Sihanoukville and the south - The Rough Guide to Cambodia

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

5

of garden; non-guests can u se t he po ol for $5. The bar has

great sunset views. Fan $33 ; a/c $42

Knai Bang Chatt On the coast down a track near the one-

way system T 078 888556, W knaibangchatt.com.

Exclusive resort with eleven boutique rooms, beautifully

furnished in cool linen and polished stone. The grounds stretch

down to the sea where a slender beach has been created -

complete with muslin-shaded day-beds. Plus swimmin g poo l,

sailing, bar and lovely sunset views. Booking essential. $180

Kukuluku 1.5km north of the crab market on the main

road T 036 630 0150, W kukuluku-beachclub

.com. The fan-cooled dorm at this French-run guesthouse

boasts lovely views over Bokor, particularly at sunset.

There's also a sliver of beach, a teeny swimming pool, a

lively restaurant-bar (crêpes are a speciality) and frequent

parties - it 's a popular backpacker hangout. Dorm $6 ;

doubles $15

Malibu Estates Bungalows 500m off the main road,

turning opposite Kukuluku T 097 389 9201,

W malibuestatesbungalows.com. Centred around a

beautiful pool area looking up and beyond into the jungle,

this French-run place has a range of a/c bungalows and

rooms decorated to an impressive standard, plus a de cent

French and Khmer restaurant. An idyllic, relaxing spot. $30

Rega Guesthouse A block south of the main road,

close to the Rabbit Island pier T 097 383 9064,

W keprega.com. This new guesthouse is a bit off the

beaten track but staff can book motos, and the rooms are

well built, centred around a j ung le garden with a nice

restaurant. A/c supplement $5. $15

EATING AND DRINKING

There's nothing to do in Kep after about 11pm, but there are some excellent restaurants; crab is the local speciality. Cheap

eats are a little hard to find, but the market is a good place to pick up barbecued seafood, and there's a supermarket by

the Rabbit Island pier. The crab market is flanked to the south by dozens of overpriced seafood restaurants that form the

bulk of Kep's low-key nightlife .

La Baraka Northern end of crab-market strip T 097

461 2543. A little blue-lit respite from seafood, with good

pizza (Neapolitana 25,000 riel) and other Western food in a

nicely decorated restaurant overlooking Bokor; it turns into

a decent little bar later in the evening. Daily 8am-10pm.

★

The best place to enjoy a sunset happy-hour cocktail

(5-7pm), the Sailing Club has a stunning location gently

lapped by the waves. The food (largely seafood) is

expensive but good value; feast on the Saturday-night

seafood BBQ ($15) or Sunday brunch ($13). By day, you can

rent Hobie cats or waterski with a boat captain. Daily

7am-10pm.

Toucan In the centre of the crab market T 097 853

1057. Pool table, classic rock, cheap beers, late-night

snacks and tapas: this is the closest Kep gets to a party bar

(cocktails $3.50). Daily 9am-3am.

Veranda Natural Resort Kep Mountain Hillside

Resort T 033 399035, W veranda-resort.com. The

restaurant at this smart resort is a must-visit, even if you

just pop in for a beer and stunning views over wild jungle

fauna, dilapidated colonial villas and across the sea to

Bokor. The food's good (prawn with green pepper $8.50)

and the hotel itself is fine (rooms $70). Non-guests can use

the lovely pool for $7. Daily 7am-9pm.

Breezes Along the coast road towards the Rabbit

Island pier, signposted beyond the Provincial Hall

T 012 251454. Beachside elegance. The good Western-

orientated menu (pork in caramel $4.75) includes oysters, a

rare treat in these parts, and the owner offers free tuk-tuks

home after dinner (for spends of more than $20). There's

also an excellent wine list. Daily 9am-10pm.

Kim Ly Southern end of crab-market strip. This famous

waterfront seafood restaurant is often packed; try the crab

with Kampot pepper ($7.25). Its popularity has pushed

prices up in recent years; most of the restaurants at the crab

market are of a similar quality (try good-value Sre Mao ).

Daily 9am-10pm.

Sailing Club Next to Knai Bang Chatt T 078 333685.