September 28, 2006

www.hotelcara.com

 

 

 

 



By Phatry Derek Pan

Just like Cambodian karaoke, the hotel industry in the nation’s capitol, too, is saturated. So what does it take to make a hotel shine like the brilliance of Pailin gem – standing out from its competitors? That is the question posed to Phnom Penh’s newest young entrepreneurs on the grand opening party of Hotel Cara and Domrey Fusion Restaurant on July 9th.

”Investing in the hotel industry is a big risk. But we strongly believe that success comes from smart management – top to bottom – and providing what we call the Cara experience,” said couples Kean Kim Leang, 31, and Patricia Tan, 28.

“The Cara experience refers to our style of hospitality — characterized by keen customer attention, maximizing comfortableness and providing Care Bear-like friendly service. Cara, in the Italian language means friendly,” said Tan, US-educated Malaysian national who also serves as the vice president and artistic director for the hotel and restaurant.

Hotel Cara features 51 uniquely designed rooms nestled in a towering building – 30 of which include a balcony view overlooking the bustling neighborhood of Wat Phnom. All rooms support local Ratanakkiri wood with furniture like bed frames, arm chairs and others. Ratanakkiri refers to the northeastern province where majority of the indigenous population reside. The style is characterized by its dark brown hues and durability.

“Besides furniture, there are many common themes found in the design and aesthetic of each room,” said Tan. “The walls are emblazoned with contrasting pastel green and beige, no wall décor except a rectangular mahogany mirror or handcrafted lamps. Simplicity and elegance is the objective. It’s Khmer contemporary.”

Cara’s style and service expects a heavy price tag, however, the president told Khmer Connection otherwise. Hotel Cara is “luxury you can afford,” said Kim Leang. The total construction had skyrocketed to $1.5 million dollars in the tw years of development.

The walk-in rate begins as low as $25 USD for the comfy standard single. For a limited time, all rooms including the luxury rooms come with an additional 25% off. The luxury room -- three in total – includes a stylish sofa, two mahogan arm chairs, and a monstrous bath tub. Majority of the furniture are produced locally by Khmer hands while few are imported from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and China.

Cara’s attraction does not stop there. Connecting the four storey hotel is the introduction to the city’s newest world class diner, Domrey Fusion Restaurant. Domrey in the Khmer language means “elephant,” offers a wide selection of entrées, appetizers, desserts, and wholesome soups.

According to restaurant manager, Ngoun Vannak, Domrey has over 15 experienced chefs specializing in three types of cuisines: Khmer, Chinese and French.

“You will truly taste the difference in quality at Domrey,” said Vannak.

Domrey Fusion Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at 6 AM to 10 PM. The restaurant offers free high speed WiFi connection.


Website: www.hotelcara.com | Reservations/Queries, pdp at hotelcara dot com or 012 314 125
 
Copyright, Phatry Derek Pan, 2006.
Posted by phatry.derek.pan at 12:26:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

September 08, 2006

banging battambang!

Phnom Penh Post, Issue 15/18, Sept 8 - 20, 2006

Spectacle of Arts

By Phatry Derek Pan


Twelve-year old Joy Rithy trotted barefoot for more than two kilometers from his Andong Jeng village to hear what the commotion was at the Phare Ponleu Selapak campus in Battambang. When he arrived at the sprawling arts complex, Rithy was awed by the spectacle before him.

"There is so much energy and excitement here," he said. "I did not expect to see so many students and so much Khmer art all in one place."

Battambang was recently the site of a week-long explosion of art demonstrations, musical performances, workshops, games, and dance.

The first arts retreat, Mohaosrop Selepak Khmer Amatak 2006, featured more than 310 master artists, students, visiting artists and observers - brought together by an alliance of arts organizations such as Cambodian Living Arts, Phare Ponleu Selapak, Epic Arts, Friends Economic Development Association, (FEDA) and US-based Watkinson School.

According to Phany Tum, 34, Country Manager of Cambodian Living Arts, the focus of Mohaosrop was "learning and sharing."

"At the opening day procession on August 24, students were on the edge of their seats as the thunder roared in the background," said Tum, an expatriate Khmer from Providence, Rhode Island. "Already, I could anticipate what awaited the students and masters. The event will be special."

There were four workshop sessions in 12 different art forms. The classes included traditional Khmer and Western arts, and ranged through wedding music, ritualistic funeral chanting known as smot, painting, street circus, Bassac opera, chapey dong veng or long-necked guitar, and even salsa dancing.

"These workshops were inspirational to participate in and observe," said *!#@on Verey, 31, who represented FEDA, a youth-centered organization that provides educational opportunities to rural residents.

"If you go on any bus trip in Cambodia, every kid sings. There is music in every child. And during the music workshop, young students were taking notes and asking question after question of the masters."

Sor Touch, 23, a Phare student in painting, echoes similar sentiments. "I attended the Bassac Theater workshop with very little knowledge of this traditional art. I came out of Master Norng Chock's workshop understanding the relationship between the placement of music and dance movements."

According to the Mohaosrop program booklet, Bassac Theater is a traditional Khmer form of theater that uses song and is among the most popular of all Cambodian theater forms. It is strongly influenced by Hy (Chinese Opera) and Kai Loeung (Vietnamese theater), which is evident in its scenery, costumes and makeup and also in the extremely physical and almost acrobatic acting techniques.

Besides the educational component of Mohaosrop, the seven-day program offered a rare opportunity for rural villagers to enjoy performances of many Khmer art forms. One crowd favorite was the Phare street circus and sbaek thom, a form of shadow puppetry that means, "large skin."

Ben Sokchea, 13, of Phnom Penh, was dazzled by Wat Bo's shadow theater troupe.

"My eyes lit up from the burning fire behind the cloth stage," Sokchea said. "I was mesmerized by the detailed puppet pieces, rhythmic body movements and story of warfare."

The collective energy of the participants did not dissipate, and often lasted until the early hours. At the closing finale, students, masters and international guests performed non-stop.

According to event organizers, the objective of Mohaosrop 2006 was to create lasting memories for the participants, revive traditional Cambodian art forms and inspire contemporary artistic expression.

"If the arts die, so will the nation; today, it gives me strong hope that our beloved Cambodia has been reborn," said Kum Sinath, 63, of Siem Reap.

Posted by phatry.derek.pan at 16:50:29 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |