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Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay

Heroes ranking

Our own estimate, not an official star classification.

What it is based on

  • Facilities listed for this property: bar.
  • Guests rate it 4.8/5 over 109 reviews.

1, Golden Bridge Mpai bay, Preah Sihanouk 18000, Cambodia

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Exceptional 109 reviews on Google 9.6

Photo credits

  • Emma Ji
  • Jamie Grantham
  • Andrea Caporusso
  • Nicole Sandoval
  • Uribe Marie

Photos published on Google by their authors.

Availability

8 Oct → 9 Oct 2026 · 1 night · 2 guests

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This hotel is not connected to Heroes yet, so we cannot check its live availability for 8 Oct → 9 Oct 2026.

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About Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay

Lovesick Hostel & Bar sits on the beachfront at Mpai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia. It combines dorm-style hostel accommodation with private rooms, and has a bar out front that operates separately from the rooms. Rooms come with electricity and a fan, and the property has a good number of showers and toilets for the size of the place.

The bar runs early and long happy hours, and the hostel organises social events including boat parties, DJ nights and beach bonfires, with the owners and staff joining in. Dogs live on the property and are a regular presence on the beach. The setting is on the edge of the village, so nights are quieter than in the busier parts of Mpai Bay.

It suits travellers who want a social, beachfront base on the island and are happy with hostel conditions — including thin walls between rooms. Guests who want more privacy or a bit more space can book one of the pr...

  • Direct beachfront location
  • Private rooms available
  • On-site bar
  • Early and long happy hours
  • Boat parties and bonfires
  • Two beaches within walking distance

The area

The hostel is in M'pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, at 1 Golden Bridge Mpai Bay, Preah Sihanouk 18000. It sits on the edge of the village, away from the busiest night-time areas. Two beaches are within a five-minute walk, including the bay known for its plankton.

Good to know

The bar is a separate space from the hostel rooms. Rooms have electricity and a fan, and there are shared showers and toilets on site. Walls between rooms are thin, so light sleepers may want ear plugs.

Facts from the hotel's Google listing.

Facilities & policies

According to the hotel's Google Business Profile.

What travellers say on Google

4.8/5 · 109 reviews

Andrea Caporusso

4 months ago

5/5

One of the best hostels that I've stayed in SE Asia! Great location, directly on the beach, it felt like paradise. The hostel is very clean and the private room are spacious and cozy! Staff is friendly and always available, they really do make you feel at home, reason why we ended up staying 4 weeks instead of one! It was so much fun. I highly recommend it, can't wait to be back soon :)

Nils Strüven

5 months ago

5/5

Surely the best hostel we stayed in during our time in Cambodia! The staff is extremely sweet and helpful, and you'll feel familiar immediately. The location is perfect on the side of the village, so it's not too busy during the nights. Two beaches lay within 5min walking radius, of which one is the famous "plankton bay". The hostel offers enough showers and toilets and a bar right in front with early and long happy hours. Our room had electricity and a fan. Only downside might be the very thin walls, so easy sleepers might need ear protection - but as it is a hostel this is fully okay! Don't have to add anything about the lovely village and community around it - definitely the nicest place to hang out on the islands if you ask us, especially as it is still not too much touched by the megalomaniac resort-tourism-estates everywhere else on the Cambodian islands.

archie stickley

6 months ago

5/5

Originally planned on only staying a single night at lovesick, after spending just a couple hours at the bar before my check in time I had already extended a further 2 nights. Rooms were comfy and the toilets were clean, can’t ask for much more at the price range! the boat party was a lot of fun with the hosts getting involved, made it feel like a proper remote island hostel experience. All the staff/ volunteers were really nice and funny which always helps. Alex made it for me, hilarious bloke and could sell water to the Eskimos causing me spend lots of time at the bar.

sam k

7 months ago

5/5

I stayed here a month and it was honestly one of the best time I’ve ever had in my life. The owners Hans and Lauren are truly gems, not only are they kind and helpful, but they look after people like family here. You’d never know a stranger here because everyone comes by this perfect location, with DJs, bonfires, and some of the best beachfront property you’ve ever seen. Special shout-out to their dogs, who if you are on the beach having a drink, cuddle puddle you and love you like their own. What else can I say but five stars, two people, one place to be? Coming back exclusively here every year I come to Cambodia.

Adam Murray

4 months ago

5/5

We loved our stay at Lovesick, after a couple nights we decided to extend our stay as we enjoyed it so much. The staff and volunteers are very friendly and welcoming, which created a great atmosphere. The location is perfect, right on the beach and a short walk to plankton beach!

Reviews published on Google, shown as written by their authors. Google returns at most five per place. See all on Google

Rated by travellers on Google — no place is listed here unless it earns its place.

Seapony Cafe

Seapony Cafe

4.8

Restaurants · 126 m · 2 min walk 252 reviews

Seapony Cafe Seapony Cafe Seapony Cafe Seapony Cafe Seapony Cafe
5 photos

Seapony Cafe

Restaurants 126 m 2 min walk 4.8/5 on Google

Seapony Cafe is 126 m north-west of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay — about 2 minutes on foot. It is the closest place to the hotel under “restaurants”.

The other place under “restaurants” within reach of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay is Coco restaurant (3.9 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.

  • 126 m from the hotel — about 2 minutes on foot
  • Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 252 travellers on Google
M'Pai Bay

M'Pai Bay

4.5

Sights · 270 m · 3 min walk 361 reviews

M'Pai Bay M'Pai Bay M'Pai Bay M'Pai Bay M'Pai Bay
5 photos

M'Pai Bay

Sights 270 m 3 min walk 4.5/5 on Google

M'Pai Bay is 270 m north of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay — about 3 minutes on foot.

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.

  • 270 m from the hotel — about 3 minutes on foot
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 by 361 travellers on Google
Bar Bok Bowie

Bar Bok Bowie

5.0

Bars · 345 m · 4 min walk 102 reviews

Bar Bok Bowie Bar Bok Bowie Bar Bok Bowie Bar Bok Bowie Bar Bok Bowie
5 photos

Bar Bok Bowie

Bars 345 m 4 min walk 5.0/5 on Google

Bar Bok Bowie is 345 m north-west of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay — about 4 minutes on foot.

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.

  • 345 m from the hotel — about 4 minutes on foot
  • Rated 5.0 out of 5 by 102 travellers on Google
Coco restaurant

Coco restaurant

4.8

Restaurants · 3.9 km 158 reviews

Coco restaurant Coco restaurant Coco restaurant Coco restaurant Coco restaurant
5 photos

Coco restaurant

Restaurants 3.9 km 4.8/5 on Google

Coco restaurant is 3.9 km south of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay — a short ride rather than a walk.

The other place under “restaurants” within reach of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay is Seapony Cafe (126 m).

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 3.9 km from the hotel
  • Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 158 travellers on Google
Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach

4.7

Parks & nature · 4.9 km 170 reviews

Sunset Beach Sunset Beach Sunset Beach Sunset Beach Sunset Beach
5 photos

Sunset Beach

Parks & nature 4.9 km 4.7/5 on Google

Sunset Beach is 4.9 km south of Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay — 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 4.9 km from the hotel
  • Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 170 travellers on Google

Frequently asked questions

Can I book this hotel here?

Not directly. Lovesick Hostel & Bar - Mpai Bay is not a partner hotel, so we have neither its live availability nor its rates. You can send them your dates and they answer you by email.

Will I be charged anything?

No. Heroes Hotels takes no payment for this hotel and holds no room. Any payment is agreed directly with the hotel.

How can I contact them?

By phone on +855 10 447 892, or through the request form on this page.

Where is it?

1, Golden Bridge Mpai bay, Preah Sihanouk 18000, Cambodia

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