Shinta Mani Wild
Hotel · Kampong Seila ·
Luxury tented camp with zip-line arrival, conservation focus
Information
Prey Praseth Village, Kampong Seila, Cambodia Get directions
Luxury tented camp with zip-line arrival, conservation focus
Prey Praseth Village, Kampong Seila, Cambodia Get directions
"Built as a conservation-focused passion project in the South Cardamom rainforest, this 15-tent camp was constructed without cutting trees and filled with Cambodian wood carvings, large beds, and open-air bathtubs that frame the jungle. Roughly 70 percent of the staff come from the local village, and the site offers immersive wildlife encounters—near a major elephant migration trail and home to species from gibbons to Indochinese tigers—alongside adventure options like one of Southeast Asia’s longest zip-lines, kayaking, mountain biking, and guest-participation anti-poaching patrols run with a partner NGO." - Jennifer Flowers
"Supports large-scale biodiversity conservation efforts."
"Set the scene.A zip-line brings you soaring through the canopy of trees to a bar beside a waterfall, and a flamboyant tented camp, vintage in style, as if pegged there for passing royalty back in the day. A shot of tequila in an iced pineapple cordial is offered before you have time to step out of your harness. What's the story?Cambodian hotelier Sokoun Chanpreda and daring hotel architect Bill Bensley won a parcel of hardwood forest in a logging auction. Their goal: to not chop down the rosewood, ironwood, and teak trees. So they set about drawing plans for this tented camp. Shinta Mani Wild is the fourth property for Chanpreda (his first three are in Siem Reap) and the second in partnership with Bensley. What can we expect in our room?There are just 15, each flamboyantly designed with a vintage feel and a few contemporary pops of color among the brass fittings, dress-making mannequins, old-fashioned fans, trunks, and leather-bound books. Room 1 is the furthest from camp, which also makes it the most private, and there's a seductively romantic roll-top bathtub on the deck beside the white-water river. It's all sumptuously comfortable; there's even a maxibar with cocktail accessories and the tech is remarkably good across the property. How about the food and drink?Perhaps the biggest surprise is how good the food is here, given the remoteness of the hotel and Cambodia's lesser-known reputation for cuisine. Under the guidance of the culinary director, Patricia Yeo, there's an impressive daily changing menu. Breakfast is irresistible; lunch is crisp cold soups and salads such as pomelo, shrimp, and cashews; while the Khmer menu in the evening has greens, mushrooms, and fruits foraged from the forest. Everything’s included in the rate. Anything to say about the service?Endearingly eager-to-please. Check-in and check-out is unnoticeable; one simply arrives by zip-line and the adventure begins. There’s a dream team of guides on hand for activities and excursions: mountain-biking on dusty trails and kayaking down narrow streams, orchid-hunting and anti-poaching patrols, and fly-fishing with Tulga, Bensley’s personal attendant in Mongolia, who is based here for stints throughout the year. Who comes here?Experienced travelers fresh from the temples at Angkor, comparing notes at the communal dinner table and sharing stories about backpacking in the 1980s. Anything you'd change?Air-conditioning seems incongruous in a tented camp, especially one that espouses sustainability. Anything else we should know?There are unlimited spa treatments (included in the room rate) and a sensational black steel bathtub-shaped pool. No spa; instead there’s hiking, mountain-biking, and kayaking. The minimum age of guests is 13 and there are always butlers around if supervision is required. Is it worth it? Why?It's expensive but worth it. This pioneering tented camp is raising the bar for the region, as well as pledging serious commitment to conservation." - Michelle Jana Chan
"I've long admired Bill Bensley's Shinta Mani properties (including Shinta Mani Wild) for their commitment to sustainable construction and deep community engagement; his work in Southeast Asia demonstrates thoughtful design that prioritizes local benefit and environmental care." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"An experiential wilderness lodge that embeds conservation into the guest experience by offering visitors direct opportunities to assist in protecting nearby protected forests, including frontline efforts against illegal poachers and loggers; the property frames responsible travel as active stewardship rather than passive observation." - Jeff Chu Jeff Chu Jeff Chu is an editor-at-large at Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines