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Kep City Destination Guide
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Kep City Destination Map
Kep City
The French established Kep City during the colonial time in 1908. Today Kep is mainly popular to the domestic tourists, who choose Kep as their holiday destination. What's more, Kep offers great seafood and magnificent views of the mountains and the beaches. Taking a boat to the nearby islands is also a breathtaking experience. Another itinerary, which must not be missed, is an excursion to the serene waterfalls of 'Tuk Chhou" situated about 10 km from Kampot. Kep City is located in the Southwest of Phnom Penh. The city is accessible by the National Road No 3 from Phnom Penh via Kampot province (173 km) or by the National Road No 2 from Phnom Penh via Takeo province.
Especially during the Sixties, during the time of Sang Kum Reas Ni Yum the city was developed as a beautiful seaside tourist resort for the rich and government. The story related to the name of Kep said that there was a king named Sa Kor Reach, who had a mighty spell. He put a sleeping spell on a commander at AngKor Thum, than stole the commander's white horse and fled together with his troop to the Southwestern seaside. When he took a rest at the seaside, he was overhauled by the commander's troops, who chased him from behind. Suddenly, he got on the horseback; the horse reared, and made him fall down on the ground together with the saddle. Then, he got on the horseback again and fled away without picking up the saddle, because the commander's troops almost approached him. So that’s why this area was called ' Kep Seh ' meaning ' the saddle ', nowadays it’s only called ' Kep '.
- Where To Stay
- Dining Out
- Shopping
The Beach House: (tel: 012/240090)
The Beach House is located on Kep Beach and features stylish rooms with air-con, hot water, satellite TV, and fridge with an en suite bathroom with 24-hour electricity and 24-hour security. A large balcony overlooks the ocean with spectacular sunsets in the evenings. Including a swimming pool with spa and a restaurant and full bar. A meeting room is also available. Prices: from $30 to $45.
Veranda Bungalows and Resort: (tel: 012/888619)
A quite hidden place with fan and air-con bungalows set back on the hill. En suite bathrooms with hot water and 24 hour electricity. Restaurant and full bar on a terrace with comfortable seating and a spectacular sunset view of the see. Prices: from $20 to $60.
Le Bout du Monde: (tel: 011/996980)
Set back on a smaller mountain with a nice view of the ocean and sunsets, this atmospheric place offers a traditional Khmer wooden house with rooms equipped with a bathroom and there is a restaurant and full bar. Prices: from $5 to $15.
Champey Inn Range: (tel: 012/489125)
This is likely the finest accommodation in Kep. You’ll find NC and fan bungalows with stylish decor in a garden setting overlooking the ocean. The rooms include satellite TV, electricity and hot water all day round. You can also relax in the swimming pool. The owner offers special tours. Restaurant: French fare with an emphasis on seafood and a big wine selection. Pleasant open air seating a stone's throw from the ocean, and stylish indoor seating. Prices: from $40 to $60.
Kep Seaside Guesthouse: (tel: 012/684241 )
This place is one of the best budget beachside accommodations. It features large breezy rooms with a bath and air-con/fan. It’s located right on the ocean’s edge with a full frontal view, but unfortunately there isn’t a real sandy beach here. Prices: from $5 to $10.
Vanna Bungalows: (tel: 012/755038)
New, quality constructed bungalows on the hillside with a fantastic view overlooking the ocean. Restaurant with home cooked Cambodian food. (TR the Amok.) Western food is also available. The dinning area is large enough for functions/ meetings. Prices: from $3 to $7.
Kep's most popular tourist activity is having a fresh seafood picnic on the waterfront. The road opposite Kep Beach is lined with picnic platforms. Just rent a mat or find an empty platform and the vendors will present you fresh, sometimes still alive crabs, prawns, squid and fish from which you can choose. Be clear about how much food you want and the cost before they begin to prepare your meal. All of the other restaurants/bars in Kep are connected to the guesthouses.
The Crab Market:
The Crab Market in Kep is a perfect place to get all your seafood. There are plenty of small cosy restaurants which line the shore where you can eat and drink while watching the fishermen bring in their catch. Best time to pop in is for the magnificent sunset. All the seafood is fairly fresh! Ask for the Crab Curry or for the delicious stingray! Prices are quite reasonable. Enjoy it!
The Beach House: (tel:012/240090)
This restaurant offers a large selection of reasonably priced and tasty Western and Khmer food. Large range of fresh seafood. The full bar (including cappuccino machine) has a fantastic selection of fresh fruit juices and lots of cocktails. E.g. try the Teenycolada, an alcohol free cocktail!
Vanna Bungalows: (tel:012/755038)
The restaurant features lovely home cooked Khmer food with a big range of seafood. Western food is also available. The large dinning area can accommodate large groups as you may come with a bunch of people starving for fresh seafood.
Kep Beach Guesthouse: (tel: 012/820831)
This place offers a smaller range of food, but has a nice surrounding as it sits right next to the shore. The food is very delicious and comes at reasonable prices. The fresh prawns with Kampot pepper is a dish you shouldn’t miss here. It’s opened until 9:30pm.
Star Inn: (tel: 011/765999)
The restaurant is located opposite of the major beach just right next to all the small bamboo shacks. It features a rooftop restaurant serving Khmer and Western food including seafood. There is also a stylish separate beachfront bar overlooking Kep Beach. The prices are upscale.
