Sihanouk International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

The airport is about 20 km from the busiest beaches, with a taxi taking 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and the exact arrival area. Anyone after nightlife and the casino stays between downtown and Victory Beach; anyone wanting a resort with a private beach heads for Sokha or Independence Beach, a few minutes further from the port. Anyone who prefers cleaner water and a more relaxed atmosphere looks to Otres, about 5 km south of Serendipity.

Downtown and Victory Beach

Neighbourhood · About 20-22 km from the airport, 20-30 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.

Best for: Anyone who wants the casino, downtown restaurants and the city's liveliest nightlife.

Pros

Downtown restaurants, banks and shops within walking distance
A casino open around the clock and a private beach at Victory Beach

Cons

The downtown waterfront is busy with traffic and less well-kept than the tourist beaches
Fewer upscale hotels than Sokha Beach or Otres

Recommended hotels in this area

RIVA Hotel SHV: 175 rooms in downtown, 5 minutes by car from Victory Beach and Prince Mall; sauna, steam bath and outdoor pool.
Queenco Entertainment Resort: 199 rooms on Victory Beach with a private beach, a casino open around the clock and four restaurants; about 17 km from the airport.

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Sokha Beach and Independence Beach

Neighbourhood · About 21 km from the airport, 20-30 minutes by taxi; 5-10 minutes by car from downtown.

Best for: Anyone who wants a resort with a private beach without straying too far from downtown.

Pros

Private beaches cleaner and better kept than the one downtown
Resorts with several pools, spas and in-house restaurants, handy during the hottest hours

Cons

A car or a tuk-tuk is needed to reach restaurants outside the resort
Less nightlife than downtown or Otres

Recommended hotels in this area

Sokha Beach Resort: A 1.5 km private beach in the Mittakpheap district, 5 minutes from Sokha Beach and the Golden Lions roundabout; several pools, a spa and restaurants in one large resort.
Independence Hotel Resort & Spa: A restored historic hotel on a private beach among the woods, a 5-minute walk from Independence Beach; outdoor pool, spa and two restaurants with sea views.

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Otres Beach

Nearby town · About 16 km from the airport; a tuk-tuk from Otres to downtown or Serendipity costs 6-10 dollars and takes about 15-20 minutes.

Best for: Anyone looking for cleaner water and a relaxed atmosphere, away from the chaos of downtown.

Pros

Cleaner water and less crowded beaches than downtown
Small independent resorts and restaurants on the sand, more genuine than the big hotels

Cons

Very little beyond the beach resorts: a tuk-tuk is always needed for downtown or Pub Street
In recent years several addresses have changed to Chinese management, with signage and breakfasts aimed at that clientele

Recommended hotels in this area

Good Time Boutique Hotel: A hotel with a pool a short walk from Otres Beach 1; a simple option for anyone who wants to stay on Sihanoukville's quietest beach.
White Boutique Hotel and Restaurant: 17-19 colonial-style rooms on Otres 2, the quietest stretch of Otres beach, 16 km from the airport; a natural-stone pool and an in-house restaurant reported to be among the area's best.

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