The Shinta Mani Wild hotel offers a unique experience of being surrounded by the wilderness of the rainforest of South Cardamom National Park, Cambodia
This hotel stems from an idea of architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, who, after buying government land intended for deforestation, decided to safeguard the territory by transforming it into a magical and relaxing place. Besides having a low environmental impact, the resort protects wildlife thanks to the Shinta Mani Foundation and the NGO Wildlife Alliance.
The Shinta Mani Wild consists of 15 luxury tents spread along the river. For each tent, Bill Bensley studied and thoroughly analyzed the territory, respecting its configuration. The design of each tent required seven years of work to ensure the least invasive impact on the landscape.
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Each tent has its own name: the first is the Cambodian Royalty Tent (or Waterfall Tent. It is the first made by the architect and in 1967 hosted the former first lady Jacky Kennedy. Being situated downstream, it enjoys a very wide view over the Tmor river.
Custom design in the rainforest
The Shinta Mani Foundation tent was built on a 25-meter-wide rock that insinuates into the water during the monsoon season. The Bohemian Tent is a homage to the art of the Sixties. Here stands the painting of a Cambodian dancer by Picasso. The colorful bohemian sofas are designed by Bensley and can be also purchased.
The tent number 6, called Wildlife Alliance, is near the Raging Big Sister Falls and allows you to walk on the shallow rapids. Tent number 13 is dedicated to those in charge of protecting the Royal Terrapins, an endangered tortoise species.
Of course, a hotel surrounded by nature in Cambodia offers several related activities. Among the leisure activities organized by Shinta Mani Wild, you can take a walk in the Cardamom National Park, do trekking, cross the secret lagoons of the estuary on boats designed by Bill Bensley, or spend an anti-poaching day with the rangers, just to name a few. Khmer Tonics Spa offers a wide range of natural treatments based on medicinal plants.
[Txt: Anguilla Segura, ph: Mac Ernelson/B. Oyen Rodriguez]
