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Hotels that are open in Cambodia for a staycation

As 2020 draws to an end and we continue to explore Cambodia from our Siem Reap home, we travel a little further afield this month to feature 3 hotels and resorts that are currently open in Cambodia for a staycation. Each of them are unique in their own way, as are their locations, but they all present an excellent staycation option just a few hours from either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. They have all worked hard to open for guests, despite the current (ever changing) restrictions and lack of tourists in Cambodia, and are striving to provide expats and locals alike the chance to escape for a few days and enjoy what they each have to offer. Our first suggestion is the historic restored mansion, Le Relais de Chhlong in Kratie. Chhlong, is a sleepy riverside town in Kratie province. Situated on the banks of the mighty Mekong river (which is the longest river in Southeast Asia) it makes for the perfect weekend escape from either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Many people choose to visit Kratie for the chance to catch a glimpse of the Irawaddy dolphins, an endangered species that is found in the Mekong. Cycling in the area is popular too, with a series of paths on both sides of the river that allow even novice ‘weekend’ cyclists the chance to enjoy the countryside due to the forgiving terrain. Le Relais de Chhlong is a delightfully restored family mansion that is now living a new life as a boutique hotel. With just 8 spacious suites to choose from, each with balconies and roll top baths this is a wonderful place to relax and soak up some of that yesteryear charm. Mountain bikes are available for guests to borrow and even a gentle cycle to explore the market and old town with the yet to be renovated colonial buildings will provide a unique experience. Nearby, you can also visit the unique ‘House of 100 Pillars’ which has recently been purchased by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts meaning it will be moved to a new location and fully restored. After exploring local riverside life, meander your way back to Le Relais de Chhlong where you can relax by the pool with your favourite book before enjoying a glass of wine and a game or billiards before dinner. All the time, try to use your wildest imagination to think just what it must have been like to call this beautiful building home, more than 100 years ago. Next up, is the simply stunning and unique Amber Kampot in Kampot Province. With Kampot being less than 4 hours drive from the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, it has for a long time offered an excellent option for a weekend escape from the city. And where better to enjoy your time in Kampot that at the peerless Amber Kampot which is truly the perfect place to escape from it all. This brand new riverside resort offers guests a selection of beautifully appointed, one and two bedroom pool villas that make for an idyllic luxury staycation. Be welcomed by a staff team who will make your stay memorable, experience refined fine dining at Arvi whilst enjoying unrivalled Kampot river views before treating your body, mind, and soul to an invigorating spa treatment. Amber Kampot is perfectly located to explore the area, with Bokor Mountain National Park being just a few km away, and the seaside town of Kep also a short drive from town. Or you can choose to visit the nearby salt fields or one of the local Kampot pepper farms to gain an understanding of how these seasoning staples begin their lives. But in reality, despite having these options within easy reach, once you check in to Amber Kampot, one of the finest luxury resorts in Southern Cambodia, you will probably never want to leave… Finally, we feature the former stately home to US ambassadors, White Mansion in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is the bustling, sometimes chaotic capital city located at the confluence of the Mekong River and Tonlé Sap lake. Home to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, there are also a vast array of restaurants, cafes and bars that cater to all tastes and shopping opportunites that include boutique designers, local markets and international malls. On leafy street 240 in the heart of Phnom Penh, just a few blocks from the iconic Independance Monument, is White Mansion. The choice of name becomes clear when you enter the gated courtyard and first view the grand pillared facade and enter the spacious yet welcoming lobby. If you look closely you will see the United States of America residence plaque next to the entrance gate and above the door as this grand building once housed American ambassadors and their guests prior to it’s reinvention as a boutique hotel. Rooms and suites are elegant, with many boasting a balcony or terrace, and the 20m lap pool offers guests the chance to revitalise themselves after an exhausting day exploring Phnom Penh. We hope you enjoyed our suggestions and whilst overseas travel remains impossible for many, now is the time to support local hotels and resorts wherever you live, and for us that means Cambodia. Making the effort to stay local and buy local during these challenging times will help them to survive, whilst at the same time providing us all with that wanderlust fix that we desire. In addition, when the borders open those hotels and resorts that have remained open in Cambodia will be waiting with open arms, their teams happy and excited to welcome overseas guests once again. Paul Eyers is Founder of Vegan Food Quest. Vegan Food Quest have become luxury vegan travel specialists as they continue to find, eat and write about the best vegan food in the world. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Paul Eyers

Paul Eyers is co-founder of Vegan Food Quest who write about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia with a focus on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and some of the finest golf courses throughout the region.

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17 Comments

  1. If only I were in Cambodia with the chance of a staycation. I’m well and truly locked down in the U.K. Probably the only hotels that we might have open are on the Scilly Isles.

    1. the Uk right now is looking pretty bleak and we are watching closely hoping for improvement as our family and friends are also there. stay safe and and hope that things chance meaning you can travel again some time soon…

  2. These hotels looks amazing. Given the opportunity to stay in luxury who wouldn’t want to stay in one of these? Each seem to not only be luxurious but also offer originality often lacking in high end accomodation.

  3. Once again I am LOVING the #openincambodia blog post. Since I am currently residing here myself it is always good to be reminded of other parts of the country that I have already visited or even places that I’m yet to visit. I really enjoyed reading about the mansion in Kratie and I have added this to my list of places to go.
    Whilst in Kampot last week I was lucky to see the ‘Amber Kampot resort’ from across the river and it looked very luxurious indeed, so it was good to read more about this.
    Thanks again for all of the information and keep these blog posts coming to help me make more decisions about where I will visit in the near future!

    1. we are so lucky in Cambodia to have so many options to travel when many parts of the world are still facing lockdown. #openincambodia is our effort to highlight some of these options to help the hotels and resorts that are doing everything they can to remain open. Amber Kampot is stunning and a truly unique resort in Cambodia in a unique location…

  4. It seems that international travel will be challenging for some time so staycations are certainly the way forward. If I lived in Cambodia then I would be heading to Amber Kampot for sure, it looks amazing.

  5. Kratie is on my bucket list and Le Relais looks stunning. Excited about heading there when the kids are a bit older.

    1. Thank you for commenting Ian, Kratie was very enjoyable and we are happy that we finally visited, we will return for sure. Le Relais is certainly the best option in the area and we really enjoyed our stay there.

  6. Great article.

    I Love Kampot so much. Nice to see a new place opening on Fish Island, a really under rated part of town. The island is so much larger that I expected. I’d recommend taking a tuktuk tour around it. There is plenty to admire, particularly at sunset.

    Kratie is another hidden gem I’m planning on visiting in 2021. Will definitely try to book Le Relais de Chhlong.

    1. Thank you for commenting Pete. We had visited Kampot many times previously but never Fish Island. Of course when staying at Amber we didn’t get to see much outside of the resort (we didn’t want to leave!) but from what we saw it would be great to explore the local area more on our next visit.

  7. What interesting and informative suggestions for a staycation in Cambodia. Wish I was there to take advantage of what each of the hotels featured have to offer, They all sound fabulous.
    I love the description of Le Relais de Chhlong in Kratie. What an amazing house, hard to imagine it as a former family residence. What stories must be attached to such a place. I like the idea of easy cycling to take in the sights along the Mekong.
    The Amber Kampot sounds ideal for a break away from city life. What luxury to have your own pool.
    The White House in Phnom Penh would also have stories to tell, of distinguished visitors and diplomats. A taste of luxury in the heart of a busy city.
    Maybe…one day.
    Thank you for bringing a bit of sunshine and cheer into a dreary UK winter day.

    1. Brilliant reviews Paul, they make great reading!!
      These places all look uniquely amazing. It would be wonderful to visit any one of them. I’ll start with Amber Kampot (if I must choose but one)…..Good to have a glimpse into “another~world”….. Look forward to future articles.

    2. Thank you for commenting Eileen, i’m happy that we could bring some sunshine to the UK! one of the reasons we have continued to write about travel during these challenging times is for this reason, offering escapism and wandelust for when everyone can travel again. hope you have the chance to visit Cambodia again in the not too distant future!

    3. Thank you for commenting Marguerita, you are right that each of these options are truly unique. Your choice of Amber, when you choose one, is a very good choice and i’m sure you would love it there!

  8. With our winter here now in the UK, it’s times like this that we dream of flying off to beautiful warm exotic locations, & you couldn’t have showcased these amazing hotels any better! What lovely locations… until we return to Cambodia, I shall be dreaming of these wonderful hotels for our own stay.

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