The Hotel’s Window
When you stay at the Shinta Mani Wild, be ready to experience a window to one of the most mesmerizing jungles in the world. Imagine waking up to the vivid green colors of the jungle banks and the soothing rush of the white water beneath you. Suspended above the banks of the white water Thmor Rung River, visitors to Shinta Mani Wild are struck with views at every turn that are unlike any you experience in everyday life.
A Visual Tour of
Shinta Mani Wild
Insider’s Knowledge
The moment we came across this extraordinary Bensley Collection property, an array of questions came to mind. To satisfy our curiosity, we turned to David Steyn, the General Manager at Shinta Mani Wild, who graciously introduced us to this Cambodian piece of paradise under his management.
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At Shinta Mani Wild, the rainforest is our backyard. Our guests feel the secluded comfort of the hotel’s private tents, amenities, and five-star open-air restaurant while overlooking the seemingly endless expanse of Cambodia’s Cardamom National Park. As a luxury ecolodge and often regarded as one of the best hotels in Asia, Shinta Mani Wild is all about generating minimal impact on the natural wonders and ecosystems surrounding it. And yet, as guests sip handcrafted beverages from hammocks while looking out on the wilderness, they feel comfort in knowing that their stay contributes to the area’s conservation efforts. The views on display start from the ground as guests are driven through the jungle in a 1960s-era army Jeep to the main premises. They feel the rush of panoramic views as they zip line above the trees to enter the camp, a network of 15 private luxury tents and amenities.
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Every tent at Shinta Mani Wild is private and has distinct, unparalleled views of the natural landscape of Southeast Asia’s largest surviving rainforest. The two million acres of Cardamom National Park remain primarily unexplored. Yet, its sweeping views are all within reach from when guests wake up until they enjoy cocktails at dusk from our open-air bar. In addition, guests can enjoy the same views that inspired Jackie Kennedy when she traveled to Cambodia in 1967. Years later, Jackie Kennedy became Bill Bensley’s muse in designing her homonymous tent as to what it would have been like if she had gone on safari with the King. The private, luxurious tent is meticulously appointed, though the most compelling feature is its breathtaking viewpoints from all sides. The panoramic view right in front of your bed offers one of the most compelling reasons never to want to get up. Those who stay in the luxury resort’s National Geographic Tent are treated to a truly one-of-a-kind visual experience overlooking a private waterfall. The tent is nestled in a serene location at the Raging Middle Sister Falls base. Waking up to the calming flow of the waterfall or indulging in a bath in a clawfoot tub while soaking in the surrounding beauty are all a set of magical moments we invite our guests to experience.
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There are nearly limitless ways to take in the rainforest sites outside of the comforts of one’s private accommodations. Plunging into one of the unique swimming pools in the world, immersed among towering trees and the peaceful hum of nature, is one of them. But there are more: at Shinta Mani Wild, we can accommodate romantic picnics by waterfalls, invigorating hiking trips with rare viewpoints, mountain biking, and host golden hour cocktails for guests - who often become friends - on a flat stone in the middle of the Thmor Rung River. No matter where one looks and what one does, these are views of a life few have seen. When guests want a respite from adventuring, we suggest experiencing our peaceful wellness services and views available at the hotel’s signature spa, Khmer Tonics. Its treatment rooms float with the forest canopy, making one feel on-air while melting into the scenery and comfort of a river-stone foot massage. Having a soak in the waterfall pool may also prove to be reinvigorating. Guests can enjoy hot stones, herbal compresses, full-body scrubs, and detoxifying facials from any viewpoint — the spa or the private deck of their living quarters.
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“Mesmerizing.”
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While there’s no compromise on luxury and service, guests feel at one with nature while immersed in it. The experience of taking in one of the world’s largest rainforests from one of Asia’s most treasured wilderness stays is incomparable to anything anyone will see or experience anywhere else in the world.
Video Inspiration
Video-travel to Shanti Mani Wild in Cambodia.
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Hotel’s Location
Located in a private nature sanctuary, Shinta Mani is accessible by car from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. These are the two closest airports to the resort. Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, is located about a three-hour drive northwest of the resort. On Cambodia’s southwestern coastline, Sihanoukville is a slightly shorter two-and-a-half-hour drive away. Upon arrival, all guests take a Jeep ride across the rugged red-rock path to the hotel's headquarters (about a 20-minute ride). They are also given the choice to do the exhilarating 1,050 ft zipline that takes guests to the Landing Zone Bar.