Do you need to book your accommodation in advance? 

Here's a controversial thought - no! 

When travelling in developing nations (or anywhere outside of Western Europe/Australia/North America), I rarely book accommodation in advance. I'll book my first two nights (one to recover from jetlag, one to explore the capital), and then I hit the ground from there. 

Another thing that is important to me is that I never stay at foreign-owned accommodation (i.e. a resort owned by an American in Mexico, a French in Morocco, or an Australian in Indonesia). I stay in locally-owned accommodations and ensure that all the money I am spending is going directly back into the local economy. 

There'a a few reasons for this: 

• Booking.com, Agoda, BluePillow etc all take a booking fee. I pay cash upon arrival to all my accommodations, meaning that the profits go directly to the owner of the accommodation. If the price is showing up cheaper online, simply show the staff member this when you arrive at the hotel. They local accommodations almost always match that price, and retain all the profits. 

• Flexibility when travelling - I usually have an idea of the journey I want to take, and I usually have international flights booked, but you never know when you'll meet someone really interesting, learn of a hidden local secret to visit, or get an exciting offer to go somewhere else. 

• When you're there, it's easier to look up and find cheap accommodations, as you understand the lay of the land and where your priorities are. I've never accidentally booked a hotel too far from an attraction. 

• Avoiding disappointment - if I show up and the room is unkempt, dirty, uncomfortable, or not what I expected - I can simply leave! I always ask to be shown the room before making payment, and that usually gives me time to chat to and befriend the receptionist while they walk me to the room. I've never had to complain to the desk and request a room change, as I get to pick my ideal room straight away! 

Best Budget Accommodations in Cambodia 

Koh Rong - Lily's Riverside House

This place was $20 per night for a private bungalow with private bathroom, hot shower, mosquito net and fan. And it was amazing - favourite accommodation in Cambodia! 

The Riverhouse is right on the river, and for $4 you can rent a kayak for the day and explore the river (including many great river restaurants along it). 

They have a bar, powerpoints for charging devices, and great service. The owner named the accommodation and restaurant for her young daughter, Lily. 

Again, we booked this one via WhatsApp and got a cheaper price than on Booking.com by paying direct to the owner. 

The food prices are reasonable as well - not as cheap as a locals' restaurant, but not as expensive as a foreign-owned resort. And you have a beautiful restaurant on the river to sit and enjoy your meal. 

Koh Rong - Lily's Beach Bungalows, Bar & Restaurant

Owned by the same woman as the Riverside House, these are beach bungalows situated directly on Lonely Beach - a popular beach for sunsets. During the rest of the day though, there are very few visitors here! It's also $20 per night for a secluded beach bungalow. Romantic and budget - this is the two for one deal!

This is a harder one to get to - only accessible by scooter/motorbike, and you'll be driving on soft sand to get there. Go slow and be careful. You could probably get a taxi scooter to take you there, but if you're hiring your own scooter you'll want to have one scooter per person so that there's space to bring your bags without overcrowding and unbalancing the bike. 

Google Maps in Cambodia is highly inaccurate - and getting here is no exception. We met quite a few people who were unsure how to get there. Whenever you're travelling somewhere without accurate road information, simply switch your maps into Satellite View. Make sure you download your map offline before leaving reception, and then check in with the satellite image to verify your location if you're unsure. There is signage the whole way, but some of the signs are easy to miss. 

The road takes you up to 100m from the beach. There's a few spots on the road where we saw people had parked earlier, including an area labelled "parking" and a woman with a makeshift shop - just keep driving until you're sure you've hit the end of the trail, you'll know when you're there. 

Below you can see how the map looks if you input the location on the standard map. However, if you switch to satellite view you can clearly see the path that leads all the way to Lonely Beach and the bungalows. 

Lily's beach bungalows - pictured below:

Siem Reap - Pool Party Hostel

This hostel was only USD$9 for a private room with private shower and air conditioning. 

Again, as always we booked this via WhatsApp and then paid on arrival. The room we were given was originally downstairs and very musty duue to the humidity. Because we hadn't paid in advance, it was very easy to request a new room and we were given an upstairs one that smelled fine and was very comfortable. 

Only downside of the hotel was that the light for the air conditioning unit was very bright - this is where having sticky tape to cover lights up comes handy!

The hostel has a great pool, pool table, bar, and kitchen. The owner speaks perfect English and makes great cocktails. Despite being called "Pool Party", it was quiet when we were there (November) and wasn't like a European frat hostel. There were only a few other guests and the staff were lovely. They have ample space to park your motorbike/scooter and they bring the scooters inside at night for safekeeping. 

We booked Okay Boutique Phnom Penh for our first and last nights and were able to store a bag here with them for the duration of our travels around Cambodia. I did have the breakfast one morning and it was expensive and overrated. Due to a booking error (this is why I never book in advance) they gave me a complimentary breakfast - but for USD$10-15pp you'd be better off going to any of the amazing cafes or street food nearby. 

Expat Village & Intentional Community - Nesat Village (Near Sihanoukville)

Nesat Village is a coastal community in southwest Cambodia that has developed into a destination with a growing expat and long-stay travel community. The village offers a range of accommodation types - from backpacker dorms and guesthouses to private villas - with options suitable for both short visits and extended stays. High-speed internet is available, and many guesthouses support long-term renters and digital nomads. The village operates with limited banking services, so it is advisable to bring sufficient cash; ATMs are located approximately 19 km away in Srae Ambel, and most local businesses prefer Khmer Riel or QR code payments.

Nesat Village has basic infrastructure that supports daily life and work: food and drink options, bike and motorbike rentals. Nesat Market takes place every Saturday - so try and line up your visit with this! The community blends local Khmer culture with an international expat presence, and English is commonly used alongside Khmer. The surrounding area includes beaches, a lagoon, and natural landscapes that support outdoor activity and exploration. Nesat Village appeals to people seeking a slower pace, connection with an emerging international community, and the ability to live and work outside major tourist hubs.