Bambu Battambang

The location is the one saving grace, with decent cafes nearby. The hotel itself is drab, with tired furniture and stained carpet, and the hallway clocks all show different times. The staff are polite, but feel soulless, like robots. Dinner at the restaurant was frankly bland: overcooked pasta with packet sauce. I don’t understand all the rave reviews.

I’d heard Bambu had happy hour from 5-7pm, so I went in. Apart from cocktails, only one wine was included, and its regular price was $4.25 US dollars. They said happy hour meant 50% off, but after I’d had three glasses and went to pay, the waitress said her boss wanted to charge me $3.50 per glass. I had a good time talking with some people there, and the service was very good. I paid my bill, but I hate dishonest business. Anyone visiting for the first time should be really careful.

The restaurant is worth a visit: breakfast is free, and the kuy teav and coffee are worth trying. Drinks are 50% off during happy hour from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The food is great, even non-guests come to eat, and the staff provide excellent service and speak very good English. The hotel has a peaceful, nature-filled feel and a vintage style. The equipment is old, with dim lighting, classic tiled floors, and a big shower. The TV is old too, not a smart one. The room is spacious, though the bed is about 1.6m wide. There’s hot and cold water in the shower. You’ll often hear guests arriving or leaving, so it’s never completely quiet 🤣. It’s a lovely spot for foreigners who enjoy vintage charm and a mix of Western and Khmer food. The location is great, about a 10-minute walk to the market and other popular places around town.

The staff were very attentive, and the restaurant food was delicious. The rooms are spacious, with a terrace and huge shower rooms, and there’s a nice pool. It may not be relaxing by the pool if other guests are noisy groups. Breakfast could be better.