Mad Monkey Phnom Penh: A Digital Nomad's Honest Review (2024)

Stepping out of Phnom Penh International Airport after a long flight, the wall of humid air hit me like a physical force. As a freelance web developer from the US who’s been traveling Southeast Asia for the past year, I was on the hunt for a cost-effective base in Phnom Penh. High on my list was reliable internet for those crucial video calls, a good social scene to avoid work-from-hotel-room burnout, and a chance to dive into Cambodian culture. Mad Monkey Phnom Penh was on my radar, but would it deliver? Here's my honest Mad Monkey Phnom Penh review from a digital nomad's perspective.

First Impressions: Location, Location, Location

Mad Monkey is nestled in a bustling area, a constant hum of tuk-tuks vying for attention is audible at nearly all times of the day and night. It’s not exactly a quiet, residential neighborhood, but that energy is part of Phnom Penh's charm. The location is a mixed bag. It’s about a 15-minute walk to Brown Coffee, which many expats swear by for its Wi-Fi (a crucial factor for me, as I’ll explain later). Thankfully, there are many other coffee shops within a 5-10 minute radius. Lucky Laundry on Street 136 is about a 10-minute walk and offers affordable laundry services which helped keep my backpack smelling fresh. For late-night snack cravings, the Circle K on the corner of Street 51 is a lifesaver and just a few minutes away.

The light in the early evening is beautiful; it filters through the buildings, casting long shadows and giving everything a warm glow. The area feels safe enough to walk around at night, though I always kept my wits about me, as you would in any major city.

Sleeping Arrangements: Dorms vs. Private Rooms

Mad Monkey offers both dorms and private rooms. I initially opted for a dorm to save money and meet people.

• Dorms: The dorms were pretty standard, with bunk beds and lockers. A huge plus was that each bed had its own power outlet, essential for keeping my devices charged. The Wi-Fi signal in the dorm was decent, but it fluctuated depending on how many people were online, peaking at 20 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload. This made my video calls a gamble at times, but more on that later. Noise levels varied. During the day, it was generally quiet enough to work, but evenings could get noisy with people socializing.
• Private Rooms: After a few nights in the dorm, I considered a private room for better focus. A private room would run you around $35 per night, but the privacy and guaranteed quiet may be worth it depending on how much video conferencing you need to do. For a week-long stay, it would cost $245 (USD), and for a month, $1050 (USD). This is an option worth considering if you can swing it, or maybe only need to upgrade during the busiest work weeks.

Daily Expenses: Breaking Down the Cost of Living

As a digital nomad on a budget, knowing the daily expenses is crucial. Here's a breakdown based on my experience in Phnom Penh:

• Accommodation at Mad Monkey:
  • Dorm: $8 - $12 per night
  • Private Room: $30-$40 per night
• Food:
  • Local Restaurant: A meal at a local restaurant near the hostel can cost around $3 - $5. Romdeng, known for its authentic Khmer cuisine (including, yes, fried tarantulas), has average price points of $7-$10 per dish.
  • Groceries: If you prefer to cook some of your own meals, groceries from Orussey Market can be very affordable. You can easily get ingredients for a simple meal for around $2 - $3.
• Transportation:
  • Airport to Hostel: Using PassApp, a tuk-tuk from Phnom Penh International Airport to Mad Monkey averages around $9-$12.
  • Around the City: Tuk-tuks around the city using PassApp typically cost between $1 - $3, depending on the distance.
• Co-working Space:
  • Impact Hub Phnom Penh: If you need a guaranteed high-speed connection, Impact Hub Phnom Penh offers daily rates of around $15 and monthly rates of $150.

Free & Low-Cost Activities: Exploring Phnom Penh on a Budget

Phnom Penh offers plenty of free and affordable activities for digital nomads:

• Language Exchange Meetups: The Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) sometimes hosts free language exchange meetups on certain evenings (check their schedule beforehand).
• Wat Phnom: A visit to Wat Phnom is a must. The entry fee is just $1, and you can easily get there using public transport, such as bus route number 3.
• Riverside Promenade: Exploring the riverside promenade is free. The best times to visit are early morning and during the golden hour for amazing photo opportunities and to avoid the intense midday heat. In the evening, the riverside comes alive with street performers and food vendors.

The Big Question: How Reliable is the Wi-Fi?

This was my biggest concern as a freelance web developer. The Wi-Fi at Mad Monkey was… okay. In the dorm, I experienced download speeds around 20 Mbps and upload speeds around 5 Mbps. This was generally sufficient for most tasks, but video calls were hit-or-miss, especially during peak hours.

To make my video calls for client meetings (between 9 am and 11 am Cambodian time) manageable, I had to be strategic. I would often wake up early to secure a spot in the common area, which seemed to have a slightly stronger signal. Also, because of how unreliable the Wifi can be at times, I highly recommend getting a local SIM card with plenty of data as a backup option.

Food, Fun, and Fellow Nomads: The Social Scene

One of the best things about Mad Monkey is its social atmosphere. They organize regular pub crawls, game nights, and other events, making it easy to connect with other travelers and expats. I met some really interesting people during my stay, including other digital nomads.

As for food, Romdeng is a popular choice for authentic Khmer cuisine, but if you want something closer and more budget-friendly, try exploring the smaller restaurants and street food stalls around Street 136. You can find delicious and authentic Khmer cuisine for as little as $3 - $5 a meal.

Getting There: Airport Transfers with PassApp

Getting from Phnom Penh International Airport to Mad Monkey using PassApp is straightforward. After you exit the terminal, simply open the PassApp app, enter Mad Monkey Phnom Penh as your destination, and request a tuk-tuk. The average cost is around $9 - $12. Make sure to confirm the price with the driver before you start the ride, and always keep an eye on your belongings.

Sarah's Verdict: Is Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Right for Digital Nomads?

Overall, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh is a decent base for digital nomads, but it has its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Affordable accommodation
• Great social scene
• Convenient location near amenities and attractions
• Opportunities to connect with other travelers
• Organized tours and activities

Cons:

• Unreliable Wi-Fi, especially during peak hours
• Can be noisy, making it difficult to focus on work
• Dorms can feel cramped

Recommendation: Consider Mad Monkey if you prioritize affordability and social interaction, and have flexibility with your work schedule. If reliable internet is absolutely essential, and you have video calls, consider investing in a private room or budgeting for a co-working space like Impact Hub.

I can picture myself working from the rooftop bar, the Phnom Penh skyline hazy in the distance, sipping a local beer, and connecting with another digital nomad. Despite its flaws, Mad Monkey offers a vibrant and budget-friendly experience for digital nomads exploring Phnom Penh.

Ready to book your stay? Check availability and special offers at Mad Monkey Phnom Penh today!