Arcadia Backpackers, a hostel outside Kampot town

What kind of place it is

Arcadia is a hostel rather than a guesthouse, and it is built around the idea of travellers hanging out together. You can choose between dorm beds and private rooms, and there is a communal kitchen if you want to cook for yourself.

The centrepiece is the pool area, which includes a waterpark. For many guests that is the reason to stay here instead of in town.

Getting there and where it sits

The hostel is outside the centre of Kampot, about 10 minutes away by tuk-tuk. That gap matters in practice. You get a calmer setting away from town traffic, but every trip to a restaurant, bar or the riverside means arranging a ride.

Tip: ask your tuk-tuk driver to take you by name, or open the Google Maps link below, so you do not end up at the wrong place on the way out of town.

What guests say

Reviews on Tripadvisor describe the hostel as covering what a backpacker needs. Travellers single out the unusual setting and the friendly staff, and one reviewer called it an "unreal place to spend a holiday". The travel blog Matt's Next Steps describes it as a good fit for backpackers and partygoers who want a fun but relaxed atmosphere.

Who it suits

• Budget travellers who want a social hostel with a pool.
• Groups and solo backpackers looking to meet others over a few days.
• Visitors who are happy to take a short tuk-tuk ride into town and back.

If you would rather walk to cafés and the river each evening, a place in town will be more convenient.

Prices

According to Tripadvisor, the average nightly rate for a standard room is relatively affordable. No exact figures are given here, so check the current rate and room types on the hostel's own website or Facebook page before booking.