4 Best Hotels in Kampot, Cambodia

If you like the idea of a light-filled contemporary villa with your own private pool, this low-rise boutique resort is for you. Set on the riverbank on Fish Island, just across from Kampot's old French Quarter, the location is handy for visiting the salt flats. The one- and two-bedroom villas feature Khmer mid-century modernist-style furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows with tropical garden views. When you tire of your own pool, there's an infinity pool overlooking the river, and a private beach just upriver. Breakfast is served at the stylish riverside restaurant, but for dinner take the hotel's private boat taxi and venture into town.

Ideally set on the banks of Kampong Bay river in a restored colonial building, this centrally located boutique-style hotel offers a handful of clean, spacious, and affordable rooms. Tasteful interiors, lovely river views—and sounds; you can hear fishing boats come and go from some rooms—and a good restaurant add to the charm, as does the very helpful, friendly, and accommodating management and staff. Makaori, the restaurant, serves Asian and international fusion cuisine of great quality at decent prices.

This little heaven for nature lovers offers a choice of budget, eco-friendly accommodations that are clean, spacious, and in a rustic local style. Rooms are spread among the main house, tribal huts on stilts, firefly yurt, and a tower (for up to four people) with a glorious 360-degree view of the river, the elephant mountain range, and rice fields. The restaurant provides a great selection of light meals, healthy juices and smoothies, local dishes and several vegan/vegetarian options. Arrange a sunset boat trip on the river.

One of the original riverside resorts in Kampot, Villa Vedici sprawls over its picturesque four hectares, with two swimming pools and a mix of accommodation options, including rooms upstairs in the main house as well as private villas. There's even a whole Khmer house if you're traveling with a few people. You can explore the river and farther afield on their kayaks and paddleboards.