Five Things To Do In Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, Cambodia has a lot to offer tourists and expats. Below are five things to do once you've gotten bored of hanging out at the beach.

1. Win or lose some money at a local casino

For Khmers at least gambling is illegal in Cambodia. Regardless of the legalities, as money making luck would have it, there are a few fancy hotels that have casinos attached to them. From the outside, it can be hard to work out if that fancy hotel has a casino or not but if you look for either a sign that says “Casino” (not many do), or gaudy landscaping, you will probably be in the right place.

Inside, the casino pretty much looks like a casino anywhere in the world. But smaller. Cameras and using your mobile phone to take photos are not allowed. We had a security man come over and ask us to delete the photos that we took. He even checked our camera.

Apart from that, there are a number of different tables to play including poker, blackjack and roulette. Slot machines were also available. They made just as much noise as they do back in an Australian casino.  The costs were quite reasonable, from 10c USD for the slot machine to tables of $25 USD.

Although we didn't get anything, apparently if you play at the casino long enough, your drinks will be free. Handy.

2. Eat a blue cheese and bacon burger at the Beach Club Resort

We previously mentioned how good the blue cheese and bacon burgers were in our Beach Club Resort review. They are so good that you should go there even if you aren't staying at the Resort.

The burger is not just beef mince in a bun, it is more than that. A perfectly seasoned beef patty topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, a massive chunk of blue cheese and delicious Cambodian bacon. All served with perfectly fired potato wedges and home made aioli. Oh my!

If you come for lunch and spend $6 USD on the burger you can spend all day lounging by the sparkling clean pool and using the extremely fast wifi. A really good burger is a rare thing in Cambodia.

3. Get waxed at Relax Massage and Beauty Spa

When you have been on the road for a long time you tend to forget about the normal girly maintenance that you normally go through before heading to a pool or a beach. Luckily for the residents of Sihanoukville and the tourists that come here, Relax Massage and Beauty offer a reasonably cheap waxing service.

An eyebrow wax will set you back $3.00 USD, under arm for $5.00 USD, full leg wax for $22.00 USD and a brazilian wax for $10.00 USD. All very reasonable.

If you prefer to not be waxed, you can also be massaged, manicured, pedicured and have a facial.  Relax Massage and Beauty has a spa at the Beach Club Resort as well as on the main road heading towards Ochheuteal Beach in Sihanoukville.

4. Eat at Sandan Restaurant

Sandan Restaurant is a training venue. Young adults are trained in both the kitchen and on the floor to gain invaluable experience to help them gain employment in the hospitality industry.

Sandan Restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 9pm. From the moment you walk into the restaurant until you leave, you will be graced with smiles and happy staff who are happy to be there to provide the best service they can.

The food and drink menu on offer may be a little expensive compared to the rest of the Sihanoukville but the meals are truly sensational. Perfectly prepared and cooked. Delicious!

5. The Annual Sihanoukville Poker Run

If you are visiting Sihanoukville at the end of August, you can take part in this awesome event. Many of the local businesses and expats get together for the annual Poker Run.  This is its fifth year running. Pretty impressive!

Tickets are $10 USD per person. People meet up at a bar or restaurant and receive their first poker card while enjoying drinks and sometimes food and entertainment. After a while, they move on to another establishment where they get their next card along with more food, drink and entertainment. And so on until the last establishment is reached and the poker hands are played and prizes awarded. There are some great prizes to be won and the chance to meet some awesome people.

If you are in the area, do check out the annual Sihanoukville Poker Run. Check out the Sihanoukville Poker Run facebook page for more information.