Balcony Kratie

The restaurant was excellent for breakfast and dinner, and if you enjoy cocktails, I’d recommend the Kratie Basil🍹!! Getting the bill took a bit of extra time because they calculate it when you check out. We really liked staying here: the staff were lovely, friendly, and helpful, and our room was simple but clean and comfortable, as you’d expect from a guesthouse. There was a kettle but no tea or coffee, which surprised me. The location worked perfectly for us, walkable to town and opposite the ferry to Koah Trong Island, which is worth a visit. Kampi for dolphin watching is also within reach, and I’d recommend a kayaking tour. The place is very reasonably priced.

The Nepalese manager was especially good, full of useful information and very helpful. No surprise the staff were so good, she trains them well. The hotel also had a great location, room, food, and helpful staff. We saw loads of dolphins on a really enjoyable day out. We rented bikes and cycled 15 km to Kampi on a pretty quiet road, then hired a boat for two hours. The dolphins were plentiful, though they don’t jump much and are more modest in the water. Kayaking is another option and looked great, with calm water and nothing tricky. On the way back we stopped at Phnom Sambok Pagoda (Wat​Phnom​Sambok), about 3 km from Kampi. It’s worth seeing the monk statues lining the steps, and the monkeys were very entertaining without pestering us. There are lots of steps, though. We also took our rented bikes on the ferry to the island opposite Kratie. It’s a relaxing ride around the island, about 10 km in an hour, on a nice narrow paved path with no cars. There’s an upmarket hotel there too, a nice place for a drink if you want something upmarket.

The staff were really friendly and professional, and the rooms are simple but comfortable. I was a bit disappointed that the restaurant had been privatized while we were there. Even so, it’s a reliable, welcoming place in Kratie, right on the Mekong riverfront in a great location.

The rooms have high ceilings and are clean and spacious, and they serve good, simple food. They also train local students in hospitality. It’s an inexpensive place with incredible Mekong views and an ideal riverside location. What an awesome find, highly recommend.