Lub d Hostel, Siem Reap

Location

Wat Bo area with good access to the Old Market and Pub St. There’s plenty of eating and drinking nearby.

Review

One of the most interesting accommodation developments in recent years in Vietnam and Cambodia has been the emergence of fancy, internationally owned, backpacker accommodations. The days when backpackers stayed in small dubious dumps might be coming to an end.

Lub’d’s a Thai company and they seem to be expanding across the region.

The concept is sociable, fun, backpacker and flashpacker digs. I was probably among the older of the punters when I stayed - but I wasn’t made to feel too out of place. Travellers are attracted to the party, the social scene and the predictable experience. This is not adventure travel.

They offer dorm rooms as well as small but well designed private rooms.

Photo: Mark Bowyer Lub d Hostel, Siem Reap

Photo: Mark Bowyer Lub d Hostel, Siem Reap

I took a private room. It was priced in the same range as rooms in some nice standard hotels around town - it’s a competitive space. While the room was small (17sqm), it was properly thought out and was fine for my needs.

The dorm rooms looked clean and well planned too - but I’m not completely clear on the value proposition here for groups of 2 or more travellers. There are lots of good budget accommodations around town. The dorm rooms have 10 beds.

From the activity we spotted there, it looks like large numbers of travellers would prefer to do the dorm thing and the party, than be in a private room in a budget hotel. Lub d was busy.

Travellers are mainly drawn to places like Lub’d for the social interaction. It’s a real traveller hub with big common areas, a swimming pool, a cafe, bar and restaurant. There’s a generic but welcoming vibe that will appeal - especially for young backpackers looking to meet other travellers. It could be anywhere.

There is a co-working space attached too.

Disclosure
Rusty Compass listings are always independent. We recommend the places we think you should know about. That’s it. We paid our way during our stay at Lub’d and no money changed hands for this listing. Lub’d did not respond to our request for information about environmental initiatives and other background.