Ramchang Guesthouse

The staff were so friendly, and I really liked the relaxed feel of this family-run guesthouse. It has a pool and good food, and it's a nice place to get away from everything. Central Battambang is a bit of a trek on foot, but not far by tuk-tuk. I definitely recommend it.

I've stayed here for months at a time while volunteering in Battambang, and it feels like my home here. The family are always cleaning, maintaining, and improving things, including the pool, though sometimes things still aren't perfect. That's Cambodia. The onsitecafe isn't fully open at the moment, but you can arrange breakfast and other meals. It's on the edge of town, just a few minutes to the center by tuk-tuk or motorbike. The location means cleaner air and a more laid-back feel. There are two room types, so check what you're booking for your budget. The older rooms at the front are cheaper and have what a traveler needs: aircon, a shower, a sofa, a fridge, and sometimes a separate bedroom. They're quite dark, with a window or door opening onto a walkway or courtyard, so they're fine if you're out most of the day. The newer rooms at the back, around the pool, are bright, and the upstairs ones have balconies and big sliding glass doors. They're more expensive.

We didn't stay even five hours, but the owner still wanted us to pay for all three nights. It felt like a total scam. The place was old and poorly maintained, and the online pictures didn't match what we got. There was AC only in the bedroom, and the shower and toilet shared one room, so I had to close the toilet while showering. After locking my door to go out, I couldn't get back into my room. This was the worst place I've ever stayed. I'd give it zero.

Maybe we'd have felt differently in another room. We saw nicer-looking rooms by the pool, and they were empty, so I'm not sure why we got the one beside reception. Ours was large but drab. The bed was comfortable, but there was only a thin sheet or a fluffy blanket, no duvet. We found a worm and a couple of mosquitoes. With AC only in the bedroom, the living room stayed boiling hot. An extra fan would help. It was loud from 7am, with bikes and children around reception, and that wall backed onto the bedroom. The pool was okay, but had leaves, flies, and dirt, and could use more cleaning. There was a great spot beside it to relax, with comfy armchairs and beds. The restaurant's hours were unclear: sometimes we could order food and sometimes not. The staff's English wasn't great, so we ordered one thing and got another, though the food was tasty and portions were good. The guesthouse is about a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from central Battambang. There's not much nearby, so I'd recommend renting a bike. We were only there for two nights, and I have mixed feelings about the stay.