Independence Hotel by Dara

This hotel is like an oasis in the desert. We were disappointed to find that our room allocation was an eco lodge room. Far too small for my 6ft tall partner. We also didn't like how far we were from the pool or the beach (golf caddy being the only way). So we asked to go back to reception to discuss the situation. We were taken care of by one of the hotel assistant managers and he made sure we were allocated to a much nicer room. He was even concerned that our sea view wasn't quite perfect as it was slightly obscured by trees. He had nothing to worry about. The view was great and the room was comfortable . The best bit was the lovely pool. I was able to fully let go here and enjoy the peace. Note though that drinks are more expensive poolside than inside. This hotel is popular with Chinese tourists so breakfast choices felt quite Chinese, so added another twist to our holiday. I wouldn't want to stay in sihanoukville unless I had to. It's not exactly nice. But it's an experience. Best to head over to Koh Rong Samloem as soon as you can.

Only hotel that is pet friendly in Sihanoukville. I feel comfort to bring my little buddies there. (They charge 15$/pet which is affordable)

I've stayed here previously several times, those I really enjoyed. This time not so much. The main historical building I really enjoy, with great views of the ocean, nice large rooms and comfortable beds. However, in the hotels quest for money, opening up the beautiful oceanside pool for people from outside, meant paying guests couldn't get a seat. Waiters are running around trying to serve so many guests (not enough service staff for the influx in visitors), some not even wearing appropriate swimming outfits. It's not a facility for hotel guests. Previously the beach was also private, but now people come walking in and out, sitting on the seats. Not guests at the hotel. The staff leave the area before the sun goes down. These are just basic management. I will never say at this hotel again, and with newer hotels opening this will struggle into the future, will be saved by it's iconic location and name. You wont get repeat guests. Breakfast was great, staff fantastic in the breakfast room. Potential, but badly managed.

Don't want to stay in a wood shack without windows for $60 that's what shows up on agoda sometimes just 1 photo of infinity pool that don't show you room photo very tricky...now when I go to sihanoukville I will choose another hotel

the best seaview and so fresh natural in sihanoukville and nice services, good service provided, friendly staff and nice food specially for the burgers set only for 9.50$.

We booked this hotel for 2 nights and stayed only 1 night. While the hotel has a great location and the staff tries it's best to save the standard, the hotel is obviously deteriorating day by day. Overall, Sihanoukville is like a post apocalyptic place, where a lot of ugly construction has started, but then abandoned half way through. So, if you are in Cambodia and want some sea experience, take a boat and go to Koh Rong island.

We had a great stay during our vacation in Sihanoukville. Thank you to the management and staff of Independence Hotel by Dara. Our requests were granted. ✅ Thanks to front office, housekeeping, engineering and buggy drivers. Our needs were anticipated during our dinner at Sunset restaurant. Special thanms to Ms. Khem. I already recommended this hotel to my socmed. Tilm next visit. God bless.

Room was very nice, restaurant was very good. The pools seemed to have a scum line around the waters edge

Great location with its own private beach and surrounding area which makes it good for not having to leave the hotel. 2 pools and lots for space to do activities including table tennis, pool etc. The hotel is old and needs a disparate makeover to bring into the modern world. The rooms are big and mostly clean. Not sure if it was quite season but hardly anyone around (staff included).

Amazing room Staff as attentive and personable Hotel feels a little tired though.Like myself to be honest Think i migh be beyond a bit of refurbishment and a coat of paint

The hotel is basically good. And the breakfast buffet is great. But in the first room they gave me, the bathroom smelled of raw sewage. They gave me a second room when I asked, but that room did not have hot water. I didn’t ask for yet another room change since I was leaving the next day anyway.

Great piece of history.

The property was an oasis from the city with amazing views. The perfect Hideaway after taking tours outside the city. Staff was friendly and attentive. The food was good and the villas were top-notch.

Good Place

My family and I had the most amazing time at this stunning resort! The villas were spacious and clean, with incredible views of the ocean, and our own private pool which was maintained daily by the hotel staff. The hotel staff were so kind, friendly and helpful; from the waiters and kitchen staff, to the cleaners, reception staff, massage and spa staff and even the security! We were greeted with welcome drinks on arrival, and Cyril the hotel manager did everything he could to ensure we had an incredible stay. The food at the breakfast buffet was delicious and varied, and we enjoyed several amazing meals at the Sunset Restaurant with a beautiful view of the ocean! We can’t wait to come back and stay at Independence Hotel Sihanoukville again next time!

Very nice and nature’s love. My second time staying there. Love this place.

Loved the location , property is tucked away , hotel is older but it’s a classic , views from room were awesome and pools are great !

The property is beautiful especially the Ocean Pool…you have access to the pool and beach simultaneously…the food from Sunset Restaurant was delicious, tasty and hot while the pool food was cold and insipid…not sure why! The drinks were great but need more alcohol…Happy Hour was on every day…breakfast was on par…cordial and professional employees…they were real polite and on point. Housekeeping was always timely and helpful. They only need to spruce up the landscape…Overall it’s a great place to stay.

Staying at Dara Hotel Sihanoukville, Cambodia was an incredible experience. The breathtaking view of the sea from the hotel was stunning, and the pool area felt safe and relaxing. The delicious breakfast was memorable, and above all, the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. It's definitely one of the hotels I would love to visit again.

Knowing little about Sihanoukville, my family booked this place to enjoy a quiet getaway. We later discovered that in the loud, dirty and seedy city, Independence Hotel is a breath of fresh air. As casinos have moved in, Western tourists have started to vacation on the islands. Independence Hotel may be one of the only places in Sihanoukville with a spectacular view (it's angled so you can't see the abandoned skyscrapers), and a clean, safe, family-friendly atmosphere. The multi-layered infinity pool was absolutely incredible, and most welcome, as the waters of the beach were too dirty to swim in. The breakfast buffet was delicious, the gym surprisingly full of new and high end equipment, and the spa offered a nice assortment of massages and treatments, a sauna, steam room, and hot & cold jacuzzis. Our two teenagers enjoyed the ping pong table, pool table, and hiking the vast premises where they saw beautiful flora and plenty of monkeys. Every staff member was kind and courteous. From photos on the wall of the hotel, you can see that the glory days of Independence Hotel may be in the past (Jackie Kennedy supposedly stayed here), and yet there is still much charm. It's a place we are rooting for. If you want a luxury stay for an affordable price, and are fine not leaving the premises, then Independence Hotel is for you.

First time stay at this Iconic 60's Seaside Resort Hotel in Sunny Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The location on a hillside adjacent to Independence Beach was another drawcard. Beautiful scenery from all aspects of the resort made the stay more relaxing and tranquil. The ocean pool was absolutely stunning, especially during sunset and in the early evening. The surrounding tropical rainforests was beautiful as well, with quite a few playful "resident macaques" swinging themselves around throughout the entire resort. The buffet breakfasts in Coral Restaurant were relaxing with a very large array of food, even a la carte breakfast offerings. Staff were friendly and courteous as well. The staffs' level of English proficiency was amazing as was their work practices. It was wonderful to have the golf cart escort when staying in the forest villas as well, made the trek to the restaurant for breakfast even more enjoyable. Will definitely return for another visit. Congratulations to the Management Team. Keep up the good work.

I stayed at Independence Hotel by Dara for three nights and I was very impressed by their service and facilities. The hotel is located in a beautiful area, overlooking the sea and surrounded by lush greenery. The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, with a balcony that offered a stunning view of the sunset. The staff was friendly, helpful, and attentive, always ready to assist me with anything I needed. The breakfast buffet was delicious and varied, with a mix of local and international dishes. The hotel also has a beach, a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center, which I enjoyed very much. I would highly recommend Independence Hotel by Dara to anyone looking for a relaxing and luxurious stay in Sihanoukville. It was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had.

Very beautiful place! Nature is amazing! It's one of the best hotel in Cambodia, still.. But very rude stuff.. Especially security They don't ask nothing when they see you at first time, they just can tell you - get out from the beach, from this road, horrible behaviour Another stuff never smile Especially on the breakfast You just wanna to ask what is that, what kind of eggs I can order for my first breakfast When you would like to have just glass of water, they don't wanna give you at the restaurant I mean for 4star hotel that's really no good attitude to the guests Very law level of hospitality, honestly I travel a lot in Cambodia, and everywhere stuff is really friendly, in mini-hotels or big hotels But not here

Positives. It's ok Cleanish Nice pool by the sea Welcome drink Negatives You are away from everything so a bit trapped. It's had it's day in the 60s, I've no doubt it was state of the art at the time but now seems in a time warp. Stained and dated furniture, peeling paint, a damp smell in the room. Over priced for what it is. Breakfast is OK but nothing. The city is absolutely horrible, unless you like seeing half built or lots of empty buildings so do yourself a favour and go to the next place.

60’s chic! Does not look as old as it is. Loved the pools and the workout room. Buffer and room service food was delicious! I highly recommend it

Wonderful stay at The Independence. We were here for two days and the experience was amazing. The property is having a lush green landscape with an infinity pool known as Ocean Pool to relax in the scorchy heat of Cambodia...

This is an excellent hotel for young families. The breakfast range was comprehensive catering for both Asian & European clients even if some of the items were not of the highest quality, it would suit most families. The hotel pools on the sea front were stunning as was the beech by the sea front restaurant. Ideal for the very young and the proficient swimmer. Clean and in good order with toilet facilities are on hand. The hotel rooms were in very good condition. The sea view restaurant cooks all the meal individually and therefor you need to order in advance if you have very young children as you will wait for at least 30 minutes before your food arrives. Some of the dishes were fabulous however you could order the same dish a day later and find it disappointing. I would definitely recommend this hotel for families. A very sad fact is that the hotel staff who we saw worked very hard and were friendly at all times are housed in shocking low standard accommodation blocks on site.

Our non-smoking room was on the 5th floor, but it stunk of cigarette smoke. We opened the window and door, had a lemon grass oil burner delivered to no avail. The entrance to all rooms in the main building is from an open walkway/corridor. Despite the no smoking sign on the 5th floor corridor there were several ashtrays, including one immediately alongside our door. The compressor for our room air conditioner was located just below where the occupant from the adjacent room leant over the balcony to smoke.. The smoke was sucked straight into our room. We moved to the 6th floor; same thing happened (see the photo of the ashtray).We would have checked out, but we had prepaid hotel and flights. The beach was nice but not worth suffering this run down hotel or disgusting city. Just avoid the city it does not feel safe or clean. This was our 3rd and last visit to Sihanoukville.

The hotel need upgrade a lots from bar, play area reception, restaurant etc Room are ok they do not make room every day that I feel a bit disappointed. The service from Concerge, restaurant, bar breakfast are great the service / customer care is very good - not everyone speak English was a bit a problem at night when you try to make arrange things for next day ! The swimming pool the new one was partly renovated but not used as weather was not great.

Customer service par excellence! The hotel staff both in the concierge and the restaurant were not only professional but personable in their service: I asked for milk and they brought me hot milk to put in my coffee and I was so impressed that they would know that cold milk would just make my coffee lukewarm and I love it HOT first thing in the morning! The landscape and beach area so beautiful and relaxing, and a golf cart is provided to take guests all around the huge compound! The beach is private and there are 2 beautiful pools which were clean and well kept! I liked the fact that there were no little soaps in the bathroom but liquid hand wash and that if a room was booked for 2 people, 2 keys were provided for our convenience! I did not give this a 5/5 because the view from my room was not that good so if you are staying here maybe is better to stay in rooms on the higher floors or in the amazing private villas which overlook the beach! If you have trouble walking, the steps down to the beach can be a bit difficult though I was told there was an elevator there! Would I return for a visit? Definitely ! Thank you and kudos to the staff that made my group feel so special and loved !

Love the beautiful gardens. Friendly staffs. The hotel is old and not well kept. The window facing the ocean needs cleaning. The A/C air filter needs cleaning/replacement, because we started getting sinus after two nights from the dust blowing from dirty filter. Hotel could use a fresh new paint job.

Great

We loved the friendly staff and the pool was the best feature. We had booked a pod room but on arrival were given a twin in the main building, we were happy with this so did not mention it to the staff.

TV not working, otherwise excellent

WiFi is too slow and I got an uninvited visitor

There were several power cuts during the night. The problem was that all of the lights in the room would turn on when the power came back on. It made for a terrible night’s sleep. Other members of my party had the same problem in their rooms too. The ground floor terrace door didn’t lock. The room was very damp. Rising damp visible on the walls. Mould throughout.

The resort is nice, but for the price I'd like to see better service. Always had to ask 3 times in restaurants and reception on just the basics.... a fork, tuk tuk, a beer...

The property has a big potential and the infinite pool is great. However it looked more like a ghost hotel, few staff visible. We arranged in advance 2 paid options : honeymoon decoration and pick up. The driver was 35 min late for the pick up. No one helped to take the bags when we arrived with the taxi (other hotels had staff at the door especially when a pick up is arranged). They forgot the honeymoon decoration (even if it was on the sheet describing our reservation) but at least they did not charge for it. The food was ok. The hotel is isolated from the city but you will not necessarily enjoy the city with all the construction. Staff does not really greet people. It looks like the staff itself stopped believing in the hotel. It is like a old memory from the past. In summary, deceptive experience, expensive price for an average service compared to the 3 other hotels we stayed in Cambodia.

I’ll start with the pros: one of the best ocean pools out there and great gym facility and beautiful state in general. Unfortunately the cons way outweigh the pros. It’s a super dated hotel(1963) without proper maintenance. A lot of mold in our room ( I had a sea pavilion room) and the bathroom smelled disgusting. Cleaning staff apparently didn’t receive proper trainings and breakfast is disappointing too. Overall won’t recommend. The hotel is overrated and overpriced due to the ocean pool.

- not very clean rooms - staff cant speak very good english - we said them to order a taxi for the next day, we had to be on the airport early, they forget it... - food choise is limited - they were overbooked and we had to go to another room than we booked for the first night. After the night we had to change. - a lot of dirt in the room, and a lot of death and alive insects - over all its not worth that price

Nice pool and staff but a little bit far from city.

A lot of facilities are out of order in room. It was raining when I check in, the floor to the building was full of elgie . Almost slipped on to the floor. No maintenance. No inspection by management . Bathroom with big planter boxes and plants. Non hygienic. Balcony with dirts

Got the eco pod room and it was great. The room was well kept and looked clean. The swimming pool near the ocean along with the sunrise cafe were great spots to hangout and soak in the view. Great place to stay, although the staff could use a little bit of training.

Downgrade this hotel. Bad maintenance , bathroom smelt garden a state, packed with large tour groups. Just terrible in a potentially good location. Don’t book this place

A little expensive, considering newer hotels popping up nearby, but it’s my favorite hotel in Sihanoukville. Infinity pool that opened about a year ago needs preventative and regular cleaning to prevent algae from forming.

I lived in Phnom Penh for several years and have stayed at the Independence Hotel since 2013. Just for the fun of it, I have tried other hotels in the area over the years. Independence Hotel remains to be my favorite, in spite of its flaws. I just wish they’d give me a discount for guest loyalty; other hotels do it. When I arrived at the hotel, I was told I would be staying at the 7th floor, possibly because just a week previous I stayed on that floor. Because rooms on the 7th floor are smaller and have no separate rain shower, I asked for a different room. They said they had only one other room available: an upgraded room on the 2nd floor. I guess I could live with a view with trees instead of ocean for one night. They welcomed me to take a look. The room was indeed, huge and beautiful, but the view was horrible: A wall and hotel roof! Who wants to look at a wall and a roof??! It was unsightly to say the least. An end unit room is great above the 2nd floor, but anything below that is not worth what they charge and should only be offered for $50 year round. I settled for the room on the 7th floor. (See my review for the 7th floor on June 11, 2018.).

Third time visit (second time was May 2017, first time was in 1970). Loved it and will always love it, for the nostalgic family memories. Hotel is growing old, but gracefully, upgraded with nice infinity pool reached via great walkway beachside, quiet private beach. Probably the last peaceful sanctuary, nicely isolated from the concrete jungle of megahotels/casinos, being constructed on daily basis all around.

Nice resort and great setting. Beach and ocean pool great.

Riight so where to begin, The first room was nice and cozy and we settled in but realised it was very hot! So after 3 calls to the reception, eventually they moved us to another room, which was much bigger and nicer than the other one and the aircon worked really well! Bright and cozy and beautiful sea views! The sunset restaurant is in a beautiful location Jsut next to the private beach! This is where they served the morning breakfast! Breakfast was pretty terrible! I mean damn I felt the need to go in the kitchen to show them how to make a poached egg! Or fried for that matter! I mean really the breakfast we only ate cause it was including in our hotel price! Never the less it was a beautiful location to start the morning, at least the croissant and pain au chocolats were awesome with their home made jams! The pool is exactly how it looks in the photo if not better! Absolutely stunning! Like best pool I’ve ever been too! Best thing about the hotel! The beach is nice if the water is calm which wasn’t our case, unfortunately we went during the somewhat rainy season! And the pier is beautiful! We had a problem with the free shuttle bus town as they were meant to pick us up on the second stop back to the hotel in the evening, also there last bus for the night and they drove right past us and didn’t pick us up! We were pretty fuming, so we had to take a tuk tuk back to the hotel! The manager made up for it by organising an airport ride back for us! Which was really nice

My booking did not match the room offered on the Expedia side. Bed was dirty. Poor English spoken staff, food horrible, hotel is dirty, I got sick and requested some pills and they could not offer

This hotel is in desperate need of a complete renovation and is outrageously expensive for what you get. DO NOT trust the photos posted by the hotel, completely inaccurate of the true condition of the facilities. Broken blinds, no hot water, algae in the beautiful pool, old furniture, bugs in the seaside restaurant. The food is sad and expensive. I left this hotel feeling completely ripped off. It’s a shame, it appears someone completely gave up on this hotel. The private beach and the Oceanside pathway give so much potential. Very said situation considering it’s historical and cultural significance.

We stayed in one of the pods, which was great. Helpful and friendly staff.

Amazing infinity pool overlooking the sea! Enjoy a trip in the private elevator directly to the private beach! Room was so luxurious and spacious with an incredible bathroom. Great live music entertainment in the bar. Staff were very helpful. They even packed us a breakfast for our 7am train journey the next day.

We stayed at Eco-Pods which was funny and quirky. It was new and clean. They have pickup service from/to reception/room/restaurant/pool which is good. You can go walking but if you prefer just call the reception and they will be at your room in just minutes. The Ocean Pool is sensational. Stunning view watching the sunset on the sea relaxing at the pool. Food let me down, it’s pricey for the quality. The hotel has 2 restaurants, Coral and Sunset. The second is better than first but still doesnt delivered an exceptional food. The deserts wasn’t our cup of tea (I’m a big desert fan). Icecream too sweet, cheesecake wasn’t great, black and white mousse was served frozen and the list goes on. (Only the breakfast could save us. Lots of options and delicious mini cakes which could be served all day). On top of that we couldn’t go anywhere else because the hotel is far from downtown. 20 minutes avarage by tuktuk. The experience wasn’t the best for location and food.

Love the pods. Nice infinity pool on the beach. Food was fair. Free shuttle to town was a nice touch. Cons, no shuttle was available to pick us up at the airport so we took a taxi to the hotel. A welcome drink would have been nice. Staff was not very helpful and gave us wrong information about the market place and time it was open. There are no excursions available.

This hotel is nice, but if your looking for service look elsewhere i found them to be consistently bad in customer service. I stayed on two occasions in April 2018 - 1st time arrived late around 7.30pm check in was OK but staff did not seem very friendly and did not offer us anything on arrival after a 9 hour road trip to Sihanoukville a cool towel and a glass of refreshment would of been nice, we ended up in the Sunset Restaurant for dinner at 9pm we asked for a table of 6 only to find the waiter being difficult and saying but we close at 10 and we were getting the tables ready for breakfast. (again, something that a guest should not be hearing), we then found ourselves in the Coral Restaurant they served us dinner without an issue but possibly because we told them about our bad experience in the Sunset Restaurant. On our 2nd stay we arrive at 3.00pm check in time was 2pm we were told at reception our room was not ready and to wait in reception, 30 minutes later i requested the room key irrelevant of the cleanliness of the room as we again had been travelling and needed to rest, room was still being prepared when we entered - this is totally unacceptable for a hotel of this size to be treating guest like numbers our rooms were suites and the price of the room did not come cheap even for Cambodia. Just because Jaqueline Kennedy once stayed there does not make it a good Hotel - Customer Service and good amenities would go a lot further

The hotel is good but could be made so much better with a little care and attention. As you arrive you will see a plaque proudly showing 5 stars 3 gold and two only outlined where the gold as fallen off this probably sums this hotel up, ten years ago when the paint was fresh and the gardens and rooms where perfect I would have had no hesitation in giving this hotel top marks ! .Having said that I would still go back as the positives such as the fantastic pool beach and location far out way the negatives sadly the same cant be said for Sihanouksville which is basically a garbage heap and completely spoiled by the influx of Chinese casino hotels.Whoever agreed to this should hang your heads in shame !!!

The ECO-pots are very good value.

really nice beach, and location is quiet and relaxed good value for money unfortunately has not had any upgrades or renovations since it was initially built in the 1960's

We enjoyed our stay. The newwe parts of the hotel were absolutely beautiful. Our room was pretty average, a little on the small side but the view makes up for the lack in space. Our only complaint about the room would be the water pressure. The best parts were the new private pool on the ocean and the private beach down the hill from the hotel. We were pleasntly surprised that our stay included breakfast. But otherwise the food was pretty average and slightly overpriced for quality and there was no variety between lunch and dinner menues so we ended up knowing the menue by heart after two meals. We were also farther from town then expected. Which was nice in the sense that things were quite and secluded. There was a free shuttle offered that dropped you off in town.

I stayed in one of the pavillions so review based on that experience. Positives: Nice beach, nice location (away from the noise and dirt of the town), ocean pool, views from the room/hotel restaurant were stunning. Negatives: Not cheap for what it is. Breakfast buffet was exactly the same each day which if you stay for 8 days is too much. Some areas of the buffet look like health hazard (the various dressings/sauces being open in the heat and looked tired at 7:30 already). Dinners were a bit hit and miss. The room. Given the hotel is located in a bit of a jungle be prepared that you will share the pavillion with bugs, ants and lizards. There was a gap between the door and the frame so the room was freely accessible to them. Also realised ordering food to room in the evening was a bad bad idea. while your food is delivered another bunch of insects get into your room as in the evenings the entrance door is covered with them. If l had known l would have booked a room in the main building - but you just don't know what to expect. As other guests mentioned it seems to be past its best needing a bit of a refresh. In fairness l saw some progress just in the 8 days l was in the hotel. Overall l enjoyed my stay but would have booked into the main building rooms to avoid all the jungle creatures.

My sister and I visited this hotel after staying at the Empress in Siem Reip. What a difference. The front desk was very unhelpful, the air conditioning did not work. We called maintence 5 times to get the issue fixed before we just gave up. The shower was hand held only. Very uncomfortable. The beds were like rock. The food was about average. The grounds could stand a bit of maintence. The efinity pool was wonderful, but don’t expect to get a drink brought to you. There may be six waiters hanging around the bar, but they didn’t move from that spot. Overall, this hotel was not worth the price. Sisters from Canada.

Very relaxing stay. Loved the huge infinity pool & bar. Wish there was a restaurant closer to the villas.

The resort is situated right on the beach and offers amazing views. The resort is not close to much shops and would be a good idea to have a mini mart on the resort otherwise you should stock up before you arrive. The hotel does offer a free shuttle into town at certain times through out the day. The service however is average. We had a 2pm check in and arrived half an hour early.We were told to wait which we did not mind, however at 2.15pm the concierge did not bother to let us know that the room was still not ready nor did she apologise. Our room was not available until 2.30pm The room came with a spa however the hot water ran out before the tub could fill up, the electricity turned off at random times during the day and the wifi would also drop out at times. We did enjoy the spa massage at the resort with 40% off and the gym included great equipment. The two restaurants on the resort were nice also.

All in all this hotel wasn’t worth the price or the rating. Bathroom was dirty, mold. Shower did not get hot. Mattress was old and falling apart. Their outdoor restaurant and beach is beautiful and the service is good. But I was not happy with the room condition, although it was very spacious and modern, just didn’t feel clean enough.

Staff were rude and everything is overpriced. Alot of mould in the room too.

Wonderful property with an excellent infinity pool, almost private beach and great food. We had the best stay in our trip across Cambodia

Excellent resort, great staff and facilities. Couldn't recommend highly enough!

This is a dated hotel that tailors for Chinese tour groups, built in 60's, there is no beach close and its far from the town. Wouldn't recommend, checked out early. Also food in restaurants is poor value for money and below average at best. Wouldn't recommend this hotel at all.

It was great to stay in a hotel that represented part of the area history. The service levels at hotel were outstanding. The settings at the hotel were relaxing and quiet.

Bring back nostalgic memories of stay in the 60's. Not much updated, except reception area. Walls could use new coat of paint. But wonderful old style ambiance: would not trade for anything more modern. Private long road entrance + good private beach section. Wonderful atmosphere. Breakfast buffet is good: food choice fine, waiting staff excellent, old plates cleared instantly.

Lovely quiet and clean beach with great water just the right temp and waves not to harsh to cause any problems swimming, also limited waterskiing and hang gliding on inflatable boat available. Food and breakfast aere a variable feast and we ate mostly better and cheaper in town. The hotel does not show its age of 54 years though one can see see photos of Jacqui Kennedy who stayed there in 1963,good wheel chair access to rooms and beach.

The Independence has the potential to be very good, however it lacks a lot of personal touch. Hotel room was very good, very clean and very comfortable. Breakfast was average, food same each day, every morning during our 5 day stay when we were offered tea or coffee a cup would be given to us but no milk or sugar on the table. The cup and saucer never had a tea spoon so I had to stir my coffee with a knife when I eventually got milk and sugar. It's these little things that matter when you have spent a large if amount of money to stay. The hotel grounds needs a lot of work. apart from the hotel entrance the rest is poorly maintained and could do with a fresh lick of paint. Beach is very nice and private.

This hotel has great facilities including a glass elevator down to a private beach. It lacks the polish of a five star hotel but the views, pool, gym and private beach were all in that league at a very reasonable cost. The staff were friendly and helpful and although the hotel is 15 minutes from the town centre there is a free bus which will take and pick you up. If you pick this hotel you won't be disappointed.

The Hotel is probably past it best but they are working on renovations at the moment. It has a lot of past history. The room was fine but it was a stop over on the way to Koh Rong Island. Breakfast was nice.

Its generally a nice hotel but its miles away from anything...also we booked a sea pavilion (at extra cost) looking forward to nice views of the sea but we couldn't see it at all. There was renovations going on there so the restaurant was closed. If you want to chill, see very few people and do nothing for a few days it might suit you

Nice staff and excellent service for that part of the world. Great value for food, in room dining and cocktails. They are insanely cheap compared to most resort settings eg: $2.00 beer in mini bar, $3.50 cocktails etc. Most room service meals averaged $12.00 pp USD. The beach is small and well maintained. It was perfect for our stay during the off season. Dont expect the white sands and crystal clear water of the Caribbean, do expect intense sun and nice views. The nearby beaches are poorly maintained (consider where you are,) The town and markets are nearby; $5.00 via tuk tuk each way. Food is abundant, drinks are ridiculously cheap and there is plenty to see. The hotel is performing renovation work so some facilities were unavailable.

Very good hotel

What a wonderful stay in our private villa overlooking the sea tucked away on an immense private property with 24-hour security far from the madding crowd that is downtown Sihanoukville. We are not the drink-till-the-wee-hours-in-a-bar demographic anymore, so very much enjoyed stepping fom our beautiful room into the Japanese-style soaking tub on our own private terrace surrounded by trees with the sound of the ocean waves breaking upon the shore while gazing at the stars sipping some bubbly and recounting our adventures of the day. Our room was beautifully decorated and had a separate spa bathroom with the tub and overhead rain shower in a glass-and-tile enclosed cube. We had the choice of walking to the main hotel for breakfast or calling for a "buggy" to come and pick us up. We also walked along the stone causeway to the private beach - too bad it was raining that day so we didn't swim or lay out on the lounge chairs. Instead we met friends for a light lunch at the on-site Sunset Terrace on the water's edge. This was a hotel our friend used to come to with his parents in the hotel's heyday, so it was lovely for him to revisit again. We were there in the low season and the hotel was in the midst of completing repairs and upgrades to the pool and main building, but we had a lovely time. We had an excellent night's rest, a good breakfast, and I can't wait to come back to this most beautiful oasis of calm and tranquility.

Room good size. Staff nice beach great pool had mould. Grounds unkept. Breakfast good. Shuttle bus into town was good but as it was low season not very often.

The hotel is located a little isolated, but with the FREE shuttle it was no problem coming around. The drivers were so helpful...

Well run spacious facility. We stayed in a room literally 20 feet from the sea lapping us to sleep after witnessing gorgeous sunsets. Excellent food and all staff were friendly and helpful. Almost everyone spoke at least some English and American dollars are the currency of choice, which made it easy for us American travelers. Beautiful white sand private beach with great swimming and lounging. We would go back in a heart beat.

Exceptional service..great facility .. amazing resort with some great service. We were really not expecting much as it is a remote and spread across resort. But it surprised us on all counts. Very clean.. efficient and tons of staff... Restaurant at the beach has really good food and chef also twisted menu as per our demand. Beach is excellent and clean. Will highly recommend it and it really delivers to your expectations and money.

Nice hotel, on a great private beach. It feels remote and quiet but there are small restaurants on the beach nearby and you are not totally isolated in your resort. Dowtown Sihanouk ville is about 10 minutes by tutuk. We stayed for 5 days with 2 teenagers and we all loved it. Our 2 rooms were spacious, clean and comfortable.

Old but still good ... In room tv could b bigger!

This resort is a great place to stay for a relaxing respite. Great food and a free shuttle into town. We would stay here again.

I give this hotel 4.5 stars. I would give them 5 stars, however, they did not make me aware of their free breakfast buffet. I was not told about it at all and found it on my own one morning while looking for my boyfriend. There aren't any signs leading you to where it's at either, so it's not exactly an easy find. This hotel is more expensive than the other hotels I stayed at while in Cambodia, so to get a freebie like the breakfast buffet would've been nice. Beyond the breakfast issue, everything here was perfect. The staff here are great and are overly helpful. I read previously that others had an issue with them not being able to speak English fluently, but this was not an issue for me. Also, they have someone who isn't Cambodian (a European woman) working there, so she is able to assist you if you're having trouble understanding the rest of the staff. I loved this hotel mainly because of the cleanliness and the private beach. I was able to relax and enjoy the beach without being hounded or feeling uncomfortable with others staring at me in my swimsuit. Everyone is busy minding their business and enjoying the sun. It was definitely a perfect, romantic get away for my boyfriend and I. One thing to be aware of while coming here is some of the areas on the beach. One morning while on the beach, I decided to be a bit difficult and walk by my jumping from rock to rock to avoid getting my feet extra sandy. When I walked over near the stairway that gets you up and down to the

The hotel itself was nice but lacked atmosphere. There was no music to soften the mood and feel like you were on a tropical holiday and the staff rarely smiled. Good but could be a lot better. Sihanoukville itself seems more like a young persons hang out to just sun bake and drink cheap alcohol.

Very hospitable staff. Food in restaurant not so great

Great hotel but area can be a little noisy but worth overlooking that

We had a fantastic time. but the service is terrible.

The only bad point would be that there is not much alcohol in coctails. For that reason I would say that coctails there are way too expensive. Better go to downtown to drink...

This is a beautiful place. The beach is clean and the whole property is interesting from the sea side walkway to the monkeys that great you coming off the road. The room was comfortable. Two draw backs were that the room was not ready on time so we had to convince the security guards we belonged on the property with a baggage slip. Also, many rooms are not in the historic building you see in pictures but instead are in buildings that reminded me of condos in Florida.

We spent 5 days and enjoyed our stay. The room (the pavilion studio) was very nice, clean and with a great view of the sea. There were small issues with the fridge turned on but not cooling but a minor concern. We enjoyed our walks in the park and along the path on the sea going to the beach. The SPA is nice, excellent massage but overpriced at US$ 55 per 90 minutes! The sunset restaurant was nice and good food (again overpriced) but the only negative review goes to the fact that they have 2 restaurants, 1 beach bar and 1 lounge bar but all serving the exact same menu. For a facility of this level one would expect greater variety. In addition, again considering the level at which this hotel is pitched, they should really do something about the level of English spoken by the staff which was very poor leading to complex communications with them be it at the restaurant or simply seeking advise from the reception. Otherwise, a great stay. We really enjoyed the beach.

This is a great hotel with a nice beach and generally good food. The quality of customer service leaves a bit to be desired though.

Good experience. Genteel staff. Furniture could use some freshening but beach was great. Like every hotel in cambodia it needs better Airconditioning especially in public areas but all in all a good stay.

I don't normally stay in these kinds of places, I prefer smaller, simpler accommodation, but I had to stay in Sihanoulkville overnight and this place was very well located. The beach is nice and you can find local flavor just a walk down the shore to beachside restaurants. The breakfast buffet is generous and varied, yet a bit ho-hum. There is a beautiful restaurant on the coast with very good service and decent food.

There's not much to write as everything was excellent =) The best buffet breakfast we have ever had. Delicious food at both beach and coral restaurants. Spacious rooms, excellent service, very friendly and helpful staff, small but nicely equipped gym. The hotel is a bit far from the downtown (10 min by bus) but we didn't mind that and besides, there's a free bus shuttle so you can't really complain =)

Our family (including 10 year old) had a very relaxing stay at the Independence Hotel. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating. The private beach was well worth the extra cost as compared to other hotels, especially after spending time at Occheuteal Beach. Nice pool and excellent breakfast. Not too far at all from other "touristy" places. Only complaint was the bathroom - the shower spray soaked the floor no matter what we did and there some mold and poor lighting. Hotel was completely booked for Chinese New Year, but never felt crowded. Quiet atmosphere, beautiful views and wonderful experience. Would definitely recommend.