There’s something almost poetic about a holiday that starts amid 12th-century temples and ends with your toes in the sand, a cocktail in hand, and absolutely no memory of your email password. That’s the promise behind Khmer Journeys, a new six-night experience from boutique group HMD Asia, which has neatly tied together two of Cambodia’s most alluring addresses: Shinta Mani Angkor in Siem Reap and the new private-island retreat JATI off the country’s southern coast.
It’s an itinerary that doesn’t shout “luxury” so much as it sighs it. The transition from sacred stone to soft sand has rarely looked smoother.
Where Empires Once Stood
Shinta Mani Pool Villas
The first act unfolds in Siem Reap, that ever-mystical gateway to the temples of Angkor, an architectural feat that still defies the imagination and, on humid afternoons, gravity. Guests are based at Shinta Mani Angkor, the brainchild of designer Bill Bensley, where courtyards bloom with frangipani and pools reflect more tranquillity than a yoga retreat.
The stay includes an English-speaking guide, temple passes, and a private driver because some wonders deserve to be seen without the distraction of map apps. By day, visitors trace the bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat and the enigmatic faces of Bayon; by night, they can drift through the cafes and boutiques of Kandal Village, sip strong coffee with locals, or surrender to the odd cocktail on Pub Street, where backpackers and monks occasionally share the same tuk-tuk.
At day’s end, the Shinta Mani Spa by Khmer Tonics restores both dignity and circulation, before dinner at Kroya, the resort’s signature restaurant, where Khmer recipes are reimagined with a chef’s confidence and a grandmother’s respect. It’s the kind of meal that makes you rethink what you thought you knew about lemongrass.
To the Sea, by Air and Boat
After three nights among the gods, it’s time for the ocean. Guests are flown south to Sihanoukville, then whisked by private speedboat to JATI, a contemporary hideaway on Koh Russey, known poetically as Bamboo Island. It’s the sort of transfer that feels more James Bond than budget airline, the sea parting obligingly for your arrival.
The word Jati means “rebirth” in Sanskrit, and it’s hard not to feel a touch of that as you step onto the island’s white-sand shore. Eighty-two villas hide among palm groves, designed with an elegant nod to Khmer simplicity: open spaces, natural textures, and enough privacy to practise your best literary recluse impression.
Guests stay in a Garden Villa, enjoy breakfast daily and a romantic beachfront dinner, and are encouraged, though never obliged, to do as little or as much as they please. A 60-minute Bamboo Spa treatment comes standard, as does a choice between a snorkelling excursion or a fishing trip, each promising the kind of serenity you can’t download.
Those who like their wellness slightly more energetic can head to the sports club or gym, or borrow a bicycle to explore. But most visitors appear content to let the hours drift by, helped along by cocktails, sea breezes, and the faint suspicion that paradise, after all, might be Cambodian.
Dining with an Island Accent
If you’re inclined to take your luxury with a dash of gastronomy, JATI delivers in spades. Le Manolis, a Phnom Penh wine bar reincarnated for the island, pairs Burgundy with sea air, while KoKo, its steakhouse sibling, turns out perfectly charred reminders of civilisation.
Mornings begin lazily at Bai Sor, the island’s breezy beachfront café. Later, guests gather at Banyan Lounge for sunset drinks under the tree that gave it its name, or wander down to the Beach Club, where barbecues, music, and laughter punctuate the tropical night. There are no dress codes here unless you count bare feet as formal wear.
A New Chapter for Cambodia
It would be easy to dismiss Khmer Journeys as just another luxury package, but that would miss the point. What HMD Asia has created is a narrative, a way to experience Cambodia’s cultural grandeur and coastal grace without breaking the spell in between.
“This extraordinary escape offers the best of both Cambodia worlds,” says Anthony Lark, HMD Asia’s Executive Director, “from the cultural wonders of Angkor to the barefoot luxury of our latest private island retreat.”
He’s right, of course. And while the marketing talk of “seamless journeys” often evokes airport queues and checked-bag suspense, in this case it’s genuine: the itinerary glides effortlessly between two worlds, past and present, spirit and sand.
It’s also a subtle reminder that Cambodia has entered a new era. The temples still draw awe, but the country now pairs its heritage with hospitality that’s sophisticated, sustainable, and refreshingly self-aware. Both Shinta Mani and JATI support local communities and artisans, quietly proving that luxury and conscience can share a suite.
The Last Word
In a century that seems to have forgotten how to slow down, Khmer Journeys feels almost rebellious. It’s the antidote to algorithmic travel, a return to something genuine, graceful, and slightly unpredictable.
By the time you return home, tan lines fading and temple carvings still haunting your dreams, you might even forget to post the photos. And that, in Peter Needham’s book, is the surest sign of a good holiday.
For reservations: [email protected].
More information: www.jati-resort.com.
By Supaporn Pholrach – (c) 2025
Read Time: 5 minutes
About the Writer
Supaporn Pholrach has never been content to watch from the wings. From her early years selling airtime when advertising meant handshakes and deadlines scribbled on paper, she’s been right in the thick of the action. With a bachelor’s in general management and a Diploma in Marketing, she married training with tenacity, quickly earning a reputation as a professional who gets results without losing her humanity.
Fifteen years at Bangkok Shuho proved her stamina in a business where many burn out. Now, as Sales Manager with Global Travel Media, she steers tourism brands through the noise with a steady hand, a touch of humour and the kind of personal warmth clients remember. Supaporn doesn’t simply close deals; she builds connections in the old-fashioned way with trust, loyalty, and heart. Little wonder she has become a quiet anchor in a restless industry.
