Song Saa Private Island Resort
Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Private Island Resort is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Beach Hotels and our Top 10 Eco Retreats

This ground-breaking luxury villa resort is as environmentally friendly as they come and it is a fantastic addition to this untouched corner of the Cambodian Coast. It boasts Southeast Asia's first over-water stilted villas in very Maldives-esque style, beautifully designed and ultra-stylish. It offers people a new and interesting alternative to Thailand as a sexy beach break.

Located only a 35-minute boat ride off the southern coast of Cambodia, Song Saa is an idyllic Cambodian tropical hideaway. The design concept is very much focused around luxury and sustainability and is inspired by Cambodian fishing villages, with features such as thatch roofs and use of drift wood. There are 27 villas in total, each with varying views of either the jungle or coast and all come with their own private pool, outdoor showers and day beds. You can choose to dine anywhere on the island with 48 hours notice or you can eat in their world class restaurant, Vista, which serves with the menu local Khmer cuisine, or the more casual Driftwood bar on the beach (the pizzas here are phenomenal!).

For those who would like to be more active, the diving has been dramatically improved since they restored the coral reef and you can also go sailing, kayaking or visit one of the surrounding deserted islands, full of virgin rain forests and glistening white beaches. Song Saa can also organise some fascinating trips to the large Koh Rong island to witness what their foundation is doing there. At Song Saa, there is also a fantastic spa which offers wellness packages along with an infinity edged swimming pool.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus