Battambang · Cambodia
Social Backpacker Hostel & Rooftop Bar
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Hostelworld
This was the cheapest I had ever seen a Mad Monkey Hostel so I finally decided to book one. It was a great experience. The staff were all great, specially Malis and Sola gave great tours and were very friendly anytime I’d see them around the hostel after that. The vibe is great with tons of other travelers hanging out all day. However, I did find bed bugs on my last day. But the staff took it seriously, washed all my clothes and steamed my belongings, and even gave me a free meal after.
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Stayed here for 2 nights which was far too long! The hostel was absolutely filthy, the room had a horrible smell and there were no lockers or keys to the room so anyone could walk in. Don’t stay here unless you enjoy using Chat GPT to decipher the difference between a mosquito bite or a bed bug bite.
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Confirmed Hostelworld
The aircon did not work, and it 40 degree weather meant we did not sleep at all. There was bed bugs, the bathrooms smelt awful but you get what you pay for. It is very cheap. Only thing that was good was the lovey host who was very helpful with booking transport and the tours - the rest of the staff spoke no english which made it impossible to order food and ask questions.
Vibe Analysis
Social Backpacker Hostel & Rooftop Bar is a cheap, family-run Battambang base with a rooftop that does a lot of the heavy lifting: food, drinks, family dinners, and a chill place to meet other travellers when the hostel has enough energy in the building. The location is central, close to the market, river, shops, restaurants, tuk-tuk drivers, and easy walking around town. The full-day tour can be a strong part of the stay, and scooter rental may be available for exploring independently. There is also a secondhand or vintage clothes shop connected to the hostel, which gives the place a more handmade, local-family feel than a polished chain setup. Rooms are basic but often good value, with comfy beds, air conditioning in many cases, and simple dorm or private options. Food is a real plus here: rooftop meals, family dinner, cheap drinks, and dishes like lok lak and tofu lok lak give the hostel more personality than just a low-price bed. This is not a slick hostel. The building can feel old, bathrooms are a recurring weak spot, and the social vibe can swing between friendly and quiet depending on who is around. Pick it for budget, rooftop dinners, central location, and local-family warmth; skip it if spotless bathrooms, reliable facilities, and polished systems matter more than price.
Signals to check
- Bathrooms can be rough, with limited showers, wet-room layouts, weak pressure, cold water, or cleanliness issues.
- Laundry is risky here; missing or damaged clothing has happened more than once.
- The building can feel old, dusty, or partly unfinished, and renovation noise may happen.
- The rooftop and family dinners can be social, but the hostel can also feel quiet or understaffed at times.
- Room security and comfort may vary, including lock issues, basic beds, insects, smells, or limited bathroom access.