What is a perfect beach? Most will picture expanses of soft white sand giving way to a warm blue sea. There are gentle waves for frolicking about and plenty of room to stretch out in an uncrowded space. The ideal beach is where you’d want to take in some sun but there are also palm trees for some shade if the sun gets too intense.
Now take that beach, make it 1.5 km long and then put a full service luxury hotel in the southern seas off Cambodia and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable beach holiday and the Sokha Beach Resort in Sihanoukville.
In-the-know travellers have been aware of the Sihanoukville for years. The town, named after the previous King of Cambodia, Sihanouk, is the largest city in southern Cambodia. What was once a haven for weary back packers has become the place for luxury holiday seekers. You’ll often hear Russian, German, and English with various accents spoken here as well as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.
Sihanoukville is known for its wonderful waters, beaches and fun nightlife. In town there are many pubs, discos, and restaurants and it is worth spending an evening exploring. There are also many active pursuits to explore in and away from the sea.
The Sokha Beach Resort is a massive property of over 400 units spread over 23.5 hectares. The main building houses suites in various categories from their Deluxe Room to their Royal Suite overlooking the pool and beach beyond.
For those looking to spend a more exclusive holiday, you’ll find the Moha Mohori Chalet Villas at the far end of the property. The villas are glorious and perfect for couples on honeymoon or just looking to reconnect. Each standalone villa is suspended over water in an ocean inlet surrounded by lush foliage.
The centrepiece of the bedroom is the super king sized bed draped with white fabric from the canopy frame and the art carved panel headboard. The floors are beautiful teak panels inviting barefoot comfort during each stay. Each water chalet has a very large bathroom with a separate shower and a bath with a view of your terrace and the ocean beyond. There’s even a kitchen area with sink, microwave oven and stove top for those who want to stay for an extended time.
Outside there is a large deck terrace and chaise longues. They are absolutely wonderful and a great way to take in the beautiful environment. Many of the chalet villas also have a jacuzzi. At night, there is no better place for star gazing while listening to the waves caress the nearby shore. It’s the perfect place to sit in the jacuzzi, sharing a bottle of Cabernet with your loved one and talking or just being silent together.
The dining options at the Sokha Beach Resort are fabulous as well. There are four restaurants serving everything from Khmer (Cambodian) dishes to Chinese and Japanese. Their signature restaurant is the Lemongrass and has been masterfully created with a Japanese influence in its décor.
The Lemongrass serves Asian cuisine including signature Khmer dishes, seafood fare, Teppanyaki and Sushi and other traditional Japanese favourites. There’s an indoor space with high and wonderful design and a wine cellar display with 1000’s of bottles of reds and whites from around the world. The outdoor terrace has a covered and open space with candlelit tables on the deck over the beach. It is a marvellous setting.
Many well-heeled travellers have been to many a hoity toity restaurant serving nine course meals or little plates and reconstructed micro, nitrogen blah blah. This is not that, and thank God. What it serves is really fresh and simple local dishes prepared well. They are delicious, uncomplicated and presented in a wonderful setting with warm and attentive service. The perfect recipe for a wonderful dining experience.
There are several other dining options at the resort so guests on an extended stay will never grow bored when planning their next meal. The China House Restaurant is a newly opened Chinese restaurant serving classic loved dishes with modern updated recipes. As guests enter the expansive restaurant they’ll see the wall of fish tanks with today’s fresh catch of options to choose from. You can’t get any fresher than this selection of known and more exotic seafood options.
Once inside, the extremely warm and friendly staff escort guests to dine indoors or alfresco on the wide deck with views overlooking the sea. Not to miss are the Garlic Steam Shrimp with Vermicelli or the house specialty, the Peking Duck. The taste of each dish, ambience, and genuinely warm and friendly service make this a ” must experience ” dining option when at the Sokha Beach Resort.
This is a massive hotel complex with a large free form pool with children frolicking about. When they get tired of the pool, there’s plenty to do here and they have a comprehensive kids club to occupy them while the parents explore on their own.
One relaxing way to spend the afternoon is at the Jasmine Spa. It is a true full service spa with 17 treatment rooms and experienced therapists to sooth your weary body. There are numerous types of treatments from body massages, body wraps, facials and even a men’s and women’s beauty salon.
After so much travel, weary travellers will have aches and soreness that need relief. The deep muscle massage is great for those active bodies with deep down tightness. The treatment begins with a consultation asking what areas you’d like focused on or to stay away from then you’ll get to choose the fragrance of the oil from jasmine to lemongrass. This is followed by a foot wash and then on the massage table.
The massage begins with a rub of the lower back and the upper back, long strokes are augmented by pressure points with the thumb and figure and then a full deep stroke with elbows deep into sore muscles. The legs are followed by arms, neck and head. After an hour of tugging, pushing and prodding, you’ll drift off into oblivion as you become more and more relaxed. The therapists are extremely capable and know what to do to get your body into a rejuvenated state.
This resort really has it all from tennis courts, recreational activities, and even a huge casino with blinking hungry slot machines flashing today’s jackpot as well as poker and blackjack tables. Away from the casino, there is also live entertainment nightly with a talented band singing international hits and old standards setting the perfect ambience for pre-dinner cocktails with a loved one.
Cambodia is an exceptional destination with so much to do and see. Sihanoukville is a destination worthy of first time and repeat visitors who will surely love its wonderful beaches, friendly locals and exceptional five star holiday experiences such as that provided by the Sokha Beach Resort. For families, romantic couples, or solo travellers, the Sokha Beach Resort is an excellent choice for a fantastic and unforgettable holiday.
Address: Street 2 Thnou, Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia, Kom Pong Som 18204, Cambodia
Phone: +855 34 935 999
