Guest Highlights From Our Opening Year at Hanchey Bamboo Resort (2018)
““This place is almost indescribable… pictures don’t even do it justice. The way the resort has been designed gives you an immediate sense of peace. The sounds of nature, the view over the Mekong, the meditation and yoga sessions — and the staff are the most friendly I have ever met.””
In October 2018, after many months of building with bamboo, training our first generation of BSDA students, planting young gardens on the hill, and preparing the Lotus Hall for its very first sunrise practice, we finally opened our doors. The Mekong breeze carried the sound of the pagoda below, our team lit the first candles in the restaurant, and slowly, our very first guests began to arrive.
Looking back on that first season, we still feel so much gratitude. Travellers came from Cambodia, France, Singapore, Australia, Switzerland, Spain, Nicaragua, the United States, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom — and many others too. Even if only one visitor came from a country, we held it dearly, because every single stay helped our young trainees learn confidence and hospitality skills.
This small reflection gathers what guests shared with us in our first months of life as Hanchey Bamboo Resort.
A group photo from our first Staff Training Retreat
“Very friendly staff, beautiful surroundings overlooking the Mekong River, and a morning yoga class that made the whole weekend feel special.”
Our Hilltop Beginning
From the early days, guests were drawn to the hill: the wide sweep of the Mekong, the early mist, the red glow of sunset over the river bends. One of our first visitors from Spain wrote that Hanchey felt like “Heaven on Earth…” and loved “the sounds of nature, the meditation sessions, the view overlooking the Mekong” (TripAdvisor). Another guest from Singapore said they were “pleasantly surprised by the beautiful designs and the warmth of every staff member” (TripAdvisor).
Many travellers had never stayed in a bamboo eco-resort before. They loved the curved beams of the restaurant, the high ceiling of Lotus Shala surrounded by lotus ponds, and the quiet bungalows with their private terraces looking down over the valley.
During those early months, our gardens were still young. The trees were only beginning to take shape, and several guests kindly told us that watching the landscape grow over the years would be part of Hanchey’s charm. They were right and we plan to in the coming months.
“A real treasure… beautiful bamboo design, super friendly staff, and genuine hospitality. We were sad we only had two nights”
Yoga, Meditation & the Early Rhythm of the Resort
Yoga and meditation quickly became the heart of mornings and evenings — gentle, slow, and shaded by bamboo. A guest from Switzerland wrote that they “could have easily stayed a week… the classes, the meditation, and the peaceful atmosphere made it perfect for body and mind” (TripAdvisor). Someone from Australia echoed this, calling Lotus Hall “a heavenly place to sit, meditate, and breathe with the countryside” (TripAdvisor). So we would like to make a special mention of the teachers who helped us be among the first to bring the practice of Yoga to Kampong Cham: Karolina, Kwame, and Nadia. Together they’ve built a foundation for us and our guests.
““I agreed with my wife to try meditation… then yoga. I have to admit I enjoyed it — something new, and you will never do it again in a better surrounding.””
This rhythm shaped our identity from day one: sunrise practice, slow breakfast, pool time when the day grew hot, village walks, meditation at dusk, then dinner overlooking the river.
Food & Flavours of Our First Season
Guests in our opening months often talked about the warmth of our little kitchen on the hill. Many remembered the gentle flavours — pumpkin amok, the bright crunch of vegetarian green mango salad, fresh coconuts brought out still cool from the kitchen, simple Khmer vegetarian dishes, and the kind of breakfasts that feel comforting after sunrise practice. In the evenings, when the light softened over the river, our home-style soups became a small ritual for tired travellers returning from meditation or a walk through the village.
““Dining in the restaurant overlooking the valley was a highlight… especially the vegetarian options and the evening menu.””
Even when service was a little slow — as our trainees were still learning their skills with BSDA — guests showed patience and understanding. That early encouragement meant everything to us and helped our young team grow with confidence.
What We Learned From Our First Guests and How We Plan To Grow From Their Feedback
In our opening season, guests shared thoughtful suggestions that helped shape how Hanchey Bamboo Resort has grown. We were grateful for every comment — each one helped our young BSDA trainees gain confidence and guided us toward clearer, more attentive service.
Some travellers mentioned that meals could take a little time, especially when our trainees were still learning the rhythm of the restaurant. We took this to heart, and plan to strengthen our kitchen team, refine our systems, and offer more structured mentoring so guests feel cared for while our students continue to learn with dignity.
A few early guests also shared that the journey from Kampong Cham felt long and bumpy. In response, we began building steady relationships with tuk-tuk drivers, car services, coach services and village guides, making arrivals smoother and more welcoming while maintaining our connection with the local community.
The gardens on our hilltop were still young in those early months. Guests encouraged us to plant more trees and shaded areas, and over the years we’ve continued nurturing the landscape so the entire resort feels cooler, greener, and more inviting.
Many guests offered gentle reminders about communication and confidence, which helped us strengthen the BSDA training curriculum — more English support, more hospitality coaching, and clearer mentoring pathways for our students.
We really hope that these early lessons will help us continue to grow into a more thoughtful, grounded, and guest-centered retreat — without losing the community spirit that makes Hanchey special.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Looking Back With Gratitude
When we opened in October 2018, we could never have imagined the kindness that guests would show to our young team. Many travellers came not only to rest — but also to support our mission of giving vocational training to disadvantaged youth in Kampong Cham, helping them build skills and confidence for a better future.
Those first months taught us humility, teamwork, patience, and joy. Every review, every suggestion, every sunrise shared with guests helped shape Hanchey Bamboo Resort into the place it is now.
To everyone who visited us in our opening season: aw-kun, from all of us at HBR and BSDA.
Your encouragement gave life to a small hilltop dream.
