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Top Banana Guesthouse is situated on the top floor of a three-storey building on the corner of Pasteur (Street 51) and Street 278. It's a bit tricky to find, requiring you to climb up several steep, metal staircases that wind around the building, adding to the feeling once you're up there that you're hidden away from the chaos of the city with a bunch of like-minded friendly travellers. With a shaded and breezy rooftop terrace, this is a great place to escape the midday heat. The common area has a book-swap library with plenty of easy fiction reading material as well as several handy Southeast Asia guidebeooks, a computer, a fish tank, couches and a single hammock. There's also a TV with a DVD player, and if you turn left on the adjacent street 51, there's a shop selling DVDs for $1.50 each. Travelfish users rave about this being a top spot for meeting people and hanging out, and the staff here go all out to make this a top backpacker spot. The clean rooms, however, are basic, a bit cramped, and in need of a fresh coat of paint, The private air-con rooms look like they've been updated more recently and are more spacious. The location is handy to the Independence Monument and a bunch of restaurants. This is a fine, friendly alternative to the lake.
Contact details:
Corner St 51 & St 278, Phnom Penh. T: (012) 885 572
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* Travelfish researchers visit and review properties on an anonymous basis. By that we mean they show up, in person, and pretend to be either be a potential guest, or somebody looking for a room for a friend or relative. Where possible the researcher will inspect at least a couple of rooms. The rates you see above are what either the desk staff told us they were, or what were in the brochure when they just told us to quit bugging them and look in the brochure. For mid-range hotels and up, always shop around online for a competitive rate. Click here to find out more about what makes Travelfish different with regards our accommodation reviews.
Added to Travelfish on: 25th September, 2005
Last visited or updated on: 20th May, 2009
Cheap, Basic, Backpackerville - 7th May, 2010
Located in a good area with lots of restaurants and cafes around. The rooms were everything you would expect for the price - clean and basic, no frills. Place has a good atmosphere if you are looking to meet other backpackers and has a common area where there are usually people hanging around. The rooms off the common area may be noisy.
We paid $13US for a twin with AC in April 2010
Top Banana Guesthouse reviewed by simonandsheena on 7th May, 2010, rated
Stayed here 4/2010
Total reviews submitted: 16.
simonandsheena also reviewed: Ban To Guest House, Hanoi Gecko 2, Laem Thian Resort, Nam Ou Guesthouse and Restaurant, New Siam Guest House, Phoenix Hotel (HCMC), Phongsali Hotel, Sabaydee Guesthouse, Sarah Guest House, Sivilay / Silichith Guesthouse, Sports Hotel, Sunrise Guesthouse and Restaurant, Two Dragons Guesthouse, Viet Hoang Guest House, Viking Place Resort.
Good Value - 25th November, 2009
Stayed in a double room which was spacious and clean and good value at $7. The location was good, the streets are jam packed with restaurants and expats so you have to search a bit for a cheap bite! Head up to Independence Monument in the evening to see how some local famililes spend their time. When we stayed at Top Banana there were a lot of long term guests which does create a bit of a cliquey atmosphere up on the roof terrace but there is so much to do in Phnom Penh we didn't spend much time there anyway.
Top Banana Guesthouse reviewed by Sheenastar on 25th November, 2009, rated
Stayed here 11/2009
Total reviews submitted: 9.
Sheenastar also reviewed: Bodhi Villa, Botanica, Canh Tien, Kampot Guesthouse, Rikka Inn, Rosy Guest House, Sokdee Guest House, Thang Loi Resort.
Basic but clean - 12th June, 2008
We stayed in a double air con room which was really big - it actually had two double beds, it was basic but clean. The only problem was that it was on the second floor so we were away from everyone else and in order to get to the room you had to climb the stairs to the third floor and then walk back down another flight on the other side of the building. The rooftop terrace was really lovely though the crowd was a bit cliquey.
Top Banana Guesthouse reviewed by lulupepper on 12th June, 2008, rated
Stayed here 5/2008
Total reviews submitted: 2.
lulupepper also reviewed: Viroth's Hotel.
Nice and neat - 15th April, 2008
Stayed here a few nights and met some wonderful people. Staff were helpful and the rooms were very clean and affordable.
Top Banana Guesthouse reviewed by tony85 on 15th April, 2008, rated
Stayed here 2/2008
Total reviews submitted: 3.
tony85 also reviewed: Cloud 9, Sukhumvit Soi 1Backpackers Hostel.
Great room, vibe not so much - 30th January, 2008
Great room, great price but vibe did not live up to the expectation/reviews. However, the owner was away so maybe that had something to do with it. Also a young child there (relative I think), and I don't want to be too critical as perhaps she is a little autistic or similar, but she will just repeatedly kick/hit you (doesn't hurt but annoying); steal your beer and spit into it, and if her mum is not around to tell her off, what are you meant to do? We left the rooftop repeatedly when this occurred, so this means that the chill out zone upstairs is sometimes not that relaxing! As stated there might be a reason behind it and I feel bad for advising the above but if you are looking for the chilled out vibe it is good to know. We were really happy with the room though and staff were nice. Pretty good location near Independence Monument and close to Russian Market and Tuol Sleng. Definitely one of the cleanest and best value rooms I have had.
Top Banana Guesthouse reviewed by celianz on 30th January, 2008, rated
Stayed here 12/2007
Total reviews submitted: 11.
celianz also reviewed: D&D Inn, Halo, Julie Guest House, Mali Namphu, Okay Guest House, Rainbow Lodge, Thansila Resort, Tung Trang Hotel.
Wonderful place - 29th October, 2005
To me, this place is one of the only guesthouses which have kept the 'backpacker spirit'. Be prepared to meet a lot of friendly people from all around the world, play chess, eat great food and listen to good tunes! Another thing nice in Top Banana is the proximity of three key places: the Zombie bar downstairs (rock, cheap beer and strong pastis) ; the Setsara Thai restaurant, in front of the Zombie bar (amazing Thai and French dishes, friendly service, nice decor, good tunes); and the Boom Boom Room, next door to Zombie (CD, DVD, mp3 and clothes shop).
Top Banana Guesthouse reviewed by marco on 29th October, 2005, rated
Stayed here 10/2005
Total reviews submitted: 7.
marco also reviewed: Blissful Guesthouse, Veranda Natural Resort.
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