From Beachfronts to the Jungle: The Couple Living Their Dream Job in Cambodia’s Wildest Luxury Retreat

CAMBODIA

In the heart of the Cambodian rainforest, nestled along a riverbank strewn with boulders and echoing with gibbon calls, you’ll find one of Asia’s most audacious luxury retreats: Shinta Mani Wild – A Bensley Collection. Built by design maverick Bill Bensley, the property is as much a conservation project as it is a five-star experience — an eco-luxury camp where helicopter landings and anti-poaching patrols are part of the daily rhythm.

And at the helm of this jungle oasis? A globe-trotting hospitality duo who have, quite literally, made a career out of chasing paradise.

Meet Marc LeBlanc and Laura Robinson, the hotel's General Manager and Operations & Sustainability Manager, respectively. Their careers read like a passport stamp collection: the Cayman Islands, Honduras, the Maldives, Indonesia — and now, for the first time, the Cambodian jungle.

Jungle Dreams

For LeBlanc, a Canadian with 17 years in hospitality, and Laura, a British marine biologist turned sustainability strategist, Cambodia offered both a cultural awakening and professional shift.

“Cambodia was not a country we knew well, despite having spent many years in Asia,” says Robinson. “Shinta Mani Wild presented us with the chance to work for a company that truly places sustainability at the forefront of its ethos.”

They were already fans of the designer, Bill Bensley. "We had also been admirers of Bill Bensley, his design, and hotels for a number of years, so when the opportunity presented itself to have a chance to work with him, we did not hesitate," she added.

More than a luxury tented camp, Shinta Mani Wild is a bold statement: 15 sprawling tents set across 400 protected acres of rainforest in the Cardamom Mountains, co-created with the Wildlife Alliance to protect the land from poaching, logging, and mining. Guests don’t just check in — they rappel into the property via zipline, dine on foraged jungle cuisine, and are invited to join conservation rangers on anti-poaching patrols.

LeBlanc and Robinson's dynamic as a couple isn’t just charming — it’s strategic. Their management approach is as finely balanced as the surrounding ecosystem.

“As we started our journey managing resorts together, we fell naturally into dividing our focus,” says LeBlanc. “I oversee all departments with a focus on engineering, HR, finance, and F&B — while Laura’s science background lends itself beautifully to guest experience, sustainability, spa, and housekeeping.”

Their complementary styles — LeBlanc's creativity and Robinson's organisational prowess — help them maintain not just a harmonious working relationship, but a philosophy grounded in mutual respect and innovation.

“We keep each other in check,” Laura laughs, “and we’re able to implement some fun ideas in the process.”

Lessons from the Sea, Applied to the Forest

Both seasoned in far-flung island postings, their previous roles at Cap Karoso in Sumba, Indonesia, offered a slower rhythm of barefoot luxury. But the jungle presents new challenges — and new lessons.

“Adapting to different paces of life is key,” LeBlanc reflects. “Every country operates differently in terms of logistics, bureaucracy, and relationships. You just need to go with the flow. Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Robinson agrees, adding: “Having worked with a wide variety of nationalities over the years helps me move into this role ensuring our team are managed and cared for in the best way that works for them.”

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Shinta Mani Wild — it’s foundational. The property is part of The Long Run, a global community of lodges committed to the 4Cs: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. Under Robinson's guidance, the camp is expanding its footprint of impact.

“We’ve already started developing a number of new initiatives,” she says. “We’re building the Shinta Mani Farm using permaculture techniques, introducing a waste-to-wealth sorting facility, hiring an English teacher for our team and local schools, and designing cultural experiences like foraging and traditional medicine.”

It’s a fluid, ever-evolving programme — driven by both science and soul.

Remote luxury hospitality comes with its own set of demands, especially when staff live and work together on-site. For LeBlanc, the key is simple: laughter and respect.

“Laughter is a global language,” he says. “Teams need to have fun while doing what they do. Showing strong respect and kindness sets your tone before you ever take a firmer hand. Impatience and yelling? That yields weaker results.”

It’s a management style honed over decades — and continents — but perhaps most essential in a place where the lines between work, life, and wilderness blur.

The Road (Less Travelled) Ahead

As LeBlanc and Robinson settled into jungle life, their vision for the property is both ambitious and rooted in deep admiration for the land.

“This is all new to us,” Robinson says. “We’re learning new things every day. We’ve developed great relationships with local communities, non-profit partners, and The Long Run — and we’re excited to push the envelope further.”

For two people who have built a life on the move, chasing sunsets and sustainability in equal measure, Shinta Mani Wild offers something different: stillness with purpose, and a home amid the trees.

This isn’t just another luxury camp. It’s a chance to create something meaningful — not just for guests, but for the planet too. "There are so many new ideas in the pipeline, and we can’t wait to get going on all of these wonderful initiatives," says Robinson.

Location: Prey Praseth Village, Kampong Seila​, Cambodia | Phone: +855 96 919 0000 | Email: wild@shintamani.com | Facebook: Shinta Mani Wild  | Instagram: @ShintaManiWild