Independence Hotel Resort & Spa
by the TopOfHotel team
Independence is the icon of Sihanoukville — a historic 5-star resort on the clifftop with its own private beach and the best sunset pool in town.
Independence is the icon of Sihanoukville — a historic 5-star resort on the clifftop with its own private beach and the best sunset pool in town.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Every room here looks out to sea at some level, and the high-floor Ocean View rooms are the ones reviewers single out. The look is tropical-modern layered over the original 1960s design of the old building, with a soft King bed, a private balcony facing the Gulf of Thailand and a roomy bathroom. The infinity pool is the hotel's signature photo spot — it reaches out toward the water and the sunset is genuinely good. Guests have called the view the best they've had in Cambodia, and more than one says the sunset from the pool stuck with them.
Food and amenities
The spa runs traditional Khmer massage, wellness therapy and a couples package. The main restaurant serves seafood landed the same day off the Sihanoukville coast — lobster, crab and fish — and the beach bar pours cocktails and light food through the day. Breakfast is a buffet included in the rate, with Western, Asian and Khmer dishes. The concierge books trips to Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem and snorkeling tours, so you can sort the islands without leaving the desk.
Location and getting there
The resort sits on the clifftop above Independence Beach, on the best plot in town, with its private cove reached by the hotel's stairs and elevator. It's noticeably calmer than the tourist-heavy Serendipity and Ochheuteal beaches, which makes it a couples' pick. It's about 3–5 km from the entertainment area and Pub Street; a tuk-tuk into town runs about 10 minutes and $3–5. The hotel also runs a transfer from Sihanoukville Airport (KOS), roughly 18 km and 30 minutes away.
Things to know before booking
You're 3–5 km out, so anything in town means a tuk-tuk — fine for a quiet stay, less so if you want to walk to bars. Rates start around $129 a night and climb to roughly $400 for the top rooms, the steepest on this list. And while the newer rooms are tropical-modern, parts of the building still carry the 1960s design, which won't be to everyone's taste.
Our take
This is the icon of Sihanoukville for a reason. A historic 5-star on the best clifftop in town, a genuinely private beach and a sunset pool add up to the one place we'd book for a honeymoon here, and the 8.9/10 score backs it up. Pay for the high-floor Ocean View, accept that town is a short ride away, and it delivers.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A clifftop position with the best sea views in Sihanoukville, on the best plot in town.
- Private Independence Beach is quieter than Serendipity or Ochheuteal, reached by the hotel's own stairs and elevator.
- A beautifully designed infinity pool that runs toward the water, with sunset views over the Gulf of Thailand.
- A full-service 5-star spa offering traditional Khmer massage, wellness therapy and a couples package.
- A high-quality breakfast buffet included in the rate, with Western, Asian and Khmer dishes.
- It's 3–5 km from the town centre and the Serendipity area, so you'll need a tuk-tuk to get around. The ride into town runs about 10 minutes and $3–5.
- Rates start around $129 a night, which is steep if you're travelling on a budget — it's the priciest hotel on this list.
- Parts of the building keep the original 1960s design, which won't be to everyone's taste alongside the newer tropical-modern rooms.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Sihanoukville
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a high-floor Ocean View room — the sunsets here are the best in Sihanoukville.
- Book dinner by the infinity pool around golden hour; it's about as romantic as the town gets.
- Have the concierge set up a day trip to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem, or a snorkeling tour — they handle all of it in one place.