I recently ventured to Cambodia to discover what this enchanting destination in Southeast Asia has in store for travellers seeking adventure, culture, relaxation and luxury. What I experienced did not disappoint, and I came away with a renewed sense of wonder, utterly bewitched by this unique country’s cultural, natural and historical splendour while staying at some of the best hotels in Cambodia.
From the buzz of Phnom Penh to the crumbling relics and ancient history of Angkor Wat – keep reading to find out why a luxury Cambodia holiday should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Phnom Penh
My journey began in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s thriving capital city which sits at the confluence of two rivers: the Mekong and the Tonlé Sap. Historically a hub for the powerful Khmer Empire and later Cambodia’s French colonial overlords, nowadays Phnom Penh is home to a vibrant city centre, a walkable riverfront, leafy parks, buzzing bars and restaurants and ornate palaces and pagodas.
The indoor swimming pool at Rosewood Phnom Penh
I stayed at the Rosewood Phnom Penh, a stunning 5-star luxury hotel set in the sleek Vattanac Capital Tower, of which it occupies the top 14 floors. With unobstructed views of the mighty Mekong River, gourmet dining experiences, traditional Khmer healing therapies at Sense, A Rosewood Spa and a spectacular rooftop bar offering panoramic views, Rosewood Phmom Penh is undoubtedly one of the city’s finest luxury properties. My favourite part was its beautiful, 22-metre-long indoor swimming pool, also overlooking the Mekong River and the glittering cityscape at night.
For dinner, I headed across the city to dine at another 5-star luxury property: Raffles Hotel Le Royal. This opulent retreat offers a different side of luxury; rather than a soaring high-rise, it instead occupies an elaborate French colonial-style building dating to 1929 when this elegant retreat first opened its doors. Dinner here was a sumptuous affair, the hotel showcasing the alluring flavours of authentic Khmer cuisine as well as contemporary French gastronomy. I also had some time to explore the rest of the hotel, stepping back in time to a bygone era as I wandered through its chandelier-lit hallways and Indochinese-style Elephant Bar, whose signature cocktail, the Femme Fatale, was concocted for Jacqueline Kennedy during her stay in 1967. The hotel’s swimming pool, set outside and fringed by fragrant frangipani trees, is a stunning centrepiece and a wonderfully tranquil place to unwind.
The Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Koh Rong
From Phnom Penh, I headed to the paradise island of Koh Rong, which floats upon the glittering azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Located in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Province, Koh Rong is renowned for its white sandy beaches and idyllic shoreline dotted with coral reefs. Inland, the island’s dense jungle terrain lies pockmarked with coconut palms and elysian waterfalls.
The tropical island of Koh Rong in Cambodia's Sihanoukville Province
To get to Koh Rong, I travelled three hours by road to get to the port in Sihanoukville via the modern expressway before embarking on a comfortable one-hour boat ride which arrived at my next incredible accommodation: The Royal Sands Koh Rong.
I spent three nights at this fabulous island retreat, which boasts an amazing white-sand beach that’s perfect for couples looking to unwind in the sun, indulge in delicious food and enjoy a selection of water sports. The beaches here are akin to the Maldives and the sea is as clear as glass, with tropical fish and all other manner of marine life flitting through the shallows and the offshore corals bright with colour.
The Royal Sands Koh Rong is an all-villa resort, some of which come with private pools and some without. I’d highly recommend opting for one of the pool villas – which come with either ocean or beach views - as it adds another luxurious element and enables you to relax in your own private space - a must for honeymooners! Lying tucked amongst swaying palm trees on the edge of a powdery white beach, this resort’s location is truly out of this world, and its excellent facilities include a beautiful beachfront pool, the soothing Senses Spa, a yoga sala, a boutique and an ocean-facing restaurant serving healthy breakfasts and candlelit dinners.
A couple enjoying a floating breakfast from their Beachfront Pool Villa at The Royal Sands Koh Rong
The Royal Sands Koh Rong offers a variety of exciting activities for guests to enjoy: you can embark on an enchanting kayaking tour through the tangle of mangroves which line the coast, meander through the lush foliage during a nature walk, bodyboard at the resort’s beach, and join a boat excursion for the day to explore the stunning island surrounds or snorkel amongst the flourishing coral reefs.
Siem Reap
After luxuriating in a veritable island paradise, I reluctantly peeled myself away from Koh Rong and travelled back to mainland Cambodia aboard the resort’s one-hour boat shuttle service, before continuing via a 45-minute road transfer to Sihanoukville International Airport. From here, a short flight took me northwards to the city of Siem Reap, set amid the tropical plains of Cambodia’s northwest territory.
It is here that the adventure truly began.
An alleyway lined with restaurants in Siem Reap's charming Old Town
Siem Reap is best-known as the gateway to the splendorous ruins of Angkor, crumbling remnants of the seat of the ancient Khmer Empire which ruled here between the 9th and 15th centuries. A sprawling complex of intricately designed stone buildings and temples, including the breathtaking Angkor Wat, a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world.
Visiting this otherworldly UNESCO World Heritage Site is unlike anything I have ever experienced, from the mysterious carved faces of Angkor Thom to the creeping trees which wrap themselves around the ruins at Ta Prohm, to the saffron-robed monks wandering pensively through the rainforest-backed grounds. It is here that the cultural essence of Cambodia, much of whose identity lies firmly rooted in its Khmer heritage, can be found.
The ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world
During my visit to Siem Reap, I stayed at the 5-star Shinta Mani Angkor, whose striking design was conceived by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley of The Bensley Collection, who operate the hotel as their flagship property. Paying homage to traditional Khmer architecture and aesthetics, the hotel is a living and breathing art piece, environed within peaceful grounds and providing a bespoke experience. I stayed in one of the Bensley Pool Villas, which offer stunning private pools, rooftop living areas and attentive butler service.
The Bensley Pool Villas at Shinta Mani Angkor are amongst the most stunning hotel villas I've ever seen
On my first night, I joined a Vespa Food & Drink Tour, my driver whizzing and winding us through the backstreets in search of some of Siem Reap’s culinary highlights. We visited a Cambodian rice wine factory and tasted all the different flavours of wines before hopping back on the Vespa and enjoying a rollicking ride to the city’s famous food markets which lie engulfed by glorious aromatic smells and display all manner of exotic delicacies – including fried insects and tarantulas.
The next day, I spent the morning exploring the enchanting temples of Angkor with an e-bike, stopping at one incredible ruin after another. Then in the afternoon, I joined a quadbike adventure through the surrounding rice fields, which shimmer miraculously under the golden sunlight. Driving my own quadbike through the evocative Cambodian countryside, I got a real feel for an authentic way of life as I passed through rural villages and captured glimpses of traditional rustic scenes. This immersive activity culminated with cocktails in a rice field as the sun reddened the horizon during a truly breathtaking sunset.
A local farmer leads their water buffalo through a rice field in rural Siem Reap
During my time in Siem Reap, I travelled to the Kulen Elephant Forest, a conservation project which protects and cares for Asian elephants which were formerly used across Angkor to give rides to tourists. A visit here offers a humbling insight into the plights these majestic creatures face from archaic methods of tourism practised in parts of the country, with the organisation shedding light on what can and needs to be done in order to help further protect the elephants of Cambodia. From here, I continued to the holy mountains of Phnom Kulen National Park, home to the eponymous waterfall which can be seen in the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
The beautiful Phnom Kulen waterfall in Phnom Kulen National Park
I also enjoyed a visit to the Shinta Mani Foundation, where you can learn about the foundation’s impactful initiatives to support local communities throughout the countryside that surrounds Siem Reap through education, healthcare, small business development and environmental conservation.
Following this, I went for a delicious local lunch at Sala Bai Hotel & Restaurant School, which houses and educates disadvantaged children for them to attain training and qualifications in cooking and hotel work before they go off to work in both hotels and restaurants in Cambodia and further afield.
On my final evening, I visited the Phare Circus, which showcases some of Cambodia’s cultural traditions, dances and performances, before transferring to the airport for my return flight.
The breathtaking beauty of Angkor Wat as the sun rises
Having seen and experienced so much during my visit to Cambodia, I was left totally amazed and inspired by how much this incredible country has to offer the curious traveller. From tropical island beaches to pulsating city centres to the ancient relics of Angkor, there is so much to see and do here that I can’t wait to share my knowledge and experiences with my clients.
Cambodia is a truly vibrant and unique destination and makes for a fabulous alternative to more tourist-trodden places like Thailand and Vietnam. If you like authentic culture, sumptuous cuisine, fascinating history and breathtaking natural beauty, then Cambodia should be at the very top of your bucket list.
Looking for inspiration? Check out our amazing 10-night Captivating Cambodia tour to help inspire your next tailor-made luxury holiday.