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Song Saa Private Island is an exclusive resort encompassing Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, twin islands in Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago. Song Saa means ‘sweethearts’ in Khmer, a reference to the twin islands’ proximity. Launched by Rory and Melita Hunter in 2012, the resort is closely affiliated to the Song Saa Foundation, which supports the archipelago’s 2,500 local inhabitants as well as the region’s unique flora, fauna and marine life.

History
The history of the Song Saa brand is closely entwined with the story of its founders, Rory and Melita Hunter. The Australian entrepreneurs moved to Cambodia in 2005 when Rory was invited to run an advertising agency in the capital of Phnom Penh. What they had intended as a 12-month stint before moving on to New York became their life’s work, as they fell in love with the country and its people.

The couple were first introduced to the Koh Rong Archipelago in 2006, when fishermen’s rumours piqued their interest. Finding no information on the islands available, they confirmed their existence via Google maps, then travelled to the fishing port of Sihanoukville on Cambodia’s southwest coast. Here they rented a small fishing boat for an exploratory trip. The two-week adventure was life-changing, introducing them to the spectacularly beautiful beaches, rainforests and coral reefs of the islands, and culminating in a chance meeting with a family on Koh Ouen on their final day. The family had inhabited the island since the fall of the Khmer regime in 1979, but now wanted to move their fishing business to the mainland. They asked the Hunters whether they would buy the island and the couple agreed on the spot.

Despite the beauty of the archipelago, it was blatantly obvious to Rory and Melita that the islands and their marine habitats were on the cusp of destruction from overfishing and poor waste management. Koh Ouen itself had been partially cleared of indigenous jungle and planted with coconut palms, and was littered with decades’ worth of refuse. The couple had experience in property purchase and development in Cambodia, as prior to finding the islands, the couple had set up a land holding company through which they had bought, restored and sold 27 colonial buildings in Phnom Penh. However, there was significantly more red tape involved in the acquisition of a little-known island, especially with the Cambodian government’s understandable desire to capitalise on the archipelago’s tourism potential.

It took 2.5 years to finalise ownership during which time the Hunters worked tirelessly to clean the island and, with the archipelago’s inhabitants, to initiate sustainable practices for the preservation of the reefs and marine life.

Alongside the philanthropic potential of their new endeavour, the Hunters were determined that the inevitable arrival of tourism to the islands would be to the archipelago’s benefit, rather than its detriment. In 2008, Rory and Melita began building Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia’s first luxury coastal resort in the archipelago, ensuring that every aspect of the development on Koh Ouen was underpinned by a deep commitment to sustainability. The resort opened on the 15th March 2012 and has since won international recognition and a host of key industry awards.

Business
The global head office of Song Saa Hotels and Resorts is situated in Hong Kong and serves as the centre for all sales, marketing, public relations and fundraising efforts. Hong Kong’s proximity to Southeast Asia where current and future developments and projects will be based makes it the ideal hub from which to build the brand and Song Saa Foundation regionally and globally.

Resort
Designed by co-founder Melita Hunter, Song Saa Private Island spans the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a footbridge over a marine reserve. The resort offers 27 luxury Over-Water, Jungle and Ocean-View Villas built with sustainable materials and the deepest respect for the natural environment. Designed for seamless indoor/outdoor living, the villas all offer spacious decks with private plunge pools and outdoor showers. Materials incorporate sustainably-sourced and recycled wood and driftwood, bamboo, stone and thatch. Low eaves ensure cool interiors and villas are all positioned to maximise views while incorporating and protecting established trees and vegetation.

At the resort’s heart is a world-class restaurant and lounge, positioned at the end of a boardwalk, just off the islands’ shoreline and surrounded by the sea. Other facilities include a large infinity-edged swimming pool, spa and wellness sanctuaries positioned in the rainforest and along the shore, a yoga and meditation centre on the shoreline, and an exclusive island boutique featuring designer labels from around the world, luxury body care products and local artwork.

Water sports such as scuba diving, kayaking, snorkelling and boating are available, as are ecological programmes to experience the area’s unique flora and fauna.

Foundation
Soon after Rory and Melita Hunter purchased Koh Oeun in the Koh Rong Archipelago, they set up Cambodia’s first marine reserve as well as the region’s first solid waste removal centre – projects which were crucial to the preservation of the islands and the communities which depended upon them. These projects were quickly followed by other conservation, education, healthcare and community initiatives, all of which led to the launch of the Song Saa Foundation in 2013, the culmination of eight years’ work and commitment to the region.

The Song Saa Foundation aims to promote the sustainable development of the Koh Rong Archipelago’s sea, land and people through community participation and education. At the foreground of the Foundation’s education endeavours is the ‘Boat of Hope’ project, which entails the conversion of a traditional Cambodian fishing boat into a mobile education and marine research centre. The Foundation’s youth education initiative, the Song Saa Sea Turtles, meanwhile, reaches out to the islands’ young people, helping them to become the conservationists of the future.

The Foundation has not only benefitted the inhabitants of the islands and the natural environment, however, it has also drawn international support to the region. Rory and Melita’s work has recently been endorsed by His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco who is helping to fund the expansion of the marine reserve to 400 square kilometres.

Awards
In 2015 it was announced that Rory Hunter had been selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs) is a unique community formed by the most exceptional leaders from every region of the world and every stakeholder in society. Rory’s nomination was in recognition of his record of professional accomplishments, his commitment to society and his potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through his inspiring leadership. Says Rory of the honour:

''“It is a great honour to join the Forum of YGLs, and I am proud of the time and energy expended over the past decade to achieve what the Song Saa team has tirelessly worked towards. But for me, this honour is less a personal accolade and more an incredible opportunity. We are no longer forging ahead in isolation, but are among other likeminded thinkers, business professionals and leaders, whose inspiration, support and assistance will be invaluable in expanding our outreach and growing every aspect of what we do. We intend to continue on our path, drawing on the wonderfully diverse YGL community which has the tools, skills and experience to amplify the results of every initiative we have launched and will launch, with the hope and goal of preserving a unique natural environment and bettering the lives of those who depend upon it. It is humbling to see what doors will open, and Melita and I are excited to embark on the next stage of Song Saa’s journey with the support of an organisation whose values are so perfectly in tune with ours.”''

Song Saa Private Island was listed as a 2015 Conde Nast Gold Standard Hotel and has also garnered the following awards since its launch in 2012:


 * Top 10 Most Beautiful Resort Hotels ~ Traveller’s World Magazine 2015, Germany
 * Travel Experience of the Year ~ ALTO Design for Living Awards 2014, UK
 * Out of My League ~ Style Junkies Awards 2014, Holland
 * Most Soulful Spa of the Year ~ Conde Nast Traveller Spa Awards 2014, UK
 * Best in Cambodia Country Award ~ Spa Finder Wellness Travel Awards 2014, USA
 * Best Hotels in the World ~ Fodor’s Travel Awards 2014, USA
 * Hideaway of the Year ~ Hideaways Magazine 2014, Germany
 * Global Vision Award for Sustainability ~ Travel and Leisure
 * Best Accommodation for the Environment ~ Virgin Responsible Tourism Awards
 * Sustainable Community Award ~ HICAP