Fleewinter

Champa Lodge is the perfect destination for anybody who really wants to get under the skin of Cambodia and appreciate the country's true natural beauty. Perched on the bend of a beautifully clean river, surrounded by rice paddies, mangroves and mountains, it is one of the prettiest spots in the south. There are enough activities to keep you occupied for a week here and you will find the owners' passion for the resort and area infectious.

The traditional stilt houses are beautiful. Kmher-Belgian couple Stephane and Yan bought the houses from elsewhere in Cambodia, took them apart and lovingly rebuilt them on their beautiful spot of land. They may be made from wood and offer rustic charm, but they have the finishing touches akin to a 4* resort including spacious bathrooms with posh square ceramic basins and large walk-in showers with boiling hot power showers.

The original wooden floorboards of the old houses have been maintained and the bedrooms boast large comfortable beds, with good quality Cambodian mattresses and pillows. All the furniture is made from very good quality sturdy woods (made to measure) and we adore the large photographs and artwork displayed in the houses, which are works of the couple?s family and friends.

There are three traditional houses, which have a total of five rooms. Two further rooms are being built, which will bring the total to seven. The Rice Paddy Lodge has three rooms. Upstairs you will find a large family room with two bedrooms separated by light curtains and a shared bathroom, while downstairs there are two rooms that are ideal for those who are less keen on living in a wooden hut. The downstairs rooms have plastered walls, tiled floors, four-poster beds and sunny, outdoor bathrooms. The three rooms tend to be rented separately, but a large group could book them all out together.

The Sugar Palm Lodge, aptly named due to the tall towering sugar palm trees besides it (don't be alarmed if you see a man climbing the trees twice a day to collect sugar palm), has one large bedroom upstairs with an en-suite. Under the stilts you will find a chill out area with hammocks.

Finally the River View Lodge has the largest double bedroom. It is extremely spacious with a daybed that could easily sleep a child on it, and space for another extra bed if necessary. The bathroom is a great size for a family. All the rooms have private terrace areas with comfortable mattresses on them so you can soak up the beautiful surroundings.

The couple run a lovely restaurant (fully stocked with chilled Belgian beers) and delicious seafood and Khmer specialities as well as Belgian steak and frites. We adore the chicken curry, which is made by Yan?s mother using a secret recipe that is not even shared with the staff.

The activities on offer here are endless; kayaking through the mangrove strewn river paths, taking a private charter boat up stream or down to the sea, climbing the surrounding mountains, taking tuk-tuk tours of the surrounding areas, mountain biking and rock climbing. The Fleewinter sponsored charity is also in Kampot (Camobabs) which provides English and computer science education to poor children in nearby villages, and we can take you to see the work that is being done there. The lodge also has a small little beach by the shallow river, and decking to sunbathe and relax on.

Turkeys, dogs, cats and other animals will be found wondering the grounds at any time - this resort is all about being at one with nature. The dogs are the family's protection and they may well bark during the night and wake you up - and you will rise early to the sounds of the cockerels as they make their cockle-doodle-do's. (The wooden houses have no sound insulation). Despite the gorgeous finishing touches, this is best suited to people who are not expecting luxury - there is no 'pillow menu' like you'll find at the Park Hyatt but if you're after charm, character and discovering the 'real Cambodia' then look no further than Champa Lodge.