The Southern Cambodia beach and port town of Sihanoukville has long been the necessary starting point for day jaunts or longer journeys to Cambodian islands like Koh Rong. The town, mostly overrun with US$5 hostels and even cheaper bars, is slowly catering to more upmarket clientele, however.
One such place is Sokha Beach Resort, a spot that’s mixing old-school Khmer touches with modern amenities for a pretty fair price. Their white sand beach is 1.5 kilometres long, less than 30 minutes from the airport and, if you feel like mixing with the elephant panted throngs, just a two minute walk from the downtown area.
If you’d rather stay on the resort, we can’t really blame you. The overwater bungalows, which they call “water chalets,” pretty views and the chance to pretend you’re in the Maldives — though you can opt for a less expensive room in the hotel itself as well.
Guests can pass the time in one of two swimming pools, each with its own swim-up bar. This resort seems a bit boozy since they also offer several “kiosk bars” along their beachfront.
For food, you won’t go hungry even if you don’t go into town. They have a beachfront tapas joint called The Deck, a Thai outlet called Lemongrass, and China House with — you guessed it — Chinese offerings.
One of the cooler features of their Jasmine Spa is the outdoor sea-facing massage tables, including large one that can accommodate two people so you can chat while you get rubbed. Water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking are also complimentary at the resort’s beach.
Reviewers love the live band that plays in the evenings in the beach bar and also rate the pretty pink sunsets highly.
Whether you spend one night of a holiday or an entire week here, it seems like a legit place to chill out in Sihanoukville if you’ve simply outgrown hostel life but still love a chill beach town.
FIND IT:
Sokha Beach Resort
Street 2 Thnou, Sihanoukville
Rooms from US$145
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