Stung Sangke Hotel

Rooms and decor

Picture a hotel tucked into a leafy garden on the Sangke River, right where the main NR5 road carries you into Battambang — that's Stung Sangke Hotel, a 3-star place named after the city's main river (Stung Sangke means Sangke River). The appeal here isn't luxury; it's the quiet, airy garden-hotel feel, a world away from the guesthouses packed into the busy center. Rooms are plainly furnished in warm, easy-on-the-eye tones, leaning on solid basics over flashy design, with cool air-con that handles the Cambodian heat, comfortable beds, and windows that pull in light and the green of the garden. Some rooms face the Sangke River drifting slowly past the front of the hotel. Reviewers single out the calm and the riverside setting in particular. If you want a budget room that still feels open and green rather than a row house in the middle of town, this corner should suit you.

Food and amenities

The thing that makes Stung Sangke stand out among Battambang's budget options is the outdoor pool tucked into the garden — uncommon in a 3-star place at this price. After walking the old town or riding a tuk-tuk in the sun all day, slipping into cool water under shady trees is a treat that beats the price. There's also a sauna and Thai massage to ease tired legs in the evening, so you don't have to head out to find somewhere. On food, the hotel has a restaurant for main meals and breakfast in the riverside garden setting, and it covers the basics travelers want, with free WiFi and free parking — handy if you're driving or have a rental. That mix lets it work as both a sightseeing base and a place to cool off, on a budget that won't sting.

Location and getting there

The location suits anyone who wants a quiet riverside base that's easy to get in and out of town from. The hotel sits in the Svay Pao district on the Sangke River, right where the main NR5 road brings you into Battambang, which is convenient if you arrive by car or van. The standout is that it's about a 5-minute walk to the ferry pier for the boat to Siem Reap — a real edge if you're continuing by water — and another 10 to 15 minutes on foot to the riverside French colonial quarter that gives the city its character, with cafes, restaurants, and the central market. Heading out to sights like the Bamboo Train, Phnom Sampeau, or the bat caves is easy by tuk-tuk since it's on the main route. A town-entrance spot like this fits travelers who want quiet by the river, easy day trips, and a pool to come back to.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, the town-entrance location: it's quiet and pleasant by the river, but a fair distance from the riverside night market and the heart of the old quarter. You can walk it, but it's farther than a central hotel, so if you plan to head into town to eat and drink often, a tuk-tuk is usually the comfier call. Second, the building and upkeep: this is a hotel that's been open for years, so some rooms and corners look dated and aren't as crisp as a newer place, and standards aren't consistent across every room — a few reviews mention bathrooms or showers that weren't kept up well. If something isn't right, ask staff to switch or fix it straight away. Third, noise: it's on the main road into town, so rooms facing the street may pick up some traffic at times. If you sleep lightly, ask for a room facing the garden or the river — it's much quieter.

Our take

From reading through a number of real reviews, Stung Sangke Hotel nails the "riverside, with a pool, on a budget" pitch — an outdoor garden pool, sauna, Thai massage, a quiet riverside setting, and a spot that's a 5-minute walk to the ferry pier to Siem Reap, all at a friendly price. If your trip picture is walking the old town and riverside market, then coming back to cool off in the garden pool and a light Thai massage before bed in a quiet riverside room, this place delivers on a budget that won't hurt — especially for budget travelers and anyone who values the pool and riverside spot above all. But if you want to be in the thick of the action, walking distance to everything, or expect a spotless newer room in every detail, dial your expectations down a notch, since the charm here is the riverside garden feel and the value rather than perfection. Overall we'd give it 7.6/10, best for budget travelers who want a pool and a calm riverside base at the Battambang town entrance.