Kampong Saom Hotel Tips by sieffron Top 5 Page for this destination

Any Shack on Occheuteul Beach: Free!!!

If you go way down Occheteul Beach, there's a load of restaurants right on the ocean that have a couple of shack rooms that are free to stay in. It's a basic affair - four walls, a roof, a comfy bed, a light, and a fan - but it's free! The only expectation is that you'll eat at their restaurant, which is priced competitively with tasty selections as well. Numerous places offer this deal; Coco Shack, Dolphin Shack, etc. Some places even throw in free gan-chaar, as if not asking for any riel for a bed isn't enough.

Unique Qualities: It's free!!!

Address: Go a ways down Occheteul Beach

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Go a ways down Occheteul Beach

Theme: Other

GST Guesthouse: Robber's Den

GST appears on the surface to be a very good value. A large spotless room with attached bathroom, fan, lounge area outside, and cable television fetches only $7. Unfortunately, that price also includes poor service by a crew dressed as if they were catering a dinner party and spearheaded by a surly receptionist who dresses in camouflage pants, a wife-beater, and a do-rag when he goes out at night. The guy must have a cousin in Long Beach.
The room has the appearance of being secure, but apparently it's quite easy to slide the window open, reach between the bars covering that window, and open the door from the outside. I discovered this after noticing that someone had relieved me of my digital camera while I was at the beach. The receptionist-by-day / aspiring thug-by-night was of no assistance in writing any kind of report or telling me where I could go to speak to police.
Besides him, the rest of the staff don't seem terribly thrilled to be working there and do little to enhance the sterile atmosphere of GST.
Talking to ex-pats and other travellers, I later found out that theft is common at GST and other people had a similar take of the staff. This place is not recommended.

Comparison: about average

Directions: near Serendipity / Occheteul Beach

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hotel

Dada Guesthouse: Family Run

Dada Guesthouse is a family-run accomodation above Victory Beach, next to the over-done Mealy Chenda Guesthouse (Hotel is a more appropriate title). The family that owns Dada is very kind and helpful. As a family-run operation, Dada Guesthouse is also free of thieving employees, a problem that plagues many of Sihanoukville's accomodations. Room rates vary from $4-8 per night and they provide services such as laundry, bus and boat tickets, and island tour bookings.

Unique Qualities: The Dada family owns and operates their own guesthouse, so the atmosphere is very welcoming and the service quite friendly.

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse