Amber Kampot
Kampot
On the opposite side of the river from the main town, away from the backpacker and ex-pat bustle, the Amber Kampot is a bit of a gem. It’s the kind of property where you can feel your shoulders lower and your body relax as soon as you walk down the path. Still pools shimmer between the buildings, allowing for that complete sense of unwinding. The water keeps each villa serene and separate, blurring the boundary between river and land. The effect is a balm; there’s no stiff pretence here, just simple, bright, private spaces.
The look of the place is instantly appealing. The architect has achieved the tricky balance of combining modern minimalism with a genuinely warm welcome, and at no point does it feel overdone. The flexibility of the accommodation is a huge plus, too. Every villa has a private pool, and the two-bedroom options are fantastically spacious for families while the one-beds make effortlessly cosy couples’ retreats. Breathe deep, feel the tensions melt away, and refocus your refreshed mind on exploring Kampot.
Location
Right on the water’s edge on the banks of the Preaek Tuek Chhu River, just a short boat ride across the river to the main Kampot town, this serene hotel is also just under 3-hours from Phnom Penh.
A little more detail
Spa & riverside beach
Outdoor pool & terrace
Paddleboarding & kayaking
Fine-dining & local dishes
From a client…
Totally unexpected but a very welcome surprise. After many years of travelling in Asia I'm hard pushed to think of a hotel that offered this level of serenity.
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Why we love it
Discover what to expect from staying at Amber Kampot
Simplicity & calm
Simple is not the same as basic; while ‘basic’ implies lower quality and minimal resources, ‘simple’ can mean the highest quality, but provided without unnecessary embellishment. Some things don’t need to be gilded. This important distinction is just one of the reasons that Amber is so appealing. Its simplicity lies in the clean lines, bright spaces and modest-but-astute aesthetic which gives the natural beauty of the landscape its share of the limelight. An ideal balance.
An alternative south…
Kep definitely tends to steal the show as the go-to holiday destination in southern Cambodia, thanks to its accessible and rustic coastline and phenomenal seafood scene. However, with resorts like Amber now on the menu, Kampot is beginning to shout its name a little louder as an alternative with a riverside flavour all of its own. It’s shaken off its ramshackle backpacker image a bit, making space for laid-back, immersive resorts, such as this one, where discerning travellers can escape the tourist bustle.
What can you do there?
Explore Kampot’s vibrant old market, head further afield to wildlife watch in Kep National Park, and taste Kampot’s world-famous pepper at a local plantation. Kayak or paddleboard out onto the river, cycle through the town and surrounding area, and take a leisurely cruise up the Preaek Tuek Chhu. Relax on the resort’s private river beach, unwind around the pool or with a treatment at the spa, and dine on beautifully-prepared local dishes and fusion cuisine.
