Where Healthcare Meets Healing: Sâmata’s Medical Wellness & Spa Approach
By BKL
July 21, 2025, Phnom Penh, In Phnom Penh’s cosmopolitan BKK1 district—home to expat families, high-end apartments, and international restaurants—construction cranes dot the skyline and traffic hums constantly. But walk down Street 306 and you’ll stumble upon something unexpected: a tranquil garden where large koi fish glide silently through a pond just steps from the entrance of Sâmata Medical & Spa.
Under the shade of a sprawling mango tree, dragon fruit and banana plants create a green canopy while colorful jasmine fills the air with its sweet fragrance. It’s a peaceful pocket that feels worlds away from the urban energy surrounding it. Step inside and you’ll understand why travelers from around the world seek out this place—there’s an immediate sense of calm that’s hard to find anywhere else in the bustling capital.
“I’ve spent my career focused on one thing: helping people feel whole again,” says Jean-Claude Dhuez, the French physiotherapist who started Sâmata over three decades ago. What began as Cambodia’s first international physiotherapy clinic has grown into something much bigger. Today, Dhuez not only runs Sâmata but also serves as President of the Cambodia Spa & Wellness Association and advises the Ministry of Tourism on wellness standards.
From Physiotherapy to Wellness
When Dhuez first set foot in Cambodia back in 1991, the country was still picking up the pieces after years of devastating conflict. Working as a supervisor at the National Rehabilitation Center and technical advisor at the National Physiotherapy School, he got to see up close just how much healing people needed—not just physically, but emotionally too.
That’s when something clicked for him. “I saw incredible potential in combining Western physiotherapy techniques with traditional Asian healing wisdom,” Dhuez explains. “Cambodia has this ancient knowledge about plant medicine and spiritual healing that works beautifully with modern approaches.”
It started small. Cambodia’s first international physiotherapy clinic opened in 1997. But over the years, it grew into something much bigger—the country’s most comprehensive wellness center. Even the name tells the story. “Sâmata” means “balance” and “tranquility,” which pretty much sums up what Dhuez has been trying to create all along: that perfect blend of East and West.
A Holistic Approach
Cambodia used to have this divide—you’d go to traditional healers for one thing, Western-style clinics for another. Sâmata changed all that by bringing everything together under one roof.
“We believe the best care happens when clinical expertise meets intuition,” says Dhuez. “That’s why every treatment here blends the precision of Western therapies with the soul of Eastern healing traditions.”
Walk through Sâmata and you’ll see what he means. The team includes physiotherapists, acupuncturists, osteopaths, podiatrists, massage therapists, Reiki practitioners, hypnotherapists, and Pilates instructors. But here’s what makes it special—they actually work together. You might have a French-trained physiotherapist team up with a Cambodian acupuncturist to figure out what’s really going on with your back pain, not just treat the surface symptoms.
What sets Sâmata apart becomes clear during your first treatment. Instead of following a standard routine, therapists here practice what Dhuez calls “listening hands”—reading your body’s signals and adjusting pressure and technique accordingly. It’s this intuitive approach that forms the core of their method, blending anatomical expertise with energy awareness.
“Because real healing isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Dhuez notes. “It’s a partnership between skilled hands and an open heart.”
Cambodia’s Aromatic Shop
But maybe Dhuez’s most unique contribution to Cambodia’s wellness scene is something you can actually take home with you. Back in 2000, he started creating his own line of aromatherapy products called Âmata—and everything is made right here in Cambodia.
“I wanted to showcase Cambodia’s incredible botanical resources while creating sustainable employment,” Dhuez explains. He takes traditional Khmer knowledge about medicinal plants and combines it with proper aromatherapy science to create essential oil blends that now supply high-end spas across Southeast Asia.
You’ll experience these locally made oils during treatments, especially in their popular Vichy shower massage—imagine aromatic waters cascading over your body while two therapists work in perfect sync. The signature blends include Physio+ for muscle relief, Harmonie for relaxation, and Energizing for mental clarity. Each comes in beautiful glass bottles that make perfect travel-friendly souvenirs.
Treatments for the Well-Traveled Body
But Dhuez’s holistic philosophy really shows in how they’ve designed treatments specifically for travelers. Let’s be honest—after days of climbing temple steps in Siem Reap or walking through Phnom Penh’s busy streets, your body is probably talking to you. Sâmata gets it.
Take their Khmer Herbal Hot Compress Massage ($50, 90 minutes). They use these warm herbal pouches filled with lemongrass, yellow ginger, and kaffir lime—all traditional Cambodian remedies that have been soothing sore muscles for generations. Perfect for when temple-hopping has left you feeling like you’ve run a marathon.
Got swollen feet from all that exploring? The Foot & Leg Massage ($36, 90 minutes) combines reflexology with a full leg massage to get things flowing again and bring back that “I could walk for miles” feeling.
And if you’re carrying tension in your shoulders from lugging around bags or sitting through long flights, the Hot Stone Massage ($55, 90 minutes) works deep to release all that stored-up stress.
“We understand travelers’ bodies face unique challenges,” Dhuez says. “Our treatments address these specific needs while honoring the whole person.”
Perfect Pre-Departure Relaxation
This understanding of travelers’ needs extends to Sâmata’s airport location. After days of exploring ancient temples, weaving through bustling markets, or wrapping up important business meetings, there’s one perfect way to end your Cambodian adventure. Before you head home, treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation at Sâmata Wellness.
You’ll find their services conveniently located after duty-free shopping, right inside the Plaza Premium Lounge—the perfect spot to unwind before your flight. Instead of spending those final airport hours scrolling through your phone or grabbing another coffee, you can melt away the travel tension with a therapeutic massage. Their 30-minute foot massage (only $23) is particularly popular with departing travelers.
“A lot of our guests tell us that finishing their trip with one of our treatments actually helps them process everything they’ve experienced in Cambodia,” says Dr. Loraine Chan Duch, the center’s acupuncturist who trained at Shanghai Second Medical University.
If you have more time before your departure, it’s worth making the trip to Sâmata’s main location in BKK1. That’s where you can experience their full menu of services. Their “Body Touch” package is something special—for $70, you get two and a half hours that includes a steam bath, body scrub with Vichy shower, and aromatherapy massage. It’s the kind of experience that lets you really soak in (literally and figuratively) everything Cambodia has given you while melting away all that travel tension.
Building Cambodia’s Wellness Future
Dhuez isn’t just focused on his own wellness center—he’s thinking much bigger. As President of the Cambodia Spa & Wellness Association and an advisor to the Ministry of Tourism, he’s been working hard to raise the bar for the entire industry.
“We want Cambodia to be recognized internationally as a destination for authentic, high-quality wellness experiences,” he explains.
That vision is already taking shape. Dhuez is helping design training programs for massage therapists that will be used across all ASEAN countries. What makes these programs special is how they balance things—they bring in the best international practices while still honoring the traditional Khmer healing techniques that have been part of Cambodia’s culture for centuries.
He’s also developing spa standards that do the same thing: meet world-class expectations while staying true to Cambodia’s roots. Through all this work, Dhuez is making sure that when travelers think about visiting Cambodia, wellness and relaxation become just as important as seeing the temples or trying the food.
Why Travelers Keep Coming Back
There’s something special that happens when you walk into Sâmata Medical Wellness & Spa. Maybe it’s Dhuez’s three decades of experience, or maybe it’s the way he’s perfected that East-meets-West approach that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
Whatever it is, travelers notice the difference right away. This isn’t your typical hotel spa experience. It’s the kind of place where you actually feel like someone understands what your body needs after days of exploring Cambodia—and knows exactly how to help.
That’s probably why so many people plan their entire Phnom Penh stay around a visit here. When you find something this good, you don’t keep it to yourself.
Where to Find Your Healing Journey
If you want the full Sâmata experience, head to their main center in BKK1 (54 Street 306, between Street 63 and Monivong). This is where they have everything—all their treatments in a beautiful, peaceful space that was designed specifically for healing.
Running short on time? No problem. Their airport location is perfect for squeezing in some wellness before you fly home. It’s like giving yourself one last gift before leaving Cambodia.
For the main center, definitely book ahead—especially if you’re eyeing one of their signature treatments or those longer packages. You can call them at (+855) 10 274 208 or ask your hotel concierge to set it up for you. The airport spot is more flexible and takes walk-ins.
Either way you go, you’re not just getting a typical spa treatment. This is something different—something that really gets what your body and mind need after traveling.
As Cambodia continues to establish itself as a premier wellness destination in Southeast Asia, places like Sâmata are leading the way. They’re showing that authentic healing doesn’t have to choose between ancient wisdom and modern expertise—it can honor both, creating something entirely new in the process.
VISITOR ESSENTIALS
LOCATIONS: Main center in BKK1 (#54, St. 306) | Pre-departure services at Phnom Penh Airport
PRICING: Treatments from $20 (30-min back massage) to $100 (3.5-hour packages)
SPECIALTIES: Listening hands therapy, Khmer herbal compress, aromatherapy
BOOKING: Call 010-274-208 or email info@samata-cambodia.com
WEBSITE: https://samata-cambodia.com/
 | Cambodia |
 | https://www.cambodialifestyle.com |
 | +855 9 678 01791 |
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
