Luxury that treads lightly at Song Saa Private Island Resort
In Cambodia’s untouched Koh Rong Archipelago, two pristine islands lie side by side. They are known locally as Song Saa – Khmer for ‘The Sweethearts’. Song Saa Private Island is as seductive as the name implies; an intimate private island retreat in an undiscovered paradise.
Most of Cambodia’s islands – scattered like jewels across the sapphire waters of the Gulf of Thailand – remain undeveloped but offer deserted oases of virgin rainforests, tropical reefs and glistening white beaches. Guests to Song Saa are amongst the first foreigners to experience this untouched world, reminiscent of Thailand’s islands before its tourist boom. The resort spans the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a footbridge over a marine reserve that has been established to safeguard the islands’ reefs and marine life including dugongs, seahorses and exotic species of tropical fish.
27 intimate villas have been built from sustainable materials and in perfect harmony with the natural environment; uncompromising on luxury and designed to reflect the simple beauty of the natural surroundings. Highly individual in design, the resort is inspired by Cambodian fishing villages with features such as over-water buildings, thatch roofs, rough-hewn natural timbers and drift wood furnishings. Guests enjoy uninterrupted sunrise or sunset views from their Overwater, Beach or Jungle Villas, complete with private pools and all the creature comforts Robinson Crusoe could only fantasize about. Each villa promises a sanctuary where guests can shower looking out over the ocean, sip cocktails whilst watching the sun set from their private veranda or have the resort’s chef treat you and your guests to fresh seafood under the stars.
A 2-bedroom Royal Villa has its own private jetty for speedboat arrival and offers exceptional luxury and privacy, for those in search of a discrete island hideaway.
At the resort’s heart is Vista Restaurant & Lounge Bar spectacularly positioned over the ocean to take in dramatic sunsets, seascapes and starry nights. Dining at Song Saa is an enriching experience, where the focus is on fresh, sustainable and locally produced food. With the best of Cambodia’s food bowl at their fingertips, the menu combines unique Khmer flavours and age-old Cambodian traditions with delicious local produce, sourced from nearby suppliers, sustainable fisherman and the surrounding islands. The blend of old and new creates cuisine combining five elements; salt, heat, raw, scent and sweet. Whether guests choose to dine under the stars on Song Saa’s private beaches, in the overwater restaurant or within the privacy of their private villa, sensuality and sustainability underpin each dish. The result is a menu that is fresh, truly individual and treads lightly.
Song Saa has united with ila spa to create The Song Saa Sanctuary and introduces a new
approach to holistic personal wellbeing, based on the principles of stillness, healing and
blessings. The teams have worked together with local healers and village elders in the
surrounding communities to learn about traditional Khmer healing practices and therapeutic
local herbs. Locally sourced herbs and plants, as well as Song Saa‟s silken sands and iron-rich stones, are used in bespoke treatments designed by ila. Private treatment rooms positioned spectacularly in the island’s rainforest and along the water’s edge provide a sacred and gentle space for guests to rejuvenate and reconnect. The Sanctuary reflects the essence of its environment, where nature is untouched and respected.
Becoming the first to develop a private island in Cambodia brings opportunity but also a
responsibility to set a benchmark in sustainable development and pave the way for future
developers that are likely to follow suit. Central to Australian owners Rory and Melita Hunter’s vision is this deep respect for the environment and the people, combined with a belief that private operators have an important role to play in the preservation of these magnificent locations. Melita is the creative mind of the project, entirely responsible for the architecture, master planning and interior design but she can’t lay claim to its name. “We didn’t come up with the name. There’s something pretty special about it, especially when we think about what the islands have meant to us. Perhaps they found us, not the other way round. Who knows, but one thing for sure is that our futures are intrinsically linked.”
Having broken new ground in the tourism industry, with Rory at the helm of negotiations that have involved every level of government, the couple is now firmly focused on the future of their paradise found; guarding its natural assets and providing new opportunities for local
communities.
With their vision almost complete, Rory and Melita are already looking ahead.
“Song Saa is a very important part of our future. We plan to open other Song Saa sanctuaries in Cambodia over the next few years, modelled on the same mix of environmental protection and social responsibility alongside world-class luxury”, says Rory.
Song Saa Private Island offers a fully inclusive rate from $1,500. This includes everything from the moment you set foot on the island including all meals and daily surprises from the kitchen, unlimited house wines and spirits, a 15 minute foot massage per guest, daily laundry, speedboat transfers between Sihanoukville and Song Saa, use of kayaks, snorkelling equipment and sailing boats, and guided visits to explore the unique marine environments of the twin islands.
For more information visit www.songsaa.com or contact reservations@songsaa.com
©Song Saa Private Island Resort, Cambodia
