Beyond Ancient Stones: Cambodia's Untold Luxury Affair

As dusk settles over Cambodia’s southern coast, sunlight fractures across the Gulf of Thailand, transforming placid waters into a canvas of liquid gold. This is Cambodia beyond the expected, where temple tours yield to intimate riverside soirées and adventure whispers from cardamom forests.

For too long, Cambodia has been defined by Angkor’s magnificent ruins. While these stone testimonies to Khmer ingenuity remain essential viewing, they represent merely one chapter in a far richer story. Today’s Cambodia emerges as Southeast Asia’s most compelling luxury frontier, offering experiences that combine profound cultural immersion with exquisite comforts in settings of unspoiled natural splendour.

Here, on islands virtually untouched by mass tourism, in floating jungle retreats accessible only by boat, and in meticulously restored heritage buildings, Cambodia offers a rare opportunity to experience a destination at that perfect moment between hidden gem and sought-after escape.

Cambodia’s coastline has long lingered in the shadow of its more famous neighbours. Yet this oversight has preserved stretches of platinum-white sand and crystalline waters in pristine serenity. Among the scattered isles of the Koh Rong Archipelago and remote southern shores, visionary hoteliers have established sanctuaries that redefine Southeast Asian luxury.

Song Saa Private Island emerges from the turquoise waters of the Koh Rong Archipelago like a fever dream of tropical perfection. Spanning two islands connected by a wooden footbridge (its name aptly translates to “The Sweethearts”), this pioneering eco-luxe retreat set Cambodia’s standard for conscious indulgence. Each of its 24 villas demonstrates a masterful integration of local materials and global sophistication.

The property’s design philosophy centres on celebrating Cambodian craftsmanship while treading lightly on the environment. Driftwood becomes sculptural furnishings; recycled timber from fishing boats transforms into polished floors—all executed with aesthetic precision that never sacrifices luxury for sustainability.

Days unfold according to desire rather than itinerary. Morning finds you snorkelling among coral gardens directly from your overwater villa’s deck, while afternoons might see you ferried to hidden coves for champagne picnics on shores unmarked by footprints.

Six Senses Krabey Island offers its own interpretation of barefoot sophistication across 30 lush acres. Here, 40 private pool villas seem to grow organically from the jungle-clad landscape, their contemporary lines softened by living roofs and natural materials. Floor-to-ceiling windows dissolve boundaries between elegant interiors and exterior wilderness.

The resort’s wellness offering transcends typical spa experiences, incorporating sleep programmes, visiting practitioners of ancient healing modalities, and integrative treatments that draw on Khmer traditional medicine. Evenings might find you at the Chef’s Table, where Cambodia’s complex culinary heritage reveals itself through contemporary interpretations featuring ingredients from the organic garden.

Koh Russey Resort on Bamboo Island presents an elegant fusion of French-Khmer aesthetics within a minimalist framework. The property’s sleek design language creates a contemplative atmosphere where golden sands meet crystalline waters. Spacious pool villas and residences with mountain views offer sophisticated havens for those seeking design-forward island living. Here, al fresco dining experiences, private beach yoga sessions, and meticulously curated interiors celebrate refined island luxury—the perfect antidote to the sensory intensity of mainland Cambodia.

In Cambodia’s remote southwestern reaches, where the Cardamom Mountains tumble toward the Gulf of Thailand, a new vision of experiential luxury has taken root. Here, conservation and indulgence intertwine in properties that offer privileged access to some of Southeast Asia’s most pristine ecosystems.

Shinta Mani Wild stands as the most audacious expression of this philosophy—a Bill Bensley creation that defies categorisation. Accessing the property sets the tone: guests arrive via a 380-metre zipline that carries them over lush forest canopy and crashing waterfalls before depositing them directly into the resort’s Landing Zone Bar.

The 15 meticulously designed tents—perched along 1.5 kilometres of river and waterfalls—reimagine safari luxury through Bensley’s inimitable lens, evoking the golden age of exploration when Jacqueline Kennedy toured Cambodia’s wild places with King Sihanouk in 1967. The result combines vintage aesthetics with contemporary comforts: handcrafted furniture, clawfoot tubs positioned for optimal bathing-with-a-view, and expansive decks hovering dramatically over rushing waters.

Activities transcend typical resort offerings. Join anti-poaching patrols with Wildlife Alliance rangers, foraging expeditions with botanists, or fishing missions using Khmer techniques alongside local guides whose families have inhabited these forests for generations. The property funds protection of 400 acres of previously threatened forest—luxury with purpose and positive impact.

Canvas & Orchids Retreat offers tranquillity along the Tatai River. This floating sanctuary comprises twelve tented villas, each hovering above the gentle current on pontoon platforms. These sophisticated hideaways feature private terraces that become front-row seats to nature’s daily opera—from iridescent kingfishers diving for breakfast to playful otters slipping between mangrove roots.

Days here move according to nature’s rhythms. Kayak silently through flooded forests as monkeys chatter overhead; hike to hidden waterfalls perfect for midday swims; or simply surrender to jungle sounds from your private deck. As evening approaches, floating dinners illuminated by lanterns and stars offer cuisine that balances Khmer tradition with modern techniques, all featuring ingredients sourced from nearby communities.

The charming riverside town of Kampot, with its faded French colonial architecture, has long attracted those seeking a slower pace of life. Along the winding Praek Tuek Chhu River, Amber Kampot has transformed a scenic bend into Cambodia’s most stylish riverside retreat—an architectural statement that honours its setting while introducing contemporary design sensibility.

The property marries indoor-outdoor living with sculptural simplicity: minimalist lines softened by local materials, expansive windows dissolving boundaries between interiors and the hypnotic river flow. Each villa features a saltwater infinity pool seemingly merging with the river, creating private aquatic sanctuaries.

Kampot’s attractions unfold leisurely. Explore renowned pepper plantations, where Cambodia’s finest spice grows in the shadow of Bokor Mountain. Further afield, the abandoned French hill station atop Bokor Mountain offers a haunting glimpse into colonial ambitions reclaimed by jungle, its crumbling casino emerging dramatically from rolling mist.

When urban exploration beckons, Phnom Penh awaits with its blend of tragic history, architectural splendour, and contemporary energy. Rosewood Phnom Penh occupies the top 14 floors of the capital’s tallest building, offering unrivalled perspectives on the metropolis below. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the confluence of four rivers, creating living tableaux that shift with changing light.

The interiors balance cosmopolitan luxury with cultural resonance: Khmer artistic influences appear in contemporary interpretations, from hand-loomed textiles to custom artworks. The hotel’s collection features over 100 pieces by Cambodian artists, offering insight into the nation’s vibrant contemporary creative scene.

At Sora, the dramatic sky bar cantilevered from the 37th floor, mixologists craft cocktails that tell stories of Cambodia’s culinary heritage. From this aerial vantage point, sunset transforms the city into a golden spectacle, as ancient pagodas and French colonial buildings are bathed in amber light against the winding silver ribbons of the rivers.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal offers a different kind of urban retreat. This grande dame of Cambodian hospitality has witnessed the nation’s tumultuous journey since opening in 1929. During the Khmer Rouge era, it served as a base for foreign correspondents; today, carefully restored, it stands as a living museum of Cambodia’s complex past.

High-ceilinged spaces adorned with whirring ceiling fans, period furnishings, and art deco touches evoke bygone glamour. The Elephant Bar still serves the Femme Fatale cocktail created for Jacqueline Kennedy during her 1967 visit, its distinct crimson hue courtesy of Cambodian pomegranate juice. Colonial grandeur meets five-star hospitality, with butler service attending to every detail and tropical gardens providing tranquillity amidst urban energy.

The rhythm of your Cambodian sojourn should align with the region’s natural cadence. The dry season (November through March) offers ideal conditions for jungle adventures and island escapes—temperate days, cooler evenings, minimal rainfall. The green season (June to October) brings rejuvenating showers that transform landscapes into emerald wonderlands—perfect for photographers seeking dramatic skies and fewer fellow travellers.

For gay voyagers, Cambodia offers a refreshingly accepting atmosphere within Southeast Asia. While public displays of affection are generally uncommon in Khmer culture, LGBTQ+ travellers rarely encounter hostility, particularly in areas accustomed to international tourism. Cambodian society demonstrates a notably relaxed attitude toward gender and sexuality—a perspective partially rooted in Buddhist traditions that acknowledge gender fluidity.

Phnom Penh hosts a small but vibrant queer scene, with several gay-owned businesses and monthly events. The luxury properties in our guide are universally welcoming and discreet. When booking through Mr Hudson, we ensure your preferences are communicated with appropriate sensitivity.

Sartorially speaking, pack light, breathable natural fabrics that transition easily from jungle expeditions to elegant dinners. For forest adventures, long sleeves offer protection from both sun and insects. Conservative attire remains appropriate when visiting temples or rural communities—a consideration that demonstrates cultural respect.

Most international travellers arrive via Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Remote properties often require additional transportation—becoming memorable experiences themselves, whether by private speedboat cutting through crystalline waters or land cruiser journeys through landscapes transitioning from rice paddies to jungle thickets.