From the moment you step onto its wooden deck, floating gently on the river’s surface, you’re no longer just a traveler—you become part of a living, breathing ecosystem, cradled by nature, luxury, and local Cambodian charm.

​The Floating Villas: Cambodia’s Only Water Bungalows

Canvas & Orchids Retreat features 13 floating tented villas, making it one of the most unique water bungalow resorts in Southeast Asia. These villas are not perched on stilts but float gently on the Tatai River, swaying slightly with the current—offering an incredibly intimate connection with the water.

Each floating villa spans approximately 45 square meters of interior space and is designed for couples or small families seeking privacy and tranquility. The interiors combine tented canvas structure with modern aesthetics—wooden floors, hand-woven bamboo décor, and elegant furnishings. You’ll find either a plush queen-size bed or twin beds, a comfortable lounge area with a sofa, and a private ensuite bathroom with eco-friendly toiletries.

The real showstopper, however, is the 90-square-meter private deck that comes with each unit. Outfitted with sun loungers, outdoor seating, and a direct ladder to the river, it provides a personal gateway to swimming, sunbathing, or simply watching the surrounding rainforest reflect in the mirror-like waters.

Unlike traditional bungalows over a lagoon or beach, these floating villas allow guests to dive straight into the cool river water from their doorstep. There’s something raw, grounding, and exhilarating about it—perfect for nature-lovers and romantic adventurers alike.

Family Accommodation: Glamping on Solid Ground

For families or guests who prefer staying on land, the resort also offers 5 spacious family tented villas nestled among lush tropical foliage. These units are 60 square meters in size and can accommodate up to two adults and three children. Each includes a master bedroom with either a double or twin setup, a separate sleeping area for kids, and all the luxury features found in the floating villas.

These tents are ideal for multigenerational travelers or families looking to explore the wild without sacrificing comfort.

Check out all your options at Booking.com here

Sustainable by Design: Eco-Luxury at Its Core

Canvas & Orchids Retreat isn’t just about luxury—it’s about responsible, eco-conscious living. Sustainability is woven into every element of the guest experience, starting from how the resort was built to how it operates today.

Eco-Friendly Construction and Power

The floating structures are built using environmentally sensitive techniques. Recycled and locally sourced materials are used extensively—furniture made from invasive water hyacinth, walls reinforced with bamboo, and solar panels powering the entire retreat. The resort treats its wastewater using eco-biofiltration methods before releasing it back into the river, ensuring that its presence doesn’t disrupt the delicate river ecosystem.

Minimal Carbon Footprint

Transportation to the resort is strictly by boat, reducing road traffic and its environmental consequences. Guests are encouraged to conserve water and energy during their stay, and there are no plastic bottles or single-use plastic items on-site.

A Culinary Journey: Riverside Dining with a Cambodian Heart

The retreat’s open-air restaurant sits beside the river, under a canopy of trees, and serves a refined selection of Cambodian and Western fusion cuisine. All ingredients are locally sourced—many from the nearby markets and farms. Guests can savor dishes like:

• Fish Amok – a fragrant Cambodian curry steamed in banana leaves
• Tatai River Prawns – grilled to perfection with fresh herbs
• Green Peppercorn Stir-Fried Chicken
• Vegan Jackfruit Curry
• Western options like pasta, risotto, and hearty continental breakfasts

Meals can be enjoyed on the main restaurant deck, or for a truly unforgettable experience, arranged as a private riverside dinner on your villa deck, lit by lanterns and serenaded by jungle sounds.

Activities & Adventures: Where Nature Is Your Playground

While the resort itself is a place of relaxation, the surrounding environment offers plenty of immersive, guided excursions for the adventurous soul.

1. Jungle Trekking in the Cardamom Mountains

Join local guides for a hike through one of Southeast Asia’s last great rainforests. Learn about indigenous flora, spot hornbills, gibbons, and if you’re lucky—an elusive clouded leopard track.

2. Boat Trip to Tatai Waterfall

One of the most popular excursions is a scenic boat ride to the nearby Tatai Waterfall. Guests can swim in natural freshwater pools, picnic on the rocks, or simply bask in the wild serenity of the jungle.

3. Kayaking Through Mangroves

Paddle your way through winding mangrove channels, a vital ecosystem supporting countless birds, crabs, and aquatic life. It’s silent, surreal, and feels like entering a different world.

4. Sunset Cruises

In the evening, the retreat offers sunset cruises with drinks and snacks. Watch the golden sun melt into the river as fireflies light up the trees—nature’s very own light show.

5. Village Visits and Cultural Interactions

Visit local Cambodian villages, learn about rural life, and support community handicraft artisans. These tours are designed respectfully, ensuring interaction is meaningful and beneficial to the community.

Commitment to Local Community: A Resort That Gives Back

Canvas & Orchids Retreat has integrated community involvement into its operations since its founding in 2009. The resort employs many of its staff from local villages, including former poachers and hunters now trained as boatmen, chefs, housekeepers, and tour guides.

Local Empowerment Programs

• Clean drinking water programs for nearby schools
• River clean-up drives
• Local farming support initiatives
• Environmental education partnerships

This deep-rooted community engagement ensures that tourism is not extractive but regenerative—benefiting both people and planet.

Wellness, Privacy, and the Rhythm of the River

One of the lesser-discussed but highly valued aspects of Canvas & Orchids Retreat is the incredible sense of privacy and wellness it offers. With a maximum capacity of just 46 guests, the atmosphere is intimate, quiet, and slow-paced. There are no blaring jet skis, no touristy shops—just you, the river, the trees, and time.

The resort occasionally offers on-request wellness activities like river meditation, sunrise yoga, and therapeutic massage using natural oils. However, for many, the true therapy lies in the environment itself.

Ideal Guests: Who Is This Resort For?

Canvas & Orchids Retreat is not your typical all-inclusive, high-density resort. It is best suited for:

• Eco-conscious travelers
• Honeymooners and couples
• Adventure seekers with a soft spot for luxury
• Digital detoxers
• Families looking for immersive, meaningful travel experiences
• Photographers, writers, and nature lovers

It’s also perfect for travelers looking to explore Cambodia beyond Angkor Wat—discovering the country’s natural richness and cultural soul.

Getting There: The Journey Is Part of the Experience

The retreat is located near the small town of Tatai in Koh Kong Province, approximately 4 to 5 hours from Phnom Penh by car. From there, guests board a private boat for a 30-minute scenic river ride to the retreat. The transfer is seamless, with the resort assisting in all logistics.

Final Thoughts: A River Retreat That Stays With You

Canvas & Orchids Retreat is more than just a luxury resort with water bungalows. It is a philosophy—a call to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience Cambodia in one of the most intimate ways possible.

As the sun sets over the Cardamom Mountains and the sky turns hues of orange and purple reflected on the Tatai River, you’ll realize this place is not just somewhere you stayed—it’s somewhere your spirit lingered.

PRICES

Check out all the details – prices, reviews, and more photos, at Booking.com here