Shinta Mani Wild, A Bensley Collection

Absolutely stunning level of comfort and luxe. We treated ourselves to 4 nights here and absolutely loved it . We both thought one of the most unique and special places either of us had stayed in the wall . So beautiful and so well and uniquely designed throughout and well equipped . We were picked up at the jetty from our previous stay and zip lined into the resort over jungle and then a waterfall , to be greete by David , the manager ( great guy) and the staff . We had a welcome drink and then... Absolutely stunning level of comfort and luxe. We treated ourselves to 4 nights here and absolutely loved it . We both thought one of the most unique and special places either of us had stayed in the wall . So beautiful and so well and uniquely designed throughout and well equipped . We were picked up at the jetty from our previous stay and zip lined into the resort over jungle and then a waterfall , to be greete by David , the manager ( great guy) and the staff . We had a welcome drink and then meet the amazing Pop our personal butler for our stay . Bag taken to our room and we walked along the path to our beautiful “ tent “ Each one super secluded and private and unique in design . Outside large bath , fans table and freeze with ice and ice cream ( !) and fridge section water , mixers etc , alongside cabinet with spirits and wine . If it didn’t have they would get . Dining was another level , whether breakfast lunch or dinner . Dinner usual taster menu , or could be A La Carte prepared by the fantastic Bernard … so talented .. the food tasted as good as some of the top restaurants we have been to around Cape Town … which is where he is from … One can just relax or swim in the canopy huge swimming infinity pool .. looks like giant black bath , or can go on a jungle hike or anti poaching trek .. I did both .. very unique and special . The spa is amazing and worthwhile trying . Everything is included and nothing is too much trouble any time for anything … simply a spectacular unique experience throughout . A must do if you can The restaurant is a particular highlight, thanks to the skills of the talented Patricia Yeo. From my first night I enjoyed delights such as tempura green beans and hours-long slow-cooked lamb shank with a rich jus and courgette crisps. There are relaxation areas overlooking the waterfall, which makes up the central focus of the hotel. I spent my afternoons on the edge of this waterfall, surrounded by butterflies, whilst reading my book. I enjoyed activities including fly-fishing (every fish I caught was gently released back into the water), foraging for dinner produce, and beautiful motorbike trips through the local countryside en route to jungle walks, where we learnt from the hotel's rangers about the damaging effect of poachers, and dismantled traps set by those poachers for wild animals. One morning we released back into the wild a slow loris and bag of turtles, which the hotel's own Wildlife Alliance had rescued off poachers. The infinity swimming pool is a magnificent black edifice from whose depths you can gaze upon the jungle, suspended somewhere between water and foliage. A special mention must be made to the General Manager Sangjay Choegyal, whose impressive knowledge of nature hotels spans the Four Seasons and Aman Hotel Groups, across Bhutan, Chiang Mai, and his own hotel in the Sri Lankan jungle. His charm, knowledge, and inherent respect for the surrounding ecology, not to mention his approachability and ability to share intriguing stories over one of the many unique cocktails in the unusually designed bar, are a great asset to the experience. I came away from my stay with a deep sense of peace and integrity. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a replenishing and valuable holiday. As someone who has previously lived and worked in Cambodia, I would also suggest that any travellers visit the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh upon landing; a humbling but important historical experience.

amazing from start to finish- the phrase “holiday of a lifetime “ can be over used but here is 100% justified. visited in April 2024 to celebrate our 30 year wedding anniversary and the whole experience from the pick up at the airport to the last night where staff surprised us with a card, cake, bubble bath and fizz at our tent surpassed every expectation. if we make our 60th wedding anniversary i can’t imagine a more perfect experience. the staff are amazing- every one so kind, thoughtful and a... amazing from start to finish- the phrase “holiday of a lifetime “ can be over used but here is 100% justified. visited in April 2024 to celebrate our 30 year wedding anniversary and the whole experience from the pick up at the airport to the last night where staff surprised us with a card, cake, bubble bath and fizz at our tent surpassed every expectation. if we make our 60th wedding anniversary i can’t imagine a more perfect experience. the staff are amazing- every one so kind, thoughtful and absolutely spot on with everything that they do. this truly is an unforgettable experience. do it - it’s worth it!

This place is impossible to describe and may just be the best resort I have ever encountered. I’ve traveled over 55 countries and stayed at luxury properties around the world. But wow. I don’t even want to spoil the magic by telling you about it. Just go. And if you think it’s expensive, I promise, at the end you will think you got a bargain.