Ko Ru Resort
Great basic bungalows
What we say: 
Situated on what is by far the nicer of the two beaches on Bamboo Island, Ko Ru is a laid back, Western-managed resort. You'll forgive the guests at Ko Ru for not noticing that half the island's been bulldozed — they've been busy napping in the hammocks out front of the red, blue and green bungalows. Or occasionally slouching towards the restaurant, a massive octagonal lounging area with conical roof on the beach, where they congregate on pillows, drinking beers and listening to Blur. All bungalows have shared toilets, and showers are a public affair using well-water buckets. The stilted bungalows are clean and basic, with conical thatched roofs and electricity from 17:30 to midnight. They've been built as unobtrusively as possible, and are well-shaded. Each has two beds with thin mattresses lacking in top sheets (bring a sleep sack) but with mosquito nets and a private balcony with two hammocks, we're not complaining. The dormitory has eight sturdy bunk beds and at $3 a night, is good value for money. The shared bathrooms leave much to be desired but at least they, like all of the bungalows, are located right on the beautiful yellow-sand beach. As the generator is run only for several hours after sunset, Ru does not have much available by way of diversions during the day. Still, the sound of surf is enough for most travellers and is part of the attraction here. Bring a good book, settle into your hammock, and be prepared to doze in and out of wave-induced sleep for the better part of your days. Ko Ru's menu is mainly British/Western, with a few nice Asian dishes, minus a number of the more perishable items. Book at Ocean Walk Inn in Sihanoukville.
Contact details:
Koh Russei. T: (012) 388 860
What we were quoted
| Type of room | Low season | High season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorm Fan | 3 USD | 3 USD | |
| Bungalow fan share b'room | 12 USD | 15 USD |
Added to Travelfish on: 24th January, 2006
Last visited or updated on: 16th March, 2011
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Read Ko Ru Resort reviews
Rated 3.5 out of 5
Based on 4 ratings and 4 reviews
Five resorts now!
We decided to try Bamboo Island on a whim in a last-minute attempt to relax before returning home. It was heaven. It's not going to stay this way forever, as apparently there are plans to turn the island into a bazillion $ resort casino and promote the surf and turf tourism in Cambodia. So sad. The beaches are pristine, with none of the normal Asian garbage problem. We stayed at Bimbamboo, and although definitely considered basic accommodation, at US$12 a night it's the best you will find on the island. The front porches are the best features of these bungalows, but bring bug coils as the sand flies are relentless. The whole place has a laid-back, 'time doesn't exist' attitude and the majority of the travellers we met were having a difficult time leaving. The highlight was finding a gorgeous abandoned beach and enjoying a romantic afternoon with the boyfriend without being bothered by a single person.
Ko Ru Resort reviewed by jill21 (Total reviews: 1) on
Ko Ru Resort - Just relax
I stayed at Ko Ru Resort for four nights and liked it very much. Bungalows are basic wooden huts with two big beds and mosquito net. Electricity is available in the evening from a generator. Shared toilets and showers (with flowing cold water) where clean. Food is good and the beer cool. Staff is friendly and helpful. This place is basic but so relaxing. No one tries to sell you anything, no loud music mixing up from different bars, only a few other people. Best thing to do is stay at Sihanoukville for a few days first and when it starts to annoy you, go here. Lying on the beach, reading a book, enjoying the sun, taking a bath once in a while and just watching the time pass by, that’s what you can do here. In the evening a perfect sunset with a cool beer in the bar finishes the day. Booking is possible at the new Bar Ru on Ochheuteal Beach. That’s also the leaving point for the boat. Prices are 10$ for the boat (return) and 10$ per night for a bungalow (there are 10 Bungalows now). PS: I did not see any soldiers there.
Ko Ru Resort reviewed by Iridius (Total reviews: 1) on
Bamboo Island and Coaster's
Hi, my name is Roel and i am from Holland. We just came back from Cambodia and we had a wonderfull holiday. Execpt at one place: Coasters and Bamboo Island. Please let me tell the story in short. We arrived at Saturday. Everything was ok, friendly owner and manager. They helped us great with some things. We stayed there only one night because the next day we wanted to go to Bamboo Island. Coasters has some cottages there and on the internet it looks perfect. Room at Coasters was ok, nothing spectacular, just ok. We went to the island. The bungalows are nothing more then some wood and leaves from a palmtree, with a bed made from trees and a small mattress to sleep on and a mosquito net and two towels. This was very basic. I am quite an experienced traveller but this was too basic. No warm water, no flowing cold water, no electricity (from 6 to 10 pm there was a small generator that made a lot of noise), no clean toilet facilities, no clean showers, the water that came out the shower was
Ko Ru Resort reviewed by Roel (Total reviews: 2) on
Yes
There are two places to stay on Ko Russei Island. Bamboo Beach Bungalows and, on the other side of the island,(10 minutes walk) Ko Ru Resort. I stayed at Ko Ru Resort for two nights and at bamboo Beach Bungalows for one week. For peace and quiet, swimming and children (bathing in the sea is much safer at bamboo beach resort ) food and especially tranquility BBbungalows rules. It's true the bungalows are more rustic here but that part becomes very enjoyable. Also they are cheaper. I paid $7 daily reduced to $5 because I stayed 6 nights. Ko Ru Resort is great for long beach walks and sunset but the military are building a barracks right behind the dome restaurant area and the soldiers were a little too visible for my liking. They drink a lot of local wine which seems to make them deaf. Also the dome which is quite big is lobsided and looks like it might fall ( it will ) some night. The boss and staff at Ko Ru resort are mainly foreign whereas bamboo beach resort is all Khmer staff. Kim the manager is a wonderful warm funny great chef Khmer. Try her peanut curry....oooohhh They also have a boat to visit the adjacent islands. I felt more at home here. I hope this place is not destroyed by mass tourism but I think I will be very sad if I return here in 5 or 6 years. Catch it while you can.
Ko Ru Resort reviewed by takiev (Total reviews: 2) on