The Best of Cambodia & Laos

176
SOUTHERN CAMBODIA
8
KEP
Botanica Guest House Those on a budget might want to consider the Botanica, a
pleasantly rustic series of bungalows surprisingly well turned out with good amenities.
There is a Belgian flavor here, particularly when it comes to the beer. They serve a selection
of top-notch Belgian brews such as Leffe and Hogaarden in the well-equipped and
comfortable bar in addition to a selection of “inventive mixes” of nonalcoholic refreshments.
The restaurant serves an astonishingly eclectic range of dishes from India to Spain
via Cambodia with the emphasis on fresh salads and cold platters.
Beach road before the crab market turnoff. & 016/562-775. www.kep-botanica.com. $8 single; $10
double. No credit cards. Amenities: Restaurant; bar.
Knai Bang Chatt This is the finest luxury option in Kep. This seaside property is
made of one new and three renovated villas, built in what was called the New Modern
Khmer style of the 1960s. Rooms are spacious and done in mellow, neutral colors. Everyone
gets a huge, private terrace overlooking the garden or ocean. The outdoor infinity
pool faces some stiff competition from the nearby ocean, where you can take a midnight
dip among phosphorescent plankton.
Phum Thmey Sangkat Prey, Thom Khan Kep. & 012/879-486. www.knaibangchatt.com. $200–$450
double. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor pool; spa. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar, Wi-Fi.
Le Bout du Monde With a name meaning the “end of the world,” this place lives up
to its name in rustic Gallic style. One of the first Kep operations to open, it offers beautiful
bungalows with stone bathrooms open to the outdoors. It has an old-fashioned feel
whether you pick a modest, simple bungalow for $15 or the “Tradition and Prestige”
suite for $85. The restaurant menu is made up of French and Cambodian cuisine based
exclusively on fresh produce from the garden or from the local market whether fish,
shellfish, salads, or vegetables, and is great place from which to enjoy majestic views of
Bokor wreathed in cloud.
Near the ASPECA orphanage and far up the hillside overlooking town. & 011/964-181; www.leboutdu
mondekep.com. $15–$85 double. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: Minibar, safe.
Le Flamboyant Le Flamboyant offers unique bungalows, with outdoor showers and
lounging beds on rooftop verandas. They have a reasonably sized swimming pool with a
bistro beside it serving a mixture of Khmer and Asian fare (main courses $5). Because it
is lower down the hill, Le Flamboyant misses out on the ocean views of its competitors.
Beach road before the crab market turnoff. & 012/230-357. www.flamboyant-hotel.com. $35–$80
double. No credit cards. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar, Wi-Fi.
Veranda Natural Resort This resort is located on a hilltop overlooking town. On
stilts overlooking the sea far below, the rustic thatch-and-wood units are compact but
tidy. Rooms are connected by raised boardwalk. The bar is a popular spot for sunset views
over Bokor Mountain across the bay. The restaurant serves good faux-Western and
Khmer (expect to pay btw. $5–$10 for main courses), and it’s a good thing they have
tasty food, because you’re pretty much stranded up here. If it is seclusion you want, this
is a good place for it.
Opposite ASPECA orphanage and far up the hillside overlooking town. & 012/888-619. www.verandaresort.com.
$30–$75 double; $195 villa. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; car and motorbike rentals.
In room: A/C, TV, Wi-Fi.