Independence Hotel by Dara

It was great to stay in a hotel that represented part of the area history. The service levels at hotel were outstanding. The settings at the hotel were relaxing and quiet.

Bring back nostalgic memories of stay in the 60's. Not much updated, except reception area. Walls could use new coat of paint. But wonderful old style ambiance: would not trade for anything more modern. Private long road entrance + good private beach section. Wonderful atmosphere. Breakfast buffet is good: food choice fine, waiting staff excellent, old plates cleared instantly.

Lovely quiet and clean beach with great water just the right temp and waves not to harsh to cause any problems swimming, also limited waterskiing and hang gliding on inflatable boat available. Food and breakfast aere a variable feast and we ate mostly better and cheaper in town. The hotel does not show its age of 54 years though one can see see photos of Jacqui Kennedy who stayed there in 1963,good wheel chair access to rooms and beach.

The Independence has the potential to be very good, however it lacks a lot of personal touch. Hotel room was very good, very clean and very comfortable. Breakfast was average, food same each day, every morning during our 5 day stay when we were offered tea or coffee a cup would be given to us but no milk or sugar on the table. The cup and saucer never had a tea spoon so I had to stir my coffee with a knife when I eventually got milk and sugar. It's these little things that matter when you have spent a large if amount of money to stay. The hotel grounds needs a lot of work. apart from the hotel entrance the rest is poorly maintained and could do with a fresh lick of paint. Beach is very nice and private.

This hotel has great facilities including a glass elevator down to a private beach. It lacks the polish of a five star hotel but the views, pool, gym and private beach were all in that league at a very reasonable cost. The staff were friendly and helpful and although the hotel is 15 minutes from the town centre there is a free bus which will take and pick you up. If you pick this hotel you won't be disappointed.

The Hotel is probably past it best but they are working on renovations at the moment. It has a lot of past history. The room was fine but it was a stop over on the way to Koh Rong Island. Breakfast was nice.

Its generally a nice hotel but its miles away from anything...also we booked a sea pavilion (at extra cost) looking forward to nice views of the sea but we couldn't see it at all. There was renovations going on there so the restaurant was closed. If you want to chill, see very few people and do nothing for a few days it might suit you

Nice staff and excellent service for that part of the world. Great value for food, in room dining and cocktails. They are insanely cheap compared to most resort settings eg: $2.00 beer in mini bar, $3.50 cocktails etc. Most room service meals averaged $12.00 pp USD. The beach is small and well maintained. It was perfect for our stay during the off season. Dont expect the white sands and crystal clear water of the Caribbean, do expect intense sun and nice views. The nearby beaches are poorly maintained (consider where you are,) The town and markets are nearby; $5.00 via tuk tuk each way. Food is abundant, drinks are ridiculously cheap and there is plenty to see. The hotel is performing renovation work so some facilities were unavailable.

Very good hotel

What a wonderful stay in our private villa overlooking the sea tucked away on an immense private property with 24-hour security far from the madding crowd that is downtown Sihanoukville. We are not the drink-till-the-wee-hours-in-a-bar demographic anymore, so very much enjoyed stepping fom our beautiful room into the Japanese-style soaking tub on our own private terrace surrounded by trees with the sound of the ocean waves breaking upon the shore while gazing at the stars sipping some bubbly and recounting our adventures of the day. Our room was beautifully decorated and had a separate spa bathroom with the tub and overhead rain shower in a glass-and-tile enclosed cube. We had the choice of walking to the main hotel for breakfast or calling for a "buggy" to come and pick us up. We also walked along the stone causeway to the private beach - too bad it was raining that day so we didn't swim or lay out on the lounge chairs. Instead we met friends for a light lunch at the on-site Sunset Terrace on the water's edge. This was a hotel our friend used to come to with his parents in the hotel's heyday, so it was lovely for him to revisit again. We were there in the low season and the hotel was in the midst of completing repairs and upgrades to the pool and main building, but we had a lovely time. We had an excellent night's rest, a good breakfast, and I can't wait to come back to this most beautiful oasis of calm and tranquility.