Monkey Republic Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Monkey Republic is the backpacker hostel everyone seems to have heard of — dorm beds from about $10, right in the Serendipity party hub.
Monkey Republic is the backpacker hostel everyone seems to have heard of — dorm beds from about $10, right in the Serendipity party hub.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Monkey Republic keeps it simple. There are dorms with 6 to 8 beds from about $10 a night, plus private rooms at roughly $26 to $34. The dorms come with personal lockers for your gear and air-con, and the shared bathrooms are clean. Most reviews call the standard fine for a backpacker hostel — solid value rather than a polished hostel of the kind you find in Europe or East Asia.
Food and amenities
The in-house bar is the standout. There is a daily happy hour with half-price cocktails, live music, a pool table and a party atmosphere that pulls travelers from all over into the same room. The restaurant serves Western and Khmer food plus burgers — cheap and decent. The line that keeps coming up in reviews from repeat guests is that this is more than a hostel; it is a social hub for Sihanoukville.
Location and getting there
You are in the heart of Serendipity, the backpacker district, so you can walk pretty much everywhere. The Koh Rong ferry pier sits within walking distance, which makes this an easy base for a night or two before you head out to the islands.
Things to know before booking
It gets noisy at night from the in-house bar and the others nearby, so do not book here expecting quiet. The dorms are not a good match for couples or anyone who wants privacy — pay up for a private room if that matters. And the facilities are basic backpacker-hostel standard; this is a cheap, social place to crash, not a comfort play.
Our take
Monkey Republic has been a fixture of the Sihanoukville backpacker scene for years, and people still turn up on a friend's recommendation. It scores 8.0/10 on Agoda. If you are a budget solo traveler who wants cheap beds, a built-in bar and easy company, this is the pick. If you want quiet, look elsewhere.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The cheapest stay on the list, with dorm beds from about $10 a night.
- A central Serendipity location that puts you within walking distance of everything, including the Koh Rong ferry pier.
- A friendly backpacker atmosphere that makes it easy to meet other travelers.
- A popular in-house bar and restaurant with daily happy hour, live music and a pool table.
- Private rooms run roughly $26 to $34, which still costs less than most hotels in the area.
- It gets noisy at night from the in-house bar and the others around it, so this is not the place for a quiet sleep.
- Dorms are not ideal for couples or anyone who wants privacy.
- Facilities are basic backpacker-hostel standard, not a polished European or East Asian hostel.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Sihanoukville
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Sihanoukville — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a private room if you want some privacy — at roughly $26 to $34 it still beats hotel prices in the area.
- The bar runs a daily happy hour with half-price cocktails from 8pm to 10pm.
- Use it as a base before crossing to Koh Rong — the ferry pier is within walking distance.