CAMBODIA, AN UPCOMING LUXURY GOLF DESTINATION

27 Sep 2024

Cambodia is gaining a positive reputation as a new golf destination. Tim Pinnegar looks at a play-and-stay option that offers five-star luxury in the capital Phnom Penh.

Cambodia is shaping up to be a great golf destination.

Golf’s progress in Cambodia reflects the development of the country. The game was introduced during the French colonial period, but remained a niche sport, largely confined to the expatriate community. The political turmoil and civil unrest of the 1970s, including the Khmer Rouge era, stunted the development of many recreational activities, including golf. It wasn’t until the early 1990’s, when Cambodia began to stabilise, that golf started to regain traction.

The resurgence of tourism and foreign investment from the start of this century has helped to revive the sport, with golf courses emerging as symbols of the country’s modernization and economic growth.

On a relatively flat piece of land, Nick Faldo used sand hazards to guide strategy for golfers.

WHERE TO PLAY

Phnom Penh now boasts several well- regarded golf courses, these include Garden City, Grand Phnom Penh, Vattanac and the recently opened Chhun On Golf Resort, each offering unique experiences for golfers of all skill levels. Among these Vattanac has been ranked as one of the must-play resorts while visiting the capital.

Vattanac has two courses, both by Nick Faldo Design, and is a 50-minute drive from the centre of Phnom Penh, or an hour from the international airport. A new airport, reputed to be the world’s ninth largest, is planned to open in the middle of 2025 and when in operation may affect travel times to Phnom Penh’s courses.

On a relatively flat piece of land, Nick Faldo used sand hazards to guide strategy for golfers.

Vattanac’s East course, opened in 2019, and the West course, opened in 2020, are both par 72. The East course is rated as the more challenging of the two, measuring 7,500 yards from the back tees and will provide a good test for low handicappers. For the rest of us. don’t worry. The blue tees at 6,400 yards and red tees at 5,400 yards are sensible options.

Vattanac’s West course is a little shorter at 7,250 yards from the back tees, and 6,400 and 4,900 yards from the blue and red tees respectively.

Water is another feature omnipresent at Vattanac

On this visit we played the East course, and I was informed that the West course is similar in style. The fairways are wide but do require thought as a plethora of sand bunkers are waiting to catch miss directed shots. Water hazards also come into play on many holes.

The greens are large with interesting contours but none too extreme. On the day we played the green speed was stated at 9.5, though I would say they seemed a little slower. Despite heavy rain the week before we played, the course condition was good, but like many courses in Asia there was little run out off the tee shots.

A scaled model of Angkor Wat stands vigil over Vattanac

In terms of notable holes, the first, a par 5, is a pretty starting hole with both a left and right turn in the fairway. The par-3 eighth hole demands a well hit shot to a green surrounded by sand traps. The 11th hole is a good risk and reward short par 4 and the par 5 18th hole offers a grand finishing experience, with a lengthy fairway that requires both distance and accuracy to navigate the various hazards before reaching the green.

Overall, the Faldo team did a good design job given the piece of land. The flat terrain provides easy walking for those who wish to leave their buggy, but it does lead to a certain ‘sameness’ for many of the holes. With no stunning mountain or sea view backdrops and only a few imposing trees golfers will have to make do with what is in front of them for scenery. For those who wish to try night golf there is the nine hole ‘Dragon Turn’ course under floodlights from 4.30pm.

A testy par 3 tempts you to go for it

The addition of several large Khmer stone structures dotted around the course, including a miniature version of Angkor Wat, do provide good photo opportunities. I think the East course would have been more scenic from the black tees as the water hazards and sand carries on many holes look to come directly into play.

Night golf offers a different perspective at Vattanac.

Where Vattanac does standout is the practice facilities. A 44-bay driving range,15 of which come with Trackman technology, and two teaching bays provide a great place to warm up or improve your game under the guidance of the international teaching pros. Three private rooms each with a golf simulator mean you can also play both the East and West as well as some of the world’s top courses in the comfort of aircon. There is a large pro shop stocked with well-known premium brands such as Hugo Boss and Polo Ralph Lauren. A huge new club house is in the process of being built, though no time frame for its opening is available yet. The weekday rate including caddy and individual buggy is US$155 and US$190 at weekends.

Movements on the fairway can leave your lie to an element of chance.

The owners also have ambitious plans for the future, aiming to place the Vattanac Golf Resort at the centre of Vattanacville, Cambodia’s first SMART and ECO satellite city. According to Club General Manager Chris Geraghty,” The new clubhouse, which will be the largest golf clubhouse in the world, will become the centrepiece of the community providing unprecedented levels of luxury, innovation, experiences, and community living”.

Beware the undulations on the greens, they can be deceptive so listen to your caddie.

WHERE TO STAY

My first visit to Phnom Penh was in 1996 and while my memory has faded, I can say with certainty that the choice of hotels then was limited. Twenty-eight years later and the accommodation available has changed dramatically. Local small hotels have been joined by many well-known international brands, one of these is the Rosewood.

Opened in 2018, this five-star hotel is part of the prestigious Rosewood Hotels & Resorts collection. It is located in the Capital Tower, among the tallest buildings in Phnom Penh, and provides guests with breathtaking views of the city skyline and the Tonle Sap River.

Rosewood Phnom Penh is located in Vattanac Capital Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the capital.

The hotel’s design is a blend of traditional Cambodian elements and contemporary elegance. The rooms are furnished with a mix of traditional Khmer art and modern amenities. Floor-to- ceiling windows ensure that natural light floods the spaces, while also allowing guests to enjoy the amazing views.

According to Daniel Simon, General Manager of the Rosewood, what sets the hotel apart from others is how it “pays homage to Phnom Penh’s storied past while presenting a vision for the future, ensuring that every aspect of our service respects the local culture and traditions. This is evident not only in our design and amenities but in the way we interact with and uplift the local community. We have established a rigorous program aimed at upskilling our local associates, empowering them to grow their careers within Rosewood and beyond. Our dedication to the community and our guests creates a unique environment where luxury meets authenticity, making Rosewood Phnom Penh a truly special destination.”

The view from Sora skybar

The hotel boasts several impressive dining venues, each offering a unique experience. Guests can start their day with a wonderful breakfast spread at Brasserie Louis and then indulge in Western and Cambodian favourites across the day. Zhang Liang provides a fine Chinese dining, focusing on Cantonese, Sichuan and Northern Chinese cuisines. Iza features a Japanese robata-yaki grill, a sushi and sashimi station and a noodle corner. Cuts is an award-winning steakhouse with an extensive wine collection of 3,000 bottles. Finally, the must go venue for a pre or post-dinner drink is Sora. The views from this open-air roof top bar are not to be missed.

The Rosewood also features an array of wellness and recreational facilities. The Sense Spa offers a range of treatments designed to rejuvenate the body. There is a fitness centre with modern exercise equipment and for those that wish to take to the water the indoor swimming pool provides a good opportunity for some laps or a great setting to just sit down and unwind.

Rosewood Phnom Penh’s award-winning steakhouse, Cuts

Location-wise, the hotel is conveniently situated near many of Phnom Penh’s key attractions, including the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and the bustling markets. The Rosewood even has its own electric tuk- tuk and offers complimentary drop offs to locations within 2.5km of the hotel.

Other international hotel brands are eyeing Phnom Penh as a possible location, which should give travellers more choice in the future. However, the Rosewood GM has words of caution regarding the luxury accommodation market. “There are several new operators coming in over the next few years, and it will be interesting to see how the current operators that have gone with the path of creating colonial like and resort experiences in the city fare,” Simon said. “Unless there is a significant increase in inbound business travellers and tourists to Phnom Penh there may have to be some correction in the market”.

Bathrooms with a view at Rosewood Phnom Penh

Travel to Phnom Penh is easy with direct flights from many countries in the region. Nationals from ASEAN member countries (excluding Myanmar) do not require a visa for stays of up to 30 days. For nationals of other countries, a tourist visa can be applied for online.

Looking ahead, the future of golf in Phnom Penh appears promising. While golf development in Cambodia is still some way behind many of its regional neighbours, it is catching up fast. As the city continues to develop and attract international investment, the sport is likely to benefit from increased interest both from tourists and locals. The expansion of golf-related infrastructure, such as additional courses and training facilities, could further bolster the sport’s popularity. This along with the growth in five-star accommodation now makes it a destination worth considering. Maybe it’s time you treated yourself to some Khmer luxury.

Nothing was spared in making rooms at Rosewood Phnom Penh some of the most luxurious in Asia.

For more information and bookings, visit www.rosewoodhotels.com//en/phnom-penh/