strata title, recognized under Cambodian law.
- Can live in it or rent it out. ➔ Owners have the flexibility to live in the condo or lease it out for rental income. You can manage it personally or hire an agency.
- Foreigners can legally own (above ground floor). ➔ Cambodia permits foreign buyers to own condominiums, but ownership applies from the first floor upward. Ground floors remain under Cambodian ownership.
- Facilities are commonly shared. ➔ Condominium residents typically share access to swimming pools, gyms, lobbies, gardens, and parking.
✅ Best for buyers who want full control and flexibility — either to live, rent, or sell later.
2. Serviced Apartment
A serviced apartment is a fully furnished apartment available for short or long-term stays, providing hotel-like amenities such as housekeeping, room service, gym, laundry, and sometimes even breakfast.
- Rental only, not for purchase. ➔ Serviced apartments are usually not sold individually. Instead, tenants sign contracts to rent fully furnished units.
- Designed for short to medium-term stays. ➔ They’re perfect for expats, business travelers, and NGO workers who need housing from a few months to a few years.
- Hotel-style services included. ➔ Tenants enjoy amenities like housekeeping, linen changes, concierge service, room service, gyms, pools, and sometimes even daily breakfast.
- Premium pricing compared to regular rentals. ➔ Due to their services, serviced apartments often command higher rental rates than standard apartments of similar size.
✅ Ideal for tenants seeking convenience and flexibility without ownership responsibilities.
3. Condotel (Condominium Hotel)
A condotel is a hybrid between a condominium and a hotel.
- Hybrid between hotel and condo ownership. ➔ A condotel lets you buy a hotel room or suite within a hotel-managed building. You become the owner of the unit.
- Operated and rented by hotel management. ➔ The hotel operator rents out your unit like a typical hotel room when you are not staying there. The income generated is shared between you and the operator.
- Guaranteed rental income (often at launch). ➔ Many Cambodian condotel projects offer guaranteed rental returns or called GRR (e.g., 6–8% annually) for the first few years to attract investors.
- Limited personal stay allowed per year. ➔ Owners usually get 14 to 30 nights of free usage each year, depending on the development and contract.
✅ Attractive for hands-off investors who want passive income and occasional free vacations.
Simple Relationship Diagram
Residential Properties in Cambodia
Condominium (Own, Live or Rent)
Serviced Apartment (Rent Only, Hotel-like Stay)
Condotel (Own, Limited Stay + Rental Income)
Which Property Suits You Best?
- I want a property to live in and rent out later. ➔ Choose a Condominium — flexible for living, renting, and resale.
- I want passive income with minimal effort. ➔ Choose a Condotel — hotel operator manages everything; you share in the profits.
- I need a place to stay temporarily, fully furnished, with services. ➔ Choose a Serviced Apartment — perfect for expats and short-term business assignments.
- I want guaranteed returns for the first few years. ➔ Choose a Condotel — many offer rental guarantees during the early operation period.
- I want full control over who rents my property. ➔ Choose a Condominium — you choose your tenants and terms.
Final Thoughts
"In Cambodia’s growing property market: — Choose a Condominium if you seek long-term flexibility. — Choose a Condotel if you want easy, passive rental returns. — Choose a Serviced Apartment if you need convenient, temporary living."
Each type offers opportunities — it all depends on your personal goals, risk appetite, and investment strategy.
To learn more about condominium market and all other insights before investing in a condominium, I recommend you consider this article below:
The Rise of the Condotel Market & What It Means for Investors - Phnom Penh.
Or you may attend our event: Seminar on Sat 10 May, 2025:
Contact R.E. Advisor
For additional details or real estate investment consultation, please contact Mr. Hoem Seiha via telephone: +855-12-699-553 / +855-10-699-553 | Telegram: t.me/Hoemseiha | E: hoem.seiha@eracambodia.com
Condo listings on Telegram channel: https://t.me/seiha_era_condo_listing