New Heritage GM

Siem Reap’s Heritage Suites Hotel has a new general manager, Sweden-born, France-raised Magnus Olovson. He took up the posting following the July 1 exit of Laos-born royal, Vorana Na Chapassak, who is now the general manager of La Residence d’Angkor.

Olovson brings a touch of class to the gig and said part of the inspiration to accept the Siem Reap job came from his father, a famous European classical sculptor.

“My father, being a sculptor, has always mentioned Angkor Wat. And of course now that I am here, he too will come for a visit.”

Olovson’s father, Gustav Olovson, left Stockholm for Paris in 1960 and his work features in private collections, public places and in galleries and museums around Europe and the US.

Blackberry dining

Gastro-navigation has arrived in Cambodia, allowing diners in the Penh and Siem Reap to find restaurants by way of The Miele Guide Blackberry application.

“This neat application ensures epicureans’ GPSes are appropriately synced with each country’s dining zeitgeist,” the publicity spiel states.

Only a few Cambodian restaurants are listed in the app but, in Siem Reap, if diners wish to locate Hotel de la Paix’s Meric restaurant for example, they can simply consult their Blackberry for details.

Concierge club

Pat Sambo, chief concierge at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, holds a rare distinction – he was the first Cambodian member of the Asia-Pacific chapter of Les Clefs d’Or (The Golden Keys).

Les Clefs d’Or is registered as the International Union of Hotel Concierges and to qualify, members must have been a concierge for at least three years.

Sambo, who joined Raffles in Siem Reap in 1995, was inducted into the union in 2005 and is now the Cambodian representative.