Firstly, I just want to say across my month of travelling I have stayed in all Mad Monkeys across Cambodia and Laos as well as some in Thailand. I am moving into Vietnam today and for sure will be staying in Hoi An and Hanoi because you know what you are getting. Phnom Penh Mad Monkey is by far THE BEST.
My first shoutout I want to give to Lin. She was the first face I saw and greeted me. Assisted me with getting me help with my bags as I have crutches. She was friendly, funny, and really honest and helpful with information. She also continued to smile and ask me how I am throughout her shift. She is a really good asset to Mad Monkey Reception team and I hope she is still there when I return.
Secondly, and probably the biggest impact on my stay here is Travel and Tour guy Tin Tin. He was really really informative with all things Phnom Penh and Cambodia. He did my tour for the S21 Killing fields (which is good value for money) and on the way there he gave us so much information about the tour ahead. Then he let us take in the all the information through the headset. Then we were greeted with that cheeky smile again after the tour and he is so funny throughout our stay and the tour. He gave us great local food recommendations and we ate good every night we were there. We asked him where to eat because of how informative he was of his country as a whole on the tour! Tin Tin is the best for sure. Again, he is a staff member that always asked if I am ok, how my day is, my plans, always smiling and then always seemed to genuinely care about how we were.
On a slight negative side, the food is expensive especially if you are eating there 2-3 times a day but the pricing is consistent across Mad Monkeys in Cambodia - hence why I asked for recommendations. Also the bar staff can be quite abrupt with one occasion forgetting my order and telling me I didn’t order and then I got the person who served me and I did but the guy with glasses can be quite rude and miserable compared to other staff. This however does not apply to the two young guys behind the bar: one with braces and glasses and one young guy always smiling - can’t remember the names sorry! They were teaching me local language and having a laugh. I do think the bar staff may be negative due to lack of staffing levels and the hours they work. I’m quite sure I saw all of them there everyday.
And finally a shoutout to the rep team who got to know us personally and really got everyone involved. They are a big part of what makes your stay there but the team as a whole is important. I did know all of their names but don’t want to spell it wrong in the review so please let them all know they are amazing! Belle and the two other young girls - hopefully me and my friends will join you next season as reps that’s how much fun we had! Think that’s all, thank you MMPP for all your activities, energy, help, kindness and smiles...
Read moreFor budget-conscious travelers, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh offers an excellent stay without compromising on location or amenities. I recently enjoyed a night's stay in a 4-bed mixed dorm for just $7.85 USD, which is incredibly value-for-money given its prime position in the city.
The hostel's location is a definite standout. You'll find yourself surrounded by a variety of nearby restaurants and convenient laundry shops, making daily errands a breeze. For sightseeing, major attractions such as the Independence Monument, Royal Palace, and National Museum are all within easy reach, allowing for quick exploration. Furthermore, for those keen on experiencing Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife, Mad Monkey is ideally situated close to popular entertainment spots.
My stay was on the 4th floor, it's worth noting there's no elevator, which could pose a challenge for guests with heavy luggage (but they also have storage for this). Inside the dorm, individual cabinets for each bed were absent, but there's a practical storage space beneath the lower bunk bed. Importantly, the toilet facilities were impressively clean, a crucial detail for any hostel stay.
Beyond the practicalities, what truly enhanced my experience was the presence of lush greens throughout the property, adding a refreshing and calming natural ambiance. Mad Monkey also boasts its own restaurant, where I had a truly satisfying breakfast. The meal was generous and delicious, featuring a hearty spread of pancakes, fresh fruits, crispy bacon, perfectly scrambled eggs, and flavorful sausage.
In summary, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh is a highly recommended option for travelers seeking an affordable, centrally located, and comfortable hostel experience with great food and a...
Read moreAmazing comfortable dorm room, but bad service. More expensive to book in person than online which makes no sense as there is administration fee online.
Very expensive dorm room, and everything at the restaurant double the price of everywhere else in Cambodia. However, the bed was huge and really comfortable. It is also a nice, safe hostel and a good place to meet other backpackers.
The good thing about the 10 bed dorm is that it was separated into 3 private sections of 4 beds, 4 beds and 2 beds, so for us it felt like being in a 4 bed dorm.
Each dorm has a private bathroom which is good. In my 10 bed dorm there were 3 en-suites, which definitely makes a difference. The bathroom was actually very nice. Big shower, separate to the toilet and not a wet room - amazing!
The swimming pool looks like a chlamydia pool. I personally wouldn’t go for a swim in there.
We checked in at a late time and the receptionist was so ridiculously slow. We just wanted to check into our room and go to bed but it felt like we were there for an hour. He was also not the most pleasant and didn’t help us at all. This was on 18th December.
The only other issue was that a group of lads were staying in our room, who got back after a night out at 2am. No problem if they come in quietly, however they were so disrespectful and inconsiderate. They came in and had a conversation at full volume for at least half an hour, we’re showering, messing around and even still drinking I think. Super annoying when you’re trying to get a good night sleep. Please don’t be...
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