This small beachside backpacker house offers a friendly atmosphere for those on a budget.
The Drift claims it is “for backpackers, by backpackers” and the place certainly has a friendly, mellow vibe. When we visited it was fully booked in low season, a testament to the Drift’s homey atmosphere in M’phey Bei Village.
Backpackers who check in to The Drift never want to leave.
There are two mixed dorms, one with four beds and the other with six beds that go for $6 or $7 depending on the season. There’s also a private room with a double bed that costs $10 or $14 and is almost always booked up. All dorms and the private room have shared bathrooms, and like most of the businesses on the island they have electricity only between 7 a.m. and midnight.
The rooms are wooden and very simple — there are no frills here. Each bunk bed in the dorms has its own mosquito net and the double room has a full-size bed. Upstairs there’s a balcony for lounging that looks out onto the sea, a gently undulating palm tree, and the fishing boats that dock on the beach.
Simple dorm beds are the name of the game at The Drift in M’phey Bei Village.
The Drift’s goal is to create a sense of community, and to that end they have dinners most nights for $3 or $4 that are served family style to guests who’ve reserved a place at the table earlier in the day. There are a-la-carte options as well — a favorite is the “build your own burger” — and they’ve even got a veggie burger for vegetarians who don’t want to miss out.
There’s also a bar that has a nightly happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. where Klang beer costs $0.75 and a whisky and Coke or Sprite costs just $1. The lack of WiFi at the Drift is probably a blessing, because it encourages guests to mingle. Imbibe at the bar or enjoy the ocean views out front of the Drift, where there’s ample seating to chill out and meet other travelers. When fully booked the Drift has a maximum of 12 guests, many of whom stay for extended periods of time, creating a friendly, beachside family ambience.
We were quoted the following prices at The Drift, Koh Rong Sanloem:
- Dorm beds: $7 in high season, $6 in low season
- Double room, shared bath: $14 in high season, $10 in low season
Bookings are available online on Booking.com. They offer discounts for long stays, particularly in low season.
For more information on ferries to M’phey Bei, check out our guide to getting to Koh Rong Sanloem.
→ Check out our reviews for other accommodation on Koh Rong Sanloem, or make a booking online now.
The Drift
M’phey Bei Village, Koh Rong Sanloem
T: 096 866 6095
thedriftcambodia.com
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