Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West blends barefoot luxury, fine dining, wellness and local adventures, redefining Kep as Cambodia’s emerging seaside escape
Location
The six-hectare resort overlooks the Gulf of Thailand on a stretch of coastline in Kep in southern Cambodia that has recently been developed as part of a government-led beautification programme. It is a stroll from the town’s famous crab market and a short tuk-tuk ride to the town centre, main beach and national park.
Accommodation
While Knai Bang Chatt has been welcoming guests for 22 years, its rebranding to Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West marks the start of a new chapter, not only for the resort, but for the quaint coastal town as a whole.
The 18 rooms span five types, with each mirroring the resort’s wabi-sabi spirit. Each blend minimalist luxury with restored modernist architecture. While they feature a mini bar and coffee and tea facilities, the rooms come without a TV, which the owner claims distract from being present in the moment. However, there is a small meeting room on-site with a TV.
I stayed in a spacious superior room that spanned 38m² and oozed understated elegance, featuring contemporary raw concrete floors and walls, teak wood and traditional Cambodian artefacts.
F&B
Knai Bang Chatt’s signature restaurant, The Strand, is where guests can enjoy breakfast with an ocean view. It also serves lunch and dinner. Adjacent to the resort is Kep West, a multi-functional leisure destination that sits on the oceanfront.
At The Wave, guests can opt for more casual dining at Cafe Grande, which is perfect for lunch or a relaxed evening meal. For fine dining, Crab & Co delivers a mouth-watering menu dominated by the area’s abundance of fresh seafood. The giant mud crabs and steamed king prawns are a must.
The rooftop, The Deck, is the perfect sunset spot, serving a range of tapas dishes, creative cocktails and idyllic views of the sun sinking into the sea.
Amenities
The resort reflects Kep’s past as Kep-sur-Mer, a retreat for the French colonial elite. It includes three original villas from the 1960s, with the rest built in the same style.
The main resort comprises expansive gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, spa and The Strand. In addition to The Wave, Kep West is home to a raft of other amenities.
Kep West Wellness Centre is the perfect place to start the day with a yoga session, holistic healing, Tibetan bowl sound healing or breath workshops, designed by wellness manager Lana Yang.
At Kep West Sailing and Discovery Centre, visitors can embark on sailing adventures and a raft of excursions designed to immerse guests into local life. Options include meeting rural farmers by motorbike, pepper farm visits, day trips with fishermen, dolphin spotting and planting mangroves. We embarked on a unique trip to Koh Seh Island, the base of Marine Conservation Cambodia, to learn about its work to protect Cambodia’s marine ecosystem.
Service
In keeping with the barefoot luxury vibe, don’t expect staff to be wearing suits greeting you with, “Ma’am” and “Sir”. Instead, you’re on first name terms, welcomed like a relative returning home.
Verdict
Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West is a great new addition to the sleepy seaside town, offering elevated adventure, dining and drinking options, while helping usher in a new era for Kep.
Contact details
Website: www.kepwest.com/knaibangchatt
