The Perfect Cambodia Itinerary for Families with Little Kids
There are trips that change how you see a place, and then there are trips that change how you feel it. Our week in Cambodia was both.
From exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat to drifting through island breezes on Song Saa and finding deep calm at Six Senses Krabey Island, every stop revealed something different about this beautiful country — and about what’s possible when family travel meets mindful luxury.
I’d traveled to Cambodia at the beginning of my nomadic journey 13 years prior (to the day!) as a backpacker and left feeling like a month wasn’t long enough. Would I love it as much the second time around, and would it be toddler/family friendly?
Honestly, I left again not wanting to go. This wasn’t just another vacation. It was a reminder that adventure, comfort, and connection can exist in perfect harmony.
(We added this to our Northern Vietnam itinerary and finished with a night in Hong Kong for the perfect 2 week trip)
Days 1–3: Siem Reap & The Temples of Angkor
Stay: Anantara Angkor Resort
Stepping off the plane in Siem Reap, we were greeted by the kind of warmth that feels uniquely Cambodian — genuine, unhurried, and deeply kind. The Anantara Angkor Resort set the tone immediately. Designed to resemble an ancient temple, it feels serene and intimate, with just 39 suites and a staff who seem to anticipate what you need before you even realize it yourself.
We were especially grateful for the extra perks we could offer our clients here through our partnership as Anantara Journeys Advisors:
- 🌸 VIP welcome amenities
- 🥐 Daily breakfast for two
- 💸 Resort specific free activity
- 🏡 Upgrade upon availability
- ⏰ Early check-in / late checkout
It’s the kind of elevated experience that makes a stay feel seamless from start to finish.
Our days in Siem Reap started early — and this time, instead of the sweaty bicycle I’d pedaled through the temples over a decade ago, we explored Angkor Wat in a private, air-conditioned van (a total game-changer with a toddler in tow). Our guide was incredible, adapting the day around nap times and keeping our little one engaged with stories and smiles. The locals were just as charmed by him. Everywhere we went, people stopped to say hello or ask for photos together.
We visited Angkor Wat, Bayon (with the faces) and Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple), all wonderful memories from my previous visits to the temples, and the perfect place for our son to climb around and enjoy himself.
Back at the resort, Dining by Design was a highlight: a seven-course private dinner with a five-dance Apsara performance just for us. It was the kind of night that reminded me why I fell in love with travel — culture and connection wrapped into one magical evening – and it kept our toddler completely engaged through the long meal!
And the spa? I still think about the chakra massage I had there — maybe the best I’ve ever had. Every guest also gets access to a private steam, sauna, and plunge, which felt like the perfect end to each temple-filled day.
We stayed in the Mahout Suite, complete with its own plunge pool, private massage room, outdoor shower, and a separate sitting area so we didn’t have to whisper after bedtime. Every detail was crafted for comfort and quiet indulgence.
Days 4–6: Castaway Magic at Song Saa Private Island
From Siem Reap, we took a short flight to Sihanoukville, then a boat across aquamarine waters to Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia’s first true eco-luxury retreat.
It’s hard to put into words how alive this island feels. Once a logged, trash-covered patch of land, it’s now lush with greenery and surrounded by coral-rich seas. The story behind it is extraordinary: in 2006, founder Melita Koulmadas bought the island when a local fishing family made her an offer she couldn’t refuse, and spent years cleaning it up, working with local communities, and creating Cambodia’s first marine reserve.
You feel that sense of care in every detail. It’s rustic yet refined — reclaimed driftwood, soft white linens, and candlelight that flickers against the sea breeze.
As Virtuoso advisors, our clients who book through us receive:
- 🥐 Daily breakfast for two
- 💸 Resort or experience credit
- 🏡 Upgrade upon availability
- ⏰ Early check-in / late checkout
- 🌺 VIP recognition throughout the stay
We stayed in a spacious beachfront villa, with our own private sandy area, sun loungers, and a large pool overlooking the ocean. Inside, the villa had a dining and lounge area with fans, a sitting room, and a bathroom that might just be the best I’ve ever seen — light-filled, serene, and beautifully designed.
The team at Song Saa went above and beyond for our son, setting up games like ping-pong tosses for ice cream prizes and messages in bottles that led to mocktails and cookies. The calm water was perfect for wading, and having our own pool made the afternoons blissfully easy.
And the food — especially dinner at Driftwood — was divine. Every dish felt fresh and intentional, served with that gentle, heartfelt Cambodian hospitality that makes this place so special.
Song Saa isn’t just a resort. It’s a love story between people and planet, and one of the most inspiring examples of sustainable luxury in Asia.
Days 7–9: Wellness & Wonder at Six Senses Krabey Island
Stay: Six Senses Krabey Island
A short boat ride away lies Six Senses Krabey Island, another private island that proves luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Six Senses properties always have a signature calm about them — that feeling of being grounded — and Krabey Island takes it a step further with its connection to nature and local culture.
IHG Destined perks when booking with us:
- 🥐 Daily breakfast for two
- 💸 $100 Resort credit
- 🏡 Upgrade upon availability
- ⏰ Early check-in / late checkout
- 🌺 VIP recognition throughout the stay
Each villa has its own private pool, surrounded by lush greenery and ocean views. We loved being able to swim while our son napped or have coffee on the deck as the jungle woke up around us.
Six Senses does sustainability beautifully — it’s not performative, it’s lived. We joined a mushroom foraging experience, learning how ingredients are cultivated right on the island, and even tried our hand at soap-making using local herbs and essential oils.
For families, this place shines quietly but brightly. The kids club offers creative daily activities, there’s a small sandy beach perfect for little ones, and the island feels safe, open, and restorative.
Meals were a highlight here too — fresh, flavorful, and served with the kind of warmth that makes you linger longer than you planned. Everything feels wholesome yet indulgent, just like the island itself.
Why Cambodia Should Be on Your Family Travel List
Cambodia is often overlooked as a family destination, but it shouldn’t be. It’s soulful, far less traveled than its neighbors, and filled with people who adore children. The hotels we visited — each deeply rooted in sustainability, design, and care — made it easy to experience the country’s culture and beauty without compromise.
From playing hide and seek in Angkor Wat to sunset swims in your private pool, it’s the kind of trip that leaves you feeling enriched, not exhausted.
✨ Book your journey through Muse Bespoke Escapes to receive exclusive Virtuoso and Anantara Journeys perks across all three properties — and let us curate a family adventure that blends culture, nature, and five-star comfort from start to finish.
Because luxury family travel doesn’t have to mean giving up adventure — it can be the very thing that brings it to life.
