Escape to Paradise: Au Paradis Bleu Kep, Cambodia - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Au Paradis Bleu Kep, Cambodia - A Review That's More Real Than Your Last Instagram Filter (and Probably Sweeter, Too!)
Okay, so you’re thinking about escaping. Actually escaping. Like, real-life ditch-the-stress, hello-paradise escaping? Well, buckle up buttercup, because Au Paradis Bleu Kep in Cambodia is calling. And after spending a gloriously messy week there, I'm here to spill the tea (and maybe a little lemongrass-scented bug spray) on whether it truly lives up to the name.
First Impressions: The "Oh. My. GOD." Moment (and the Slightly Less Glamorous Bits)
Driving up, you’re met with that classic Southeast Asian buzz – scooters whizzing, the scent of street food, and the promise of… well, something. The entrance to Au Paradis Bleu is beautifully landscaped, all lush greenery and that "I'm officially on vacation" vibe hitting you right away. But let’s be honest, the real welcome is the sheer unadulterated relief of being out of your own brain for a bit. I was practically skipping with joy when I knew I would finally be able to just breathe!
Accessibility & Things to Consider (Because Real Life Always Has a Corner Case)
Now, this ain’t a fully-blown accessible resort, but they do have some facilities for disabled guests, an elevator, and the staff were incredibly helpful and eager to assist. I didn't check the number of accessible rooms specifically, so it's crucial to call ahead and clarify if you have mobility concerns. But generally, the vibe is geared toward relaxation over relentless activity, which is a major plus, no matter what!
Cleanliness & Safety: More Than Just a Hand Sanitizer Station
In these post-pandemic times, cleanliness is, let’s face it, paramount. They actually take this stuff seriously. They highlight daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms are meticulously sanitized between stays. And let's be real, the endless parade of hand sanitizer and staff trained in safety protocol just means you can relax and enjoy your cocktail without that lingering “is this safe?” shadow looming.
The Room: My Personal Sanctuary (and the Minor Carpeting Crisis, But I'll Get to That!)
My room was… a dream. Like, seriously, I wanted to move in. Let’s be real, sometimes hotel rooms feel like sterile boxes, but this was actually a sanctuary. The air conditioning was a godsend (hello, Cambodian heat!), the blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping in after a night of maybe-too-many cocktails, and that bed… oh, that bed. Heaven.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Okay, here's the messy bit: the carpeting. Not the biggest deal, but I’m a klutz, and the pattern was slightly… dizzying. This is minor, really, but worth noting for those who get easily disoriented. It was still pristine clean!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (with a Few Surprises!)
Food… oh, the food. The restaurants at Au Paradis Bleu are worth the trip alone. I had to have Asian cuisine in restaurant! The Asian breakfast was a revelation – fresh fruit, fragrant noodles, and enough strong coffee to get anyone started.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant,
The poolside bar? Utterly, utterly perfect. Picture this: sun blazing, you're sprawled on a lounger with a cocktail in hand, the pool reflecting palm trees… and you, just existing. Pure bliss.
A quick tip? The happy hour deals are seriously good. Don’t miss out.
Oh and their desserts? OMG. If you enjoy sweets, plan on eating a couple more pounds of sugar than you would have.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – Because You Didn't Come Here to Work
This is where Au Paradis Bleu truly shines. They've got the relaxation game down.
- Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
The pool! Stunning. Pool with View? Like something out of a movie (minus the paparazzi and the forced smiles). I spent an embarrassing amount of time just floating around, watching the clouds drift by.
Let's talk about that spa…
I decided to treat myself to a massage, and let me tell you… I've had massages before, but this was something else. It was like all the stress had been wrung out of my body, leaving me feeling like a noodle. I had a body scrub, too, which was so nice I wanted to curl up under a massage table every day. It was a highlight of my trip, and I am still thinking about going back. When I come to Au Paradis Bleu I will just buy a massage package, and forget about everything!
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
They think of everything. From contactless check-in/out (a lifesaver!) to daily housekeeping that keeps your room immaculate, they've got the convenience factor nailed.
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Okay, Here's the Honest Truth - The Imperfections
Look, no place is perfect. The internet was spotty at times (hey, it’s an island paradise, not a data center!), and the occasional mosquito found its way into my room (bug spray is KEY!), but honestly, those are minor annoyances. The overall experience was so incredibly positive that those little things just faded into the background.
For the Kids? (or, the "I Wish I Had Brought Mine" Section)
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I didn’t have kids with me, but families seemed to be having a fabulous time. They had kids facilities and kids meals!
Getting Around: Quick and Painless
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
Getting to the hotel was smooth thanks to their airport transfer service. They also had free on-site parking. Taxis were easy to come by, too.
The Verdict: Go. Just Go.
Au Paradis Bleu Kep is more than just a hotel; it's an experience. It's a place where you can truly disconnect, recharge, and remember what it's like to feel good. It's a place where time slows down, stress melts away, and the only thing on your agenda is… well, nothing.
So, is it your dream vacation?
Probably. For me, it was. And the best part? I will never forget it!
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Escape to Paradise: Stunning Seafront Apartment in Egmond aan Zee!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy, sun-drenched chaos that is Au Paradis Bleu in Kep, Cambodia. This ain't your polished tourist blog, this is real life, folks. Prepare for sand in your toes, questionable food choices, and a whole lotta me, babbling like a fool.
Au Paradis Bleu: Kep, Cambodia - The Unfiltered Adventure (aka, Pray for Me)
Day 1: Arrival & Instant Gratification (and mild panic)
- Morning (ish): Landed in Phnom Penh. Okay, first impression? HOT. Like, walk-outside-and-instantly-melt hot. Chatted with the driver I booked – bless his heart, he was a sweet guy, but communication was… a struggle. "Kep?" he kept repeating, a question mark etched onto his face. I kept repeating “Yes, please, Kep!” We got there… eventually.
- Late Afternoon: Arrived at Au Paradis Bleu. Oh. My. God. The internet pics do NOT do it justice. Turquoise water, swaying palms, and bungalows scattered about like little jewels. Instantaneously, I felt… calm. Like, my shoulders finally dropped from around my ears. I’m prone to that.
- The Bungalow Debacle: My bungalow? Perfect. Except… no hot water. And only one plug. I’m usually a “roughing it” kinda gal, but I’m also a human who loves a hot shower. Cue minor internal freak-out. Sorted it out. Or rather, the lovely staff at the resort did. They are angels, I swear. They really are.
- Evening: Sunset cocktails at the bar. Watched the sky explode with color. Got slightly tipsy on a questionable but delicious tropical concoction. Met a couple from… Idaho? (No offense Idaho, just… far). Discussed the existential dread of being a tourist. Found it utterly comforting.
- Dinner: Fresh seafood at the resort restaurant. The crab. Oh, the crab. Imagine the most unbelievably delicious crab you've ever eaten. Now, imagine that x 10. I devoured it. Probably looked like a wild animal. No regrets. Followed by the most perfect banana shake. I could probably live on banana shakes alone.
Day 2: Beach Bumming & Beach Rage (and a whole lotta sweat)
- Morning: Woke up to the sound of waves and sunshine streaming through my mosquito net. (Yes, I'm that kind of person). Beach time! Blissful hours spent swimming, reading and trying not to burn to a crisp. Fail. I think i may have cooked my skin from the inside out.
- Midday: Lunch at a beachside shack. Ordered what I thought was a simple chicken and rice dish. It arrived with so many chilies, I swear, my taste buds threatened mutiny. Tears streamed down my face. This made me feel like such a baby. I didn’t even get through half. Sigh.
- Afternoon: Decided to wander. Big mistake. The sun had become a fiery judge raining down the harshest heat on my newly cooked skin. I looked at the beach and I saw a mirage even there. I just about melted. Found some shade under a tree and proceeded to have what has to be the most beautiful and most sweaty nap of my life.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Okay, let's try this again. Went back to the ocean and tried swimming. Immediately, the ocean was salty! All through my eyes! The stinging! I have never been good at the ocean. And I hate when I get water up my nose! It’s horrifying!
- Dinner: Back at the resort. Tried to redeem myself with a less spicy fish dish, but it wasn't as good as the crab. And I felt so, so full. And my skin still hurt. And I was, for a change, happy because I knew I was here and this was it.
Day 3: The Kep Crab Market & The Great Food Fight
- Morning: Kep Crab Market!!! This is the whole reason I came here. I was so incredibly excited. Even more excited than I was to see the beach. And i'm a beach person! I wanted to get there early before the crowds came. I didn't get there that early. But I got there!
- The Kep Crab Market - My Personal Food Hell and Heaven.
- The Scene: A symphony of chaos. Bustling vendors, sizzling seafood, the smell of the ocean mixed with fried garlic. Absolutely vibrant. I felt alive.
- The Crab: Okay, you know how I said the crab at the resort was good? This was… a level up. Fresh. Juicy. Spicy. I ordered a whole plate and proceeded to demolish it. I had to use the plastic fork to get the last bits of the crab meat. I was covered in sauce. I loved it.
- The Pepper… Disaster: I ordered the famous Kep pepper crab. They warn you, it's spicy. They didn't warn me about the tears. I was completely red in the face, but I was not stopping. I thought I would die, but the joy I was feeling was so amazing.
- The Garlic: Oh god, the garlic! I was inhaling it with every bite. I am now pretty sure that I smell of garlic. I don't care. I'm pretty sure that smell would make me very happy in any place.
- The Aftermath: I swear I could feel my insides burning, but it was a beautiful, delicious burn. I felt like I had really lived. Now I’m going to buy a truck load of kep pepper.
- Afternoon I wandered around Kep National Park. I was so in awe of my decision to come here that I wandered around for hours just happy.
- Dinner: More seafood. Seriously. Not regret.
Day 4: Sunset, Smiles, and Goodbye (for now)
- Morning: One last swim, one last banana shake. Said goodbye to the ocean. I'm already planning to come back.
- Afternoon: Walked around. Ate. Enjoyed.
- Evening: Packed. Watched another perfect sunset. Felt a pang of sadness, but also a huge surge of gratitude.
- Night: Back to Phnom Penh. Back to real life. But also, the memory of Au Paradis Bleu, of the heat, the crab, the messy joy, will stay with me.
Quirky Observations & Ramblings:
- The motorbikes here are the kings of the road. Absolutely everyone goes around on motorbikes.
- The people are incredibly kind and full of smiles. Even when I’m clearly being an idiot.
- Language barriers? They don’t matter. Smiles and pointing go a long way.
- My skin is probably still peeling.
- I think I fell in love with Kep. And I'm totally okay with it.
- I'm going back.
Okay, seriously, is Au Paradis Bleu Kep *actually* paradise, or just another Instagram filter fantasy?
Alright, let's be real. "Paradise" is a loaded word. Anyone who's travelled knows the gap between the brochure and the *actual* vibe. Au Paradis Bleu? Close. Like, really frickin' close. Look, the sunsets? Stunning. I mean, *jaw-droppingly* beautiful. One night, I swear, the sky was bleeding orange and purple, reflecting in the pool... I almost cried. Almost. (Don't tell anyone.)
But here's the honest truth: it's not perfect. The electricity flickered a couple of times (hey, Cambodia!). And yeah, I *did* wake up one morning to a tiny gecko on my mosquito net. Gave me a heart attack, I tell ya! But you know what? That's part of the charm. It's real life, just... filtered with a healthy dose of gorgeous scenery and delicious food. And the staff? Amazing. Always smiling, always helpful. They even forgave me when I managed to spill a whole glass of Angkor beer (don't judge, it was hot!). So, is it paradise? Pretty damn close. Just bring your sense of humor and a good mosquito repellent. You'll need it.
The food! Spill the beans, is it all Pad Thai and street noodles?
Okay, the food. Oh. My. Goodness. The food at Au Paradis Bleu is an absolute highlight. Forget the "street noodle only" assumption – though, let's be honest, a good plate of noodles IS always welcome. But here? The restaurant whips up some seriously gourmet Cambodian cuisine, and they’re not afraid to get experimental with flavors! Picture this: fresh seafood, pulled *straight* from the sea that morning, grilled to perfection, with a tamarind glaze that’ll make you wanna lick the plate clean. I'm a vegetarian... or at least, *try* to be... and even *I* was tempted by the aroma from the fishing boat!
And the breakfasts? Forget the usual sad hotel buffet - fresh fruit, killer coffee (essential!), eggs cooked a million different ways, and pastries that practically melt in your mouth. I still dream about the banana pancakes. Seriously. I'm thinking of going back just for those pancakes. And the cocktails? Don’t even get me started. Happy hour is a *necessity*. Prepare to spend a lot of time near the bar. You have been warned. My advice... Try the Khmer Mojito. It's a revelation. And pace yourself, okay? Especially if going on a tuk-tuk tour later. Just sayin'.
What's the vibe like at Au Paradis Bleu? Is it a party place or more zen?
Think "relaxed sophistication" meets "laid-back bliss." Okay, maybe that's a little pretentious, but honestly, it's not really a "party" kind of place. I saw one guy who *tried* to crank up some tunes by the pool, but the lovely staff politely "suggested" he might want to move to the bar area. (Where, incidentally, you CAN get a good party going if you make enough friends.) It's definitely more zen-- think gentle breezes, the sound of the ocean, the occasional soft laugh of someone enjoying a massage.
There's a real sense of peace there, which is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of other places I've been. You can totally chill by the infinity pool all day with a book (a good one, obviously) or take a nap in a hammock. The staff are very chill and helpful, they always have a smile for everyone. You’re far away from the craziness of the world here, you guys. I needed that. Badly. So, if you're looking for a place to recharge, reconnect with yourself, and maybe meet a few other cool travelers, Au Paradis Bleu nails it. If you can't live without a rave, maybe go to the next island over.
Are there any activities besides lying around looking gorgeous? (Asking for a friend... mostly)
Okay, so you *could* spend your entire vacation horizontal, soaking up the sun like a lizard. And honestly? I wouldn’t blame you. But yes, there’s more to Kep than just lounging (though, let's be honest, that's a major draw).
Firstly, they offer day trips. You can explore the islands. I took a boat trip to Rabbit Island, which was…well, let's just say the "rabbit" was the size of a tiny house cat and probably had more chill than I do on a good day. Great snorkeling though and the seafood was fresh and delicious. You can also visit the Kep crab market (a must). The pepper farm tour, which was fascinating and I actually enjoyed a drink of local pepper liquor! (Who knew?) And of course, hiking in Kep National Park. I went up a mountain and the view from the top almost killed me. It was a *steep* hike. Don’t forget water! Plus, there's kayaking, cycling, and even cooking classes. If you're feeling active, there's plenty to do. But if you need me, I will be by the pool with another cocktail.
Tell me about the rooms! Are they luxurious or basic?
Ah, the rooms. Let's just say they're a *very* pleasant upgrade from a hostel dorm, but they are not the over-the-top, gold-plated kind of luxury. Think comfortable, stylish, and thoughtfully designed. I stayed in a bungalow with a balcony overlooking the ocean, and it was pure bliss. Waking up every morning to the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea? Seriously, amazing.
The beds? Super comfy. The air conditioning? Essential! The bathrooms? Clean and modern. They even leave you fresh flowers! It's got a real "boutique hotel" vibe, you know? Not stuffy, but definitely chic. I will say that you should be prepared for the occasional…insect visitor. It's the tropics, people! Keep the doors shut when you can. Oh, and another thing, the wifi *can* be a bit patchy sometimes. Which, in a weird way, is a good thing. Forces you to actually disconnect and enjoy the moment. (Though, okay, I may have cursed at my laptop a few times trying to upload photos.)
Are there any downsides? Be honest!
Okay, alright, let's get real. Nobody needs a sugar-coated review. While Au Paradis Bleu is mostly amazing, there are a few things that might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Here's the deal: * **The road to get there:** The drive from Sihanoukville (the nearest airport) can be… let's say, "adventurous." The roads aren't the best. Be ready for a bumpy ride. * **The occasional critters:** I mentioned the gecko, but you might also encounter mosquitoes, curious antsInfinity Inns
