Hanuman

Hanuman has been out on the road, and on the Mekong River, recently to give the once over to a newly-opened renovated villa in Kep, and the fanciest newcomer to the cruise boats that ply the Saigon to Siem Reap route.

Villa Romonea in Kep

A beautifully renovated Sixties modernist-style home that sits on the coastline in Kep.

Villa Romonea boasts an infinity pool with great sea views, a sun deck, tennis courts and a 6-hole pitch and putt golf course on this five acre estate. Inside the gorgeous villa are six rooms in total, downstairs are two smallish single rooms with one family room (2 separate bedrooms, 1 double, 1 twin) with a large shared bathroom. Upstairs are two expansive suite rooms. The property can accommodate twelve people with dining inside and outside, a television room and children’s play area.

For a family or small group wishing to hire the villa for complete privacy, it’s ideal. Individual rooms are only available at weekends. Kep is fast becoming the ‘in’ place to relax on the south coast of Cambodia, so more accommodation options are always very welcome. Website: http://villaromonea.com

The Jayavarman Cruise Boat

A high level of luxury and attention to detail makes The Jayavarman a great way to experience life along the Mekong River and the waterways of old Indochina. If you didn’t see the water slipping by whilst relaxing with room service on your very own balcony, you would not believe you were cruising along one of the world’s biggest rivers, it was such a smooth ride.

In a charming replica of the 1930s cruise liner ‘Normandie’ with French colonial, art nouveau and Khmer touches throughout, the equally charming staff make this a trip to savour. There are 27 staterooms (including 2 signature staterooms), each individually decorated, all with private balconies and en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, safe and fridge. You can relax with a cocktail in the Funnel Lounge, or catch the sun’s rays on the sun deck, before enjoying a varied menu in the Indochine indoor restaurant. If you need some extra pampering, pop into the Apsara Spa room.

Built in 2009, it can accommodate 65 guests and has a crew of 40 to serve your every need. They offer between 2-7 nights on board, upstream and downstream, and the trip can include visits to Cai Be, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Kompong Cham and Siem Reap.

They’ve just completed their first high season, are continually making small improvements and if they can add more variety to their food selection, a trip on The Jayavarman will be one to savour. Website: http://www.heritage-line.com

Other News

Cambodia Angkor Air, now the country’s main internal carrier, and with a monopoly on flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, have increased their prices by US$12 on all flights from the start of this month. However they do now allow ticket changes for a US$10 fee and a ticket refund at a cost of US$15, which they didn’t before. Longer term, more competition on this route will hopefully cause prices to come down.