The Independence Hotel, Sihanoukville

I loved this hotel. I have been fascinated by it since I first visited it in 2001. It was home to about 30 famillies who had squatted there after the war. much of the old 60's decoration was intact and there was even chandeliers in the old ballroom/ dining room. Coming back, the new owners had made a reasonable job of renovation. There was a large reception area, and now the lifts have been relocated in a large addition at the front of the building, which practically speaking is good but somehow doesn't mix well with the hotel and its wooden reception area. Rooms are enormous, if not a little spartan. Great views out to sea, well equipped bathroom with a window through to the room proper. A great place to sip a cocktail and relax while the rain in the wet season does its thing. the hotel has a private white sand beach, and with only a few people staying you can find yourself alone there. The beach restaurant served good tasty Asian and western snack food and staff were competent.

I have rated this hotel as I would if the management had not decided to open its doors for Khmer New Year without any indication of the change in service when booking. The 'private' beach is beautiful and large enough to cope with the general policy to allow non residents to use it for a small fee. However at Khmer New Year management set up food stalls and had overnight camping in the car park so the hotel residents (who had paid excess as it was a national holiday) were out numbered by 20 to 1. It was impossible to get beach beds or food service as staff were too busy taking food to car park food stalls. I did make a complaint at the time but the Manager made a sarcastic comment that I would be happy if the local population had the enjoyment of the beach but not at any inconvenience to me. The suggestion that the owners were doing some sort of charitable service to the poor locals was not accurate. I had been doing voluntary work in Cambodia for 10 months and the stay at the Independence was a treat to myself before returning home. I know from experience of working with the poor in Cambodia that the people driving to Independence beach were not poor locals. The Management need to be honest- they were increasing their revenue by opening up the hotel facilities to other tourists both Khmer and foreign.

overall, we liked the hotel because the beach is really quiet although it is not the nicest in SilhanoukVille and the hotel was clean and newly renovated. The stuff is very friendly but still has to learn a lot. The service weakens especially when paying $140 in Cambodia ( we did not get the room we booked !! they first did not want to book a bus ticket for us with the bus service we liked and told us they only work together with bus service .. + .. )