I have been staying at the Poolside Villa hostel for a few days since arriving in Phnom, Penh on February 18th, 2025.
I spent the first two nights in a studio room paying USD 21 a night. I was kicked out of my room because it was reserved, so I stayed in a dorm last night for $7 USD. There are a few people saying long-term in the dorm rooms. I would guess their monthly budget is under USD 1000. Here is an example:
$7 x 31 days = $217 accommodations.
$20 a day eating out every meal = $620 (This would be less than half if you ate out like a local outside the hostel).
$5 a week for laundry service = $20
$30 a week for transportation = $120
That is under USD 900; insurance, cell phone, and incidentals based on your lifestyle would need to be added.
If you upgraded to a studio room for some privacy, your cost would jump to $434 a month. If that was the case, you could rent an apartment. A fully furnished studio or one-bedroom can be found for around $400-$600 which would allow you to cut back on the $620 meal costs by eating healthier at home.
Honestly, who wants to cook, clean, and do their laundry but that is a cost savings option? LOL
The prices at the bar and restaurant at the hostel are incredible coming in at $1.50 a beer ($1 for HH) and most meals are under USD 5. The same beer can go for as low as 75 cents with different meal choices for ~$5 at other restaurants.
Imagine, a beer and lunch for $6 with an amazing menu to choose from as well.
I have had the big breakfast, pancakes, and curry chicken off the hostel menu. I have also had the Khmer amok with chicken and rice and loc lak with chicken which was as good as any restaurant. Both are amazing Cambodian dishes:
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There are a shit ton of meal options around USD 5 and drink choices are ll lower priced too:
The hostel itself has a perfect setup some a simple inexpensive stay. Studio rooms and door rooms are depending on your preference. Since the studio rooms are USD $21 and there is an adequate pool, so it is a no-brainer if you are on a budget.
It is also walking to “Score” which is a great sports bar where I can catch a hockey game in the morning.
There are all the bar food and drinks you can find anywhere at half the price including 75 cent draft beers for happy hour. I will remember this place forever as it is where I watched Canada beat the Americans on February 20th, 2025, on a Connor McDavid OT winner!
I could watch this clip 100 times and it wouldn’t be enough!
The city itself is very congested, so I have not made an attempt to checkout any sights yet. My next stop is Angkor Wat, Cambodia will give me all of the culture in Cambodia.
