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

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 transportation is not convenient from lobby to the room. wait 10mins at least every time we call the driver.

There was dust on the floor in our room and air conditioner did not work

When we checked in, we could not here anything from stuff. Bcz stuff's voice was too small. After I asked to speak louder, he never change and I could not understand what this hotel has inside. About the room, there was a lots of dust on the floor and air conditioner was not working. So manager offered us to upgrade with letter which is really nice. according to the letter, I just call front desk and they already know. But receptionist never know and attitude was not nice. so I asked him '' are you doubting me even I have letter from manager?''He said ''Yes'' After that, that staff came our room and checked. But he was still doubting. so I called that manager with number on his card. But manager's phone's number was not exist. Even rom service, I asked only one thing and asked did you understand? after that my food showed up with not my request. Let me say, pool and private beach was super nice and peaceful. But staff make us always upset and sad.

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.

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.

It was the first time to stay at this hotel and also in Shihanouk. The overall experience was nice and I would recommend it to my co-workers and friends next time.

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.

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

Warning: If you go to Sihanoukville, you are leaving Cambodia and entering China. This lovely and charming beachtown had been sold to the chinese and they are building casino’s, for the chinese, everywhere. The Khmer and expats are moving out, about 75 percent of the population is chinese! The same goes for the hotel! Once a paradise on earth for european visitors, I was now one of the four people from europe. The rest in this fully booked hotel was... chinese! Breakfast, which was great before, had been adapted to the new mass tourism so, nothing positive to tell about! Alrhough thet built a completely new swimmingpool on the beach, the hotel lacks good maintanance. The only positive thing that remains is its location at the beach with beautifull views on the islands. But only the location can not convince me to go back. My best advice, go to Kep if you want to go to the beach. But hurry, things are changing fast in Cambodia...

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.).

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

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

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.

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.

1. The location is much far away to the food restaurants. It takes at least 5$ to go outside by tuk-tuk 2. The swimming pool is extremely good here. 3. The room service is good 4. The room is pretty tidy too. 4. The WIFI is very slow here

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.