Natura Resort

Rokkhak River Resort is one of the few properties scattered along Siem Reap’s quiet River Road. Formerly known as Natura Resort, it recently changed hands and took on a new identity. The new managers are implementing some changes, but the property’s core vision remains the same: To offer guests a peaceful, nature-filled environment to start their day in, and to be leaders in social and environmental responsibility. The word rokkhak means ‘tree’ in Khmer, and staff refer to the property as ‘the resort shrouded in the deep forest’. The ‘river’ part of the name references the Siem Reap river, a shallow, slow-moving tributary that runs along the front of the property. This waterway was crucial for transporting the stone used to construct the temples of Angkor just up the road. It’s a nice tie-in that reminds you exactly where you are and helps you feel present. The garden is landscaped ‘jungle-style’, with many of the original trees left to flourish. When choosing new plants to add, the owners focused on indigenous shrubs and trees found in Cambodia’s mountainous areas. Small details such as wooden Buddhist statues nestled inside tree trunks are just delightful.