A Rejuvenating 12th Anniversary Getaway at the Farmhouse Resort and Spa

On our 12^th year anniversary, we opted to rejuvenate with nature at the Farmhouse Resort and Spa, an inspiring eco-friendly resort that is fully integrating the Khmer culture. It is surrounded by nature’s splendor such as verdant gardens, rice farms, and rolling hills. We believe that being in nature increases pleasant feelings, boosts our wellbeing and contributes to our physical health.

The Farmhouse is situated in the province of Kampong Chhnang, two hours away from Phnom Penh. Once there, Phnom Penh feels like a million miles away. We spent three days and two nights at the resort. Throughout our stay, it was very quiet, relaxing and not crowded. It’s certainly an ideal getaway for families, couples or a group of friends seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh.

As soon as we entered the resort’s vicinity, we were wowed as all of the facilities are top notch. We liked the style of the chalet or bungalow where we stayed. It’s made of native timber. It is spacious and comfortable, elegantly and tastefully decorated, making it a true delight to relax inside. It has a large luxurious bathroom with a lovely bath. The porch under the house and the balcony in front of the room are fantastic and perfect to relax and read a book. Everything was sparkling clean.

The excellent cuisine kept us enthralled throughout our stay, and you can tell there was a lot of thought and a great amount of care put into it. Everything we tried was fresh and flavorful, and prepared with organic ingredients from their own farm. The complimentary breakfast buffet was ample and varied. We definitely had some of the nicest and freshest food we’ve ever tasted in Cambodia.

There are several activities you can do in the resort such as yoga, trekking, volleyball, swimming, and cycling that allows you to have fun and relax. It has also a basketball court and a soccer field. The resort provides free bicycles for all ages. In fact, as soon as we got to the resort, our son decided to go on a bike ride to see what the area had to offer. We were relieved that he could cycle at all hours of the day and night (until 10.30pm) in a safe environment.

In the morning, my husband and I opted to take a stroll around the neighborhood and explore their organic gardens, fishery, poultry, etc. while our son went on cycling again. It was a pleasure to walk everywhere and spend so much time outside the city.  And it was so easy for Pete and other kids to go outside and play and be free! It was an absolutely refreshing break from the busy city life. We had such a great time.

In the afternoon, we refreshed in the large swimming pool while enjoying some fresh organic, homemade smoothies and cocktails at the bar. The swimming pool is absolutely beautiful. It is huge and surrounded by lots of different, well-chosen plants that show off the pool to its best advantage. It is without a doubt one of the best pools that we have ever visited.

We were grateful for the amazing hospitality. The staff were all nice and kind, and polite and helpful without being pushy.

Even though it was our first time in this small paradise, we had a pleasant and relaxing stay at the Farmhouse, and surely not our last. In fact, we are already dreaming and looking forward to our next stay there!

Little Lilly travel tips:

• I recommend to stay at least two nights to enjoy it to the fullest.
• You can explore the place by bicycle, tuktuk or just walk.
• You can hire a resort van to transport you from home to the resort and vice versa.

Wonderful weekend escape at Patio

We work every day, seven days a week. However, as a family, we make sure that we find some time to rest and unwind over the weekend, because while we believe that staying busy is beneficial, we also believe that all work and no play can lead to a burnout.

During the weekend, Patio Hotel and Urban Resort is one of our go-to hotel resorts in town. It boasts a cozy rooftop pool with comfortable pool beds, where we can just sit or lie down, take a load off, read a book, dine, enjoy a glass of wine or a tasty cocktail, swim and simply enjoy. Soft music plays in the background while we relax in a laid-back atmosphere overlooking some important monuments such as the Independence Monument, the King’s Statue and the Wat Langka Pagoda.

The rooftop pool is open to non-guests, which I think has pros and cons. It’s convenient because you can just go there and relax without making a room reservation. The disadvantage is that it can be busy when you go there, and some people are loud and are not sensible enough to those who are relaxing.

We prefer to go there late in the afternoon, around 5 p.m. and stay until 10 p.m. because usually it’s not crowded around this time. Seeing the stunning sun drop along the horizon is one of our favorite things to do there. I vividly remember that the sky was gloriously painted with pastel pink the last time we were there. I also recall a day when my husband, my son and I were swimming in the pool at 9 o’clock in the evening in the pouring rain. However, when the thunder and lightning grew louder and more powerful, we decided to go home. It was a blast!  

In addition, the location is ideal for us. It’s on BKK 1’s Street 51, near Wat Langka, providing easy access to a variety of restaurants and pubs. Furthermore, the food and beverages are excellent, tasty, and fresh, and the prices are affordable. I recall that the previous time we were there, we began eating as soon as we arrived and continued until a few minutes before we left home. The staff is courteous, pleasant, and always willing to assist with a smile. Plus, there is free, high-speed WiFi throughout the property.

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It is, indeed, enjoyable to unwind and enjoy oneself. We realized that a little laughter and laziness are good for the soul. Additionally, a weekend stay at Patio helps us to re-energize our bodies physically, mentally, and emotionally, as well as uncover our happiest and most content selves.