Phnom Penh's Hidden Gem: RS II Guesthouse - Your Oasis Awaits!
Phnom Penh's Hidden Gem: RS II Guesthouse - My Oasis (and Possibly Yours!)
Okay, so I've just gotten back from Phnom Penh, a city that completely swallowed me whole and spat me out feeling… well, a little changed. And part of that transformation? RS II Guesthouse. They bill themselves as an "Oasis," and honestly, for a weary traveler like myself, it was pretty darn close. But let’s be real – perfection is boring. This place had its quirks, its little hiccups, and that’s exactly what made it feel… real.
Accessibility & Welcoming Touches (Mostly Good!)
Right off the bat, let's talk about navigating. Now, this is me talking here, not some super-sleek travel review robot. The website promised accessibility. I didn't need full wheelchair acccess, but I am with a crutch, (see those things can be annoying). The elevator was a godsend, especially after battling the Phnom Penh heat. The staff were so helpful guiding me to the elevator, and the hallways themselves were pretty straightforward.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure in a Chaotic World
Cleanliness is key, and RS II gets it. From the moment I walked in, the air felt… clean. And they're hammering safety precautions. Hand sanitizer everywhere (I swear, I'm now immune to hand sanitizer!), staff masked up, and daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. They even offered room sanitization opt-out, which is a nice touch for those who are (like me) a little sanitization-obsessed. This is not to forget the 24hr security, you know… for peace of mind.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (and Maybe Your Stomach!)
Okay, food. This is where things got interesting. The restaurant touted both Asian and Western cuisine. And their Asian breakfast! YUM. I had a killer bowl of noodle soup every morning. It was perfect for kicking off the day. The coffee shop was open, and the poolside bar, perfect for a post-exploration beer as the sun went down.
The thing is, sometimes the food wasn’t perfect… which is fine! This aint Michelin Star. There were hiccups – the occasional slightly lukewarm dish, and a very slow service one evening (it took an hour for a pizza!). But the staff were always apologetic, genuinely. And the pool bar happy hour? That made it all worthwhile. Forget the fancy, sometimes the simple things are amazing -- the "Happy Hour" made me happy.
Getting Around: Navigating the Chaos
The hotel car park was free, a massive win! I didn't have my own vehicle, so the free parking was a blessing. Taxi service available. The best way to get around the city is by tuk-tuk, and the staff had no problems summoning one for me at all hours. This helped me a lot.
Things to do, Ways to Relax: Oasis Indeed!
This is where RS II truly shines. The pool with a view? Gorgeous. Absolutely stunning, and I spent hours just floating, letting the city sounds fade. The yoga mats were available, and the fitness center was pretty well-equipped. I didn't get a massage, (my fault!) but the spa looks gorgeous and they had all of the services there.
Inside the Room: Comfort & Convenience
My room? Ah, my little haven. The air conditioning was a lifesaver, essential in that heat. Blackout curtains? Thank God. And the free Wi-Fi was reliable. I had everything I needed: desk, mini-bar, safe box, etc. It wasn’t exactly minimalist chic – the decor was a little… busy with the paintings and the little decoratuve sculptures, but it was clean, comfortable, and that was the most important thing.
Services and Conveniences: Everything You Might Need (and More!)
Concierge made me feel like I had my own personal sherpa. They even had a doctor on call which is impressive! Laundry service? Check. Currency exchange? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. The staff were efficient, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile. One day, I was feeling particularly ill and the staff not only helped me find medicine, but even brought me soup from the kitchen. That's true hospitality.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Nobody's Perfect!)
Now, this is where I have to be honest. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. My room was next to the elevator, and sometimes, especially in the morning, you could clearly hear the "ding!" of the elevator. Another thing, it was sometimes a bit noisy from the street, especially in the early evening.
My Honest Recommendation & The Offer I Can't Resist
Look, RS II Guesthouse isn't perfect. It's a little bit of a hidden gem, a bit rough around the edges, but that's what makes it so charming. It's a place that feels real, a place that cares, and a place where you can actually relax and recharge.
Ready to Rediscover Yourself in Phnom Penh?
Here's my offer:
Book your stay at RS II Guesthouse through this (unofficial) review and receive a FREE welcome drink at the poolside bar & a 10% discount on your first spa treatment.
Don't just visit Phnom Penh - feel it. Embrace the chaos, the beauty, the smells, the sounds, the unexpected, and maybe, just maybe, find your own little oasis at RS II Guesthouse. Seriously. Book it. You won't regret it.
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RS II Guesthouse Phnom Penh: A Chaotic Chronicle
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your pristine, perfectly-timed travel guide. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-hungover truth about crashing at the RS II Guesthouse in Phnom Penh. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival & The Existential Crisis of a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Landed in Phnom Penh, sweating like a pig in a sauna. Border crossing? A blur. Money changers? Sharks, I tell you, sharks! Finally found a tuk-tuk driver who looked less likely to sell me to a black market organ dealer. Bargaining? Failed miserably, paid way too much. Still, victory! Civilization! And my luggage, miraculously, arrived with me.
(10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): RS II Guesthouse. Ah, home. Well, for a few days anyway. Didn't go for a fancy hotel because I'm trying to be "authentic" this trip, and honestly, I'm too broke for luxury. Front desk guy was chill, even if he'd seen a thousand faces before. Check-in? Easy peasy. Room? Small, but hey, it has a bed, a fan, and a mosquito net that looks like it's seen better centuries. "Authentic" is starting to smell like the inside of a gym bag after a particularly grueling Zumba class.
(11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Tuk-Tuk ride. Oh, the tuk-tuk ride! This is where the real adventure begins. Heaving myself onto that tiny seat, the driver and I were off! This is the moment I questioned everything. What was I doing here? Why was I wearing this ridiculous t-shirt? Would I ever truly understand the complexities of Cambodian traffic? The answer to the last question is a resounding "NO." The chaos of the streets is exhilarating, terrifying, and utterly bewildering all at once. Motorcycles everywhere, honking like a symphony gone wrong. I almost choked on my own fear.
(12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch! Found a little hole-in-the-wall place near the guesthouse. Ordered something that vaguely resembled rice. The best part? Ice-cold, sweet, super-strong Khmer iced coffee. I suddenly understood why people come here. Maybe I'd actually like being here.
(1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Siesta time. The heat is a monster. Tried to read, but the fan was doing its best, but the sweat was doing better. Napped, dreamed of icebergs. Woke up feeling a little less melted.
(4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Walked around, attempting to look like a seasoned traveler. Failed spectacularly. Got lost in a maze of stalls. Tried to haggle for a scarf (obviously). Ended up buying it for the same price as the smiling girl who was genuinely wanting to help me out. Guilt. Chocolate.
(6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at a riverside restaurant. Beautiful view, but the food was… questionable. Ate a plate of rice (again). Saw the sunset. Felt a twinge of something that might have been happiness, maybe? Definitely a full stomach.
(8:00 PM Onward): Tried to stay up late to prove I wasn't a wimp. Failed. Passed out on that slightly rough, yet strangely comforting, bed.
Day 2: Killing Fields, Royal Palace, and the Crushing Weight of History (Plus a Seriously Bad Mango Shake)
Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Okay, this is the "cultural" day. Went to the Killing Fields (Choeung Ek). Brutal. Devastating. I’m not even going to pretend to be able to describe the emotional impact properly. All I can say is, go. Listen to the audio tour. Be sad. Be silent. Cry if you need to (I did). Be changed, even just a little. I felt like an absolute jerk for even thinking about "authentic" before. This is the real deal.
(10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Back to the guesthouse for a shower, needed to wash off a few things that shouldn’t be, or shouldn't have been shared; a few tears and grief I hadn't intended to share. This whole "travel and self-discovery" thing? More like "travel and facing a whole lot of stuff you'd rather ignore."
(11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Royal Palace. Stunning. Gold, glitter, and enough bling to make Mr. T faint. Wandered around, gawking at the architecture and trying to look like I wasn't completely overwhelmed. Then I realized I couldn't remember what I had done. So many temples, and I couldn't remember where I had been.
(1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch. Big mistake. Ordered a "famous" mango shake. It was brown, watery, and tasted vaguely of cardboard. Seriously, the worst mango shake of my life. Actually, the worst drink of my life. Regrets.
(2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Wanted a massage, but I couldn't even figure out where to go. Just me, my sadness, and a terrible mango shake. Went back to the guesthouse and attempted to read. Failed. Needed a nap to reset myself before the day ended.
(4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Walked around the guesthouse. Found a market. Ended up shopping. Didn't want to come back empty-handed. I found a few cool shops!
(7:00 PM Onward): Dinner and drinks. Found this little restaurant, ordered a beer, and just watched the world go by. Felt a little less broken. Maybe I'm a better traveler than I thought?
Day 3: Departure: Goodbye, Phnom Penh! (And My Dignity, Probably)
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Woke up, packed (sort of). Found a cockroach in the bathroom. Didn't scream. Progress! Had breakfast. It was…edible.
(9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Said goodbye to the guy at the front desk. Probably won't remember my name. Who cares? Paid my bill, and gave him a big tip.
(10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Another chaotic tuk-tuk ride to the bus station. This time, I didn't cry. Just had a near-miss with a semi-truck that seemed to think I was the problem.
(11:00 AM Onward): On the bus! Leaving Phnom Penh. Felt like I'd survived something.
Final Thoughts:
RS II Guesthouse? It's a place, alright. Not fancy, not perfect, but real. Phnom Penh? It’s a city that will kick your butt and make you think. It’s beautiful, it’s sad, it’s crazy, and it's unforgettable. Would I go back? Absolutely. Maybe I'll actually learn to haggle next time. And for the love of all that is holy, I'm never drinking a mango shake again.
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RS II Guesthouse: Prepare to be... Well, Prepared (Or Maybe Not!) - Phnom Penh Unveiled!
(Because let's be honest, travel rarely goes as *planned*)
Okay, so RS II Guesthouse... What's the *vibe*, man? Is it all Instagram-worthy sunsets and Zen gardens, or...?
Alright, ditch the filters. RS II? It's... authentic. Think less manicured perfection, more "lived-in charm," bordering on "slightly chaotic but in a good way." Look, I went in with visions of serene breakfasts by a pool. And sure, they *have* a pool. It's... functional. Not exactly the turquoise oasis of my dreams, but hey, it's Phnom Penh! Dust in the air is practically a city-wide perfume. Don't expect crystal-clear anything. It's about the people, the location, the... let's call it "character." My first impression walking in? A guy in flip-flops, maybe the owner, was expertly haggling with a tuk-tuk driver. Instantly, I knew I was in the right place. This ain't no sterile chain hotel.
Location, location, location! Where is this supposed "oasis" hiding? Is it actually *hidden*?
"Hidden" is a relative term. It's off the main drag, which is a godsend, trust me. It’s tucked away down a little alley, which adds to the charm… and the potential for getting gloriously lost. Google Maps *mostly* gets you there. Mostly. Okay, so my first attempt? Let's just say I ended up face-to-face with a very curious (and rather large) street dog. He looked at me like "You lost?" Then, after a few more wrong turns, you'll be there. Right in the heart of the action, but peaceful enough to actually sleep. Perfect for my brain-fried after a day in Tuol Sleng.
The Rooms! Spill the beans! Are they… clean? (Asking for a friend... who is me.)
Clean? Alright, let's be real. Southeast Asia, right? It's not like a Swiss hotel. It's generally clean(ish). You're not gonna get a sterile, hospital-level scrub. Think more… “lived-in.” The bathroom? Well, shower pressure is a bit of a gamble. One day it's a raging waterfall; the next, a sad little trickle. Embrace the variability! Expect some wear and tear - you might see a tiny gecko scuttling up the wall (they eat the bugs, so, bonus!). The beds? Ah, the beds. Mine was… let's say "firm." But hey, after a day exploring those temples, I slept like a logging truck. Seriously, don't be expecting perfection. Expect a place to lay your weary head and recharge for the next adventure. That's it.
Food and Drink situation? Is it worth staying in for break fast?
Breakfast? Included, thankfully, because I'm a cheapskate! It typically involves fruit, toast, and eggs, or maybe some noodles on a good day. Don't expect Michelin-star quality. It's basic, but it gets the job done. Coffee? It's... Cambodian coffee. Strong. Very. It'll wake you up faster than a rooster on Red Bull. There are also a few little restaurants and street food vendors nearby. Actually, I should talk a bit more about the food. The noodles at that place just around the corner… pure magic. Forget the hotel breakfast. Go explore.
Okay, let's talk about the pool. Real talk. Is it...swim-able?
Ah, the pool. Right. I mentioned it, didn't I? Okay, here's the deal. It *is* there. It *is* filled with water. It *is* a refuge from the Phnom Penh heat. BUT... the water isn't always crystal clear. Sometimes there's a leaf or two floating around. Or a tiny bug. Or, on one particularly memorable occasion, what appeared to be a small frog. I swear I saw it wink at me. It's not a luxury pool resort pool. But it *is* a refreshing place to cool off after a day of dodging tuk-tuks and temples. And honestly? That's enough. I spent hours there, reading and drinking cheap beer from the mini-fridge. It's *relaxing*. Just don't expect a lap-swimming experience. More like a "flop-around-and-cool-down" experience. And that is perfect.
The staff! Are they friendly? Do they speak English? Any stories to share?
The staff are the heart and soul of the place. They’re incredibly friendly, helpful, and always have a smile. English? Not perfect, but good enough to understand you and handle your basic needs. There's this one woman, I think her name was Srey. She was an absolute sweetheart. She helped me arrange a tuk-tuk, gave me some amazing restaurant recommendations, and even remembered my coffee order after the first day. Honestly, she made the stay. She felt like a surrogate aunt. One day, I was trying to figure out how to get to the Killing Fields, looking totally lost, and she just took over. Got me the best deal on a tuk-tuk, and even made sure the driver knew where to go. Beyond helpful, beyond friendly. Beyond anything I expected.
What's the best thing about RS II?
Hands down? The overall vibe. The genuine, unpretentious atmosphere. It's not trying to be something it's not. It's a place where you can relax, unwind, and feel like you're actually experiencing Phnom Penh, not just observing it from behind a sterile hotel window. It's a place where you could be comfortable. And honestly, in a city as intense as Phnom Penh, that's worth its weight in gold.
What's the worst thing about it? Be honest!
Alright, the truth? The noise. It's in a busy area. Tuk-tuks beeping, motorbikes roaring, and yes, occasionally, the early morning calls to prayer from the nearby mosque. If you are a REALLY light sleeper, bring earplugs. You've been warned. And the internet, it wasn't the greatest... but hey, you're not here to be online, are you? (I mean, you are reading this, so...)
Would you go back?
