Cambodia has found a new way to end the year, and it doesn’t involve fireworks over Angkor or sweaty beach parties in Sihanoukville. Instead, it involves a private train, polished silver cutlery, and the languid glamour one typically associates with Agatha Christie novels (minus the murders, hopefully).
Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West — already the darling of Cambodia’s coastal retreat set has announced a four-day festive escape (28–31 December 2025) that begins not in a hotel lobby, but on the rails. And not just any rails. Guests will board a privately chartered train from Phnom Penh to Kep, the kind of indulgence that makes “slow travel” look positively racy.
White Linen and Wine Glasses at 40km/h
Forget plastic lunchboxes and sandwiched station. This ride comes with a seafood lunch on white linen, with wine pairings and silver service. While the Cambodian countryside trundles outside, guests will clink glasses and remember when rail journeys were about elegance, not efficiency.
On arrival in Kep, travellers are greeted not by tour buses but by tuk-tuks with sea breezes in their sails, whisking them to Knai Bang Chatt. There, cool towels and cocktails await, followed by rooftop sunset drinks at The Deck and dinner at Crab & Co., where Kep’s famous seafood is dressed up like it’s about to meet royalty.
Sunrise Dolphins and Island Barbecues
Day two begins with the obligatory sunrise yoga (for those still able to touch their toes after the previous night’s wine), followed by a dolphin cruise, during which breakfast is served afloat artisanal breads and hot coffee with a side of cetaceans.
Later, guests are introduced to the work of Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) on a remote island before tucking into a barbecue under the trees. Think smoky crab, grilled fish, and the satisfying crunch of sand underfoot. The afternoon is free for spa sessions, poolside naps, or simply congratulating oneself on not spending Christmas queuing at an airport.
Day Three: Culture, Champagne and a Chef’s Table
The third day offers a guided ramble through Kep’s history — colonial villas with crumbling facades, pepper plantations with scents strong enough to make the nose twitch, hilltop pagodas, and of course, the Crab Market, where bargaining is an art form.
Lunch at The Wave, Kep West’s cliffside restaurant, combines sea views with plates that would make Instagram weep with joy. It’s time for a private sunset cruise with canapés and champagne in the evening. And for those who believe no holiday is complete without testing the limits of their waistband, there’s an optional Chef’s Table Degustation, a wine-paired ode to the region’s finest ingredients.
A Stylish Farewell (or a Party Encore)
The final day offers a choice: return to Phnom Penh by car or train, or stay on for Kep West’s End-of-Year Party and New Year’s Brunch, complete with live music, flowing cocktails, and the smug glow of starting 2026 on Cambodia’s most elegant coastline.
The package is priced at USD $1,500 per person, which, when you factor in the train, the meals, the island jaunt, the wellness sessions, and three nights of barefoot luxury by the sea, starts to look like a surprisingly fair deal. Children under 12 even travel at half price, which means families can join without needing to remortgage the house.
Why It Matters
Knai Bang Chatt isn’t just throwing tinsel over an old idea. The resort has built its reputation on regenerative travel, ensuring indulgence and conscience share the same plate. By dusting off Cambodia’s railways and marrying them to sustainable tourism, they’re offering a blueprint for what luxury in the 2020s should look like: glamorous, yes, but with substance.
“This journey is about slowing down, reconnecting, and celebrating in a way that feels meaningful,” says the Kep West team.
For once, you believe them.
Final Thoughts
As festive escapes go, this one leaves airport lounges and overstuffed buffets in the dust. It’s travel as it used to be: elegant, unhurried, and touched with a bit of romance. Cambodia may not yet be on the Orient Express circuit, but it’s well on its way with Knai Bang Chatt’s festive train.
This is your chance if you’ve ever dreamed of clinking champagne glasses while the countryside rolls by. And if you miss it, next year’s package tour to Pattaya will always be there.
By Karuna Johnson
