by If you’re wondering where to stay in Kampot, this modern hotel is right in the city centre. You’ll be a short walk from the best local cafes, bars, and restaurants, or a simple stroll along the river.
Many hotels in Kampot, Cambodia are a few kilometres outside the city, with gorgeous river views, but it’s a bit of a trek when it comes to eating and drinking. I love to have a choice of restaurants in easy walking distance of my hotel – and Hotel Five.S supplies just that. It is a 2-minute walk to the night market, close to the famous durian roundabout, and just 10 minutes from the river.
(Don’t miss: Our complete guide to adventurous things to do in Kampot) →
For any adventures further afield, you can borrow one of Hotel Five.S’s bicycles for free! Plus, it’s also one of the few Kampot hotels with a pool.
If you’re looking for a convenient Kampot accommodation with a modern design, Hotel Five.S is where to stay in Kampot.
Where to Stay in Kampot for Comfort, Free Bikes, and a Peaceful Pool
What I loved at Hotel Five.S
The welcoming staff. The staff at Hotel Five.S are not just efficient and professional but they are genuinely friendly. I love their relaxed vibe – there’s nothing stuffy or forced about their service. They seem to be genuinely happy at their work, which is a rare thing to find in the hotel business! If you’re looking for friendly local advice, Five.S is where to stay in Kampot.
Balconies and big windows. Having just come from Vietnam, where windowless hotel rooms are all too common, I was so glad to throw the curtains wide and let the ample natural light in. The view from my balcony at Five.S. was over the rooftops of Kampot and out into the countryside. I never thought the view from such a central Kampot hotel could provide so much to look at.
Quiet, central location. Hotel Five.S is in the centre of the city, just a 2-minute walk from the Durian roundabout and the night market. Most of the restaurants and cafes in the city are less than a 10-minute walk away.
(Don’t miss: If you want to stay in a riverside resort outside Kampot, we loved Sabay Beach Resort) →
Despite its central location, the hotel is on a relatively quiet back street. I didn’t even have to use earplugs to sleep — a rare treat when travelling in Asia!
Pleasant pool area. A rarity for a hotel in Kampot, Five.S has an attractive, if small, pool space. After a morning tour of Kampot, it’s the ideal place to sit, rest, and recharge for your next adventure. If you want a place to cool off in the Cambodian heat, Five.S is where to stay in Kampot.
Live hotel room tour of hotel Five.S in Kampot
https://www.facebook.com/myfiveacres/videos/vl.900715150031718/1589084581114035/?type=1
Unusual extras at this hotel in Kampot
Excellent breakfast selection. The breakfast menu at Five.S is impressive. They offer a half-dozen breakfast combos, ranging from the “American” eggs and bacon to the “Healthy” muesli and yogurt. On my second morning, I had the pancakes, which I was impressed to see are real fluffy western-style pancakes — not the limp, flat Asian kind — and were very tasty as well.
Free bicycles. Going for a bike ride on the country roads around Kampot is a must-do when you’re in Kampot. You’ll soon be rolling through lush countryside, rural villages, and verdant rice paddies, passing kids who are genuinely excited to see and greet you. There’s nothing more fulfilling than getting out and exploring on two wheels; Hotel Five.S offers free bicycles just for this purpose.
What we didn’t love at this hotel in Kampot
Slow breakfast service. On my first morning at the hotel, I arrived to breakfast early because I had to leave for my Climbodia rock climbing tour. I just ordered toast and fruit, but it took 20 minutes to arrive, leaving me only a couple of minutes to scarf down my meal before I had to leave.
Normally, a leisurely breakfast is fine with me, but in this case, the slow service let me down.
Need some more Cambodia travel advice? We recommend:
What’s in the neighbourhood?
Night market. Kampot has a small but lively night market where you can sample local street foods, buy t-shirts with odd English phrases on them, or just experience Cambodian-style nightlife. If you’re travelling with little kids, there are also a few rides with lots of sparkling lights and irritatingly tinny music that they will probably love.
Kampot riverside. A 5-minute walk from Five.S, Kampot’s riverside is the hub of Kampot nightlife. Floating restaurants spool out along the riverbank. Most are permanently docked, but a few offer sunset and dinner cruises. There are plenty of landlocked restaurants to choose from as well — I had a couple of my favourite meals in the ones listed below.
Where to eat near Hotel Five.S
Rikitikitavi. This is one of the top-rated Kampot restaurants on Trip Advisor and there’s a reason for that. For a start, the service is excellent. The wait staff are attentive and the manager came to have a chat at the end of my meal. I had the vegetarian Khmer curry – which is one of my favourite dishes from around the world. It was every bit as delicious as I remembered.
Epic Arts Cafe. Of all the restaurants we visited on our two-year bike trip, Epic Arts Cafe stands out most vividly in my memory. It could be because of the delicious home-baked brownies! But it might also be because it’s a social enterprise, employing local people with disabilities.
Ecran Noodle and Dumpling House. This casual dumpling restaurant by the riverside is the perfect place to grab a quick snack or fill up on freshly made fried or steamed dumplings. At $2 per plate, for veggie or pork dumplings, they’re the most satisfying cheap eats you’ll find in town.
Simple Things. I ate here three times in two days in Kampot. It is fully vegetarian with lots of vegan options and is something of a gathering place for expats and travellers. I loved the Rishikesh smoothie, made with homemade cashew nut milk, so much that I had it twice. I highly recommend the open-faced tempeh sandwich for your first meal here!
Book your stay at Hotel Five.S
Things to do in Kampot
As is usual in Southeast Asia, you can arrange an array of activities at the hotel. But, if you like to plan ahead a little, here are my recommendations for the best Kampot things to do.
Rock Climbing Adventure for Beginners
I spent a fantastic half-day on Climbodia’s Discovery Tour, breaking out of my comfort zone and taking my first stab at rock climbing.
Climbodia also offers a half-day of top-rope climbing and independent climbers can visit the site for a one-time fee. There are 17 climbing routes at the site of varying levels – enough to challenge most levels of climbers. Climbodia also offers a lead climbing course if you want to take your climbing to the next level.
(Don’t miss: My full review of my Climbodia Discovery tour) →
Paddle the Mangroves
I would have loved to join SUP Asia for one of their mangrove paddle boarding trips but didn’t manage to find the time.
Other Kampot Tours
You can also take a private boat tour of Kampot River, a countryside bicycle tour, or a private motorcycle tour.
Kampot is one of my favourite spots in all of Southeast Asia. Don’t miss it when you’re in Cambodia and make sure you allow ample time in the city to enjoy all it has to offer!
♥ Happy mindful adventures, Stephen & Jane
I was a guest at Hotel Five.S in Kampot, but as always, I only stay in and recommend accommodation that I think you’ll truly enjoy! Some of the links in this post are our personal affiliate links which means, if you use them to book a tour or hotel we get little reward at no cost to you. It helps keep this blog afloat — so thanks in advance!
