Freedom Island Bungalow

The huge bed was comfortable, with no geckos around to disturb our sleep. Rooms were clean, staff very friendly and helpful, and the bathroom came with everything from a toothbrush to conditioner and cotton buds. There’s a sweetwater pool filled from the top of the hill, and we were given fresh water on arrival. The bungalows are cosy and right beside the sea. A couple of drawbacks: there’s no hot water, and the WiFi is weak, so mobile coverage may work better since the antenna is up the hill next to the resort. The restaurant could improve too. I had chicken soup, and every piece of chicken had bones in it. Better to eat 10-15 minutes farther down the beach. The location at the end of Saracen Bay can be a plus or a minus. Ferries usually stop at the other end, meaning a 45-60 minute walk along the beach. When we had strong winds and high waves, though, all the ferries used the pier in front of the resort, which is somewhat sheltered. Island Speed Ferry Cambodia’s catamaran was a smooth ride, and its staff were nice and helpful.

The beach and sea are beautiful and very clean, with lovely views at sunrise and sunset. This beachfront hotel feels fresh and relaxing, and the view is awesome. The room was hot without AC, as there’s nowhere for air to flow through. WiFi was very weak, and I had to go out to the restaurant to get a signal. Food was acceptable, but service was very slow. Some staff were friendly, though one thing is that they can be annoying when drunk. There’s a place selling fantastic papaya salad in front of the hotel restaurant. The hotel also offers boat trips around the island for fishing, diving and other activities. The price felt a bit high, and I’d give it three stars. To get there, first travel to SihanoukeVille. From Phnom Penh you can take a train, which takes 8 hours, rent a car for a 4 to 5 hour drive, take a bus for 6 hours, or fly. Tickets can be booked online, by phone, or bought in SihanoukeVille. There are several kinds of boats to Koh Rong Sonlem. Nearby options include Koh Rong, which is a bit crowded, Koh Riong Sonlem, which is less crowded, nice and clean, and the beautiful, clean Paradise Island. If you have time, I’d recommend visiting Paradise island.

The beach was a little dirty, and we had to walk about 200m to reach a nicer stretch. Aside from that, it was a nice experience. The staff were super friendly, helpful and humorous, the room was clean and well furnished, and it came with AC. Loved the seats on the balcony.

It used to be a nice place to stay and watch the sunrise. Update, 2nd Nov 2019: it looked abandoned and seemed to be closed, with only some cambodian workers living there. The main activity seemed to have moved to the center of Saracen Bay. See my post to Sara Resort. I can’t recommend this place anymore.