Luxury holidays in Sihanoukville
In a pristine pocket of the Gulf of Thailand, 22 kilometres offshore, lies the Koh Rong archipelago, a collection of untouched isles, two of which are home to eco-chic escape Song Saa Private Island. If you were lucky enough to visit Koh Samui or Phi Phi before the tourist boom, then those dreamy scenes are what you can expect to find here – sugar-white beaches, protected reefs and jungle-shrouded hills. Snorkelling, diving and sunbaking beckon. By contrast, backpacker-favourite Sihanoukville brims with French patisseries, pizza joints and all-night dance sessions on the beach.
When to go
For cool, dry days, time your visit for November to March. Things heat up from then until May, and become seriously hot and steamy from June to August. September and October are wet and cool, which can play havoc with sunbaking plans.