Song Saa Private Island

Style

Castaway luxury

Setting

Duo of untouched isles

Cambodia's Sihanoukville may top the backpackers' hitlist, but it's what lies offshore that's caught our eye. Song Saa Private Island hotel in the Koh Rong Islands is an eco-luxe escape spread over a pair of pristine isles, with thatch and stone villas dotted among the jungle canopy or lolling above the sea. Being green-minded has never been so glamorous.

Facilities

Quartos

24 suites.

Checkout

11am; check-in, 2pm. Both are flexible subject to availability, and charged at a half-day rate.

Mais detalhes

Inclusions for bed and breakfast and all-inclusive rates differ, but all include breakfast, shared speedboat transfers from Sihanoukville, access to the private nature reserve and snorkelling kit to use on the House Reef.

Also

Tucked into the rainforest, Ila Spa Sanctuary draws on local herbs, oils and sand in treatments such as the Song Saa Blessing, a soothing 150-minute ritual. There's also a yoga pavilion by the pool for early morning stretch sessions.

Academia de ginástica

Acesso gratuito à Internet

Lavanderia

Piscina

Spa

At the Hotel

Gym, Ila spa, gardens, free WiFi throughout, free tea, coffee and unlimited bottles of house drinking water, three pieces of laundry a person a day. In rooms: flatscreen TV, iPod dock, indoor and outdoor showers, sunken bath tubs, Aesop toiletries.

Our Favourite Rooms

All of the villas offer ocean views, private pools and an effortlessly luxe blend of thatched roofs, rustic timber beams, earthy stone and polished marble walls. Four-poster beds, Moroccan lanterns and carved tribal statues add flair to each eco-chic space. Perched among the canopy, the two-bedroom Jungle Villa scores points for its crescent-shaped layout and generous kitchen and living area. Its seclusion makes cheeky dips in the outdoor bath tub a must.

Poolside

Not content to offer just sunrise or sunset views, the infinity-edge pool cleverly straddles the east and west sides of the island. Each villa also has it's own sea-view plunge pool.

Spa

Song Saa’s open-air spa is made up of private spa pavilions dotted across the island; it embraces the Buddhist philosophy of metta bhavana – the cultivation of loving-kindness and the spa menu is divided into three sections: stillness, healing and blessings. Choose from soothing Kundalini back massages, coconut oil rituals, Khmer leaf herbal massages, mudwraps and rainforest facials. Fancy a spa session under the stars? Nighttime spa sessions for two – soothing relaxation rituals – can be arranged with a day’s notice.

Packing Tips

Sarongs, swimwear and your snorkel kit. If you forgot to pack your favourite kaftan, shop up at the island's two exclusive boutiques.

Also

All-inclusive rates include lunch and dinner; snacks and select house drinks; in-villa meals; a 30-minute 'foot ritual', head, neck and shoulder massage a person; three pieces of laundry a day; local village tour; and return airport transfers.

Crianças

Children of all ages are welcome. Both the bed and breakfast and all-inclusive plans are free for children up to five years old; children aged six to 12 will be charged half the adult rate.

Galeria

Food & Drink

Top Table

Aim for one as close to the water as possible for cooling sea breezes. For a romantic dinner for two, opt for a private beach cabana.

Hotel Restaurant

The overwater, open-sided Vista Restaurant is the breezy dining space at Song Saa; guests on the bed and breakfast rate have morning meals included here. The menu champions local ingredients and Khmer flavours; spanking-fresh seafood stars in dishes such as fish amok (a light, turmeric-laced curry) and samlor koko (a spicy fish soup). Guests staying on all-inclusive packages can take their pick from meals at the Vista Overwater Restaurant, Driftwood Bar & Kitchen and Destination Dining locations.

Hotel Bar

Order a bottle of something bubbly from the Salt or Sweet menu at the Champagne Bar, then sip as you watch the sunset. Open all day, the Driftwood Bar is the spot to head for a chilled post-swim beer or a sundowner from 5pm–7pm. If you'd like to learn more about the bar's hand-picked wines ask staff to line up a tasting.

Last Orders

The kitchen keeps the woks firing until 11pm.

Room Service

Tasty snacks are available around the clock. Extensive in-villa dining is also on offer during restaurant hours.

Planes

There are daily flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville with Cambodia Angkor Air. Sihanoukville airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Private car transfers are US$25 a person each way in a shared van or US$73 for a private car for two people – there's a US$37 charge for each additional person. If you're staying on the all-inclusive rate, then shared car transfers from Sihanoukville are included. The Phnom Penh International Airport is in the Cambodian capital, two and a half hours' drive north of Sihanoukville via the expressway (the hotel can arrange private transfers, starting from US$350). Guests will be collected at the airport and transferred to the resort's port lounge for the speedboat transfer.

Automobiles

Visitors aren't allowed to self-drive in Cambodia, which may be a blessing in disguise – things get seriously hairy on the roads here.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Aquatic pursuits should be at the top of the list, with a host of chilled-out activities included in your room rate. Take a snorkelling tour of Song Saa Islands (equipment is included in your room rate), exploring the reefs, seahorses and rainbow-hued fish of this protected pocket. Jump in a kayak and mosey around the mangroves, led by your personal guide. Sea kayaking and paddleboarding around the archipelago is also on offer, often teamed with a picnic lunch on a deserted island. If you're staying with the all-inclusive package, all non-motorised watersports are included and you'll get a 10 per cent discount on motorised watersports too.

By night, don't miss the bioluminescence swim – a speedboat will whisk you out into the sea where you can splash in the sparkling waters. Ethereal stuff. Come back to the island for some hot lemongrass tea and Ayurvedic snacks.

On dry land, local village tours to the nearby fishing village of Prek Svay can be arranged. Nature safaris on Koh Rong – access to this nature reserve are included in your room rate – offer the chance to spot rare bird species and a series of waterfalls, before returning to the resort by longtail boat. One free longtail boat excursion to Sala Song Saa Village Tour is included in your room rate too.

In-room distractions are also available for a fee, including cinema screenings on your private deck, and romantic baths with champagne and chocolate.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .