Oromis Guesthouse (tel: 073 395 969) was located in the hill tribe area of Mondulkiri/Mondolkiri Province, Northeast Cambodia and we were flabbergasted when driver Key pulled up to a gorgeous complex filled with luxury cabins. Extensive grounds were filled with foliage, rushing streams, airy wooden cabanas with hammocks, and small suspension bridges. Phnom Penh residents drive up on weekends for a little R&R in this beautiful guesthouse.
Other than resident NGOs, few westerners bother visiting this area of Cambodia. They fly into Phnom Penh, travel to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) and move along into Laos, Vietnam or Thailand.
Oromis Guesthouse cottage, Cambodia
bedroom area inside Oromis Guesthouse cottage, Cambodia
bathroom, Oromis Guesthouse, Cambodia
Dining takes place in open air but covered restaurants. Two gigantic garlic, pepper, onion, tomato omelets along with an entire loaf of crusty French bread materialized at breakfast and, would you believe, the two of us managed to eat the whole thing?
I can’t believe we ate the whole thing! Oromis Guesthouse, Cambodia
staff children at Oromis Guesthouse, Sen Monorom
Oromis Guesthouse was built three years ago and owner will help arrange tours. However, travelers need an English-speaking guide or must speak Cambodian since nobody spoke English. A cabin rate is $50 per night and meals here never cost more than $1-3 a person for more than enough food. There are ample hotels and guesthouses in Sen Monorom if Oromis is too pricy for you; Cambodian tourists staying in other hotels/guesthouses and NGO groups arrived at night to eat dinner and watch a minority dance performance, scheduled on weekends only.
Oromis Guesthouse, Sen Monorom, Cambodia
Oromis wooden pavilions or cabanas, Cambodia
A little cultural dance usually goes a l-o-n-g way; the case here. We were hopeful when colorfully dressed hill tribe dancers arrived but then they slowly circled around a large bonfire while an announcer told about each dance in Cambodian. It was easy to get the gist of what each dance was about: sowing, cultivating fields; boring and off we toddled to bed.
hill tribe dancers and guests at Oromis Guesthouse, Cambodia
cultivating fields dance at Oromis Guesthouse, Cambodia
sowing dance, Oromis Guesthouse, Cambodia
hill tribe musician at Oromis Guesthouse, Cambodia
A wonderful place to stay in Sen Monorom area. I wish we had time to sit around and enjoy its ambiance but there were sights to see.