Koh Rong Samloem’s accommodation scene skews noticeably more upscale than its busier neighbor, with a handful of genuinely well-appointed eco-resorts built around the island’s quiet, undeveloped character.
Royal Sands Koh Rong Samloem
Royal Sands is the island’s most polished large-scale resort, with a proper pool, multiple dining options, and consistently high-standard rooms and villas on Saracen Bay, running roughly $150-300+ a night depending on room category and season.
Lazy Beach
A longtime favorite among repeat visitors, Lazy Beach combines simple but well-designed bungalows with genuine isolation on the island’s quieter side, running approximately $60-110 a night — less flashy than Royal Sands but arguably more in keeping with the island’s original character.
Angkoloung Boutique Resort
A smaller, design-focused property on Saracen Bay, Angkoloung offers a more intimate upscale experience than Royal Sands’ larger scale, running roughly $80-150 a night.
What sets these apart from Koh Rong’s resort tier
Koh Rong Samloem’s upscale properties generally offer more space, quiet, and privacy per dollar than equivalent-priced options on the busier neighboring island — see our Koh Rong vs Koh Rong Samloem comparison for the fuller picture.
Booking timing
These properties have limited room inventory compared to mainland resorts, and fill up meaningfully during December-February peak season and around major holidays — booking several days to a week ahead is worth it if you have a specific property in mind.
What’s included at this tier
Most of these properties include breakfast, and several offer half-board or full-board options given the limited independent dining scene away from the resort itself. Confirm what’s included specifically, since meal-plan inclusion varies more here than at comparable mainland properties.
Comparing against beachfront bungalow options
If full luxury pricing is more than you want to spend, see our best beachfront bungalows on Koh Rong Samloem guide for a more moderate tier still on the same island.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best luxury resort on Koh Rong Samloem?
Royal Sands Koh Rong Samloem for full resort scale and amenities; Lazy Beach for a more intimate, character-driven upscale experience.
Is Koh Rong Samloem worth the higher price over Koh Rong?
For travelers specifically prioritizing quiet, privacy, and a genuine escape, yes — the price premium buys a noticeably different, less crowded experience.
Do these resorts require advance booking?
Yes, recommended several days to a week ahead given the island’s limited overall room inventory, especially during December-February peak season.
What luxury actually means on this island
Even the top tier here is more modest than a five-star resort in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh — expect elevated comfort, privacy, and design over sheer scale of facilities. Nobody comes to Koh Rong Samloem for a rooftop infinity pool overlooking a skyline; the luxury here is quiet, space, and a genuinely private stretch of beach.
Honeymoon and special occasion suitability
These properties, Royal Sands and Angkoloung in particular, lean into romantic, couples-focused design with private beachfront setups and quieter dining areas than anything comparable on the busier neighboring island — a genuinely strong pick for a honeymoon or anniversary trip within Cambodia.
Getting to these resorts from the mainland
Most upscale properties on Koh Rong Samloem arrange transfers directly from Sihanoukville, sometimes via a private speedboat rather than the standard public ferry, particularly at the very top of this list. Confirm transfer arrangements when booking, since it’s often bundled into the room rate at this tier.
Spa and wellness offerings
Royal Sands and a couple of the other larger properties offer on-site spa treatments, a genuine amenity difference from the smaller, more rustic eco-bungalow operations elsewhere on the island. If a proper spa day factors into your trip, confirm this specifically before booking, since not every listed ‘luxury’ property here includes one.
Dining at this tier
Given the island’s limited independent restaurant scene, most upscale properties run their own dedicated restaurant serving both Khmer and Western dishes at prices that reflect the resort setting — expect $8-15 for a main course, noticeably above what you’d pay at a Koh Touch guesthouse restaurant on Koh Rong itself.
Environmental practices at these properties
Several of the eco-bungalow properties on this list, Lazy Beach especially, have built their identity around lower-impact construction and operation, which is part of the draw for travelers specifically seeking a more sustainable upscale stay rather than a large-scale concrete resort.
Comparing seasonal pricing
As with the rest of the island, expect December-February peak season to push rates toward the top of each range listed above. Outside that window, particularly June through September, meaningful discounts are common even at the top-tier properties.
The bottom line
For travelers willing to pay a premium for genuine privacy, design, and quiet, Koh Rong Samloem’s upscale tier delivers something meaningfully different from anything comparable on Koh Rong — worth the extra cost specifically for a honeymoon, anniversary, or any trip where a proper escape matters more than convenience or nightlife.
How to reach these properties
Book a ferry from Sihanoukville’s Serendipity pier or arrange a private transfer directly through your resort — see our ferry times and prices guide for standard public ferry options if you’re not using a resort-arranged speedboat transfer.
Weighing this against Koh Rong Samloem’s mid-range bungalow options
Not every visitor needs the full luxury tier — several properties on the island deliver strong value at a more moderate price without sacrificing the island’s core appeal of quiet and privacy, covered in our best beachfront bungalows on Koh Rong Samloem guide.
Whichever property you choose, booking directly through the resort’s own website or WhatsApp sometimes secures a slightly better rate or complimentary upgrade compared to third-party platforms, particularly for these smaller, independently-run operations where personal relationships still matter.
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