Show menu

JATI private island resort opens on Koh Russey

Aerial view of JATI private island resort villas on Koh Russey, with turquoise water and white-sand beach in bright late-morning light.
by
5 min read

JATI, a new private island resort from the creators of Shinta Mani Hotels, is now welcoming guests off Cambodia's southern coast. The 82-villa hideaway sits on Koh Russey in the Koh Rong archipelago and emphasizes Khmer-inspired design, wellness, and easy access. Transfers run from a private pavilion at Ream Beach, with a 10-minute speedboat hop to the island. Dining brings Phnom Penh favorites beachside, while villas range from garden retreats to beachfront options with private pools. Early reports point to strong demand heading into peak season.

Key points

  • Why it matters: Cambodia adds a high-touch island option that complements Angkor itineraries.
  • Travel impact: Seamless city-to-island links via Sihanouk International Airport (KOS).
  • What's next: First full high season begins in late 2025 with expanded programming.
  • Villas: 82 keys, many beachfront with private pools.
  • Dining: KoKo Steakhouse and Le Manolis debut island outposts.

Snapshot

Set on a 46-hectare slice of Koh Russey, JATI blends barefoot luxury with Cambodian character. Guests arrive by car from Sihanouk International Airport (KOS) to the Ream Beach pavilion, then continue 10 minutes by speedboat. Villas prioritize privacy and shade, with warm woods, soft textiles, and indoor-outdoor living; select categories are directly on the sand with plunge pools. Wellness centers on Khmer-inspired treatments, a sauna and ice bath circuit, and a modern gym. Families will find a Seahorse Kids Club, racquet and watersports, and island trails, while food and beverage span breezy café breakfasts to a lively beach club at sunset.

Background

The resort is operated by HMD Asia, the hospitality group behind Shinta Mani Hotels and select heritage properties in Laos and Cambodia. JATI's opening creates a clean two-center itinerary with Shinta Mani Angkor in Siem Reap, linking temples to the sea on one ticket. It also lands amid fresh investment around Sihanoukville, including pipeline projects at Bay of Lights that signal broader destination development and future connectivity upgrades. For travelers, the practical takeaway is simpler access and more choice along Cambodia's core tourism corridor from Siem Reap to the coast. See our recent Southeast Asia hotel pipeline coverage for regional context, including Sihanoukville's trajectory. Hotel pipeline: Radisson signs Bay of Lights Sihanoukville, H World adds JI Hotels in KL and Phnom Penh

Latest developments

Island dining ups the game on Cambodia's coast

JATI's culinary lineup imports two Phnom Penh names that raise expectations for a remote island. KoKo Steakhouse brings a Josper-grill program and a compact menu focused on quality cuts and precise execution, while Le Manolis adds a cellar-driven wine bar and bistro sensibility. On the casual end, Bai Sor serves international and Khmer breakfasts steps from the beach, Banyan Lounge mixes daytime cocktails under its namesake tree, and the Beach Club handles sunset seafood and barbecue service. Together, the venues aim to deliver city-level dining without losing island ease, an approach that should resonate with travelers pairing Angkor's fine dining scene with time by the sea.

Friction-light access and activity-rich days

Reaching JATI is deliberately uncomplicated: transfers by road to Ream Beach and a 10-minute speedboat ride to the island jetty. On arrival, the focus tilts toward active leisure, with tennis and pickleball, mini golf, Thai boxing sessions, paddle-boards, kayaks, and snorkeling. The Bamboo Spa & Gym anchors recovery with Khmer therapies, sauna, and ice bath rotations. Families get dedicated programming at the Seahorse Kids Club and vetted babysitting, freeing parents for spa circuits or long lunches. As the resort heads into its first full high season, expect more guided nature walks and coastal excursions to round out the activity mix.

Analysis

JATI's launch is a timely addition to Cambodia's premium inventory, especially for travelers who want to pair cultural depth with an uncomplicated beach finish. The positioning is smart: villas that feel private but not precious, dining that borrows credibility from the capital, and transfers that cut the hassle often associated with island stays. Operationally, the 82-villa scale is large enough to support multiple restaurants and activities, yet small enough to preserve quiet zones along the shoreline and forested interior. For trade partners, the plug-and-play pairing with Shinta Mani Angkor simplifies packaging and raises average length of stay, while consistent design language across brands eases marketing. The coastal backdrop is also improving. With new assets in the Sihanoukville pipeline and the Phnom Penh airport transition complete, air and ground links should gradually tighten. Risks remain around seasonal weather and broader coastal perception, but if service levels hold through the first high season, JATI has the right ingredients to become Cambodia's default "temples-plus-island" combo.

Final thoughts

For Cambodia, JATI signals a confident play at the upper-upscale end that feels refreshingly Cambodian rather than generic tropical. The convenience of Sihanouk International Airport (KOS), the quick ride from Ream Beach, and a dining roster with real depth make the case for extending a Siem Reap trip by three or four nights. If you value easy transfers, privacy, and cuisine that travels well from city to shore, put this one on your short list. Expect strong demand as the resort enters peak season, and plan ahead if your itinerary hinges on the JATI private island resort.

Sources

Topics