Pearl Beach Resort & Spa

The private beach was peaceful and pristine, and our own plunge pool was a real treat. Morning swims with ocean views and dips at sunset made the stay feel special. The meals were fresh, full of flavour and beautifully prepared. Benjamin and the team welcomed us warmly from the moment we arrived and looked after us with attentive, easygoing professionalism. You can feel the heart behind the way this resort is run. For a relaxing island escape with personal service and lovely surroundings, I can’t recommend Pearl Beach Resort enough. We can’t wait to come back.

Getting to the hotel was unclear, and I wasn’t told when our laundry had been done, so we had to ask and pick it up at reception. That might be what I’d expect from a 3-star, $100 hotel, but not somewhere claiming to be luxury and charging upwards of $500. Staff also need more training in basic service. The hotel didn’t match the photos and ratings I’d seen. It was outdated and quite dirty: glasses were left for days, the pool wasn’t cleaned, and despite paying $600 for the room, it was cleaned only once, after we asked. At that price, I expected daily cleaning. This was the most expensive place we’ve stayed in Cambodia so far, and I don’t think it was worth the money. I booked it as a treat for a special occasion and feel let down. I’m really unsure why the reviews are so positive, as there’s a lot of work needed to live up to them. It also wasn’t clear on Booking.com or the hotel website that Saracen beach is only reachable by boat, at $10 per person each trip. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have booked. We felt trapped and wanted to explore the island. We took the boat one day, but the water was too rough the other two days. Luckily, Sky Bar just off site was lovely, and we ate there three times. There are much better hotels across both islands for half the price.

The quiet location was perfect for relaxing, and the sea-view villas are magnificent. The staff were kind and welcoming throughout. A special mention for Assistant Manager Chanrit, who is truly customer-focused and went above and beyond to make sure our stay was perfect. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend it.

We took a fantastic private tour through the resort, spending half a day snorkelling, exploring a village, fishing and swimming with glowing plankton at night. Mr Rith was a great guide, and I highly recommend the tour. The resort has its own private beach and was quiet, clean and tidy. Staff were friendly and helpful, the food was delicious, and the location was great. A beautiful stay!