Song Saa Private Island

Though just a 35-minute speedboat trip, private island Song Saa feels a world apart from crowded Sihanoukville, and with just twenty-four villas sprinkled across the sand and jungle island, privacy and tranquility are guaranteed.

• The villas: between the private infinity pool, shaded out-door daybed, extravagant in-room dining menu, and spa that makes house calls, you may never want to leave your sumptuous home away from home.
• The Wall of Hope at the Song Saa Discover Center shows current and future projects sponsored by the Song Saa Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of local Cambodian communities and the natural environment of the Koh Rong archipelago.
• Hiking with a guide on Koh Rong. After working up an appetite crossing through fishing villages and jungle trails, enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch under the shade of a palm tree followed by a refreshing snorkeling trip.

Song Saa, which means “the sweethearts” in Khmer is actually two privately owned islands attached by a gently curving wooden footbridge. The larger of the two islands (Koh Ouen) is home to twenty-seven private villas, two restaurants, an activities center, a large main pool, a small boutique, and a spa, while the other island (Koh Bong) has been left in its natural state and can be explored via a footpath that cuts through the verdant and rocky interior landscape and leads to a beach of black rocks, which makes an ideal vantage for watching the sunset.

Once you arrive at Song Saa, typically via a chic white speedboat (Dramamine or some such is recommended for those who are prone to motion sickness, as the 35-minute ride can be a bit choppy) from Sihanoukville’s port you will be on “island time.” This refers both to the immediate feeling of relaxation brought on by the beachy landscape and mellow barefoot luxury vibe, but also, more specifically, to the unique time zone that the resort has established in order to maximize the sunlight hours. Song Saa clocks are set one hour ahead of the mainland so that guests will enjoy an extra hour of sunlight in the evenings. This is just one of the many great lengths Song Saa and its staff go to ensure guests make the most of their time in paradise. After being greeted at the dock by smiling staff bearing refreshing cucumber and lime welcome drinks, Song Saa guests are personally escorted to their private thatched roof villa.

Guests choose their preferred paradisiacal abode from three options: Over-Water Villa (perched out over the sea, accessed via a stilted boardwalk), Jungle Villa (nestled up in the rainforest with spectacular views over the water), or an Ocean-View Villa (on the shore, with a small private sandy beach). The most spectacular accommodation is the Royal Villa, a spacious two-bedroom over-water villa with private boat access. All of the villas have an airy open layout with a muslin-draped four-poster bed, sunken living room, rainforest shower (and separate stone tub for two), and an outdoor porch with a private infinity pool and shaded daybed. The villas’ décor mixes creature comforts (Ploh linens, Aesop products, Bose sound system) with an eco-design aesthetic that is very much in tune with the island landscape. Adding a touch of color to natural materials like driftwood, pinecones, and straw, the walls are decorated with planks of blue-painted wood, which have been salvaged from old fishing boats. Another ingenious example of decorative recycling are the reshaped metal petrol containers, which make for unexpectedly elegant lampshades.

Once you check-in to Song Saa, you may never want to leave your private paradise, but when (if!) you do feel like venturing out of the villa, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained including watersports (snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding), nature excursions (bird watching, beach hikes, island and marine safaris), fitness (daily sunrise yoga and there’s also a small gym), as well as scuba diving for experienced divers and PADI diving courses for all levels. Activities can be planned in advance or booked spur of the moment. Based on your energy and skill level, friendly and knowledgeable staff will set you up with state-of-the-art equipment, delicious snacks (even a full picnic lunch), and an expert guide.

Following a day of hiking or water sports, what better way to unwind than with a relaxing spa treatment? A comprehensive list of spa treatments that combine traditional Khmer techniques with ayurvedic principles, are available in the special spa villas or in the privacy of your own villa. The best spot for a massage is at the outdoor treatment hut overlooking the untouched island of Koh Bong. Those looking for a unique relaxation experience can try a sophisticated underwater meditation technique involving a breathing apparatus and an MP3 player programmed to complement the sights and sounds of the ocean at night.

Dining is another high point of the Song Saa experience. There are two restaurants, which offer surprisingly diverse options for such a small resort. In addition to featuring distinct daily menus, each restaurant has its own particular vibe, which makes it easy to choose a venue for lunch or dinner depending on your mood and culinary cravings. The Vista Bar is a large open-air dining room that sits out over the sea and is shielded from the sun and wind by a thatched roof. The warm sea breeze and dramatic view over the water make this a spectacular ambiance in which to enjoy a sunny breakfast (delicious house-made yogurts, granolas, fruit smoothies, and made-to-order eggs) or romantic dinner under the stars. A more casual dining option is the beachfront Driftwood Bar and Restaurant, which specializes in thin-crust wood-fired pizzas but also offers nightly specials like seafood barbecue. Here guests can dine while enjoying the soft sand under their feet and a bonfire in the evenings. Of course, it is also possible to eat in your villa—the extensive in-dining menu is available until the kitchen closes at 11pm (a variety of snacks are available 24 hours a day.) Another option is “destination dining,” where guests can arrange to have a private dinner served in a beautiful secluded spot on the island.

In addition to welcoming travelers to an idyllic haven for a little much-needed fun in the sun and R&R, Song Saa takes care of the natural environment and makes a concerted effort to give back to the local community. Through the Song Saa Foundation, a dedicated team of conservationists and humanitarians have been able to realize diverse projects ranging from the construction of a new school on neighboring island Koh Rong to establishing no-fishing zones to help encourage healthier reef systems. Song Saa guests can learn first-hand about the foundation’s current projects and future goals at the Discovery Centre. Those who want to get involved before their arrival should check out the foundation’s website, where there is information about programs like “Pack for a Purpose,” which encourages travelers to use spare space in their luggage to bring supplies like notebooks, pencils, teaching aids and other resources that can be used in local schools.

Sand and sea lovers looking for a total escape in a pristine natural setting that still feels blissfully “undiscovered.” Most of the islands in the immediate vicinity (there are about sixty) are uninhabited—think Thailand twenty- years ago

The main point of departure is Sihanoukville. Transfer by private speedboat from the city’s port is about 35-minutes.

Cambodia Angkor Air currently operates daily flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (1 hour), but has indefinitely ceased flights connecting Sihanoukville to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, which is about a three-hour drive (Song Saa has a fleet of luxury BMW 5 Series and can organize land travel to Phnom Penh.) A helicopter charter to neighboring Koh Rong Island is another possible means of arrival from Sihanoukville.

Flying times by private jet to Sihanoukville: Bangkok (1 hour), Singapore (1.5 hours), Hong Kong (2.5 hours.)