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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
Pakistan
Knai Bang Chatt Resort is a small property, designed in minimalist style, adapted from the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi. Lying in the dappled shade of a stumpy tree on Koh Tonsay, or Rabbit Island, just off the Cambodian coastal village Kep, one feels an overwhelming calm. It comprises three Le Corbusier–influenced villas and one modern house, to form one intimate retreat. This historic property offers 11 minimalist-chic rooms with views of either the calm Gulf of Thailand or artfully landscaped gardens.
Just a few hours from Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, Kep started out as a stylish retreat for the French in the 1920s. When the Khmer Rouge set up camp here in the 1970s, Kep's brief period in the sun was over. In the last ten years, however, a number of these villas have been turned into boutique hotels. This Knai Bang Chatt property, originally designed in the ’70s by a protégé of Le Corbusier is now fully renovated into a chic 11-room seaside hotel.
The rooms are simple and elegantly furnished. They are unique in both the layout and furnishings with a consistent theme of minimal, rustic, unfussy and calm. The rooms are spread in three separate villas, each with large terraces opening on to stunning ocean views. Outside, beautiful, spacious gardens have loungers in peaceful spots to relax and unwind. The objective here is luxury and escapism.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeGardenMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolPrivate BeachRestaurantSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay Knai Bang Chatt Resort has just 11 rooms and suites. These are divided between three villas, each of which has a large terrace or balcony. All rooms vary in size and are individually decorated with sea view or garden view. There are single bed, twin-bed and double room villas, mixed on different floors. These six Seaview rooms are the most popular on the property. While the spacious Knai Bang Chatt Suite encompasses the entire second floor of the New Villa.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at Knai Bang Chatt. This is not really a great place for kids as there are no special facilities. Although the hotel is set up for adults, cots and babysitting are available on request.
Dine Dining at Knai Bang Chatt Resort is mostly a casual and communal affair. Breakfast is served at a rough-hewn 24-foot-long table under a palapa overlooking the sea, where Mediterranean-influenced seafood is also served. Other meals are served whenever and anywhere around the complex, including the roof top or at the jetty. The Sailing Club is also open daily for lunch and dinner. In the surrounds, tin-roofed restaurants serve fresh crab on grill or steamed.
Relax The Sailing Club is perhaps an ideal destination to relax and enjoy sunset. Housed in a former fisherman’s cottage directly over the sea, it is open daily for lunch and dinner. Back at the Knai Bang Chatt, is an infinity pool, tiled in muted turquoise, overlooking the sea. For those who like to slow down the mind can request for a personal teacher to practise yoga or meditation in the surrounding gardens or get a qualified Shiatsu therapist for an invigorating massage.
Experience The Kep beach is a popular hangout joint for locals, which makes for an interesting place to get some insight into local life in Kep. Knai Bang Chatt Resort can arrange excursions to ancient Buddhist cave temples and day trips to Rabbit Island, which is great for snorkelling. Further north is Kampot, with views of Elephant Mountains in the distance. The popular Crab Market is walking distance and from where you take boats to the Rabbit Island, known for snorkelling.
Location Knai Bang Chatt Resort is a small property, on Koh Tonsay, or Rabbit Island, just off the Cambodian coastal village Kep, with views of the calm Gulf of Thailand.
Getting There There are no direct flights to Cambodia from the UK, but good connections are available to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. From Phnom Penh you can fly to Kep with Air Asia. Phnom Penh to Kep by road is a three-hour drive. There is also a helipad 10km from the property. Your hotel will pick you up from the airport.
When to go Cambodia is hot all year round and the best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April. In May and June the southwestern monsoon brings rain that lasts until October but it rarely rains all day. Although, this is a low season for tourism, it has its own advantages. It is when the Angkor complex is at its most beautiful, the vegetation is lush, the moats for full of water and there are less tourists so you can explore the temples in peace.
Destination
Southern, CambodiaDiscover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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