Hitting the beach in Sihanoukville? You’ll probably want to stay near Otres Beach (that’s what we’d do). Properties here range from basic backpacker to relatively blingy, and they’re bookable with Culture Trip.
Just say the words “Southeast Asia”, and you’ve probably already conjured up a mental picture of Otres Beach (or rather beaches). Otres 1, and its even more stunning sister Otres 2, are two strips of white sand edged with turquoise waters and surrounded by palms. There are also a few shops selling beers, barbecued seafood and everything else you need to have a good time. These beaches are the best in Sihanoukville right now, since the others (Serendipity, Independence and Ochheuteal) have taken a few slightly wrong turns on the road towards overdevelopment.
Designed by Spanish architect Philippe Favre, this hotel has a bauhaus feel to it: squint, and you could be in Tel Aviv or Miami. The mid-century-inspired interiors also help to convey an overall sense of style that elevates this choice above other local hostels and bungalows. The breakfast is generous, almost all rooms have a balcony, terrace or patio, and the lush gardens, large pool and direct access onto Otres 2 are big plus points, too.
This place feels like the Sihanoukville of old, before big investment and big hotels came calling. Your bungalow comes with a thatched roof, palm-fringed gardens and a hammock for swinging the day away. The European menu at the restaurant recalls Cambodia’s French heritage, with choices like steak frites and plenty of yummy things piled on baguettes or crepes. There’s wifi and air conditioning in some rooms, although these are paid-for add-ons (as is often the case in this area).
Located on the Ochheuteal side of Otres, and giving you two beaches for the price of one, this resort has a friendly set-up amid well-kept gardens. Its 22 sturdy air-conditioned bungalows, featuring clean and comfortable rooms, encircle a sparkling blue pool, where guests chat over sundowner cocktails. There’s free wifi throughout and a restaurant, too, so you may not ever have to leave the complex.
Forget about slumming it. This four-star resort on Otres 2 is a cut above the competition in both style and substance. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature firm mattresses, minibars and flat-screen TVs. Some even have big bathtubs out on the balconies (don’t worry, no one can see) for an extra-sensual touch. There’s a gorgeous pool, a fully equipped gym and massages on request, plus live music, an airport shuttle and much more. Like the dishes at the in-house restaurant, DUO, the vibe at this hotel combines the best of European and Asian influences. The results are pretty tasty.
A good choice for families, this four-star choice has a kids’ pool as well as a lap pool and loungers for grown-ups. The minimalist decor, pale wood and majority-white furnishings give this resort a clean, Scandinavian-style vibe that blends with the Khmer architecture for an attractive look and feel. Facilities include a 24-hour reception, room service and wifi throughout. After a hard day of sunbathing, snorkelling or diving, you can return to the hotel’s riverside restaurant for lantern-lit evenings featuring Western or Cambodian dishes.
This decent two-star hotel comes with clean rooms and nice touches, like your own tea and coffee makers, cable TV channels and patio tables for games and sundowners. Breakfast is free, too, although the real star of this show is the location. Rooms lead out into a garden corridor leading straight down onto Otres 1 Beach, and the aqua park Splash Party is just a five-minute walk away. You’ll have to get a taxi to the dive shop, if that’s what you’re here for, but snorkelling gear can be rented on site.
If your idea of a holiday is more action than relax-ion (see what we did there), then try Sok Sabay. In addition to the small-ish pool, facilities include a games room with chess and billiards, fishing and boules on site, free use of bicycles and optional canoeing or horse riding trips. Located in the mangrove area of Otres, a two-minute walk from the village centre, the gardens are lush and the buildings are lovingly made from rattan and palm.
The quirky bungalows in this resort don’t look very Cambodian – in fact, they resemble the tiny clapperboard beach huts that you might see on the US East Coast or in Northern Europe. Inside, though, they’re well-equipped with king-size beds, high-speed wifi, rain showers and air conditioning. V is a good mid-range option, with a well-reviewed restaurant and its own minigolf course, plus a pool, spa and gym.
Ren is the final hotel on the Otres 2 strip, but it’s hardly an afterthought, as one of the best properties in the whole of Sihanoukville. Purpose-built back in 2015, it still feels fresh and exciting, with lovely rooms and a friendly vibe. The 30m (100ft) pool – which wraps around two sides of the hotel, with a shallow area for children at one end – is a well-thought-out addition, and the dining room is a romantic, palm-fringed experience right on the beach. Add an excellent buffet breakfast and a three-hour daily happy hour, and you’ll want to keep this place a secret from the rest of the strip.
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