The best hotels in Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville has 1,500+ places to stay, but the mainland has changed beyond recognition. The islands are the real story now. We reviewed the standouts. These 10 made the cut.
Our 10 Top Picks in Sihanoukville
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
WON MAJESTIC HOTEL CAMBODIA
Sihanoukville
$85/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Amor Resort Koh Rong
Sihanoukville
$70/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
GRAND LA VOGUE HOTEL & CASINO
Sihanoukville
$70/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Island Center Point
Sihanoukville
$91/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Arjuna Solitaire Hotel
Sihanoukville
$138/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Sea Breeze Hotel & Villa
Sihanoukville
$61/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Saracen Bay Resort
Sihanoukville
$36/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Coco bungalows
Sihanoukville
$47/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Wonderland Suites & Resort
Sihanoukville
$38/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort
Sihanoukville
$105/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Here's why each one made the cut.
WON MAJESTIC HOTEL CAMBODIA
High ratings across 257 reviews means this isn't a fluke. At $85 you're paying city-center prices, but the consistency shows. Good base if you want Sihanoukville's main strip without committing to a resort setup. Book direct, rates can dip below what aggregators show.
Address:WON MAJESTIC HOTEL CAMBODIA, Phum 4, Sangkat 4 Krong Preah Sihanouk, Ville, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Buon
Compare prices for WON MAJESTIC HOTEL CAMBODIA
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Amor Resort Koh Rong
Koh Rong island is a boat ride from Sihanoukville's ferry terminal. At $70 you're getting island accommodation without the budget-hostel vibe. The 4.8 from 221 reviews is hard to fake. Pack light: luggage is a pain on the ferry crossing.
Address:Amor Resort Koh Rong, Coconut beach. Koh rong island, Preah Sihanouk 18205, Cambodia
Compare prices for Amor Resort Koh Rong
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
GRAND LA VOGUE HOTEL & CASINO
The casino tag puts some people off. Don't let it. At $70 with a 4.9 from 151 guests, the rooms consistently deliver. You're near Serendipity Beach, one of the few areas that still has a decent beach vibe. Skip the casino floor, enjoy the hotel.
Address:GRAND LA VOGUE HOTEL & CASINO, Cambodia, 28 Mithona St, Sangkat3 Grand La Vogue Hotel & Casino
Neighborhood:Phum 1
Compare prices for GRAND LA VOGUE HOTEL & CASINO
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Island Center Point
271 reviews and a 4.7 is solid. At $91 it's not cheap for Sihanoukville, but you're getting reliability. Good pick if you're using the city as a base for Koh Rong day trips. The ferry dock is close, which saves you the tuk-tuk scramble every morning.
Address:Island Center Point, Saracen Bay, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Koh Rong Sanloem
Compare prices for Island Center Point
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Arjuna Solitaire Hotel
Priciest on this list. At $138 you'd better get something special, and the 4.9 from 107 guests suggests you do. Boutique feel, far fewer noise complaints than the casino-zone properties. Worth it if you want calm in a city that's not exactly known for it.
Address:Arjuna Solitaire Hotel, Kampong Dewa Resort, Otres Marina Road, 833, Preah Sihanouk 18000, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Buon
Compare prices for Arjuna Solitaire Hotel
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Sea Breeze Hotel & Villa
Four stars at $61 is genuinely good value here. The villa option works well if you're traveling with a small group. It's set back slightly from the busiest parts of town, so nights are quieter. Breakfast is included in most rates. One of the better deals in this bracket.
Address:Sea Breeze Hotel & Villa, Otres Beach Road, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Buon
Compare prices for Sea Breeze Hotel & Villa
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Saracen Bay Resort
Saracen Bay is on Koh Rong Sanloem, not Sihanoukville itself. At $36 you're getting an island beach resort for less than a city guesthouse. The bay is calm and good for swimming. You'll need the ferry from the main pier. Zero nightlife, which for some is exactly the point.
Address:Saracen Bay Resort, H8M3+8W7, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Koh Rong Sanloem
Compare prices for Saracen Bay Resort
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Coco bungalows
60 reviews isn't huge, but a 4.9 with bungalows at $47 near the islands is worth your attention. Expect simple: fan, maybe basic AC, cold-water shower. That's fine. The value-to-experience ratio is strong if you're not expecting resort amenities.
Address:Coco bungalows, Saracen bay, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Koh Rong Sanloem
Compare prices for Coco bungalows
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Wonderland Suites & Resort
The lowest rating on this list, and at 4.6 that's still not bad. At $38 you're firmly in budget territory. Don't expect much beyond a clean room and a pool. The name oversells it slightly, but guests seem consistently satisfied. Good for backpackers wanting a step up from a dorm.
Address:Wonderland Suites & Resort, Cambodia
Compare prices for Wonderland Suites & Resort
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort
A big chain in a chaotic city. The Novotel delivers consistency: you know what you're getting. At $105 it's one of the pricier options, but the pool and beach access are proper. The 4.5 from 283 reviews is the weakest rating here, suggesting it's reliable but not exceptional.
Address:Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort, 2 Thnou St, Preah Sihanouk 180403, Cambodia
Neighborhood:Phum 1
Compare prices for Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Didn't find your match above? Here's every hotel in Sihanoukville.
Every scored hotel in the city. Filter by price, rating, or type to find yours.
| # | Hotel | Our Score | Guest Rating | Reviews | Type | Price/Night | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WON MAJESTIC HOTEL CAMBODIA | 4.8 | 257 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $90/night | Book → | |
| 2 | Amor Resort Koh Rong | 4.8 | 221 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $70/night | Book → | |
| 3 | GRAND LA VOGUE HOTEL & CASINO | 4.9 | 151 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $70/night | Book → | |
| 4 | Island Center Point | 4.7 | 271 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $90/night | Book → | |
| 5 | Arjuna Solitaire Hotel | 4.9 | 107 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $140/night | Book → | |
| 6 | Sea Breeze Hotel & Villa | 4.7 | 183 | 4★ | $60/night | Book → | |
| 7 | Saracen Bay Resort | 4.7 | 164 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 8 | Coco bungalows | 4.9 | 60 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $50/night | Book → | |
| 9 | Wonderland Suites & Resort | 4.6 | 108 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 10 | Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort | 4.5 | 283 | 4★ | $110/night | Book → | |
| 11 | Eden Beach Resort by EHM | 4.5 | 404 | 4★ | $30/night | Book → | |
| 12 | Howard Johnson Plaza by Wyndham Blue Bay Sihanoukville 西哈努克蓝湾豪生国际酒店 | 4.5 | 140 | 5★ | $150/night | Book → | |
| 13 | Siha Treasure Hotel | 4.5 | 106 | 4★ | $40/night | Book → | |
| 14 | Kactus - Koh Ta Kiev | 4.5 | 354 | 3★ | $30/night | Book → | |
| 15 | Tamu Hotel Koh Rong | 4.5 | 127 | 4★ | $70/night | Book → | |
| 16 | SIHA Hotel & Casino | 4.5 | 39 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $50/night | Book → | |
| 17 | Royal C Resort | 4.6 | 38 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $50/night | Book → | |
| 18 | Sweet Jungle Bungalows - Family Bungalow | 5.0 | 8 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $30/night | Book → | |
| 19 | Ramada by Wyndham Sihanoukville Xinhaohui Palace 华美达新濠汇皇宫酒店 | 4.3 | 33 | 5★ | $60/night | Book → | |
| 20 | Wonderland Suites and Resort | 5.0 | 1 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $50/night | Book → |
Where to Stay in Sihanoukville
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Otres Beach: the last good mainland stretch
Otres Beach runs 3km along the coast, starting 3km south of central Sihanoukville. It's divided into Otres 1 (more developed, beach bars, guesthouses $45-80/night) and Otres 2 (quieter, bungalows, yoga retreats). The beach itself is wide, sandy, and genuinely pretty.
A tuk-tuk from the main ferry pier to Otres costs $5-7. The beach bars serve food all day: fish and chips $5, Khmer curry $4, beer $1.50. Sunset is the highlight, best watched from Sahara Beach Bar or Otres Corner.
Don't confuse Otres with Ochheuteal Beach next door. The casino development stops at the Otres boundary. Walk south past Otres 2 and you'll hit deserted sand. How long Otres survives the development pressure is an open question.
Koh Rong: party island meets paradise beach
Koh Rong is Cambodia's second-largest island. The main village (Koh Tuch) on the southeast corner is where the ferries dock, the bars pump music until 2am, and backpackers sleep in $10-15 dorm beds. It's Khao San Road with sand.
The real Koh Rong is elsewhere. Long Set Beach (also called 4K Beach) on the west side is a 7km white sand stretch with maybe 8 resorts spread along it. Rooms run $80-200/night. The 40-minute jungle hike from the village (or $5 boat taxi) keeps the crowds away.
Bioluminescent plankton light up the water from June through November. Wade in at night off Long Set Beach and every step glows blue. It's one of Cambodia's most magical experiences and it costs nothing.
Koh Rong Samloem: the quiet alternative
Koh Rong Samloem is smaller, quieter, and more beautiful than Koh Rong. Saracen Bay on the east side has a crescent of white sand, clear water, and bungalows starting at $40/night. The ferry from Sihanoukville takes 1 hour ($15-18).
Lazy Beach on the south side is the remote pick. Access by boat taxi ($10 from Saracen Bay) or a 1.5-hour jungle hike. Maybe 4 guesthouses, zero phone signal, and some of the best snorkeling in Cambodia. Rooms $30-60/night.
The island has no ATMs, limited electricity (generators run evening hours at budget places), and spotty WiFi. Pack accordingly. The upside: you'll disconnect properly. This is what Southeast Asian island travel felt like 15 years ago.
Private islands: Six Senses and Alila Villas
Koh Krabey (Six Senses) is a 30-minute private speedboat from Sihanoukville. Villas from $500/night, each with a private plunge pool and ocean view. The spa uses Cambodian traditional techniques. The restaurant sources fish from local boats. It's genuinely world-class.
Koh Russey (Alila Villas) sits 15 minutes by boat from the mainland. The design is contemporary Cambodian, all clean lines and open-air pavilions. Rooms from $400/night. The infinity pool overlooking the Gulf is one of the most photographed in Cambodia.
Both resorts include speedboat transfers. The experience is completely different from Koh Rong: no backpackers, no generators, no $1 beer. If you're celebrating something or simply want luxury in a raw setting, these deliver.
Getting around: ferries, boats, and mainland transport
Speed ferries depart from Serendipity pier. Buy tickets at the pier (same price as online, fewer booking issues). Buva Sea and Speed Ferry Cambodia are the two main operators. Morning departures (8am, 9am) have the calmest seas.
On the islands, boat taxis connect beaches. Koh Rong: village to Long Set Beach costs $5-7 per person. Koh Rong Samloem: Saracen Bay to Lazy Beach is $10. Schedule is informal: find a boat, negotiate, go.
On the mainland, tuk-tuks cost $3-5 within Sihanoukville. Motorbike rental is $7-10/day. The drive from the bus station to the ferry pier takes 15 minutes. If arriving by bus from Phnom Penh, ask to be dropped at the pier, not the main bus station.
Rainy season: cheaper rooms, rougher seas
June through September brings daily afternoon rain, often heavy. Ferry cancellations happen 2-3 times per month during bad storms. Hotel rates drop 30-40% across the board. A $150/night bungalow on Koh Rong becomes $90-100.
The rain is predictable: mornings are usually clear until noon, heavy rain 2-5pm, clearing by evening. Smart planning means beach mornings and hammock afternoons. The islands are lush and green, which photographs beautifully.
October and November are shoulder months: occasional rain, fewer tourists, and bioluminescent plankton season on Koh Rong. It's arguably the best time for experienced travelers who don't mind flexible plans.
Sihanoukville's best hotel regions
The mainland is mostly casino developments now. Otres Beach is the only stretch worth staying on. For the Sihanoukville that travelers remember, head to the islands: Koh Rong for party, Koh Rong Samloem for peace.
Otres Beach (Mainland) 2 vetted hotels The only mainland stretch worth booking. Beach bars and bungalows.
The only mainland stretch worth booking. Beach bars and bungalows.
Otres Beach survived Sihanoukville's casino boom. It's a 3km stretch divided into Otres 1 (beach bars, guesthouses, more developed) and Otres 2 (quieter, yoga retreats, hammock territory). The sand is golden and the sunsets are the main event.
Hotels range from basic fan rooms at $25/night to comfortable beach bungalows at $80-120/night. Nothing fancy, but the location is real beachfront, not 'beach nearby' like most mainland options.
A tuk-tuk to the ferry pier costs $5-7 (15 minutes). There are enough restaurants and beach bars to keep you fed for days without repeating. Most travelers use Otres as a one-night base before or after the islands.
Browse all Otres Beach (Mainland) hotels → Koh Rong 3 vetted hotels Cambodia's biggest island. Party village on one side, paradise on the other.
Cambodia's biggest island. Party village on one side, paradise on the other.
Koh Rong offers two completely different experiences. Koh Tuch village: bars, backpackers, dorms from $10. Long Set Beach: 7km of white sand, scattered resorts from $80/night, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget Pub Street exists.
The 45-minute ferry from Sihanoukville costs $12-15. Once on the island, a boat taxi to Long Set Beach is $5-7 per person. The jungle hike takes 40 minutes and is only advisable with a local guide.
Bioluminescent plankton appear June through November off Long Set Beach. The night snorkeling is free and unforgettable. Infrastructure is basic everywhere: generators, limited WiFi, no ATMs beyond the village.
Browse all Koh Rong hotels → Koh Rong Samloem 2 vetted hotels Crystal water, white sand, zero nightlife. The quiet island.
Crystal water, white sand, zero nightlife. The quiet island.
Koh Rong Samloem is the antidote to Koh Rong's party scene. Saracen Bay has a crescent beach with bungalows from $40/night and the water is genuinely turquoise. It's the postcard beach that actually looks like the photo.
Lazy Beach on the south side is even more remote: boat taxi access only ($10), 4 guesthouses, and snorkeling directly off the beach. The coral reef is the best in the Sihanoukville archipelago.
No ATMs on the island. Electricity at budget places runs on generators (evening hours only). Mid-range and up have 24-hour power. WiFi exists but don't count on streaming anything. That's the point.
Browse all Koh Rong Samloem hotels → Private Islands (Koh Russey & Koh Krabey) 2 vetted hotels World-class luxury on private islands. $400+ per night.
World-class luxury on private islands. $400+ per night.
Alila Villas Koh Russey and Six Senses Koh Krabey are Southeast Asia's answer to Maldives overwater villas, but with jungle instead of atolls. Both include private speedboat transfers from Sihanoukville.
Six Senses ($500-1,200/night) is the more established property. Private villas with plunge pools, a signature spa, and a sustainability program that's genuine, not greenwashing. Alila ($400-800/night) is more contemporary with that famous infinity pool.
These aren't just expensive hotels on an island. The isolation, the design, and the service are at a level that competes with the best in Thailand and Indonesia. For a special occasion, they're genuinely worth it.
Browse all Private Islands (Koh Russey & Koh Krabey) hotels → Ream Area (Mainland South) 1 vetted hotel National park gateway and quiet mainland alternative.
National park gateway and quiet mainland alternative.
Ream National Park sits 18km south of central Sihanoukville. The area has a few eco-lodges and guesthouses near the park entrance, away from the casino chaos. Mangrove boat tours cost $15-25 per person.
Hotels here are basic ($30-60/night) but the setting is peaceful. The airport is nearby, making it a convenient first or last night. The beach at Ream is uncrowded and the water is cleaner than the mainland beaches closer to town.
This area works if you want mainland proximity without the mainland problems. But for most travelers, the extra $20 for a Koh Rong ferry ticket buys a much better experience.
Browse all Ream Area (Mainland South) hotels →Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel.
Beach
Long Set Beach on Koh Rong is a 7km white sand strip that's consistently ranked among Southeast Asia's best beaches. Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem is the alternative: smaller, more turquoise, and you can snorkel from shore.
Budget
Koh Rong village has dorm beds from $10/night. A full day on the islands: accommodation $15-25, three meals $8-12, boat taxi $5, beers $3-4. That's under $50/day on a tropical island. Otres Beach on the mainland is similarly cheap.
Romantic
Six Senses Koh Krabey is the ultimate: private villa with plunge pool, couples spa, and a private beach. From $500/night. For a budget romantic option, Lazy Beach on Koh Rong Samloem has bungalows for $50/night and stargazing with zero light pollution.
Culture
Sihanoukville isn't a culture destination. The Wat Leu temple on the hill above town has golden pagodas with ocean views, and Ream National Park (18km south) offers mangrove boat tours for $15-25. But most travelers come for beaches and islands.
Family
Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem has calm, shallow water safe for kids, and bungalow resorts with family rooms from $60/night. The ferry is fine for children over 5. Avoid Koh Rong village (party scene) and the private islands (not designed for kids).
Foodie
Fresh seafood is the highlight. Otres Beach restaurants serve grilled snapper for $5-8. On Koh Rong, the village restaurants do Khmer fish curry for $4-6. Don't expect variety: it's seafood, noodles, fried rice, and fruit shakes. But the seafood is caught that morning.
We reviewed 1,500+ options across Sihanoukville and its islands. The mainland has seen massive Chinese investment that transformed it from backpacker haven to casino city. We cut anything in the construction zones, focused on Otres Beach for mainland picks, and prioritized the islands where the real experiences are.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
Every hotel on this page earned its spot through this process.
When to Visit Sihanoukville
Hotel prices, crowds, and weather vary by season.
Peak Season (Nov-Feb)
Dry season with calm seas and full sun. Ferries run on schedule. December through January is busiest. Book island bungalows 3-4 weeks ahead for this period. Prices peak over Christmas and New Year: expect $100+ even for basic island rooms.
Hot Season (Mar-May)
March is still good. April and May get hot (35°C+) and humidity climbs. The water stays calm and visibility for diving is decent. Prices drop 20% from peak. Most budget travelers have moved on, so the islands feel emptier.
Rainy Season (Jun-Sep)
Heavy afternoon rain daily. Ferry cancellations happen 2-3 times per month in rough weather. Prices drop 30-40%. Koh Rong gets bioluminescent plankton from June onward. If you're flexible and don't mind rain, it's the cheapest time with genuine magic at night.
Shoulder Season (Oct-Nov)
Rain tapers off in October. Bioluminescent plankton peaks October through November. Tourist numbers haven't ramped up yet. Prices are 20-30% below peak. October has occasional rough seas, but by mid-November conditions stabilize. Smart timing for value and plankton.
Booking Tips for Sihanoukville
Smart booking strategies for Sihanoukville.
Bring enough cash for the islands
Koh Rong has 2 ATMs that frequently run empty. Koh Rong Samloem has zero. Budget $40-60/day in USD cash and bring 20% extra for emergencies. Most places accept dollars. Change for riel (4,000 = $1) is given for amounts under $1.
Book morning ferries for calmest seas
The 8am and 9am departures have the flattest water. Afternoon crossings, especially May through October, can be rough. If you're prone to seasickness, take motion sickness pills 30 minutes before boarding. The crossing to Koh Rong is 45 minutes.
Skip central Sihanoukville entirely
Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches are surrounded by casino construction. There's nothing to see. If you're transiting from Phnom Penh to the islands, go straight to the pier. If you need one night on the mainland, Otres Beach is the only option worth booking.
Island electricity is limited at budget places
Many budget bungalows on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem run generators only in the evening (6pm to 10pm). Bring a power bank for your phone. Mid-range and up have 24-hour power. WiFi exists but is slow and unreliable.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen
The coral reefs off Koh Rong Samloem are already under stress. Chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone, octinoxate) accelerates bleaching. Reef-safe options are available at pharmacies in Phnom Penh but hard to find in Sihanoukville. Buy before you arrive.
Get travel insurance with medical evacuation
The islands have basic first aid only. Serious injuries require boat evacuation to Sihanoukville (45 minutes in good weather). Sihanoukville's hospitals handle basics but anything complex means a flight to Phnom Penh or Bangkok. Standard travel insurance often excludes island activities like motorbike rentals and diving.
Hotels in Sihanoukville, FAQ
Straight answers from our team.
Is Sihanoukville still worth visiting?
The mainland isn't what it was. Chinese casino development has transformed Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches beyond recognition. Construction, dust, and empty high-rises dominate. But Otres Beach (3km south) is still intact, and the islands. Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Russey, Koh Krabey. are genuinely beautiful. Come for the islands, tolerate the mainland transit.
How do I get to the islands from Sihanoukville?
Speed ferries to Koh Rong leave from the Serendipity pier. Buva Sea and Speed Ferry Cambodia run 3-4 daily departures. Tickets cost $12-15 one way, journey time 45 minutes. Koh Rong Samloem is 1 hour ($15-18). Book the morning ferry (8am or 9am) for calmest seas. Afternoon crossings in rainy season can be rough.
Should I stay on the mainland or the islands?
Islands, unless you're transiting for one night. Otres Beach is the only mainland option we'd recommend, and even that is a лв$45-120/night compromise. Koh Rong has $20 dorm beds and $80-200 bungalows. Koh Rong Samloem starts at $40. The private islands (Six Senses, Alila) start at $400/night.
What happened to Sihanoukville's beaches?
Serendipity Beach and Ochheuteal Beach are surrounded by Chinese-built casinos and half-finished towers. The sand is still there but the vibe is gone. Victory Beach is similar. Otres Beach escaped the worst of it and retains its backpacker character, with beach bars and bungalows along a 3km stretch. The islands' beaches are untouched and stunning.
Which island is best: Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem?
Koh Rong for social energy and nightlife. The main village (Koh Tuch) has bars, restaurants, and backpacker hostels from $10/night. Long Set Beach on Koh Rong's west side is spectacular and quieter. Koh Rong Samloem for peace: Saracen Bay has bungalows from $40/night, crystal water, and no parties. Lazy Beach on the south side is even more remote.
How much do hotels cost in Sihanoukville area?
Mainland Otres Beach: $45-120/night for beach bungalows and guesthouses. Koh Rong village: $20-80/night, mostly basic. Koh Rong Long Set Beach: $60-200/night. Koh Rong Samloem: $40-300/night. Private island resorts: Alila Villas Koh Russey from $400/night, Six Senses Koh Krabey from $500/night. Rainy season drops everything 30-40%.
Is Koh Rong safe?
Generally yes, but infrastructure is basic. The island has one small medical clinic. Serious injuries require evacuation to Sihanoukville (45-minute boat ride). Petty theft happens in dorm rooms: use lockers. The biggest real risk is jellyfish stings in October and November. Drunk tourists falling off motorbikes is surprisingly common on the dirt tracks.
When is the best time to visit Sihanoukville?
November through April. Dry season means calm seas, reliable ferries, and full sun on the beaches. December and January are peak months with highest prices. October through November is shoulder season: cheaper but ferry cancellations happen in bad weather. June through September sees heavy rain, especially afternoons, but prices drop 40%.
What about diving near Sihanoukville?
The diving is decent, not world-class. Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem have coral reefs with good visibility (10-25 meters) from November through April. Dive shops on Koh Rong charge $70-90 for two-tank dives. Beginners can do PADI Open Water for $350-400 over 3 days. The best sites are around Koh Kon and the south tip of Koh Rong Samloem.
Do I need cash on the islands?
Absolutely. Koh Rong's main village has 2 ATMs that frequently run empty. Koh Rong Samloem has zero ATMs. Bring enough USD cash for your entire island stay plus 20% buffer. Most places accept dollars. Some upmarket resorts take credit cards with 3% surcharge. Budget $40-60/day for food, drinks, and activities on the islands.
How do I get from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville?
Buses take 5-6 hours and cost $10-15 (Giant Ibis is the most reliable company, departures from Phnom Penh at 7am, 8:30am, 2pm). A shared taxi costs $12-15 and takes 4 hours. Flights with Cambodia Angkor Air cost $50-80 one way and take 35 minutes. The new expressway has cut driving time significantly.
Are the private island resorts worth the price?
Six Senses Koh Krabey ($500-1,200/night) is extraordinary: private villas with plunge pools, a world-class spa, and genuine isolation. Alila Villas Koh Russey ($400-800/night) offers a more contemporary style with a stunning infinity pool overlooking the Gulf. Both include ferry transfers. If budget allows, yes, they're worth it. They're among Southeast Asia's best private island experiences.
Useful links for Sihanoukville
Government & official sources only. No booking sites, no ads.
Ready to book Sihanoukville?
We vetted the best. You just have to pick.
Browse all Sihanoukville hotels