Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild once again put Cambodia on the global tourism map, by being named as one of the best hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler (CNT).
The Cambodian eco-resort was included in CNT’s 2022 Gold List, alongside some of the best hotels and resorts in the world. Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild was the sole Cambodian property that made it to the list, which was released early this week.
CNT is a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine owned by Conde Nast, a legendary global mass media company that was established more than a century ago in the United States (US).
CNT also releases the annual Reader’s Choice Awards and Hot List. The Readers Choice Awards names the best cruises, accommodations, dining places, etc in the world as voted upon by readers.
The Hot List, meanwhile, compiles the new and notable hotels of the previous year.
The Gold List is the publications annual list of editors’ favorite hotels from around the world, all highlighting the gold standard of service and hospitality, according to Forbes.
“For the first time, the 2022 Gold List features a singular global list curated by the editors of Condé Nast Traveler’s seven international editions in the US, United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Italy, India, the Middle East, and China,” Forbes noted.
This is the latest global recognition for Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild, an eco-resort located deep in Cambodia’s Cardamon Mountains.
“I am just over the moon that Shinta Mani Wild is on top of the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2022! To be awarded this title from such a publication is an honour, and I am also grateful to sustainability queen Juliet Kinsman for championing our good work in the Cardamons,” Bill Bensley, designer and co-owner of Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild, said.
The other 44 properties that made it to the 2022 Gold List include Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE); Park Hyatt Sydney in Sydney, Australia; Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, Canada; Bulgari Hotel in Beijing , China; Songtsam Lhasa Linka in Tibet, China; Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica; Anassa Hotel in Cyprus; Anassa Hotel in Dubai, UAE; Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France; Le Bristol in Paris, France; The Vasilicos in Santorini, Greece; Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong; Leela Palace New Delhi in New Delhi, India; Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India; Aman Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan; Lewa Wilderness in Kenya; and Soneva Fushi in Maldives.
David Steyn, general manager of Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild, attributed the success to the efforts they put into conservation.
“There are many reasons why we have been so successful, but I think the fact that we put so much money back into conservation is a key part. Although we run for profit entity, that is not the key aim and we see ourselves more as a social enterprise,” he said.
Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild sits on 160 hectares of land between the Cardamon, Bokor and Kirirom National Parks. The resort, Steyn said “provides the highest level of luxury while also working to protect the environment around it”. It opened three years ago.
The international awards that Bensley Collection-Shinta Mani Wild has won in the past include Platinum recognition in the MUSE International Creative and Design Awards; National Geographic Traveller (UK) Big Sleep Awards 2019; Time magazine’s “100 Greatest Destinations on Earth”; CNT (UK) Hot List 2019; and Harper’s Bazaar Ultimate Travel Guide 2019 (UK): 100 Greatest Experiences in The World.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
