The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Coast 23 hostel is a medium-sized hostel in M'Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloen, Cambodia. It contains both dorms and private rooms.
The Location
The hostel is located at one end of the (short) main stretch of beach in M'Pai Bay. Since M'pai Bay is a very small settlement, this is a good location. The hostel itself is somewhat set back from the beach, so it does not, for the most part, have beach views. Nevertheless, it is easy to get to the beach by walking for about twenty seconds from the front of the hostel.
The hostel is situated about three minutes' walk (perhaps four with heavy bags) along the beach from the ferry pier, where ferries to M'Pai Bay arrive. Those arriving in this way should turn left when they reach the beach end of the jetty and walk left along the beach, past some guesthouses and restaurants. Eventually, you will cross a bridge and Coast 23 is the first building you will see as you cross it.
The hostel is on the route from M'Pai Bay to the next settlement, Clearwater Bay, an hour or so's hike away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Coast 23 has one dorm and several private rooms in its main building and one separate dorm for women only in another building in the courtyard. The dorm accommodation is basic. It consists of metal bunk beds with mosquito nets, which are essential on Koh Rong Samloen. There are some power points in the wall of the dorm rooms. There are fans, but no air conditioning in the dorms. The cooling arrangements are barely adequate, and it can be difficult to sleep if the weather is unduly warm.
The private rooms are all made of wood, so they are not soundproof. The bathrooms are communal, and are kept fairly clean. It is difficult to get the hot water heaters to work, though the weather is so warm that this is not the problem it would be in colder climates.
Common Spaces
The main focus of the hostel is the large courtyard in front, which contains, a couple of hammocks, various seats and tables, and a bar. The bar sells a reasonable selection of alcohol, soft drinks, and food, often at slightly higher prices than in the shops and restaurants on the beach. The other common spaces are a big balcony up one flight of stairs from the ground floor, which has very limited arrangements for seating and shade, and the porch down below, which is furnished with some mats and a small bookshelf.
Summary
Overall, this hostel is a fair, but not outstanding, place to stay. Its location is fairly good, and it has something of a party vibe around the bar area, where loud music is usually played in the evenings. The sleeping arrangements -- both in the dorms and the private rooms -- are basic, and it can be difficult to get a full night's sleep. There are no arrangements for internet access.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
PJ
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Apr 2, 2019
Location and Contact
Location
• To get to M'Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, you will need to take the speed ferry from Sihanoukville or Koh Rong. • From Koh Rong you can also catch the daily 8.00 am supply boat. • When you get off the Pier, take a left and walk until you get to a small bridge, we are right after the bridge.