Several new resorts have opened up on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem in the past year, so we thought it might be a good time to re-evaluate the best hotels on these beautiful islands, and decide the 10 best hotels on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. (For a more in depth review, see: Koh Rong Hotel Guide).

1) Song Saa Private Island (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 10
Beauty: 9
Pricing: $2000 / Night
Facilities: 10

 

Taking all of the factors into consideration, Song Saa Private Island still has to be the number one hotel on both islands.

The resort is simply outstanding, offering world class service, deluxe accommodation, and phenomenal views of the crystal clear ocean waters, soft white sandy beaches, and tropical habitat surroundings. Despite the hefty price tag ($2000+ per night), it still comes out first for these incredible features.

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2) Sol Beach Resort and The One Resort (Koh Rong Samloem)

Accessibility: 10
Beauty: 8
Pricing: $100 – $150 / Night
Facilities: 8

Second place is a tie between the fantastic Sol Beach Resort and The One Resort on Koh Rong Samloem. Both Sol Beach and The One offer very comfortable accommodation on one of the most beautiful stretches of Saracen Bay (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Samloem). The wonderful white sandy beaches are in pristine condition, and the ocean waters are truly mesmerising, changing from green to blue to turquoise on a regular basis.

Swimming Pool at The One Resort
 

Sol Beach has the better accommodation (the modern Khmer-style villas are outstanding), while The One has a stunning infinity-edge swimming pool, so it really depends on what you prefer. All in all, the two resorts provide excellent accommodation that’s perfect for families and couples.

15% OFF Samloem Hotels

 

4) Lonely Beach (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 5
Beauty: 10
Pricing: $40 / Night
Facilities: 3

 

The fourth place has to go to the spectacular Lonely Beach Resort, though there are a few strong competitors here.

Located on the northern side of Koh Rong, Lonely Beach is a little-known bit of paradise. Ideal for those looking for a Robinson Crusoe style destination, it offers superb views of the crystal clear ocean waters, beautiful sandy beaches, and tropical island habitat. The rooms are quite rustic, but the scenery really is breathtaking, and the lack of people adds to that desert-island feel.

The main drawback of this resort is that it is quite difficult to get to, with no major ferry company servicing this part of the island. As such, be prepared for long uncomfortable boat trips. There are also no shops or other facilities around (including no Wi-Fi), so please bring everything you need with you.

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5) Lazy Beach (Koh Rong Samloem)

Accessibility: 5
Beauty: 10
Pricing: $30 / Night
Facilities: 3

 

Listed in the ‘Top 21 Beaches in the World’ by the National Geographic, Lazy Beach is a beautiful little alcove quietly tucked away on the western side of Koh Rong Samloem.

The beach area around here really is wonderful – the sands are silky smooth, the blue waters glisten in the sun, and the enveloping mountains offer superb views.

Perhaps what hits you first, apart from the scorching sand on the way to the entrance, is the peaceful tranquil atmosphere that Lazy Beach creates – Quiet, laid-back, so relaxing, with a few crickets chirping in the background.

As with Lonely Beach, the accommodation is very basic ($30+ / night), so this resort is not suited for anyone looking for some comfort during their stay. And, similarly to Lonely Beach, Lazy Beach is not the most accessible place on the islands – Although they do offer a private taxi boat from Saracen Bay, many guests end up having to walk the 40 minute jungle trail to get there.

Please also make sure to bring everything you need with you, as there are no shops or facilities on this side of the island. There is also no Wi-Fi, so you may have to stare at the phenomenal sunsets instead of Facebook!

15% OFF Samloem Hotels

 

6) Sok San Beach Resort (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 8
Beauty: 8
Pricing: $100 / Night
Facilities: 8

 

After Lazy Beach, it becomes extremely close between the remaining contenders, but one resort that just pips it to sixth place is the impressive Sok San Beach Resort. Originally built for the French Survivor series, this huge resort (600 villas) is located away from the main tourist attractions on a quiet secluded part of Sok San (near a local Khmer fishing village).

Here you can enjoy the spectacular scenery, wonderful white beaches, and sparkling ocean waters in a peaceful relaxing environment, while residing in a comfortable western-style accommodation.

Perhaps what’s quite surprising is that, even at peak times, there is enough beach space to go around for everyone, but, admittedly, you don’t feel as privileged as you do on say, Saracen Bay.

The resort offers a private (direct) ferry service from Sihanoukville, so as far as accessibility goes, it’s easy enough to get to.

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7) Long Set Resort (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 7
Beauty: 8
Pricing: $100 / Night
Facilities: 8

 

At number 7 is the beautiful Long Set Resort. Long Set offers a more comfortable accommodation on a wonderful part of Koh Rong. The soft white sandy beach is splendid, and some of the views are truly sensational. Relax by the pool or swim in the warm ocean during the day, then at night times admire the sparkling bioluminescent plankton.

Long Set Resort is relatively close to Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong) and will organise transport for you from Sihanoukville. As such, it is quite easy to get to. If you stay at this resort, please remember to bring all necessities with you as the nearest shops are on Koh Touch – A one hour walk away along the beach.

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8) Koh Rong Resort (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 6
Beauty: 8
Pricing: $150 / Night
Facilities: 8

 

At number 8 is the brilliant Koh Rong Resort. Located a short boat trip away from the main tourist area on Koh Rong, the hotel comes with a superb ocean-facing swimming pool, a large well-kept beach area, and a beautiful pristine bay.

This more private getaway hasn’t been getting the best reviews, but this seems to be in part because of a lack of accurate information about its location – Because the resort is a short boat trip away from Koh Touch, it is a little inconvenient to get to. Many people come here expecting it to be on Koh Touch, and are hence disappointed to discover that they have to travel further.

All in all however, this resort has all the makings for a wonderful destination.

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9) Palm Beach Resort (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 5
Beauty: 8
Pricing: $35 / Night
Facilities: 3

 

Overlooking Song Saa Private Island and around the corner from Lonely Beach, Palm Beach Resort, as the name suggests, is a palm-covered paradise getaway.

In our opinion, this is one of the best value for money places to stay on Koh Rong. It is always a shock to see good accommodation starting at just $35 per night on such a beautiful location. The beach is clean and well-kept, the ocean waters are crystal clear, sparkly, and inviting. The palm-tree enveloping creates an idyllic scene.

Perhaps the issue is that, like with Lonely Beach, the northern side of the island is much harder to get to, but the accommodation at Palm Beach is of an OK standard and has the potential for a great stay.

There are no shops at this resort, so remember to bring all necessities with you. There is also no Wi-Fi, so make sure to contact everyone you need to before you go.

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10) The Royal Sands (Koh Rong)

Accessibility: 8
Beauty: 9
Pricing: $730+ / Night
Facilities: 9

 

Now, technically, it isn’t fair to put a resort on the list that has only opened recently, BUT The Royal Sands is shaping up to be fantastic, so we felt that it just must be included in this list.

Ranging from $700-$2700 / night, The Royal Sands offers premium luxury accommodation on a spectacular part of Koh Rong.

It is a breathtaking destination, with private swimming pools, deluxe accommodation, and world-class service. Enjoy your wonderful surroundings with sailing, snorkelling, and kayaking, or lie back and unwind with peaceful yoga and meditation sessions, relaxing massages, and luxurious spa treatments.

Western and Asian cuisines are prepared to the highest standard at the restaurant, and after dinner sit back and enjoy the mesmerising sunsets with a glass of champagne…

The resort is now open and you can now book it online here:

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FAQs

Q: How do I get to Koh Rong?

 A: There are now 5 modern ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Island – Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry, and GTVC. (There are also a couple of $5-$10 ‘Slow Boat’ services that take 1.5 – 2.5 hours – These services are not professionally run and are not recommended).

It will take about 40 minutes to get to your destination if it’s the first stop. If the boat first stops elsewhere, it may take 1 hour or so.

All 5 services will charge roughly $25 return, though prices can vary depending on time of year, special offers, etc. All services leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville and go to the main tourist beaches on the islands. If your hotel is not on the main beaches (Koh Touch / Saracen Bay), please read Sihanoukville to Koh Rong.

The 5 services offer modern speed boats with comfortable chairs, life jackets, and the option to buy food and drink on board. Not all of the ferries have air-conditioning, but once the boats set off there is a strong cool breeze throughout the sitting areas which more than makes up for it.

All ferry services tend to be very busy – we strongly recommend you buy your tickets in advance. You can buy your tickets online now here: Book Ferry Tickets Online Now

Q: When is the best time to visit?

 A: The best time to visit Koh Rong Island is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you’ll have beautiful hot days with very little cloud and low humidity. To give you a rough idea of the average temperatures over this past year:

Middle of November / December / January / February: Warm and dry. 25°C daytime.
March / April / May: Hot and dry. 35°C daytime.
June / July / August: Hot and wet. 35°C daytime.
September / October / Early November: Warm and wet. 25°C daytime.

Please see our Weather Guide for more information.

Q: What activities are there?

 A: Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
The islands are known for their stunning underwater panorama. Whether it’s snorkeling or scuba diving that you’re after, there are plenty of superb locations.

Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Enjoy the crystal clear ocean waters by Kayaking or paddle boarding your way around – An ideal activity for couples and families alike.

Mountain Biking & Jungle Trekking
Explore the exotic jungle habitat by foot or via a mountain bike.

Bioluminescent Plankton
Sparkling like a starry sky all around you, the bioluminescent plankton are a wonderful sight to behold at night times.

Jet Skiing & Windsurfing
For some fast paced action on the beautiful clear waters, hire Jetskis or Windsurf.

To learn more, please read our Activities Guide.

Q: What should I bring with me?

 A: We recommend that you bring plenty of cash, mosquito spray, sun tan lotion, and any other necessities. Both islands have small shops where you can buy most of what you might need, but prices can be inflated so it’s a good idea to stock up on the essentials before you go.

Q: Is it easy to get a Cambodian Visa?

 A: Yes – it is generally very easy to get a Cambodian Visa. Although there are tighter restrictions for Business Visas (which now require a Cambodian work permit), the Tourist Visa (1 month stay) is very straight forward and can be obtained at the airport / border crossing as you arrive. If you’d like to skip the ques, you can buy your visa online now here: Buy a Visa Online Now.

Q: Is there an ATM on the islands?

 A: Although there is no ATM as such, you can still get cash out at any of the three Eftpos terminals on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island). There is an Eftpos terminal at Green Ocean Guesthouse, White Rose Guesthouse, and Koh Lanta.

Q: Is there a medical facility on Koh Rong?

 A: There is a medical facility on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island). Please ask someone when you are there for directions.

Q: Is it a family-friendly place?

 A: Yes, there are many quiet, family-friendly places on the islands. Please see our Beach Guide to learn more.

Q: When is the rainy season?

 A: The rainy season on Koh Rong Island is from the middle of May to early November. During these months there will be short bursts of heavy rain during the day. One thing to note is that, although it is wonderfully hot throughout the peak season, there are several advantages of visiting the islands during the rainy season.

For example, those that visit during the rainy season get to enjoy half-priced accommodation and beautiful rainy scenes, and because it never gets too cold in Cambodia, swimming in the ocean is still a very pleasurable experience (the water rarely drops beneath 25°C). Take a look at this article for more information: 5 Reasons to Visit Koh Rong Island in Rainy Season