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SUSTAINABILITY AND BIOPHILIA COME TOGETHER AT THE SHINTA MANI WILD IN CAMBODIA
AN INTRODUCTION
This eco-luxe experience in the heart of Cambodia is unlike any you have ever seen. Designed by co-owner and sustainability sage Bill Bensley, Shinta Mani Wild is a pioneer in sustainable hotel design with nature beckoning at every corner. Perched over 1.5 kms of natural river and waterfalls, the 15 tents in the camp have been meticulously designed to evoke Bensley’s vision of what it might have been like to be on a luxury safari in the jungles of Cambodia with Jackie O’, who travelled throughout this kingdom with King Sihanouk in 1967.
Globally renowned architect and interior designer Bill Bensley is known for his “the odder, the better” philosophy. The Bangkok-based designer has designed over 200 properties in 30 plus countries, including the world’s first edible golf course at Belle Mont Farm, St. Kitts, Art Deco-inspired boutique hotel, The Siam, Capella Ubud, and the Shinta Mani Wild Tented Camp in Cambodia.
The Good life Guru, Sustainability Sage, Hospitality Hero, and all-round Design Darling - Bill Bensley is a lover of all things whimsical, wild, and wacky. Raised in California, the Harvard graduate took off for Asia upon graduation and after working in Hong Kong and Singapore, set up BENSLEY in Bali in 1990. Assisted by a team of 150 interior designers, architects, landscape designers, and artists, as well as his partner – designer and horticulturist Jirachai Rengthong, Bensley has become known for integrating sustainability in all his designs.
Perched over 1.5 kms of river and waterfalls, the 15 tents therein have been meticulously designed to evoke Bensley’s vision of what it might have been like to be on a luxury safari in the jungles of Cambodia with Jackie O’, who travelled throughout the Kingdom with King Sihanouk in 1967.
Nestled deep within the wilderness of the Southern Cardamom National Park, in a pristine wildlife corridor, Shinta Mani Wild - A Bensley Collection, is an all-inclusive luxury camp with just 15 tents. The entrance to the camp is via a 400 metres zip line ride over the forest canopy, rivers and a waterfall to the landing zone.
From the exhilarating moment of arrival - criss-crossing the rapids via a 400m zip line, straight into the Landing Zone Bar, there is no such thing as a typical day at Shinta Mani Wild.
Stunningly realized, this extraordinary product of Bensley’s imagination provides an experience unlike any other in Asia. The luxury adventures are creatively designed to explore the waterways on specially created boats or trekking and anti-poaching expeditions with the rangers. Ever changing menus are inspired by sustainably foraged wild edible plants, as the camp’s naturalists guide guests through the forest to discover – and taste – Cambodia’s natural larder. The Khmer Tonics Spa provides chemical-free treatments including a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a waterfall pool.
Creative luxury adventures at the property include exploring the untrammelled waterways of South East Asia’s last wild estuarine ecosystem aboard a custom Bensley-designed expedition boat; or joining armed Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrols.
The Landing Zone Bar. Bill Bensley’s unique vision of an extravagant jungle safari is inspired by Jackie Onassis Kennedy’s 1967 adventure with King Sihanouk of Cambodia.
Boasting expansive views of the surrounding waterfalls and sitting amidst nature’s lap, the property is spread over 800 acres of the great wilderness. It features a diversity of upland forest habitats including 4 kilometres of a wild river that runs untamed from the mountains to the sea.
Incepted by designer and conservationist Bill Bensley, it all started with the sale of a government land designated for logging. Along with Sokoun Chanpreda (Founder of Shinta Mani Foundation and its group of boutique hotels dedicated to Cambodian empowerment), Bill purchased over 8,75,000 tress, 4.5 kms of wild river, and 3 magnificent waterfalls spread over 865 acres, saving the land from a titanium mine.
In order to protect the rainforest from poaching and logging, a high yield low impact camp was created through collaboration with Shinta Mani Foundation and Wildlife Alliance NGO.
The space features 15 luxury tents; each flamboyantly designed with a distinct Cambodian aesthetic and a few pops of colour among a cornucopia of contemporary fittings, dress-making mannequins, vintage fans, trunks, and leather-bound books. Sumptuously comfortable, the furniture is modish and luxurious, crafted with refined and weatherproof materials to withstand the test of seasons and nature.
Meticulously designed with careful attention to the natural river running through Bill’s process of minimal intervention, which preserves the forest land and the untrammelled idiosyncrasies of the river valley, each tent is placed every 66 acres of the forest. Not a single tree was cut down through the entire building process, ensuring each guest is not only connected with the great outdoors, but also immersed in nature. Each tent is an ode to Jackie O’s 1967 expedition, as well as to the unsung heroes – the conservationists, explorers, and the precious flora and fauna of the forest.
Each tent is an embodiment of a classic Cambodian safari, replete with luxury touches like an open-air bathtub facing the wild river, a private butler, and antiques sourced by Bill and his husband Jirachai from European antique markets for each tent’s one-of-a-kind interiors.
Besides zip lining and trekking, there are activities to suit every adventurous soul – from mountain biking and kayaking, to somersaults off the gigantic waterfalls and foraging for dinner in the forest with the chef. Other activities include bird-watching, butterfly spotting, boating expeditions, cooking classes, waterfall picnics, and fishing at the tailgate waterfall sundowners. At other times when the river is higher, guests are brought to the mountain plains where a Land Rover-turned-bar welcomes them for fireside drinks with a view.
Sustainable forest foraging is one of the Executive Chef’s daily activities, to provide guests a holistic experience rooted in nature. The forest serves as a large Cambodian larder where guests can even join in on the fun in sourcing vegetables and herbs to include in delicious dishes at the Camp with the chef. A large organic farm and free-range chicken run to supply eggs has been created, including specially designated vegetable and herb gardens, a cocktail and spa garden, and a nursery area. This supports the camp’s commitment to sustainability by sourcing as much of their produce as possible from local farmers, only importing what they need and cannot find locally. The farm area was specifically chosen near the staff village and property boundary where it will have minimum impact on the wild lands. There is also a dedicated composting barn for kitchen waste management.
When building the farm, leftover materials from the construction period were used that were no longer needed and would otherwise have been disposed off. No chemicals or pesticides are used at the farm and marigolds have been planted between crops, creating a picturesque and effective insect repellent. Crops being grown include a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruit varieties.
