The welcome onset of the cooler part of the dry season in the The Kingdom of Cambodia is a timely opportunity to experience the country’s first private island retreat of Song Saa in the untouched Koh Rong Archipelago – a perfectly regal retreat.
The two tiny islands comprising Song Saa, known in Khmer as the ‘sweethearts’, are 35 minutes by boat from the port of Sihanoukville: the journey from Phnom Penh‘s international airport to this tropical outpost taking about three hours by limousine.
Wego Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Craig Hewett, recently visited and likened Song Saa to the Maldives 20 years ago, with it’s 27 thatch-roof villas perched over the idyllic sea shallows and built into the lush rainforest, decorated with natural and often reclaimed materials. The only difference is the discreet wireless tech which he largely ignored, as ‘this is a place you go to switch off from the world’.
Instead, residents snorkel, sea-kayak or fish in the 100-hectare marine reserve extending 200 metres from the outer edge of the prolific coral reefs, or explore the island and its many conservation projects organised by the resort’s team and local community. For some couples this includes a journey to the tiny temple used for intimate civil wedding ceremonies or Buddhist blessings.
The catering is also part of the experience of Song Saa. At the heart of the resort is a world-class restaurant and lounge, surrounded by sea where the chefs prepare traditional or contemporary Khmer and international cuisine.
No wonder then, that this private island is on Conde Naste Traveller’s Hot List, Travel & Leisure’s It List and has won a host of other accolades – and placed in all of Wego‘s country sites around the world.
