The Best of Cambodia: Three Heavenly Hotels, 9 Magic Moment-Filled Days

Travel direct between Singapore and Siem Reap, after your compulsory inbound stop-over night at the flagship Raffles. Of course, you can indulge in the epic champagne high tea or a Singapore Sling at the historic Long Bar. Choose business class on Singapore Airline's Boeing 737–8 Max for the two-hour flight. Depending on how you're vacationing this time around, there's the option of a 2–2 and a 1–1 seating configuration for solo travelers. Lie flat seats are a bonus, although not really necessary for this hop, skip and a jump into Cambodia.

Once on the ground at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, you'll be met by a representative who'll expedite your customs process, assist with retrieving your luggage and guide you to your driver waiting at arrivals. You’ll be whisked off to the exclusive retreat (famous for being the home of Angie and Brad during the filming of one of their blockbusters) hidden in the vibrant Siem Reap countryside, Phum Baitang. It means "green village" and you'll soon see why.

Upon arrival, receive a Water Blessing or gain first-hand insight into local Buddhist culture, by receiving a monk’s blessing instead.

Or simply sip on a delicious champagne cocktail, created with homemade herb-infused syrups. Then settle-in time. Your private villa is designed to capture the essence of traditional Khmer homes, raised on stilts, high-ceilings, walls of woven bamboo, hand-picked antiques, beautifully aged wooden floors and shutters and your very own day bed and pool, overlooking the storybook setting.

You have the option of an early dinner in one of three restaurants or have it prepared by your own chef in the privacy of your villa garden. An early night comes highly recommended to prepare for the sunrise temple expedition that lies ahead.

Awaken before the birds for a cup of hot brew and a nibble before setting off. Picture-perfect timing to capture the centerpiece of all the temples of Angkor. Explore in the dappled morning light the quintessence of Cambodia.

Return to the hotel for a brunch poolside, and a lazy day with plenty of time allocated to the in-house spa, aptly named 'Spa Temple'. Choose the 'Walking on Clouds' temple ritual treatment. A miraculous transformation for tired legs and feet. In the Khmer tradition, hand-crushed spices are applied to the legs (initially those of rice farmers tending rice paddies). After spending the morning exploring the amazing Angkor temples, you'll savor this treat, herbal foot soak with a gentle touch of flowers, followed by a nurturing warm herbal leg compress massage, then a mask of freshly crushed ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and cloves is applied with a warm leaf cocoon wrapping, leaving the spices to detoxify your skin. Acupressure and reflexology points will be the focus for your tired feet. With a cooling application of fresh cucumber that seals in moisture, you'll be ready to walk that extra mile.

Other signature treatments with nutrition and movement elements are also on offer, so take full advantage of this spiritual sanctuary designed to balance and restore body, mind and spirit. Soak up the sun alongside the 50-meter outdoor infinity pool, detoxify in the sauna or steam room or defrag with yoga in the pavilion or fitness room followed by time in the relaxation area.

Enjoy a later start today. The morning is spent as you choose. Browsing the boutique or a treatment at the spa before heading to the Hidden Temple – Tha Phrom for a late morning exploration of the best ‘tree in temple’ experience.

Return for a lunch of fresh hand-rolled spring rolls or sashimi and homemade mint lemonade. Around 3 pm, head out for a last opportunity to enjoy these treasure troves of times gone by. Take in Bayon at Dusk and watch the light transform the smiling faces etched into stone.

Your guide will ensure you have adequate refreshments onboard for the afternoon adventure, whether you opt for the more 'vibey' tuk tuk option or an air-conditioned car.

This concludes the time in the land of the ancients. Rest well. The jungle beckons.

Transfer via helicopter on an 80-minute flight into the Cardamom Rainforest to Shinta Mani Wild.

Another option is a roughly four-hour door-to-door day trip, including a road transfer to the international airport in Siem Reap, an hour flight with a local commercial airline to Phnom Penh and a further scenic road transfer of an hour to your destination.

Whichever option you choose, you'll have the opportunity to set the frequency to "adventure" by clipping into a 400-meter zip line and flying over trees and waterfalls to have (the first) of your favorite cocktails in the landing bar, ready when you arrive. Not your average check-in experience.

Fifteen luxury antique-clad tents set in an 865 acres rainforest sanctuary by the Willy Wonka of hotel design, Bill Bensley provide the intimate setting for an all-inclusive adventure of a lifetime, that ticks all the boxes.

Whether you dip in the river, jump over a waterfall, enjoy a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a stream or bathe in 'The Cistern', the 35-meter pool set amid the treetops, utilize the water element to find your flow today. Your personal Bensley Butler and wellness practitioner will tailor water and wellness sessions to your needs, your level of fitness and your own intentions and goals (and with spa and wellness being all included in your daily rate, take full advantage.)

Before the day draws to a close, indulge in sundowners — alfresco. Possibly the world’s most decadent pop-up cocktail bar. Golden hour drinks on a big flat stone in the middle of the river — its divots acting as nature’s own little ice buckets — with a campfire going, memories are made of this.

Explore the secret backwaters, scenic rice fields and golden sand beaches of the upper Srey Ambel Estuary on the custom-designed expedition pontoon, equipped with a full bar, daybeds, toilet and a top deck with sun loungers. Your Bensley Butler will point out the vivid birdlife, and knows which mangrove-lined channels are best for exploring by kayak, and where to set up the perfect picnic in the wilderness.

Or jump on a motorbike and join the anti-poaching patrols of the Cambodian NGO, Wildlife Alliance. Discover first-hand how these rehabilitated poachers and loggers turned eco-warriors ensure the 50 identified endangered species who have their home here continue to thrive. Among them, the pileated gibbon, Sunda pangolin, clouded leopard and the dhole (a type of wild dog). This is also one of Asia’s last remaining elephant corridors.

If neither option floats your boat, join the resident naturalist, Mr Munny, as he harvests images from camera traps set for scientific studies of this biodiverse basin. Spot rare birdlife, find orchids in the wild and help forage for fresh ingredients for dinner or simply breathe in the lush surroundings.

Visit the in-house butterfly hatchery, developed in partnership with Conservation International to breed and reintroduce indigenous species back into their natural habitat. Learn about their fascinating lifecycle and how this area is home to over 140 species of butterflies. Painted Jezebels, magpie crows and sapphire-colored blue-banded king crows. Then carry a specially curated box of butterflies to an isolated location (head Bensley Butler and lepidopterist Bong Mac will guide you to the perfect spot within the reserve) and set them free into the wild!

Any time of day is good for hopping on a mountain bike, at any skill level. A virgin run on forested single-track? A gentle ride through a Khmer village? A challenging uphill to the Kirirom Reservoir, followed by an exhilarating downhill sprint?

If that feels like hard work, try a signature massage, or a heated herbal compress on your tent's deck. Indulge in meditation, breath work, Qigong amid the lush greenery, sound healing with Himalayan singing bowls, crystal bowls and gongs or take a yoga class above the waterfall.

When the sun starts to dip, learn about local spirits and juices or perfect your Negroni-making skills with a mixology masterclass. Your bartender will demonstrate the difference between cocktail shakers, the importance of ice cube size and shape and the secrets of a perfect drink.

Transfer via helicopter on a 60-minute flight into the Koh Rong Archipelago to Song Saa Private Island. Another option is a roughly two to three-hour door-to-door trip from Shinta Mani Wild to Sihanoukville on the road and on to the resort, a 45-minute speedboat ride from port.

Take the day at leisure. Explore your private island home, swim in the turquoise warm water and enjoy the ocean vistas from the infinity pool at your private villa.

Once the sun has set below the horizon, once it's completely dark, it's time to enjoy the show. One that is unique, dependent on the gods and enjoyed regularly here. Interest piqued? Song Saa Private Island is incredibly lucky to be one of the few places in the world you can see Bioluminescent Plankton in the water on a regular basis after dark.

Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to see it on the main beach or from your Overwater Villa, but just to be sure, venture out with the boat into deeper water.

Ideas on how to spend your time, if doing nothing is something you (like me) haven't yet mastered:

After years of rehabilitation, the reefs here are now home to a colorful array of tropical fish and vibrant corals. Grab a snorkel and get to know some of the local fish species: parrotfish, damselfish, sea horses, spotted rays and even sea turtles.

Explore hidden coves and heavenly bays in a truly low-impact way by hopping in a kayak. Bask in the breathtaking scenery of Song Saa from the sea, or paddle out to the sunset for heart-stopping views.

Explore the 'sweetheart' islands – Koh Ouen and Koh Bong — on an island safari with an in-house conservation guide. Learn all about the local species, habitats and ecosystems, and the conservation work done at Song Saa to protect them.

Later, take a tour of Prek Svay village on the neighboring island to observe the Song Saa Foundation's efforts in supporting the local community.

If at any time, the art of doing little becomes unbearable, there's always outdoor yoga, meditation, even a Buddhist monk blessing ceremony.

Enjoy the final moments of your magical itinerary and be sure to let me know any feedback once you land back in the real world. I suspect you'll return replenished. Cup full.