We arrived from a less than uplifting visit to Ho Chi Minh and found a haven of relaxation at this wonderful hotel. Formerly the US Embassy, it has large rooms elegantly furnished, quiet and restful. But it is the people who made it all special. The general manager joined us for coffee once we had settled in to understand our objectives for the visit - a little history, great Khmer food and shopping. Then she provided with her team the names, addresses etc etc. Anything we wanted booked, it was done for us. Tuk-tuks sat outside the residence and could be hired for a day or or a trip. $3 took us most places. There is so much being done to help those who have suffered and helping these organisations by eating or buying is a pleasure. We supported street children by eating at Friends, a wonderful restaurant staffed by these young people and their teachers. We purchased goods from Artisans D'Angkor, a business supporting 1200 employees each with their own physical disability but creating items of the highest quality. The markets were friendly and cheap -we did not haggle much as prices were very cheap to us anyway. This nation is full of hard working people bearing the horrors of the Pol Pot regime. For many in the West, it is almost impossible to understand the extermination of up to 3 million souls, the clearance of the cities of...We arrived from a less than uplifting visit to Ho Chi Minh and found a haven of relaxation at this wonderful hotel. Formerly the US Embassy, it has large rooms elegantly furnished, quiet and restful. But it is the people who made it all special. The general manager joined us for coffee once we had settled in to understand our objectives for the visit - a little history, great Khmer food and shopping. Then she provided with her team the names, addresses etc etc. Anything we wanted booked, it was done for us. Tuk-tuks sat outside the residence and could be hired for a day or or a trip. $3 took us most places. There is so much being done to help those who have suffered and helping these organisations by eating or buying is a pleasure. We supported street children by eating at Friends, a wonderful restaurant staffed by these young people and their teachers. We purchased goods from Artisans D'Angkor, a business supporting 1200 employees each with their own physical disability but creating items of the highest quality. The markets were friendly and cheap -we did not haggle much as prices were very cheap to us anyway. This nation is full of hard working people bearing the horrors of the Pol Pot regime. For many in the West, it is almost impossible to understand the extermination of up to 3 million souls, the clearance of the cities of all their citizens and the destruction through bombs and mines of people, their limbs and their livelihoods. And yet, everybody smiles and is helpful.
And so back to the hotel: the pool is small but it's environment is beautiful when not disturbed by thoughtless noisy behaviour of the western children and their parents. The cafe is friendly with a limited but excellent menu; everything perfectly cooked. Breakfast is served - no buffet of half cold food here. And everything served with a smile.
I cannot wait to return to Phnom Penh and of course to the Mansion. Where else would I want to stay!!More
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