Baksaei Retreat: Meaningful Travel and Boutique Bliss in Kampot

An Interview with Meg Lowder, Founder of Baksaei Retreat Ricefield Villas

Located at the mouth of the Tuek Chhou River and the foot of Bokor Mountain National Park lies a peaceful sanctuary run by someone who found herself unexpectedly—and joyfully—rooted in Cambodia. We sat down with Meg Lowder, an Australian expat and the heart behind Baksaei Retreat Ricefield Villas, to learn how a long-term traveler turned a chance stay in Kampot into a passion-fueled business with purpose.

Hi Meg, please introduce yourself.

“I’m Meg Lowder, an Australian expat living in Cambodia for 5 years. I have over 25 years’ experience in corporate business and currently work as a freelance writer and business/communications consultant focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Like many in Cambodia during the early pandemic days, Meg’s story started with a twist of fate.

“I was travelling long-term and became stranded here when the Covid-19 pandemic began, falling in love with the people and culture and settling in the gorgeous coastal town of Kampot.”

Her love for the country is tangible—not only has she made Kampot home, but she’s diving deep into the Khmer language and proudly shares, “I love sharing my passion for Cambodia with guests, along with my love of travel, having been to around 40 countries.”

Tell us about your business—Baksaei Retreat. What’s the idea behind it?

“We are a boutique 4-star guesthouse on the beautiful southern Cambodian coastline offering socially responsible holidays and meaningful travel.”

Located just 2km from downtown Kampot, Baksaei Retreat Ricefield Villas offers guests an intimate escape surrounded by rice fields and mountain views. Meg explains the vision: “We partner with local social enterprises, non-profits, and small businesses offering cultural experiences and activities… allowing you to explore the hidden gems of Cambodia’s southern coastline whilst giving back to the community – far from the crowds of Angkor Wat.”

The retreat features two-bedroom raised villas with fully equipped kitchens, private balconies, and what Meg lovingly calls “an oasis for nature-lovers and a haven for birds, frogs, dragonflies and more. But don’t worry, the friendly wildlife is our natural mosquito control system!”

The inspiration for Baksaei Retreat came from a combination of Meg’s commercial property background and a spontaneous visit from Australian friends.

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“Some friends from country NSW in Australia spontaneously decided to come visit me in Cambodia… One lacked the confidence to travel independently and the other didn’t know where to begin with planning. I helped them understand the double currency exchange, arranged meaningful activities, and showed them all that beautiful Kampot has to offer… They were thrilled with their visit and suggested I should be doing this professionally.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

When did you launch Baksaei Retreat and what’s the dream moving forward?

“I started Baksaei Bed & Breakfast in April 2024 as a small homestay just outside of Kampot… Some months later, I started thinking about expanding the concept and began searching for a suitable location.”

By November, Meg had found a lush 3,000 sqm property near Kampot’s “International Village.” She signed a long-term lease, partnered with the Khmer owner, and began transforming the space. “In January 2025, we relocated… and rebranded to Baksaei Retreat Ricefield Villas, opening in February offering twin holiday villas set amongst the rice fields, with stunning mountain and countryside views and a private pool.”

Meg’s goal? “To create a gorgeous, quiet, green, oasis that feels both private and open to the nature around it, yet much closer to town than any other current similar offerings.” “Baksaei” means bird in Khmer language and the birdsong provides a soothing natural soundtrack.

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As the gardens flourish and the rice grows with the seasons, Meg is focused on highlighting Kampot and Kep provinces as vibrant destinations in their own right, not just stopovers.

What do you love most about running Baksaei Retreat?

“Friends have always called me ‘Hostess with the Mostess’ – I love hosting people… One of the best things about this business is seeing guests’ faces when they arrive at Baksaei Retreat – the most common reaction is ‘wow!’”

Her mission is clear: “To provide service and an experience beyond expectations. I ensure guests are comfortable, have everything they need, and as much privacy as they want, but many are keen to chat about local life and ask for ideas on things to do.”

What sets Baksaei Retreat apart from other places?

“It’s not just a holiday villa, it’s an experience! The sound of the birds, frogs, palm leaves blowing in the breeze… I like to call it ‘Discovery Channel, Ricefield Edition’.”

Meg is filling a noticeable gap in Kampot’s high-end accommodation market, offering a product that appeals to locals and internationals alike. As one guest wrote: “Tastefully curated as a beautiful and aesthetic home in the Cambodian countryside that will make you feel like you have the perfect blend of western amenities with Cambodian tradition. It’s the perfect space to deeply rest, you may never want to leave.”

How does Baksaei Retreat support the local community?

“We partner with local charities and social enterprises to connect guests with meaningful activities in the area.”

Meg is also a strong advocate for promoting Cambodia’s lesser-known destinations to broader markets: “We are conducting targeted marketing to untapped markets such as Australia to bring new business into the local economy.”

And in a region where hospitality standards can vary, she’s committed to quality: “We are raising the standard of accommodation in Kampot to meet international expectations.”

What do you personally love about Cambodia and why have you stayed?

“One of the reasons I love living here is the sense of community and how everyone has ‘got each other’s back’… By referring to each other as ‘Bong’ (brother/sister), this creates a sense of comradery and friendliness I’ve not experienced in other cultures.”

A natural storyteller, Meg also weaves her experiences into writing. “I am a freelance writer and love to write about my observations of life in Cambodia – for example, you might appreciate this ‘tongue in cheek’ personal anecdote written during the pandemic, when most of the western world was panic-buying toilet paper – you’ll see I try to maintain a sense of humour!”

More than just a retreat, Baksaei is a reflection of her values. “I thrive working on professional projects where I can positively impact livelihoods and social advancement.”

Location: Google Maps

Website: baksaeiretreat.com

Email: info@baksaeiretreat.com

WhatsApp/Telegram: +855 (0)71 876 9760

Facebook: Baksaei Retreat Ricefield Villas

Instagram: @baksaeiretreat

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