Hillside Hostel & Bungalows

M'Pai Bay is 5.9 km south of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows — a short ride rather than a walk.

M'Pai Bay is a forested bay on Koh Rong Samloem with an active fishing village at its centre. The settlement sits on a sandy beach with jungle trails nearby, and the bay itself has clear water suitable for swimming. The village has a working community feel—locals, expats, and visitors coexist here rather than the bay serving purely as a resort destination. Small coffee places and casual restaurants line the beach, serving both Cambodian and Western dishes.

Visitors consistently describe the place as a hidden gem with genuine village atmosphere. Reviewers mention the warm local community, the relaxed vibe, and the appeal of experiencing real island life rather than a polished tourist enclave. Dogs run free, children play openly, and the overall tone is informal and unhurried. The beach itself draws praise for its beauty and swimming conditions. Some visitors express regret at not staying longer, suggesting the bay rewards a multi-day visit over a quick tour stop.

The bay is accessible as a day trip from Saracen Bay or other parts of the island, but the village is best experienced if you stay overnight or longer. The area operates year-round. This suits travellers seeking an understated island experience with genuine local interaction rather than curated resort facilities—those wanting beachside restaurants, swimming, and village exploration without commercialisation should find it appealing.

• At 5.9 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.5 out of 5 by 361 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

Cambodia, Mpai bay, Preah Sihanouk 18000, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: Open 24 hours
• Tuesday: Open 24 hours
• Wednesday: Open 24 hours
• Thursday: Open 24 hours
• Friday: Open 24 hours
• Saturday: Open 24 hours
• Sunday: Open 24 hours

Bar Bok Bowie is 5.9 km south of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows — a short ride rather than a walk.

Bar Bok Bowie sits above the cliffs at M'Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, a small bar run by expat owners Sharon and Jon who stayed on the island through the pandemic before opening here in 2023. The draw is the setting: a clear view over the cliffs and sea that turns into a proper sunset spot come evening, paired with a cocktail list that runs well beyond the usual island offerings, including a coconut espresso martini and gin and rum mixes. There is food too, with spring rolls and a chicken roll dish mentioned more than once, plus a pop-up kitchen on Sunday nights.

Visitors are consistent in their enthusiasm here, praising the friendliness of the owners and staff, the quality and creativity of the drinks, and the view itself. Reggae Sunday comes up repeatedly as a highlight, with live music and a good atmosphere that pulls people back more than once during their stay. Several reviewers mention snacks served free alongside drinks, and the resident dog gets a friendly nod too. No real complaints surface in the reviews, though the bar's small size and popularity suggest it is not the place for a quiet, empty corner during peak sunset hours.

Go for sunset, and stay through the evening if you can, especially on a Sunday when the reggae night and pop-up food add to the draw. It suits couples and travellers looking for a relaxed but slightly elevated spot to drink well rather than just cheaply, and it is worth checking local noticeboards or chat groups for event timings, since opening hours and special nights can shift. Given the setting and the small scale, arriving a little before sunset is a sensible move if a table with a view matters to you.

• At 5.9 km from the hotel
• Rated 5.0 out of 5 by 102 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

M'Pai Bay Koh Rong Samloem, Preah Sihanouk 18000, Cambodia

Seapony Cafe is 6.1 km south of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows — a short ride rather than a walk. It is the closest place to the hotel under “restaurants”.

The other place under “restaurants” within reach of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows is Coco restaurant (10.0 km).

A relaxed breakfast and lunch café in M'Pai Bai village on Koh Rong Samloem, set in a garden setting that guests describe as calm and homely. The kitchen bakes its own bagels and bread, and the menu runs through omelettes, smoothie bowls, breakfast burritos, pancakes, eggs on toast, and cinnamon French toast, alongside coffee, smoothies, and milkshakes made with homemade ice cream. Vegetarian options are available and dishes can be adjusted on request.

Reviews are consistently enthusiastic, with several visitors saying they returned day after day during their stay on the island. The bagels come up again and again as a highlight, along with the freshly baked bread, the espresso and banana smoothie, and the passion fruit smoothie, though one guest found the latter sweeter than expected. The friendliness of the staff is mentioned repeatedly, including one account of the team remembering a regular's coffee order after just a couple of visits. Prices are noted as being on the higher side for the island, but reviewers generally feel the quality justifies the cost.

Seapony Cafe opens daily from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM except Tuesdays, which makes it a breakfast-and-lunch destination rather than an evening one. Given its popularity, arriving earlier in the morning is a sensible move, especially if you want a table in the garden. It suits travellers staying in or near M'Pai Bai who want a reliably good, unhurried start to the day, and it is worth returning to more than once given the range of the menu.

• At 6.1 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 252 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

4 Lane M'Pai Bai Village, Koh Rong Samloem, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Coco restaurant is 10.0 km south of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows — a short ride rather than a walk.

The other place under “restaurants” within reach of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows is Seapony Cafe (6.1 km).

Coco is a casual restaurant on Saracen Bay in Koh Rong Samloem, set around a small private pier that lights up at night. It serves Cambodian dishes alongside breakfast options and cocktails in a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. The space is clean and simple, with bungalows nearby, and visitors consistently mention the evening ambiance and sunrise views across the bay.

Visitors praise the food quality and freshness across all meals. The breakfast set—comprising egg, toast, pancake, fruit salad, fruit shake, and tea or coffee—draws regular praise for value and portion size that sustains through the day. Diners also recommend the green Kampot pepper squid, lok lak chicken, curry chicken, and amok. Staff attentiveness is frequently mentioned. The main reservation some visitors note is that portions are smaller than expected, though most found them adequate and tasty. The restaurant draws both tourists staying nearby and travellers specifically worth the walk to visit.

The restaurant opens from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily, making it viable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It suits anyone staying in the Saracen Bay area or willing to walk from neighbouring resorts. The best time to visit is early morning to catch the sunrise over the water, which multiple visitors describe as the highlight of their stay.

• At 10.0 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 158 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

Saracen Bay, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia

Opening hours

• Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Friday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Sunday: 7:00 A

Sunset Beach is 11.0 km south of Hillside Hostel & Bungalows — a short ride rather than a walk.

Sunset Beach sits on Koh Rong Samloem island, reached by a 30-minute hike from Saracen Bay. The final approach is a steep jungle descent of roughly 100 metres with ropes along the way; the return climb is shorter but more demanding. The beach itself is a crescent of soft white sand backed by trees, with calm, clear turquoise water shallow enough to feel like a pool. A handful of low-key bars and restaurants blend into the vegetation along the shore, designed for watching the sunset rather than drawing crowds.

Visitors consistently describe the beach as peaceful and quiet, a place that genuinely feels removed from tourist infrastructure. The water clarity and calmness are often mentioned as standout features. People appreciate that the beach has not been over-developed—structures are minimal and tucked away. If you are considering the hike, several visitors note that mosquitoes are a significant presence in the jungle section, particularly as you approach the beach, and recommend bringing substantial repellent. The steep terrain on both directions of the walk is real and worth preparing for physically.

Go in the dry season or as the wet season ends, when the jungle path is more passable. The hike demands reasonable fitness and proper footwear with grip. Sunset Beach suits travellers seeking genuine quiet and willing to work for it—those looking for easy beach access or developed amenities should stay in Saracen Bay instead. Bring water, mosquito protection, and realistic expectations about the climb.

• At 11.0 km from the hotel
• Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 170 travellers on Google

Reviews published on Google by travellers.

H7GW+CF8, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia