The beachy town of Sihanoukville is generally known as THE beach resort of Cambodia. The town itself might not win prizes for prettiness, but the drinking and party scene – as well as the beaches – draw in a lot of travellers.
Plus Sihanoukville is the jumping off point for the islands (including Koh Rong) just off the coast.
However, if you’re looking for a hostel in Sihanoukville, well there’s a lot to choose from. And we mean a lot. But the tricky sticking point is knowing what place in town is best for you.
Not to worry. We’ve rounded up the best hostels in Sihanoukville (and put them into helpful categories, as well) to make it a lot easier for you to find the place that suits you the most.
So get ready for a Cambodian adventure and check out our handy list below.
Best Hostels in Sihanoukville
Let’s start the list off with our absolute favorite hostels. There are a lot of cool places to stay in Sihanoukville spread many beautiful areas, so read up and book before you visit!
Monkey Maya – Best Overall Hostel in Sihanoukville
This place is the best overall hostel in Sihanoukville. It provides you with everything you need to have a good time in the city; it’s away from the madness of the main part of town, has a private beach (a good spot to swim), feels secluded, serves decent cocktails and feels welcoming.
There are a selection of bungalows and dorms at this top hostel in Sihanoukville to choose from – depending on your budget. They also have actual crisp white bed linen here, which makes all the difference. The absolute best thing about this place is that it’s eco-friendly: no plastic straws here. They even give you an empty bag to collect rubbish you find on the beach.
The Big Easy – Best Party Hostel in Sihanoukville
Well, well, well. Looking to party? This is literally THE place to go in Sihanoukville for that. It’s lively and popular with people who just come here to drink, expect loud music, sports on TV and all sorts of social events every single night.
If that sounds like you then you should be booking yourself into the best party hostel in Sihanoukville. The restaurant here also serves up a range of tasty food, from Western to Khmer, and the staff make you feel really welcome. But yeah, just be ready to party when you get here. It ain’t quiet!
BOHO – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Sihanoukville
So good it’s in capitals, BOHO provides you with a secure and safe place to sleep in this coastal Cambodian town. It’s this sense of security plus a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that makes it our best hostel in Sihanoukville for solo backpackers exploring Cambodia.
The dorm rooms here are very nice, the facilities are decent, and the cafe serves up tasty food. It’s also got a swimming pool, which is good for cooling off after sitting on the colourful sundeck all day.
Monkey Republic – Best Hostel Cheap Hostel in Sihanoukville
Another monkey-based hostel name, this Sihanoukville backpackers is very close to the gold lion roundabout that everybody seems to use as a landmark in this town. The AIR CON dorms are in brick-built bungalows here and come complete with en-suite bathrooms. Now that is what we are actually talkin’ ’bout.
The restaurant at this hostel is really quite something. Very tasty indeed. And it’s cheap. So it really adds to the credentials of this being the best cheap hostel in Sihanoukville. And not only is it central, budget-friendly and serving up good food, it’s got a swimming pool too!
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View on Osprey View on REIThe Easy Panda – Best Hostel for Couples in Sihanoukville
Weird name, right? But it’s a nice lil’ spot for a chilled secluded getaway. Situated right on the beach, it’s the perfect spot to simply roll onto the sand to sunbathe and splash around in the sea.
The sunsets from this place are literally amazing. You get table service from your hammock (shouldn’t it be called hammock service?) and a super luxurious sleep in your own private room. Yep, the best hostel for couples in Sihanoukville shapes up to be pretty damn lavish if you ask us. (But in a budget way).
Onederz Sihanoukville – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Sihanoukville
Maybe you wanna get some work done before hitting the islands off Sihanoukville, maybe you just want somewhere to answer some emails in peace – whatever it is, this is a chilled little spot for getting the job done. A wonderful spot. (Sorry).
Clean, comfy, and close to loads of restaurants and bars, rooms here are set around an outdoor pool with tables and chairs indoors and outdoors. So at the best hostel for digital nomads in Sihanoukville, you can type like a demon then somersault into the pool without even having to move very far.
Wish You Were Here – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Sihanoukville
This place is a little bastion of style in this beachside town. It’s also literally on the beach, which is great for lounging around, and it serves up great cocktails in their own bar ’till 1AM. Good stuff. Every Sunday there’s live music, and there’s food specials every night (e.g. Mondays: roast dinner, Thursdays: Sri Lankan curry).
It’s the best hostel with a private room in Sihanoukville. The private rooms are basically beach huts, which is novel (if you’ve never stayed in one), and sorta nostalgic if you have. The best thing about it is that special sorta atmosphere that makes you just… fall in love with a place. Like actually.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels In Sihanoukville
More awesome crash pads, more fantastic Cambodia hostels to party and pass out at. Here’s some runner-ups to round off the review!
Hacienda
Chilled vibe, cool people, this is actually situated in a little village not too far from Sihanoukville itself. So you get to immerse yourself in the village life of Sihanoukville rather than go where everybody else goes. If that sounds good to you, well, that’s cool!
Staff at this Sihanoukville backpackers place are really nice and friendly, and the atmosphere is just super calm. If you’re looking for a place to kick back and read a book, this might just be the place for you. It is – however – just a tad (read: very) basic.
Footprints Beach Hostel
Great little location on the beach. Fun environment: chill or party as you see fit. The dorm is… open air. Fine if you like a cool breeze, not so fine if you aren’t really into sleeping in the elements. Don’t panic though ’cause there’s also boutique style private rooms at this Sihanoukville backpackers hostel.
The lounge is nice and is a place where you can watch movies on a rainy day (plenty of those in rainy season), and they even have a boxing gym. Which is just perfect if you like boxing. It’s a 30 min walk into the centre of town, but you can just grab a tuk-tuk if you wanna go.
Mushroom Point
Why is this called mushroom point? We’ll tell you why. The individual huts look like little mushrooms like you’re staying in a tiki version Toad’s kingdom. Designed and built by an artist. And you have to pay for the privilege.
It’s a nice idea, of course, that all the huts are nice and ecological and whatnot. But you might get a few, hmm, froggy mates, gecko friends, and various other… small creatures popping in during the course of the night. But generally this cool hostel in Sihanoukville – actually in nearby Otres – is great, especially if you’re unfussy and like nature.
What to Pack for your Sihanoukville Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Sihanoukville
So those were the best hostels in Sihanoukville – and WOW what a range of places!
From beachside places known for partying and more chilled beach hut style hostels to places a little more solid (and air conned!) or set in more local villages, there’s something for everyone.
So we hope you’ll be able to choose a place that’s right for you from our list of Sihanoukville’s best backpacker hostels.
And… if you can’t? We recommend Monkey Maya, our pick for the best overall hostel in Sihanoukville – it’s a little oasis of fun in this big coastal town!
FAQ about Hostels in Sihanoukville
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Sihanoukville.
How much does a hostel cost in Sihanoukville?
Depending on the location and type of room, on average, the price starts at $5 – $9+ per night.
What are the best hostels in Sihanoukville for couples?
A perfect place to relax and unwind, Kactus – The Hidden Treehouse is a top-rated hostel for couples in Sihanoukville.
What are the best hostels in Sihanoukville near the airport?
The airport is quite far from the city center, so it is better to find the best place in a great location. I recommend Siha Treasure Hotel, just a 38-minute drive from Sihanoukville International Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Sihanoukville
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
If you’re still, concerned about whether or not it’s safe to visit right now, then check out our dedicated safety guide for travelling Cambodia for lots of useful tips and advice.
More Epic Hostels in Cambodia
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Phnom Penh.
Planning an epic trip all across Cambodia or even Southeast Asia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel and accommodation guides around Cambodia, check out:
- Where to Stay in Cambodia
- Best Backpacker Accommodation in Phnom Penh
- Best Budget Hostels in Siem Reap
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Sihanoukville has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Cambodia for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Sihanoukville before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
