Memoria Palace is nestled on a cozy northern hilltop on the edge of the Cardamom Mountains in northwestern Cambodia. Memoria is a beautiful boutique eco-resort offering simple, memorable experiences and personal rejuvenation. The tranquil comfort of the lush green natural beauty of the resort property and surrounding area creates perfect environment for retreat, relaxation, adventure and outdoors along with quality time with family and friends. The space Memoria Palace & Resort is an eco-tourism resort located in the foothills of the Cardamom Mountains of Pailin, Cambodia. The resort spans 15 lush hectares and features 16 beautiful bungalow rooms, 3 unique traditional style thatched Eco-lodges, a hilltop saltwater swimming pool, fully stocked restaurant & bar, and conference room/rehearsal studio. Memoria is a hidden getaway with inviting appeal, magnificent views across the countryside, fresh clean air and an invigorating breeze coming off the mountains. Our location provides the perfect environment for a variety of retreats, peaceful relaxation, personal rejuvenation or adventurous outdoor activities. Guest access Pailin, known for gem mining, is on the Thai-Cambodian border. Pailin is 4 hours from Bangkok, 3 hours from Pattaya, 5 hours from Phnom Penh, 3 hours from Siem Reap, and 1 hour from Battambang. Commanding the northern access to the Cardamom Mountains, Pailin has abundant ecotourism opportunities. The Cardamom Mountains are one of Southeast Asia's best preserved wilderness areas. With a wide variety of natural leisure activities, you can enjoy cycling, trekking, hiking, viewing landscapes, and involving yourself with local livelihood activities like agricultural activities which will immerse you a real combination of communities’ life experiences and natural tourism in Pailin, a realm of yet explored treasures. Whether on a visa run, on retreat, on a tour of Cambodia or in search of wilderness adventure, you will always find a warm welcome at Memoria Palace & Resort. Other things to note A refreshing change to the busy hubs of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Pailin is an unspoilt city that allows visitors a glimpse into the real Cambodian life of the once war-torn area. Pailin sits in the Cardamom Mountain range, which is very peaceful, majestic and beautiful, and is acclaimed for its history, fantasy-land- former Khmer Rouge stronghold, waterfalls, greenery, fruits farms, and rubies, sapphires, topaz and opals. The fresh and clean air, mountains, and the stunning views make trekking, hiking and cycling in these verdant trials invigorating and relaxing at the same time. In addition, swimming at the base of remote waterfalls in the area is a perfect escape and perfect for fond memories. Before Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, Pailin was well known as a land rich in gems, timbers and fruit tree orchards. During the French colonial days Pailin was home to a variety of coffee and rubber plantations set up by French protectorate government. In the late 1970s, Pailin was a prosperous town stemming from the extensive logging and gem deposits in the surrounding countryside. Because of its abundant natural resources, it was one of the first cities invaded by the Khmer Rouge when they began their major offensive against the national government. Until late 1996 Pailin was a major Khmer Rouge stronghold. Khmer Rouge traded gemstones and timbers with Thailand for survival. It is said that 70% of the area’s older men were fighters for the Khmer Rouge, but none of the regular fighters have yet been brought to justice. Up until late 2007, Pailin was home to Pol Pot’s brother No. 2, Nuon Chea and brother No. 3, Ieng Sary and his wife Ieng Thearith, former minister of Social Affairs, and former Head of State, Khieu Samphan, before they were arrested, detained and charged by the UN backed Khmer Rouge Tribunal. There remain hundreds of bullet holes in the walls of the old buildings, and they serve as a reminder of Khmer Rouge’s war on Cambodia’s peace loving people. Pailin Province is the newest and second smallest province in Cambodia with 803 square kilometres. Before the reintegration in 1996, the population of Pailin was 17850 peoples. 17 years later, the population of this area is about 70000 peoples. Pailin, historically known for gem mining and processing, is recovering from its war torn past. Modern Pailin is transforming into an agricultural production center. More interestingly, Pailin has great potential for ecotourism with its command of the northern approaches to the Cardamom Mountains’ waterfalls, rivers, untouched forests and abundant wildlife. Visitors to the Pailin area can experience the moving memorial at the Well of Shadows and learn first-hand how ordinary Cambodians suffered and survived during this period. With a wide variety of natural leisure activities, you can enjoy cycling, trekking, hiking, viewing landscapes, and involving yourself with local livelihood activities like agricultural activities which will immerse you a real combination of communities’ life experiences and natural tourism in Pailin, a realm of yet explored treasures.