La passion by Achariyak

You arrive to sit in a reception with fetid empty/ broken fountains with cement pots .
Easy fix 1, fill them in and plant with the copious lush vegetation from the island.
You get to the room with dead plants in a flower pot….
Toilet seat all a bit past its sell by date and needs replacing.
Wooded floor everywhere rotting with exposed nails…. You must always wear footwear.
Bikes all broken and low tyres … plenty of staff around, just get some one to maintain them once a week.
Drinks 3 x the most expensive hotels we stayed in at Siem Reap and Phom Phen. Food also most expensive in Cambodia.
No decent coffee for breakfast , you have to pay $4 each for a coffee. Bad business model, we voted to not spend a penny more at the hotel but walk down the beach instead.
Staff uniforms all old and a bit grubby, sums up the place really. It’s all a bit sad and its tea had its peak and is gradually becoming ever tired and in need of a refurb , review of its pricing . If priced right we could have spent $100 on food etc but instead they get nothing, really not sustainable and I expect without a buy out or injection of money this place will close in a matter of years . Very very sad as it has so much potential and lots of quick cheap easy solutions to improve. Hope the passion comes back one day . It’s currently like a jilted lover , left to cope alone.

The hotel is right on the beach, with a fantastic view. The rooms in the resort are lovely, and we had our own plunge pool on the terrace. The restaurant serves a good variety of lovely food, and the staff are friendly and professional. There is a good sized swimming pool too.
We stayed for a week and did a variety of activities, including a boat trip, walking to a sunset viewpoint, and visiting the other beaches on the island. Everything was amazing and we absolutely loved it.

We stayed here for 4 nights and have mixed feelings about our stay.

Pros
The resort and pool are very nice, one of the nicest and cleanest pools I have seen on the island
Good options for sun loungers on the beach and by the pool
The staff are friendly
Good pick up from the pier
Room was clean and nice bathroom - went for a room with a private pool
Mini mart next to hotel and good location for eating in other restaurants

Cons
We were supposed to have early check in from 11 and on arrival at 2 (which is their normal check in) we were told our room wouldn’t be ready for another 45 minutes. Multiple other guests in the same position. Nothing done to make up for this.
The food and drink are quite overpriced compared to other restaurants and hotels on the island - the standard didn’t really make up for the price difference and this was reflected in the lack of atmosphere in the restaurant in the evenings.
The resort encouraged communication through WhatsApp but they would not reply regularly on this and was a bit pointless.
Good selection of breakfast food but a lot of flies landing on everything that wasn’t covered including a lot of the fresh items eg. Pastries
The beds are completely rock solid, we are a couple in our mid 20s and following our 4 nights have both found our backs are quite sore
Majorly, for our check out we confirmed with the reception our departure boat at 9:30 from soon neung pier. We were advised to check out at 8:30 and they would transport us. We then sat for 40 minutes before being picked up however we quickly realised the tractor was taking us to the wrong pier. Had to jump off the moving tractor in to the sea to stop the driver to get our bags to return to the hotel. They did organise the right pick up eventually however it was much more stressful than necessary when we also had a flight to catch after our boat.

Overall this is a nice hotel but agree with other comments that is is overpriced. It was the most we spent on any hotel throughout our travels in Cambodia. The walkways are falling apart and could become quite dangerous - broken floorboards exposed nails etc.

So - the good bits:
We had the 'executive room with pool' - good size room, pool and outside seating area - got the late afternoon sun. Great bathroom (too big really and the space would have been better utilised in the bedroom for more storage for clothes, suitcases). Clean
Nice grounds
Very peaceful location
Beautiful beach and sea
Loved walking along the beach and eating/drinking in the different bars - great vibe, very relaxed
Able to walk across the island to Lazy Beach and Sunset Beach (daytime only - wouldn't attempt in the dark!)

The not so good bits:
Hotel not maintained - scruffy. Sunbed mattresses dirty. Towels and linens worn out - we had to ask for our bed to be changed as soon as we checked in because there was a tear in the bedsheet.
Breakfast - very limited choice - only one variety of juice each day. Eggs not cooked to order but batch cooked and under hot lamps, No fresh tea or coffee - stewing in jugs on hot plates. I asked for a mint tea and was told I'd be charged extra! Yet lots of staff all standing around who could have served fresh brewed drinks as well as clearing tables
Transfer to and from public ferry by small motor boat - be prepared to wade into and out of the sea with your luggage! Romantic but not explained in advance. And when we left it was windy and the sea was very choppy so we went to the ferry jetty by tractor - no communication, assistance from the hotel staff
Fridge in room but no mini bar (so we went and stocked up on beers from the little mart next door) - wasted revenue opportunity
No offer of drinks when you're by the beach or pool - again wasted revenue
We never ate at the hotel - food expensive and unappetising - again wasted revenue
Three times went to reception to ask for advice - e.g. how to privately hire a boat for a snorkelling trip - staff unable to respond, help
Plastic litter on the beaches is a problem everywhere, sadly. Other islands invest in cleaning regularly and disposing - not evident on Koh Rong Sanloem - me and other tourists picked up litter as we walked along the beaches

This is not a four star hotel, it's such a shame as with better management, it could be amazing.......

The hotel has a serious issue of inherit bad design , lack of maintainence and serious staff service issue.

We stayed at the rooom with pool. I don’t know how they did it but the pool is totally blocked off from sunshine and it’s so cold that we can’t event get in fully.

Maintainence is very worn out, and it’s just not what a pleasurable experience.

Staff service quality is horrible. We asked for boat trip to see blue plankton and nothing was seen the captain just drove us out in the middle of the sea and gave us some fishing lines (not rods). It’s arranged by the hotel and ended up washing our whole evening.

Lastly , we smoked in the balcony just simply becuase there was an ashtray inside the room and we didn’t like smoking in where we sleep. The hotel wanted to fine us when they haven’t said it’s prohibited. Why would they put an ashtray if it’s not allowed?

On the day of our departure and we had strict boat departures, their hotel caddy said will arrive at 0740 and ended up it never came even until 0810, which is 30 minutes later. Let’s assume it never came, since we waited until we could wait any more.

The experience is absolutely worst experience in my life after I have stayed at maybe over 100 resorts all over the world and being in the industry myself too.

This stay experience simply ruined my vacation experience. Never recommending to anyone.

La Passion doesn’t have Management that show Passion! The staff are trying there best but with no support from management that you never see, they have no chance of turning this property into what it should be.

Left at the pier known one to help us with our bags, I had to walk, even though notified of our arrival. It’s 3 star not 4, not enough sunbeds, sunbeds broken, all the cabana beds are broken, not enough beach/pool towels for customers, rubbish left in bins overflowing for our entire 5 day stay, no security so anyone can effectively come in. Breakfast is basic, they cannot cook eggs. There isn’t enough staff so everything is slow.

I really want this property to succeed. If management cared for their staff and the property these things could be fixed very quickly. The staff need help from management.

I like the rooms, the cleaning team in the rooms do a great job. The staff are all very friendly and nice and doing their best.

For the price point I would consider other properties until the management sort out the problems they have been told about time and time again…

We stayed over the New Year period in the resort. Overall we enjoyed our stay. The rooms were clean and comfortable, but several items were missing upon arrival (for instance safe deposit box) and there is no shelves to put your cloths. Breakfast was nice considering we were on a island, but fruits selection could be more varied. The main issue were that the premises are poorly maintained. For instance several wooden pathways were broken and not properly fixed. The bicyles, very useful to go around the resort, are in very poor condition. Some pool showers were not working well. The beach towels looked old and were not sufficient, same as lounge chairs and sunshades. Cushion were missing on the sofas in the bar where service was slow. There seems to be a lack of training among staff, although they are very nice and friendly. Level of English need to be improved. The New Year'Eve party was a festive event and well organized, but way too expensive - US $ 140.- per person. With a little bit of effort, the resort could really look the way it is presented on the website. Finally what shocked us most on the beautiful island of Koh Rong Sanloem, was the plastic everywhere. The hotel management team could organise with the other hotels some cleaning garbage day in order to raise awarness to this issue.

The hotel’s location is fantastic—situated right on the beach. The staff was generally friendly and attentive, and communicating with them via WhatsApp was both convenient and efficient. The breakfast offered a wide variety of choices and was good, and the boat trip was one of the highlights of our stay.

However, the management team left a negative impression, appearing either disorganized or intentionally misleading. They insisted that the expensive New Year Gala party was mandatory, requiring us to book party before checking in. We later found out that attendance was actually optional.

Otherwise, the rooms were generally clean and spacious. However, our villa seemed incomplete, with missing mirrors and bedside edges that appeared unfinished.

Slightly reminded me of my visits to club med without the noise , sport options and go’s . Spread over a large piece of land some rooms are close to the main bldg others not , we were just 2 minutes away . Nice swimming pool with view on a nice beach . Rooms are large as is bathroom and pretty . Tv in room without any channels but YouTube is available . Breakfast is good but repetitive no or hardly anything changed at the food served during our stay .
Staff is friendly and some speak English but most do not .
very negative are following issues . After docking at the pier coming from the mainland we were picked up by hotel staff . We were escorted , 6 guests , to a small and very old wooden boat full of water . Transported to the hotel , where we had to jump in the water before reaching hotel lobby . Other very annoying issue was the check out procedure and this has never happened in any other hotel before . Hotel staff telling me their bank does not permits them to accept credit cards . When I refused to pay they requested a real credit card I replied I only have them on my phone electronically ( not true ) . Then staff permitted me to pay using my electronic credit card and guess what my payment was confirmed instantly . What a waist of time such staff I just wonder who gave them instructions to play mind games . Hotel manager could be a little more friendly . Sir you were in the same boat with us going back to mainland Cambodia not a word ushered even not during our stay .

The resort was like paradise. The service was fabulous. The rooms were clean and luxurious. The food was amazing. The beach was our front yard and beautiful. Our backyard was hiking to the breathtaking Lazy Beach! Can’t wait to go back! Thank you for your hospitality.

This is an incredible place to stay and from the point you are met from the boat to checking in you feel like your in paradise, though this is more from the island than just La Passion.

The staff are wonderful, polite and helpful. They offer a buggy service that you can message to pick you up from your room and bring you to the pool or restaurant, though it’s not a long walk either and walking through the trees is nice.

We only ate breakfast in the resort, which had options to cater for every taste. Cleary the resort is pitching itself at the highest end and has prices to match, a beer is $4 and water is $5 whereas you can just walk down the beach 100m and get the same for $1.

Probably not the best place for a family stay but the staff did a great job of playing badminton and volleyball with them in the beach.

The wooden walkways need some serious attention though. A large number of them are rotten and managed to put my foot through a couple of them, as did my children, luckily no injuries sustained.

Stayed two nights, as part of our Cambodia holiday and wish we had stayed for longer. We just loved this unique island, and La Passion Resort.

Absolutely stunning resort. Location, location, location! Gorgeous beach and pool - very relaxing. Rooms were spotlessly clean and set in the most beautiful gardens. Staff were very helpful and did everything to make us feel at home. Meals, drinks and service were excellent.
We really enjoyed our tractor trailer ride to Lazy Beach - more fun than traffic.

Special hello to Mani and Reaksa, lovely meeting you and thanks for looking after us so well in your beautiful country.

Unfortunately we didn’t stay at this resort but we wished we did.
We took a tour of the whole place and it’s beautiful and up market compared to other resorts on this side of the island.
We ate dinner at the restaurant and had the best meal of our week. Beautiful tables, bar, pool, food and cocktails.
The kitchen is visible and spotless, the food was delicious.
Thank you to the Manager Amaury for taking the time to take us through this lovely place.
It will definitely be our next place to stay when we return.

This was our first visit to the island, and we were not disappointed. The island is currently undergoing significant construction, and it is likely to undergo further changes in the next 5 years. However, at present, it remains a truly idyllic destination. The sea and beach are absolutely stunning, with soft white sand and turquoise waters.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a welcome drink, and the check-in process was efficient and hassle-free. We were then escorted to our room by a buggy. The room met our expectations and was clean, though not spotless. Considering it is a 4-star accommodation in Cambodia, the cleanliness level was satisfactory. The fridge worked well enough to keep our beers cold, and water was restocked every day.

The local cuisine served at the restaurant was excellent, albeit at a premium price. This is understandable as it is the top resort on the island. The tempura prawns and spring rolls make for delicious poolside snacks. The pizza is also a good option for children who prefer familiar food. The beers are chilled, and the coffee is of decent quality, both perfect for enjoying by the pool. The cocktails in the evening were quite enjoyable overall and reasonably priced.

The chalet was spacious enough for two adults and a toddler, making our 4-night stay comfortable, especially since we didn't spend much time in the room. It looks just like the photos and is well-maintained, as are most areas of the resort. Some parts are undergoing maintenance and could use some attention, but nothing too off-putting for a reasonable traveler, considering the price.

We certainly were not disappointed with La Passion, but did feel that with some improvements and more focus on the details it could be improved to an exceptional resort.

Now, onto the negative points. Hopefully, they address these points and stay on top of the upkeep of the resort.

• The uncovered breakfast food attracts many flies, failing to meet basic food hygiene standards. This must be addressed. I noticed a previous review mentioning this issue months ago, yet no action has been taken.

• The cabanas around the pool lack sun shades, which is unacceptable for a resort boasting the best pool on the island. This issue needs immediate attention; otherwise, they may as well replace the cabanas with sun loungers and umbrellas.

• The fountains at the resort entrance are not functioning, and if they won't be fixed, the stagnant water should be removed, and the area repurposed.

• Resorts like this should avoid using plastic straws, polystyrene containers, and plastic bags, it just adds to the pollution.

• The reception area urgently requires a fan as it gets uncomfortably hot, especially for guests waiting for boat transfers.

• It would also be appreciated if staff offered poolside service, as no one ever checked if we needed anything. The staff never cleared away used dishes and glasses from the pool are either, even when delivering a new order.

• Lastly, it would be a nice touch if drinking water was automatically offered when ordering food, rather than having to request it or purchase a plastic bottle.

Great location with infinity swimming pool and restaurant overlooking the beach. Friendly and helpful staff. Good breakfast, comfortable room. Easy walk to the other side of the island to snorkel, renting the snorkel etc. from the padi office at the hotel. Plenty of bars/restaurants with lively evening entertainment and places to book activities (the trip to swim with the bioluminescent plankton at night is amazing and highly recommended!) along the beach. A lovely relaxing hotel to stay on the island.

Truly an island paradise. La Passion is definitely the nicest resort in this area of the island (though we also liked Sara resort). It’s located about midway between the 2 ferry piers, so be sure to arrange transport with resort a couple days in advance. We tried calling/emailing earlier the same day of arrival & got no response or pickup. Thankfully another resort boat gave us a lift for $5. Otherwise you’d be stuck trapesing your luggage 20 mins down the hot sandy beach. Husband ended up getting sick while there (unrelated to our food/stay), so my experience of the island is limited, but here are some details. Between the 2 ferry piers, I think Passion is 1 of 3 resorts with a pool (others are Sara & Eden), Passion’s was the nicest - infinity pool next to the sea with lovely cabanas and loungers. More loungers on the sand. There was no race to claim loungers (as I’ve experienced in Hawaii), plenty to go around. It’s a massive property. There’s a nice bar & restaurant adjacent to the pool / loungers with western & Asian options. Fruit smoothies, espresso drinks, and cocktails were top notch (about $5 each). All of the accommodations are located well inland and slightly uphill, so it’s a bit of a walk back & forth. Our room was 100m back. It’s all paved walkways and they golf cart you there initially. Rooms share walls and lack soundproofing. Others complained of garbage on the beach, we saw one stretch of littered beach, but otherwise almost none. Overall highly recommend!

The infinity pool is absolutely stunning; a wonderful place to spend the day.