Cambodia’s Captivating Countryside, Sleepy Riverside and Coastal Towns (Part 5)
After reluctant goodbyes with staff and management of super Song Saa, we headed back to port and towards Otres Beach which swoops around a massive bay. It’s dotted with several small boutique hotels, with low key restaurant and bars, overlooking the beach and nearby neighbouring islands which are soon to see luxury retreats from the Six Senses and Alila hotel groups.
My favourite of these small retreats well suited to families, couples or singles alike, is the Ren Resort. This cosy hotel provides a selection of reasonably priced standard, club, premier and superior rooms - some with balconies, interconnecting doorways or direct access to their 50-metre pool which runs alongside rooms to the right-hand side of the property.
Its beachside open-air restaurant provides day beds and parasols offering a very chilled setting which then atmospherically comes to life in the evening, with its soft beat music and twinkling lighting. The resort offers free use of its on site bicycles and can arrange private boat trips to neighbouring islands of Koh Tres and Koh Charloh which is great for snorkelling, Koh Ta Kiev for its beautiful beaches, horse riding on the beach or countryside, quad biking, paddle boarding and diving.
Snoozing Riverside Town of Kampot
Back on the road we drove through the dorian fruit and pepper growing region of Kampot, which in my eyes is the most beautiful part of Cambodia. In this sleepy, crumbling riverside town you’ll find streets lined with French architecture shophouses, which certainly have seen better days but which is half of its appeal. The pace of daily life here is snoozy and dreamlike.
The Kampong Bay River sits attractively alongside the towns perimeters, serving as a pretty backdrop and watersports playground for visitors lodging in either the boutique retreats or backpacker accommodation on its river banks. It makes a fabulous base for those wanting to explore the abandoned and creepy buildings of Bokor Hill Station and Bokor National Park, cave-temples of Phnom Chngouok, wildlife and lush surrounding fertile countryside.
Sadly, we were up against the clock so there was no time to spare in this dozy little town tugging at my heartstrings, so it was onward bound to the coastal town of Kep for our last supper, and overnight stay before our final farewells the following day.
Kep - Knai Bang Chatt Resort
This secluded art deco style retreat consisting of 3 villas sits on the seafront overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and provides a mixture of 18 different styled rooms, some with sea or garden views. The rooms, each with mosquito netted beds, are individually designed with rustic finishes of water coloured walls, natural stone, wood and beautifully dressed with stylish antique furnishings.
No TVs are provided in the rooms, making it the perfect place to reconnect with oneself and unwind with a good book whilst lounging on one of their king size daybeds, surrounding the pool in the main garden
This retreat provides spa treatments, yoga and meditation, sailing courses, fabulous food and sundowner cocktails from its in house restaurant and neighbouring sailing club bar. Its vibe is stylish but without the pretence resulting in a relaxed, homely feel and one which I loved so much, I decided to stay for an extra night before heading back to Phnom Penh for my flight back to the U.K.
Cambodia is a nation full of surprises. It has something for everyone from families, culture and history lovers, to backpackers just looking for that perfect stretch of white sand. There is never a dull moment in this beautiful, friendly and vivacious country. If you would like to find out more about here or nearby surrounding parts of Asia, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
