Bangladesh is not a major tourist destination (thank God), therefore finding good accommodation can be an issue. Keep in mind that all the prices mentioned below are the “Ramadan prices“. During this time of the year, people stay with their families and don’t go on vacation. Prices are up to 50% cheaper than regularly.

Dhaka.

Hotel 71.

Out starting point was the capital city, Dhaka. We arrived at around 2pm, so this still a good time to look for a hotel. Yet we recommend to always pre-book the first night just to have a bit of a breather.

We booked ourselves into “Hotel 71” (Address: Kaizuddin Tower, 176, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Sarani, Dhaka). The hotel is not far from the Grand Mosque, with great infrastructure in the area. The rooms are clean, spacious and have excellent Wi-Fi connection (very important for a travel photographer). The reception guys speak good English and help out with any kind of information you need.During our trip, we stayed there three times in total and were happy with our rooms.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 30,00 US$ (with A/C)

Fars Hotels & Resorts Limited.

Nearby, we spotted another nice place called “Fars Hotels & Resorts Limited” (Address: 212, Shahid Syed Nazrul Islam Sharani, Purana Paltan, S S. Nazrul Islam Sharani, Dhaka). We went to check it out for our next visit and it looked really nice as well. Biggest bonus: This place even has a rooftop swimming pool, which can honestly be a life savour at 45° Celsius in the summer!

Both two places are budget friendly with Western standard and if you’re “lucky”, you might even come across another fellow traveller in the lobby…

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$ (with A/C)

Chittagong.

Ambassador Residency.

There is the stretch of hotels right near the train station, but we opted for something more quiet called “Ambassador Residency” (Address: Road No 2, Chittagong). Also because out fellow Bangladeshi friend recommended it. This hotel offers clean & spacious rooms with big bathrooms and very reliable Wi-Fi connection. Overall, we were happy with this place. Don’t expect to meet any other travellers here though, because it’s a bit out of the way.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$ (with A/C)

Ambassador Residency in Chittaong, Bangladesh.

Cox’s Bazar.

Nilima Resort Hotel.

Cox’s Barar war the next place we visited. we checked ourselves into the “Nilima Resort Hotel” (Address: Sughanda Point Rd, Cox’s Bazar). Arriving at Cox’s Bazar was a bit of a disappointment at first, since most of the hotels are not located right on the beach. Only after we drive along the beach for a while, we came across this place. It’s as good as it gets here. There are some others along the beach as well, but the majority of hotels are further inland. But from Nilima Resort Hotel you can start exploring the area and get your evening beach stroll without having to go far. The rooms have small balconies and decent Wi-Fi connection. The owner is very helpful and the price is negotiable. It’s clearly not the poshest place to stay at, but pretty cheap and we didn’t spend much time in the the room anyway.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 20,00 US$ (with A/C)

Nilima Resort Hotel in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Mermaid Eco Resort.

30km further out of the city is a lovely place with bungalow accommodation called “Mermaid Eco Resort” (Address: Marine Drive, Pechardwip, Cox’s Bazar). It’s a nice spot if you want get away from it all, there is no Wi-Fi and you depend on them with everything. We will consider this place for our next visit to Cox’s Bazaar and then we’ll come prepared.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$ (with A/C)

Sreemangal.

Nishorgo Lichibari Ecoresort.

Sreemangal lies in the East of Bangladesh, located near the Indian border. The area is well-known for its tea plantations. We stayed in a little hotel called “Nishorgo Lichibari Ecoresort” (Address: House 13/B, Road 54, Gulshan 1212). It’s a bit outside of Sreemangal, near the tea gardens and in a small village where you can either walk around or rent a bicycle from the hotel. Overall this is a good place to stay at, with bungalow accommodation or rooms (with Wi-Fi) in the main house, an English-speaking owner who will pick you up from the train station when you call him, as well as great food (only available with pre-ordering).

Costs per night per room: Between 15,00 US$ and 30,00 US$

Nishorgo Lichibari Ecoresort in Sreemangal, Bangladesh.

Sylhet.

Hiltown Hotel.

From the train station we headed straight to “Hiltown Hotel” (Address: VIP Road, Telihaor, Sylhet). As we had only one day in Sylhet and didn’t stay overnight, we had our lunch here and were really impressed. We came across a modern, cool and air-conditioned restaurant with amazing food, good Wi-Fi and very friendly staff. We almost felt under-dressed because we simply didn’t expect such a restaurant in Sylhet. Afterwards we had a look at the newly refurbished rooms. Definitely a fantastic place to spend the night, which we unfortunately were not able to due to our overnight train to Dhaka.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$

Turns out, I was wrong. My thought on Dubai have definitely changed. Among other things because of my stay at the XVA Art Hotel.

Finding a good hotel in Dubai is easy, but finding a charming hotel and not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars for one night can be a bit of a challenge.

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The XVA Art hotel lies in the stunningly beautiful Al Fahidi Neighborhood (formerly Bastakiya), next to Dubai Creek. When visiting for the first time, you might find it tricky to find it, simply because cars can’t drive right in front of it. My taxi driver wasn’t sure where the hotel was located, but a phone call solved the problem. After getting out of the taxi, you just have to walk through some small alleys of the old town (for about 90 seconds) before reaching the entrance. When booking the hotel, you’ll receive a detailed paper with directions for the taxi driver which is helpful.

The area great for explorers and the next metro stop is just a few minutes away, so getting around is easy. But there are no glamorous shops on this side of Dubai, so don’t stay here is you’re after this type of experience.

• Address: Al Fahidi Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates (opposite Al Musalla Post Office, Near Al Faheidi Roundabout)
• Telephone Number: +97 14 353 538 3
• Website: xvahotel.com

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Definitely a hotel with great atmosphere – like an oasis. I loved the rooms which are small but very charming with lots of character. They’re situated around a beautiful courtyard in a converted Dubai mansion. I was upgrades free of charge, so my room was slightly bigger than the regular ones with A/C, great facilities, as well as some books and guides to read. If you have a lot of luggage, a room on the ground floor is advisable.

The entire setting of the XVA Art Hotel reminded me of an old fort and I really felt like home.

Big Plus:

• XVA also offers an art gallery with interesting pieces.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Since the hotel is also a café and restaurant for visitors, the food is really delicious. Breakfast in the courtyard in the mornings was excellent and filling. It was a delicious combination of breads, hummus, fruits and eggs. Fresh juice and coffee/tea as well of course. Exploring the yummy Pakistani restaurants in the area is definitely something I’d recommend, but if you’re lazy, don’t feel bad because the food at the XVA Art Hotel is very authentic and delightful.

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The staff was very nice and accommodating. Nothing more to add to this. Free and reliable Wi-Fi as well as a good literature selection are the reason for the full 5 points.

Price Range.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Dubai has hundred of great hotel, but most their prices are out of this world. At the XVA Art Hotel, you can expect approx. 150-250 US$ per night. I’s a very fair price. Food & drinks are also affordable and not overpriced.

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

This is probably the best place to stay in Dubai if you’re looking for an area off the beaten path and actually stay somewhere that’ll show you the more curious side of this city. There is a reason why it’s often listed as a ‘not to miss’ place in Dubai. Thumbs up!

The courtyard of XVA Art Hotel in Dubai is really lovely.

Art pieces in the courtyard of XVA Art Hotel in Dubai.

The XVA Art Hotel in Dubai offers beautiful and authentic food

The XVA Art hotel lies in the stunningly beautiful Al Fahidi Neighborhood (formerly named Bastakiya) of Dubai.

Location.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I have to admit that the location of the Soho House Berlin is not the most ideal (in my opinion). It’s a bit of a walk to the next metro line, which will take you to all the top sights in Berlin… But on the contrary you have the Hackescher Markt nearby, which makes up for a lot. Personally I think that this is one of the best shopping areas of Berlin. Lots of cute shops and cafés to hang out at.

• Address: Torstraße 1, 10119 Berlin, Germany
• Tel.: +49 30 40 50 440
• Website: sohohouseberlin.de

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Oh my God, what can I say? The Soho House Berlin has it all:

Lobby: The lobby is very appealing with two counters (check-in on the right & the club members counter to the left) and a nice lounge area in the centre. Computers in the back as well as a garden.

Rooms: The rooms are absolutely amazing! 65 bedrooms are situated over 6 floors and come in six different categories: Tiny, Small, Medium, Big, Large and Extra Large. I booked myself into a “Big Room” and was not disappointed: 75 m2, King size bed, free standing bathtub, oversize armchairs, huge flat-screen TV, steam bath, floor heating, a traditional vintage record player, Bose iPod docking station  and selection of custom vinyl LP’s and an amazing view of the Alexanderplatz. All rooms are equipped with Cowshed therapeutic products – with which I’m completely in love!

Club/Restaurant: The stunning central bar immediately stands out on the Club Floor. The House Kitchen is located on one end of the room, while the seating area is on the other end, featured with a mixture of oversized sofas, banquette seating and comfortable chairs. Two fireplaces sit on either side of the bar, while the rest of the room is decorated with warm chandelier lighting.

Above the Club Floor you’ll come across the Rooftop, which is especially stunning in the warmer months. Still you could go for a dip in the heated pool, tiled with green stone and surrounded by timber decking.

Big Plus:

• All hotel guests have access to free Wi-Fi and Wireless printing facilities.

A little downer:

• There’s no real parking area in front of the hotel, so you have to walk towards the street to catch a cab. And there is no door man.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The breakfast, lunches and dinners are delicious and I really enjoyed the easygoing, homelike atmosphere of the Club Floor. The music & mood changes according to the time of the day. And they do it in such a great way, that you really feel like it’s a different location.

Tip:

• Try the Hugo – it’s so delicious!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Super friendly staff that is courteous, open, casual and well informed about the cities activities and sights. No matter what time of the day, someone will be there for you to make you feel like a million dollars.

Only one minor issue: I was woken up in the middle of the night because a staff member wanted to bring me a water bottle. Even though I told the guy that he got the wrong room, it happened again the next night. And then they wanted to charge me for the water when checking-out, but immediately apologized for it…

Price Range.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Yes, the Soho House Berlin is expensive, yes. But it’s very much worth it and you truly get what you pay for. And it also depends which room category you prefer.

Here’s a quick overview of the most important prices:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per room (depending on room type & day): 170,00 – 650,00 €

Food & Drinks.

• Breakfast Buffet (includes pastries, cereal, jam, honey, butter, yoghurt, fruits, berries, cured meats & cheese): 12,00 €
• Café Latte: 3,00 €
• Smoothie: 5,00 €
• Cocktails: 9.00 €
• Cheeseburger: 15,00 €

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

This exclusive hotel in Berlin is the address for globe-trotting coolhunters who want to combine power-brunching with decadent downtime; it combines casual luxury with Berlin’s raw glamour. Definitely my hotel of choice in the German capital.

… sorry for the photo quality, but since taking photos is not allowed (sucks bad time!), I could only take very few shots with my iPhone (except the ones from my room).

Soho House Berlin | Outside view of the hotel located on Taborstrasse.

Soho House Berlin | “Big Room” | King size bed, large TV screen, sound system, free-standing bath tub and much more…

Soho House Berlin | “Big Room” | King size bed, large TV screen, sound system, free-standing bath tub and much more…

Soho House Berlin | View out of my room to the Berlin TV Tower.

Soho House Berlin | Breakfast Area | Super cozy with lounge chairs, warm lights and a great variety of yummy food.

Soho House Berlin | Dining Area | Bar, lounge furniture & fireplace.

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Imagine the series ‘Lost’; white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, dozens of palm trees, jungle forest, (almost) no people, wild animals (monkeys, boars, lizards) and the feeling of being lost. All that’s missing at Cubadak Resort is a crazy white bald dude like Lock and black smoke…

Cubadak is the only resort on the island, sharing it only with one little fishing village on the other side.

• Address: Pulau Cubadak, Padang, Indonesia
• Website: cubadak-paradisovillage

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

If I could, I’d give 10 points when it comes to the comfort level at Cubadak Resort! The bungalows are so roomy and comfortable, it’s hard to top that. A great balcony with comfy chairs, a spacious and western bathroom, a cute little working & living room area, plus a queen size bed on the second floor make up the perfect setting. A+!

Big Plus:

• Cubadak Resort only has 15 bungalows (plus one family bungalow and one above the water). This means, that you’ll never have more that approx. 40 people on the islands and with three different beaches, that’s pretty good.

Negative:

• Plastic bags on the beach. The beach is amazing, really. Yet at the far end of it (which was right in front of our bungalow), quite a lot of plastic bags & bottles lied around – not enough to ask them why they don’t clean up but enough for us to notice. They’re not from the resort (everything is very clean there) but the ocean just washes up all sorts of stuff from time to time. It looked like someone hadn’t cleaned up in a while…

My recommendation would be to have one staff member run up and down the beach once a day to collect all the rubbish that the ocean washes up. This shouldn’t take longer that one hour per day (at the maximum) and would make a big difference.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

It’s better not to come here if you’re on a diet. You won’t last a day without tasting the delicious food at Cubadak Resort.

This is really the part where Western influence kicks-in. The know-how of combining traditional Indonesian cuisine with Western style dishes is mastered to perfection. You’ll always get a great variety of vegetables, meat & fish, as well as some amazing desert like fresh lemon tart or home-made banana ice cream (dinner only). Yummy! Some of the best food I’ve had in Indonesia!

Tip:

• Try the home-made Sambal sauce – it’s so delicious!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 2 out of 5

If you stay at Cubadak Resort for more than 3 nights, a free pick-up service from Padang airport is included. This is definitely a good choice, since the drive to the dock takes about 2 hours, followed by a 15-minute boat ride to the island.

At first, you’re treated like a king/queen and the owners are very welcoming and open; yet day after day, you’ll realise that the vibes on the island aren’t all that good. Especially if you’re not one of those clients who buy alcoholic drinks or spend extra money on something.

Big Plus:

• Scuba Diving Possibility (1 dive US$ 45 / equipment for one day US$ 27) – Try the night dive, it’s definitely the most exciting diving in the area.

Price Range.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Cubadak Resort is expensive … far too expensive for my taste.

The biggest benefit is the fact that Cubadak Resort has the island to itself. This is clearly the only reason why I’d pay such an amount of money anyway, because everything else (nice bungalows, fantastic food, etc.) can be found elsewhere too. Don’t get me wrong, everything was perfect and in general I can’t complain, yet the impression of greed running through the resort – from the owners only – makes up 1 out of 5 points.

Negative Examples:

• For US$ 110 per person, per night, I’d really think that at least a couple of soft drinks would be included. Nope. Definitely a big downer, because cravings for an ice cold Coke from time to time really do arise. If you do intent to spoil yourself a little, be aware that with 195ml you won’t get far (price list below).

My recommendation would be to have the mini bar filled with 1 Coke and 1 other soft drink and have these drinks free of charge for every day. This would make a great difference in the impression guest get.

• WiFi is not for free. Ok, so I definitely agree that it’s not a bad thing to have a couple of days without the internet. Nothing can be so important that it can’t wait. But when you’re staying 10 days or longer, one might start thinking that a quick e-mail check wouldn’t be a bad thing. We were told that there is an internet line, yet it’s very slow and expensive. Fair enough, I understand this 100%, yet (again) for US$ 110 per person per night; I’d expect to at least have some sort of access for free (also because the owners are on the internet pretty much all the time…).

My recommendation would be to have one hour of internet connection per bungalow per day for free. This way, no one can complain and the owners don’t have to worry about rapidly increasing costs.

• We know our way around Indonesia & Sumatra especially. We’ve been here many times and therefore also know some locals in the area around Padang. We got in touch with our friend Niki to arrange a boat trip (one entire day), since we also wanted to see a little bit of the area. Seems like the owners of Cubadak Resort were not amused about this. Right after arriving back at the resort, they came up to us and asked us what we did, where we were and how we liked it … fair enough, but then they started chatting in Bahasa Indonesia with Niki and of course we couldn’t understand a word. They immediately wanted to know what he had charged us. He told them (1.2 million Ruppees = approx. 100.00 US$) and they asked how he was able to make a business like this – no wonder, have a look at the prices of Cubadak’s boat excursions below – and he told them that this was only because we were friends.

My recommendation would be to get over yourselves! Just because there are other resorts in the area, doesn’t mean that they’re going to steal your customers. We didn’t check into a prison when arriving at Cubadak, and in all my years of travelling, I have never experiences a place where friends are not welcome and you’re not ‘allowed’ to step outside the premises!

Fact: Only about 1 hour away from Cubadak Resort you’ll find places on deserted islands for less that US$ 30 per night – yet the comfort level can’t be compared and you’ll feel more like Robinson Cruiso (also because you need to bring your own food). Still, alternatives around the area can be found…

Here’s a quick overview of the most important prices:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per person (including breakfast, lunch & dinner but without drinks – except coffee and tea): US$ 110.00

Food & Drinks.

• Soft Drink – 195ml (Coke, etc.): US$ 4.00
• Beer: US$ 4.00
• Coffee: US$ 2.50
• Cocktail: US$ 11.00

Internet.

• Per Hour: US$ 4.00

Boat Trip (I’d suggest you sit down now).

• Per Hour: US$ 80.00
• Half Day: US$ 350.00

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Cubadak Resort is a great spot on a paradise island without having to travel for a week to get there. The bungalows, food and the location are really perfect – not one thing I could say about this. For short-term visitors, my rating would probably be higher, but since we stayed here long-term, I need to be honest. It’s the little things that count, and at Cubadak, a lot of little things are not up to the standard they should. The owners clearly try to keep their guest from getting in contact with any locals who don’t live on the island (at least this is the impression I got over those 10 days). Why? I’d say business reasons only! (Unfortunately) It’s all about money. Well, all in all lots of small things turn to big ones, therefore I can only give 3.8 out of 5 points.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. With a maximum of 15 bungalows, Cubadak is a great spot to rest and refill your batteries.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the view of the dock up from the mountain.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Again the view from the mountain – this is the “Family Villa” which can also be used as a “Honeymoon Villa” a bit away from the other bungalows.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The view up from the mountain is pretty stunning. Here you can see the mainland of West Sumatra.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The hike up the mountain is a real highlight, because you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the view from the dock … paradise ahoi!

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Another view form the dock; sea turtles can be seen all around the resort.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. We organised our own boat trip and the owners were not amused about that…

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. If someone asked me where paradise is, my answer would be simple: West Sumatra!

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the nicest rainbow I have ever seen … especially with this paradise as a surrounding.

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Siem Reap is by far not a large town, yet you’ll find hotels located all over the place; many of them out of reach from the city centre (at least by foot), which doesn’t make them attractive for us (5 stars back and forth).

The Golden Banana hotel is located perfectly – not right in the centre, but still in walking distance. This will give you peace & quiet during the night, yet freedom to roam the streets of Siem Reap without having to rely on tuk-tuk drivers or hotel chauffeurs.

• Address: Golden Banana Lane, Phum Wat Damnak, Kum Sala Komreuk, Krom 10, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Telephone Number: +855 (0)12 654 638
• Website: rambutans.info

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Arriving in the small alley that leads to the hotel, wouldn’t make you think that any minute now you’re stepping into a little city oasis. But that’s exactly what happens.

The Golden Banana has four different hotels, all located next to each other. Depending on the room you booked, you’ll be living in one of these. We were at the Golden Banana Boutique Hotel – the smallest place out of the four – with about 7 double-decker villas, a lovely pool, as well as a dining/cocktail area.

Greeted with a friendly smile by one of the staff members, we took a seat while writing down our details and zipping fresh lime juice. Afterwards, we were lead to our apartment for the next 3 days.

Just to be clear, I did have some expectations of the way the hotel & its rooms looked, since we already stayed there 6 years ago (even though back then there was only one Golden Banana Hotel) & I was the one who booked the hotel. So I knew what it should look like … but you know how it is with hotel photos found on the internet … photoshop ahoy! This time our expectations where definitely exceeded; lots of space, lovely furniture and decorations, great balcony and amazing bed & bathroom – all set on two floors. It couldn’t get any better than this.

Big Plus:

• Guests can use all 4 facilities. You can sleep in one hotel, dine in the other and go swimming in the next – and all of this within approx. 50 metres!
• The hotel is located in a side street, so you won’t be bothered by loud noises during your sleep.
• Very gay friendly.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

We never understood why anyone would dine in their hotel when travelling. That is until we stayed at the Golden Banana hotel in Siem Reap.

After an exhausting day of 6-8 hours temple running at Angkor Wat, we weren’t able to walk another metre when returning to the hotel, so we decided to give the house kitchen a try … and we were (again) not disappointed. The food was delicious. The Cambodian cuisine like Fish Amok or Cambodian Curry was exquisite and we decided to eat here every night. After stuffing our bellies, we always treated ourselves to a couple of nice & refreshing cocktails – amazing cocktails that it! Best Mai Tai ever!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 5 out of 5

A lot of times when someone is really friendly to you, they want something; whether it’s money or something else – a hidden agenda is very common. Not at the Golden Banana Hotel. The staff is trained very well and you can see & feel the Western influence behind it. No one will try to rip you off and you will always get a fair price.
Example: we asked for a private taxi down to Phnom Penh and staff didn’t even charge any commission or tried to add a couple of dollars for themselves.

Big Plus:

• Free & working Wi-Fi

Price Range.

Rating: 5 out of 5

One would think that with all the amazing services mentioned above, the price must be the big downer. Think again! The Golden Banana Hotel offers a great & very fair overall package.

Here’s a quick overview of the most important:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per villa (including breakfast & free Wi-Fi): Starting at US$ 52

Food & Drinks.

• Dish: US$ 2.50 – 6.50
• Soft Drink: US$ 1.50 – 2.50
• Cocktail: US$ 4.00

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 5 out of 5 – well deserved!

Everything was perfect and there’s not a single thing we could complain about. It’s the best place to stay at in Siem Reap. Thanks for a lovely time! Also, there’s a new hotel in Phnom Penh, the Rambutan Resort, which we need to check out next time for sure!

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Pool Area.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Pool View from Room.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Room View.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Bathroom.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Balcony.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Breakfast.

If you arrive in Sen Monorom (from whatever direction), you’ll most likely be tired and keen to find a room. We for our part went straight to the Nature Lodge, a bit outside to the East of the village. We were quite happy to book ourselves into one of their nice bungalows with outdoor bathroom and a nice terrace overlooking the area. The place is really great, clean, with good food and helpful staff.

Our little bungalow at the Nature Lodge in Sen Monorom was comfy and idyllic. The Nature Lodge was established in 2006 as one of the first ecologically friendly guest houses in Cambodia.

And then we found the Angkor Forest Lodge.

We were up for exploring the area. Of course, the waterfalls were a must and with our motorbikes they were easy to visit. At one point we set out from the Southern tip of the airstrip to the West to look for the waterfall. We drove and drove but obviously we had missed it; so we said that we’ll just follow the road and look what’s coming. And then there it was; from the road we could only see a huge entrance gate with concrete elephants to both sides. There was a huge parking ground, maybe 2 cars standing there and a sign saying “Angkor Forest Lodge”. Until today, I couldn’t find any website or information about this lodge…but as you can see, it does exist.

Driving closer there was a huge “tree house”, built only with drift material from the area, like roots and branches. We stopped and went inside. It was a huge restaurant area, all open air with a gentle breeze flowing through, swinging chairs, hammocks, private resting corners, absolutely stunning.

Asking a waiter, we heard that the whole complex belongs to a Cambodian man, who wants to create something really unique (we reckoned he has been to Disneyland at some point and wanted to do the same in his country).

The Cambodian Disneyland?

There is a huge pond in the process of being built, not ready yet but you can see the effort. Bungalows are standing around which all have unusual shapes, some built as suites (means 2 storeys with beautiful decoration), others have 2 rooms separately to rent.

In between the garden area are huge statues erected (not perfectly designed), but we could recognize, that one had to  resemble King Kong, another one was a copy of Mickey Mouse…

After enquiring we were told that the place is at the moment often used for big wedding receptions. The rooms are all very reasonably priced. I think it was something around 25 Us $ per bungalow, so the next time we’ll pass through Sen Monorom it will be the Nature Lodge for our good night sleep.

The “Tree house” hotel in Sen Monorom, Cambodia made quite an impression, yet until today, we have not been able to come across an official internet site for bookings/enquiry.

The little cottages of the Angkor Forest Lodge look very idyllic.

The huge King Kong statue in the centre of the Angkor Forest Lodge is yet another interesting sight.