TAMU

Picture a beach paradise in Southeast Asia: white sandy beaches, clear water, tropical foliage. Chances are you’re picturing Vietnam or Thailand. But Otres Beach, a seaside enclave on the western coast of Cambodia, is consistently named one of the best in this region of the world. The fact that the secret’s not totally out is part of what keeps the water pristine and the hotels relatively uncrowded.

It’s a colorful fifteen-minute tuk-tuk ride from the coastal town of Sihanoukville to this stretch of paradise, and to Tamu, a sleek boutique hotel right on the sand. There are just fifteen rooms, situated around a swimming pool and facing the sea, each with a private balcony. Some have small gardens; others have Balinese-style outdoor showers. Inside, the look is minimalist — polished cement floors, wide white beds, low sofas and cushions that invite a lazy afternoon lounge. And that’s exactly what you’ll be doing here. You’ll lounge by the sea, under a tree, and by the pool, even by the breakfast table — coffee, lunch, and cocktails are all served on daybeds on the beach.

Once you’ve properly rested and worked on that base tan, more active pursuits await. There’s yoga on the beach with Tamu’s in-house instructor, snorkeling and kayaking, mangrove tours and fishing trips. The hotel will gladly make the arrangements for an unforgettable picnic on a virgin island nearby. Tamu’s restaurant, naturally, sources ingredients from local markets and farms. So there’s plenty of exotic fruit to go around, whether packed in the picnic basket or blended into your sunset cocktail. Cambodia: let’s keep it quiet for now.