Yellow Sun Hostel, Kampot

Yellow Sun Hostel is part of a small chain that is just spreading over Cambodia. However, it does not have a uniform feel at all; the atmospheric bamboo huts that are scattered along the river make you feel like you have stepped into a local village -- only more luxurious than that!

The Location

Amongst the backpackers of Kampot, Yellow Sun occupies a very special position -- while most of them are in close proximity to the center with the Old Bridge and the market, Yellow Sun refuses to conform to this trend and is located about six kilometers from the center, closer to the national park, in a quiet residential area, in a very authentic and unspoiled neighborhood. It is quite a long walk here from the bus station though, and as half of it is on a clay dirt road, at the time of the monsoon, it is practically impossible to manage on foot. It is also quite problematic to source food here. Therefore, the hostel gets away with offering meals at rather overpriced rates. However, its position directly on the river is awesome and the ability to go swimming in it is definitely a bonus!

Rooms and Bathrooms

The hostel offers both private and dorm rooms, and it must be pointed out that the private huts look a hundred times nicer with their authentic bamboo architecture. The dorms are in simple, concrete-based buildings at the back of the territory of the hostel. They have bunks inside which -- with their ugly metal structure -- definitely do not match the property in style. The place has a big problem with ants and several dogs live onsite -- and if one of the bottom bunks is empty, one may sleep inside in what could be your bed! There are lockers in front of the building, and although the dorm does have a few plugs, these are not near the bed. The bathrooms are in a separate building, which means that you have to walk through the sandy ground every time you want to use it. They are basic and the showers only have one temperature. There is a separate female toilet but no such thing for men. Moreover, at the time of the review, one of the toilet doors sometimes gets stuck -- if this happens, be careful with your fingers, as they can easily get stuck in the doorway while you are forcing it to open!

Common Spaces

The territory of the hostel is quite big and there is plenty of space around to chill. There are hammocks hanging all over the grounds and near the reception, there is a really cool, wooden triple swing. However, the best place to hang out at is the bar and beach area, which is a wooden hut and platform right on the river. You can rent a kayak here or use the tubes for free. The biggest downside of the hostel is that it has no functional Wi-Fi. Every member of the staff is a volunteer, some of whom try to overcome the problem by giving you the Wi-Fi code of the hotel next door, while others actively discourage you from using it.

Summary

Yellow Sun is your place if you need a few days to chill in a remote countryside location away from the hustle and bustle of the town and you can enjoy a nice swim in the river during the day. However, certain aspects of the place are rather basic, so make sure to keep your expectations low when it comes to your sleeping place and toilet.