The term “Cambodian Riviera” evokes images of a bygone era, when Cambodia’s southern coastline—stretching along the Gulf of Thailand—was the playground of French and Khmer elites. In the 1950s and 60s, the seaside town of Kep-sur-Mer whispered of elegance and escape: modernist villas poised above the sea, salt-tinged breezes winding through bougainvillea, and a languid rhythm of leisure that defined a stylish chapter in Cambodia’s pre-war story. The opening of the sleek, modernist Independence Hotel in Sihanoukville in 1964 was the Riviera’s high point.
Then came the war—and the coast fell silent.
By the early 2000s, with peace returned, Cambodia’s southern shorelines began to stir once more. Knai Bang Chatt in Kep became an icon of this quiet revival—its Bauhaus-style villas, originally crafted by a student of Vann Molyvann, offered minimalist beauty that helped redefine Kep as a destination for the discerning traveler.
But in recent years, Kep’s fragile charm has been shaken. An artificial beach project disrupted the natural shoreline that robbed the property of its original shoreline setting—tragic for those who cherished its tranquil elegance and its iconic Sailing Club with its wooden pier that stretched into the setting sun – quite possibly Cambodia’s most cherished sunset spot.
Despite this shift, Somanea Resort and The Veranda have emerged as Kouprey’s top luxury recommendations in Kep, alongside a variety of charming boutique properties that continue to offer a refined experience in the region.
Elsewhere, however, the Riviera’s renaissance continues.
In 2012, the launch of Song Saa Private Island was a game-changer, placing Cambodia firmly on the global luxury map. Hidden within a marine reserve, the resort fused barefoot eco-luxury with visionary hospitality. The momentum has grown steadily since.
On a jungle-draped islet in Ream National Park, Six Senses Krabey Island offers sensorial immersion—wellness rituals, rainforest stillness, and sustainable luxury with soul. Further west, Royal Sands Koh Rong stretches across one of Cambodia’s most stunning beaches, its villa-only format balancing privacy with relaxed indulgence.
Back on the mainland, Amber Kampot adds a sleek, contemporary touch to a town defined by slow rhythms and colonial charm. Just across the water, on Koh Russey (Bamboo Island), the JATI—from the Shinta Mani family—has just opened in April 2025, blending Khmer craftsmanship with a barefoot spirit and seamless hospitality. Its neighbour Koh Russey Villas offers a more intimate, design-forward option for those seeking serenity.
A significant boost to connectivity is a new international ferry route linking Phu Quoc (Vietnam) to Kampot – scheduled to start running in January, this has been delayed but is expected to start up very soon . Meanwhile daily boats from Kampot connect travellers to Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem, and Koh Sdach. There’s even talk of extending services onward to Thailand, ushering in a new era of coastal exploration that echoes the free-spirited glamour of the past.
Kouprey Adventures sees a great future in this region and has crafted a series of new products that showcase the best of what the south has to offer using this growing collection of luxury properties as bases to explore the fertile hills, dotted with waterfalls and home to the famous Kampot Pepper, or the stunning Kampot River and surrounding mangroves where visitors can kayak, paddleboard, or relax on board a rustic vesselas it gently meanders on the peaceful and secluded river.
Kouprey Adventures envisions a bright future for the region and has crafted a range of new experiences that highlight the best of southern Cambodia. With a growing collection of luxury retreats and boutique hideaways as launchpads, guests can venture into the Elephant Mountains—dotted with waterfalls and emerging hiking trails, discover Kampot’s Pepper farms, meander along the gentle Prek Tuek Chhu River, or explore mangroves and mirror-like salt flats. Whether cycling, paddling, kayaking, or cruising aboard a traditional wooden boat, these journeys are all about slowing down, tuning in, and discovering the quiet soul of Cambodia’s beautiful South.
