There have been some changes on the Koh Rong islands this past year, so we thought we’d write ‘the ultimate’ Koh Rong hotel guide and review all the accommodation on Koh Rong and its sister island Koh Rong Samloem.

(See also: Koh Rong Samloem Hotel Guide)

Now, finding the best places to stay on Koh Rong isn’t easy – the beautiful islands are very big, with many different types of guest houses, bungalows, and luxury resorts scattered around their 30+ beaches.

To help you plan and book your trip, we’ve split the accommodation into simple categories – Just choose a type of category below, and explore the hotels we recommend (to learn more about how to get to these hotels, read: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong).

P.S. you can book your accommodation online now and save 15%:

 

Koh Rong Hotels in Party Areas

If you’re looking for a vibrant party atmosphere on a tropical island paradise, then the main tourist area on Koh Rong (Koh Touch Beach) is your ideal location. Here is a short video about the area:

 

Situated immediately in front of you as you get off the ferry, this part of Koh Touch is packed with guest houses, bungalows, bars, restaurants, and night clubs. Expect a vibrant nightlife with late nights, cheap alcohol, and heavy dance music.

It is not uncommon to see events start early in the day, and many bars create a lively atmosphere first thing in the morning. This part of Koh Rong is also full of activities and fun things to do (See: Attractions and Activities on Koh Rong).

Accommodation around this area is relatively low-priced, ranging between $5-$30 per night. But don’t have high expectations – Most hotels, bungalows, hostels, and guesthouses are very basic. We recommend Sunflower Guest House, Natural Lounge Guesthouse, and White Rose Guest House, and if you want to rent a small bungalow, Smile Bungalows and Happy Bungalows are OK value for money.

If you want to stay near the busy centre but would like a better night’s sleep, Happy Elephant resort and Island Palace are of a good standard – Though the rooms are quite basic, the bungalows are a little uphill so noise is not as big a problem. If these are fully booked, Natural Bungalows (next to Happy Elephant) are OK.

You can also take a room at one of the guest houses on ‘Police Beach’ which holds regular late-night party events. Police Beach is a 15-minute walk from the main pier (heading left off the ferry) through a very short jungle trail. The beach here is reasonably clean and well-kept, and during the day it tends to be less busy than the main tourist area on Koh Touch. Don’t expect much from the accommodation however.

 

Koh Rong Hotels in Quiet Beach Areas

If you want a peaceful relaxing environment, where you can lie back, unwind, and admire the magnificent views, then there are several quieter areas on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem that are ideal.

Firstly, you can stay on less-busier parts of Koh Touch. Here you can enjoy the white sandy beaches and beautiful ocean waters in a calm tranquil atmosphere, while being a short walk away from the main piers and the busy bars, restaurants, and shops. Here is a short video about the quieter areas:

 

We recommend White Beach Bungalows, Tree House Bungalows, and Paradise Bungalows, which are all a short walk from the main pier (heading right as you get off the ferry). For fantastic views over Koh Rong, try the Highland Beach Bungalows which are a little uphill (head left as you get off the ferry).

Secondly, there are several resorts based on more secluded areas of Koh Rong. Pura Vita and Palm Beach Resort in particular offer spectacular views of the beach and ocean scenery.

We recommend you try Sok San Beach Bungalows (not to be confused with the nearby Sok San New Beach Bungalows and the Sok San Long Beach Bungalows). Sok San is a small fishing village on the west side of Koh Rong – A boat trip away from Koh Touch. The beach area around here is quiet, peaceful, and relaxing, and being next to the local Khmer allows you to learn about the Cambodian culture during your stay.

Finally, the main tourist beach on Koh Rong Samloem (Saracen Bay) is a fantastic option.

Aerial View of Saracen Bay

 

There are several resorts on this beautiful beach, each with villas / bungalows, a bar, and a restaurant. On Saracen Bay, we recommend Sweet Dreams Resort, Moonlight Resort, Secret Paradise Resort, Paradise Villas, Saracen Bay Resort, GreenBlue Beach Bungalows, and Cita Resort.

The ocean views at Sweet Dreams Resort are fantastic, and the modern western-style villas provide comfortable accommodation.

Secret Paradise Resort is located near the centre of Saracen Bay, and has superb views of the ocean expanse.

Being so close to the end of the island, Paradise Villas offers fantastic views of the jungle wilderness surrounding the ocean waters.

Saracen Bay Resort is conveniently located near a main pier of Saracen Bay. The beach area around this resort is particularly impressive.

The iconic dome-shaped Moonlight Resort stands out along the beach front. The eco-friendly villas are cleverly designed to keep cool at night times, and the rooms are of a good standard.

The recently refurbished rooms of GreenBlue are of a good standard, and the restaurant has a great selection of Khmer food.

Cita Resort takes a more humble approach, but the accommodation is clean, comfortable, and in a beautiful location on the beach.

 

Koh Rong Luxury Resorts

If you want to enjoy the crystal-clear ocean waters, beautiful white sandy beaches, and exotic tropical surroundings, but you prefer a more comfortable accommodation during your stay, there are several outstanding luxury resorts available. On Koh Rong, we recommend Sok San Beach Resort, Koh Rong Resort, The Royal Sands, Apsara Resort, Long Set Resort, and the world-renowned Song Saa Private Island. On Koh Rong Samloem, you should definitely try Sol Beach Resort and The One Resort, which are both situated on Saracen Bay.

Sok San Beach Resort is truly mesmerising – The beach area on this part of Koh Rong is superb, and the self-contained resort offers everything one would want (the cast and crew of the U.S. Survivor TV show have stayed there in the past).

Sok San Beach Resort on Koh Rong

 

Similarly, Koh Rong Resort is fantastic. The private beach area is ideal for lying back and admiring the wonderful scenery, and the crystal clear ocean waters are magnificent. Their ocean-facing swimming pool creates a perfect setting to relax and watch the time go by.

Ranging from $200-$1500 / night, The Royal Sands Koh Rong 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.

Long Set Resort is based on a beautiful white sandy beach, 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.

At over $2000 / night, the illustrious Song Saa Private Island is known for its stunning views and world-class service. Being the only resort on Koh Rong with an international 5-star rating, Song Saa is a recommended destination for those who want to enjoy an island paradise in the most elegant of fashions.

Aerial View of Song Saa Private Island on Koh Rong

 

There are also a couple of outstanding luxury resorts on Koh Rong Samloem. These are Sol Beach Resort and The One Resort, which are both situated on Saracen Bay.

Sol Beach Resort is located in the centre of Saracen Bay. The modern western-style villas come with Air-Conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, and en-suite bathrooms with a hot shower, a bath, and a western toilet. The beautiful white sandy beaches are in pristine condition, and the ocean waters are truly mesmerising, changing from green to blue to turquoise on an hourly basis.

The One Resort provides a similar standard of accommodation to Sol Beach, with modern western-style villas, Air-Conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, and en-suite bathrooms with a hot shower, a bath, and a western toilet. In addition, The One Resort has a wonderful infinity edge swimming pool overlooking the beautiful ocean expanse, and a great range of cocktails to complement the scene.

 

Koh Rong Hotels in Secluded Areas

If you prefer to seclude yourself on a tropical island paradise, Koh Rong has some stunning destinations for a ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience.

(To learn how to get to all areas of Koh Rong, see: How to Get to Koh Rong)

Firstly, there’s Lonely Beach Resort. The beach on this isolated part of Koh Rong is superb – Clear glistening ocean waters, soft white sands, and tall enveloping palm trees. The small resort offers quite basic accommodation, but the views are fantastic, and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

Lonely Beach on Koh Rong

 

Secondly, there are several fantastic resorts on more isolated parts of Koh Rong Samloem. Here you can lie back and enjoy the magnificent views in a peaceful tranquil atmosphere. We recommend Sandy Beach Bungalows, Huba-Huba Bungalows, Robinson Bungalows, and Lazy Beach.

For the more adventurous travellers out there, there is also the option of tenting. Koh Rong is a very large island, with many undeveloped and uninhabited areas. As such, there are lots of magnificent locations where you can put up a tent and sleep for free. For example, if you get off the ferry and head right along the beach (past Tree House Resort towards Pura Vita), there is over 1km of empty beach space with outstanding views.

 

Koh Rong Hotels in Local Villages

If you want to enjoy the spectacular views on Koh Rong while learning about the local Cambodian culture, there are a couple of excellent options available.

Firstly, we would recommend you stay at Inn The Village in Daem Thkov Village. Here you will learn about the local Khmer culture, meet the very friendly fishing families, and get a taste of how real Cambodians live on a day-to-day basis. The Inn is 10 minutes away from a beautiful pristine beach where you can enjoy the magnificent scenery in a quiet relaxed environment.

Secondly, for a real taste of the local Khmer culture we recommend you visit the local fishing village of M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem. Just like Inn the Village above, several hotels on M’Pai Bay are actively involved in the local community. What’s more, you are a short walk away from a fantastic white beach where you can lie back and enjoy the stunning views. On M’Pai Bay, we recommend Harmony Bungalow, Easy Tiger, and Sunset Bungalows.

Finally, we recommend you try Sok San Beach Bungalows. The beach area around here is quiet, peaceful, and relaxing, and being next to the local Khmer allows you to learn about the Cambodian culture during your stay.

 

Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem?

To conclude, when it comes to choosing your perfect destination, the stunning Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem islands offer very similar experiences – Breathtaking scenery, crystal clear ocean waters, white sandy beaches, and a tropical climate environment.

The main difference is that, if you are looking for a livelier party atmosphere, then the main tourist beach on Koh Rong (Koh Touch) is right for you (though there are a couple of party places on Koh Rong Samloem now also). However, even on Koh Touch itself there are several peaceful, relaxing locations.

Most people try to visit both Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem during their stay, as the two are a short ferry trip away from each other (see map). To help you decide which island is right for you, we’ve summarised the key differences below.

Criteria	Koh Rong	Samloem
Main Tourist Area	Koh Touch: Busier & Easy to Get to	Saracen Bay: Quieter & Easy to Get to
Party Atmosphere	Yes – Koh Touch	Yes – In Select Areas
Quiet Beach Location	Yes – Quieter Areas on Koh Touch / Other Areas	Yes – Saracen Bay
Luxury Resorts	Yes – Bigger Luxury Resorts	Yes – Smaller Luxury Resorts (Saracen Bay Only)
Desert Island Experience	Yes – Easier to Get to	Yes – Harder to Get to
Local Culture	Yes – Daem Thkov Village	Yes – M’Pay Bay
Budget Pricing	Yes – Koh Touch / Daem Thkov Village	Yes – M’Pay Bay
Activities	Yes – Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Fishing, Windsurfing, High Point Zip Line, Rope Park, Water Park, Bicycle Rental, Paddle Boarding, Jet Ski Rental, Blob Jump	Yes – Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Fishing, Paddle Boarding
Western Shops	Yes – Koh Touch	Yes – Saracen Bay
Wi-Fi	Yes – Koh Touch / Luxury Resorts (Good Quality)	Rare – Saracen Bay / M’Pay Bay (Poorer Quality)
24-Hour Electricity	Yes – Koh Touch / Luxury Resorts	Rare – Saracen Bay Only
Air-Conditioning	Rare – Mainly Luxury Resorts	Rare – Mainly Luxury Resorts
Cash Withdrawal	Yes – Koh Touch (10% Fee)	No – Only Transfers by WING

 

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 are not professionally run and are not recommended).

It will take about 40 minutes if it’s the first stop, or up to around 1 hour if the boat stops elsewhere.

Return tickets cost roughly $25 (prices may vary). Ferries leave from either the Autonomous Port or Ochheuteal (Serendipity) Pier. Please confirm your departure pier with your ferry operator.

If your hotel is not on the main beaches (Koh Touch / Saracen Bay), see Sihanoukville to Koh Rong.

All services use modern speed boats with seating, life jackets, and onboard refreshments. We strongly recommend booking tickets in advance: Book ferry tickets online.

Q: When is the best time to visit?

A: The best time to visit Koh Rong Island is from mid-November to early May, when days are hot, dry, and less humid.

• Nov–Feb: Warm and dry, ~25°C
• Mar–May: Hot and dry, ~35°C
• Jun–Aug: Hot and wet, ~35°C
• Sep–early Nov: Warm and wet, ~25°C

See our Weather Guide for details.

Q: What activities are there?

A: Activities include snorkeling and scuba diving, kayaking and paddle boarding, mountain biking and jungle trekking, seeing bioluminescent plankton at night, and jet skiing or windsurfing.
Learn more in our Activities Guide.

Q: What should I bring with me?

A: Bring cash, mosquito spray, sun tan lotion, and other essentials. Shops are available on the islands, but prices can be higher than on the mainland.

Q: Is it easy to get a Cambodian Visa?

A: Yes. Tourist visas (usually 1 month) are easy to obtain on arrival. Business visas have stricter requirements. You can also apply online at evisa.gov.kh.

Q: Is there an ATM on the islands?

A: There is no standard ATM, but cash withdrawals are available via Eftpos terminals on Koh Touch, including Green Ocean Guesthouse, White Rose Guesthouse, and Koh Lanta.

Q: Is there a medical facility on Koh Rong?

A: Yes. A medical facility is located on Koh Touch. Ask locally for directions when you arrive.

Q: Is it a family-friendly place?

A: Yes. There are many quiet, family-friendly areas. See our Beach Guide for more information.

Q: When is the rainy season?

A: The rainy season runs from mid-May to early November, usually with short bursts of heavy rain. Visiting during this time can mean cheaper accommodation and lush scenery, and sea temperatures rarely drop below 25°C.
Read more: 5 Reasons to Visit Koh Rong in the Rainy Season.