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I first visited in Cambodia in 2003. The country, and Khmer culture, stole my heart. I traded a materialistic and self-centred corporate life for one focussed on creation, community, and positive impact. Since 2003, I have been working passionately to create an oasis of calm and inspiration on this magical stretch of the Kep coastline.
At Knai Bang Chatt, we are always striving to do better. We constantly reinvent our resort and our offerings with a focus on purity, care and respect for the people of Kep. We offer our superior services by focusing on simplicity, understated elegance, and the inherent beauty of natural objects.
We aim to inspire you with the history of our resort: both its timeless architecture, and its astonishing views of the ancient Gulf of Siam.
Compassion, appreciation and respect are our guides in creating the Knai Bang Chatt atmosphere. We want to offer you an experience you will never forget.
Known at the turn of the century as ‘Kep Sur Mer’ – an exclusive seaside getaway for the colonial French elite – in the 1950s, during the Golden Age of Cambodia, Kep was a popular holiday and residential destination for wealthy Khmers.
The Knai Bang Chatt structures are the creations of the movement led by iconic Cambodian architect Van Molyvan, a protege of the famous Le Corbusier (French architect).
Our iconic Blue Villa once belonged to the governor of Kep; the entrance and reception building was owned by a relative of the King; and the red summer house was owned by the Head of Customs. Francoise Lavielle, a French architect living in Phnom Penh, has taken the lead in restoring the villas to their original architectural grandeur.
In Khmer, Knai Bang Chatt means a rainbow encircling the sun and. In Buddhism, this rainbow is the halo around Buddha’s head. Keeping this symbolism in mind, Knai Bang Chatt was developed as an exclusive retreat to protect and shelter its visitors and offer them a home away from home.
Our spacious rooms have all been tastefully furnished with local antiques and artefacts that reflect the history and integrity of the region. The concept of elegant lines, natural materials, and subtle earthy hues combine perfectly to create a sense of continuity with the surrounding gardens, swaying palm trees, and open views of the sea.
