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Song Saa, Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island Resort

Cambodia’s finest private island luxury resort

Explore the stunning coastline

Song Saa is a beautiful eco-resort that sits across the islands of Koh Bong and Koh Ouen, which are affectionately known as the Sweetheart Islands. Accessible by a 45-minute speedboat journey from the mainland, Song Saa is the perfect place to completely unwind and explore southern Cambodia’s stunning coastline.

The resort was built with sustainability in mind, and reclaimed timber and other materials from the mainland were used in its construction. Salvaged wood from old fishing boats and factory yards were turned into decking and beams, oil drums became lamps, and weathered driftwood was crafted into beautiful pieces of furniture. Set in a self-made marine reserve, Song Saa is also home to a team of marine biologists, implements recycling practices, and is involved in the funding and founding of sustainability projects in the area.

The 24 luxury pool villas are scatted across the island, some nestled within the rainforest along the shoreline and others perched over the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The open-plan design of the villas creates a real sense of space and light and the natural decor and design compliments the surrounding environment. For the ultimate exclusive escape, the two-bedroom Royal Villa is reached by private boat and has its own pool, kitchen and indoor dining space for up to 12 guests.

Locally caught seafood and seasonal fruits and vegetables are used to create delicious Khmer cuisine at the overwater Vista Restaurant. Driftwood Bar on the beach is an ideal spot to grab a crisp beer or a mojito, along with a wood-fired pizza or some tapas as the sun goes down.

Dotted around the resort are little sanctuaries where you can indulge in a spa treatment surrounded by nature. There’s also a large infinity pool, a fitness centre and yoga sessions for those that like to keep active while away.

You’re surrounded by white sandy beaches and crystal clear water, so grab a snorkelling mask, a paddleboard or a kayak and explore. Alternatively, take to the rainforest trails and discover the native plants and wildlife.

Highlights

24 luxury pool villas

Song Saa Private Island is a Certified B Corporation

Infinity pool

Spa

Ecological programme

Diving and snorkeling

Guided rainforest treks

The impact of your stay:

  • Established with the goal of safeguarding its unique locale, the hotel played a pivotal role in transforming the surrounding area into a marine protected zone. In their commitment to responsible tourism, Song Saa Private Island not only prioritises low tourist numbers to preserve the delicate ecosystem but also actively engages in creating alternative economies for local communities.
  • Song Saa Private Island goes beyond traditional hospitality by deeply integrating into the local community through its foundation. Demonstrating a commitment to holistic well-being, the hotel actively contributes to providing safe drinking water, healthcare, and effective waste management systems.
  • In its commitment to environmental conservation, Song Saa Private Island’s foundation has launched impactful initiatives to protect rainforests and mangroves. The establishment of a tree nursery and a dedicated mangrove replanting district marks a significant stride toward creating a new forest, with the planting of 500 saplings.
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Positive Impact

This non-profit organisation was founded in 2013 and seeks to preserve the natural environment and improve the welfare of local communities through a series of programmes. These programmes are divided into water, people and land.

The Song Saa Reserve’s latest endeavour aims to develop a 200-hectare eco-tourism site, which will support hotels, villas, conservation and cultural heritage initiatives and hospitality training to promote local culture and attract international visitors in a sustainable and ethical way.

The organisation also plans to provide year-round freshwater to 5000 mangrove saplings, and it has planted mangroves, established coral reefs and collected data on marine health, as well as aided the local community to provide drinking water to one of their five local communities.

Land-based initiatives by the Song Saa Foundation cover the conservation of terrestrial habitats and species in the Koh Rong Archipelago and Banteay Srey. The organisation has implemented protection and restoration programmes for mangroves and rainforest systems, and an on-going solid waste management project in Prek Svay with plans to expand to three other communities on the island.

Another programme encompasses waste management and involves recycling and composting, helping keep Prek Svay clean and allowing local villagers to be proud of their community, and in Banteay Srey the organisation have commenced a pioneering rainforest restoration programme.

The Song Saa Foundation also supports medical missions, education programmes and organic farming, as well as social and economic development within the community through sericulture enterprises in Prek Svay and employment opportunities at the private island resort. The Boat of Hope, an on-going charity project provides much-needed medical care through its outreach clinics and their annual International Medical Relief mission. The latter brings up to USD 1 million in medical supplies to the region along with 40 US-based doctors every year.

Plan your trip to Cambodia

Whatever you want from your adventure in Cambodia, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Places to combine Song Saa Private Island Resort with

Positive Impact
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Wild Cambodia

Shinta Mani Wild
It’s the very definition of experiential travel, from the lodging itself to the activities on offer. Shita Mani Wild is the vision of world-renowned designer, Bill Bensley, who purchased the land and whose mission it is to protect this beautiful part of the country from poaching, mining and logging. The camp has partnered with the Wildlife Alliance, whose rangers have a station on-site, to help conserve this precious wildlife corridor. The camp consists of 15 luxury tents positioned along the Tmor Rung River. Their location ensures guests enjoy the best possible views and the tents are positioned so everyone has their own little part of the forest. The walk from some of the tents to the main camp can be quite long, so there are rangers on hand with lamps to help you back at night. Each tent has a story to tell, from the Botanist’s Tent to the National Geographic Tent and while each one is unique, they are all impeccably styled with gorgeous textiles, artwork, fascinating artefacts and one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture. Many have freestanding bath tubs on the decking for the ultimate soak. At the heart of the camp is the Headquarters, where guests enjoy their meals. The team here are passionate about using local, seasonal produce, much of which has been foraged from the surrounding forest. For something really special, there is the option to enjoy a waterfall picnic. The Landing Zone Bar overlooking the Big Raging Sister Waterfall is the place for truly exquisite cocktails. And, if you don’t want to walk there, you can always zip line in! The camp’s pool has been designed to look like a cistern and the lining was painted jet black so the water reflects the details of the forest. The Khmer Tonics is the camp’s spa nestled amongst the rocks, and here you can indulge in a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a waterfall pool. There is so much to do during a stay at Shinta Mani Wild, from mountain biking and kayaking to fishing, foraging and cooking classes. There’s even the option to head out on an anti-poaching patrol to experience the vital work being done by the Wildlife Alliance.

Coastal Cambodia

Six Senses Krabey Island
Krabey Island is nestled on a 30-acre tropical island off the coast of Cambodia, an idyllic retreat surrounded by the glittering waters of the Gulf of Thailand. This resort takes great pride in ensuring its sustainability practices, making use of organic produce grown on the grounds, offering an on-island bottling plant with clean drinking water, engaging and supporting local community programmes, along with marine conservation and education projects. Guests will arrive at the mainland reception before a short water transfer to the island. There’re 40 private pool villas, which blend seamlessly into the surroundings without compromising on luxury. Spacious interiors, beautiful en-suite bathrooms and living rooms with a day bed offer ultimate comfort, and a soft, neutral colour scheme works with the natural environment. Each villa opens out onto a decking area with a private plunge pool. The food at Krabey Island is a real highlight. Aha Restaurant offers seasonal pan-Asian and western cuisine while the Treehouse Restaurant hidden among the trees takes inspiration from Khmer, South East Asian and Mediterranean cooking. The Sunset Bar is perched above the ocean, treating guests to sweeping views over the gulf. And when you need to cool off, there’s an ice-cream parlour serving home-made gelato and sorbet. When you want to simply unwind, indulge in a treatment at the spa where you can learn about the ingredients and create your own products at the Alchemy Bar. There’s also a gym and a beautiful swimming pool. There’s so much to do while staying at Krabey from snorkelling and kayaking to island hopping and cooking classes. They even have their own outdoor cinema where you can watch classic films under a starry night sky.