The opening of a luxury resort on the Cambodian island of Koh Rong fills a gap in what’s been known to be a backpacker destination, potentially helping inbound operators to lure visitors away from Angkor and extend their Cambodia stay.
In December, the five-star, 67-villa Royal Sands Koh Rong started welcoming guests, said to set the standards for luxury accommodation on the remote island.
Set on 550m of a 6.5km stretch of white-sand beach, the resort features two restaurants, a spa, gym, yoga sala and infinity pool.
Founder and major shareholder, Luzi Matzig, said: “We have created a luxury resort and new standards for the island, which we believe adds a new attraction to Cambodia and encourages visitors to stay in the country for longer.”
While the stretch of beach at Koh Touch in the south has become saturated with guesthouses, the remainder of Koh Rong’s 28 beaches that dot the 78ha island are relatively undeveloped.
Miles Gravett, general manager of Khiri Cambodia, said: “Royal Sands is a welcome addition to the industry and fills a luxury hotel void on Koh Rong, which has long been known as a backpacker destination.
He added: “Royal Sands also happens to be on what I think is one of the best beaches in the world, but this might change as more resorts are built.”
Away from budget accommodation, there is little to offer more upmarket travellers, apart from the three-star Sok San Resort.
Coralie Romano, branch manager at Diethelm Travel Cambodia, said: “We have been longing to become a beach destination, where our clients can extend their stay at the beach in Cambodia after touring the country instead of extending on Thailand’s beaches.”
While Romano said Cambodia is “not still there yet”, she said the addition of Alila Villas Koh Russey and Six Senses Krabey Island later this year – both set on private islands – will help cement Cambodia as a beach destination.
