Kandal Stueng Holidays from AU$2,358

I felt like I was on a glamorous, 1940s-era Hollywood film set of a Khmer village. Some pieces were dated, but that added to the old-world charm. The island is idyllic (borrow one of the hotel bikes!), but the ferry is finicky. A Canadian couple told me they never waited more than 15 minutes, but I spent considerably more time waiting on it. If you’re in a pinch, as I was, call the hotel and they will call a private boat for you. It’s $5 one way for private boat vs 25 cents for the ferry. The hotel helpfully arranged my pickups from the ferry with a call as well. About that pinch. I had only given myself one night in Kratie and planned to see the freshwater dolphins the afternoon I arrived. If you do this, best to go see the dolphins first, then go to the hotel as the ferry could eat up your time. The staff was super helpful though in my pinch, and I didn’t have to rearrange a bunch of already booked travel. Better yet, give yourself two nights at this resort and enjoy it. It’s a good place to spend some time with the lead in your life.