The Room(s)

Lest you think my job entails pretty hotel stays, let it be known that it isn’t the case. I should qualify that the office doesn’t exactly pay for the accommodation. It subsidizes it for sure and I get to decide how to split the allocated subsistence between the hotel room and food.

On trips that don’t involve bosses and colleagues, I’m not bound by strict protocol and etiquette. Often, my choice of a room will inevitably bust the stipulated rate and the personal credit card tops up the difference. (If you're wondering, no, they don't pay me well enough to splurge.) Since the man has joined me on this trip, it’d be much more comfortable to stay in a nicer room(s).

Whilst full of old world charm, the hotel isn’t big on opulence (the way we know it today) and subjective indulgent luxury (i.e. flat screen tv, good toiletries, hairdryers, ipod docks and Nespresso machines). I haven’t stayed in a room that uses this sort of light switch. I keep flicking it! I mean, the engineering principles of turning on the light are identical, but the modern style has caught on till I’ve forgotten how furnishings used to be.

It’s a room reminiscent of the country’s colonial past. The fittings, design of the carpet and most of all, the lacquered wood furniture with the mother-of-pearl inlay instantly transport one into the past. I like concept rooms like that, not the new fangled ones in hotels whose colors and themes hurt my eyes and induce a splitting headache. I don’t like rooms that are too opulent and or so chic till it hurts. (Think Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and the chain of Epoque Hotels) I like them regular and a little boring. The bathtub gave me a little shock which dissipated after spotting a separate shower stall. Whew. I’d not have liked to stay this nice room only to have to fall out of that tub daily.

What’s not cool, was the toilet bowl that suddenly kept flushing and the water flooded the room. This word ‘flood’, is not a very welcome word in a Singaporean’s vocabulary. I was most irritated because after lunch, I wanted to rest in the room before heading back to work. Instead, I had to quickly pack so that the bellboys could move my luggage to another room.

Also annoying are the short bursts of interruption to the flow of electricity which switches off the television, speakers or whatever gadgets that’s running on the current. After the first afternoon, I’ve developed a teeny obsession about ensuring all my gadgets are fully charged at any one time.

But hey, this is not a spick and span metropolis. Even our internet providers at home can’t ensure steady or fast connection all the time, what more in Phnom Penh. The hotel sent chocolates and all to apologize for the shortfalls. Oh well. It's nothing major. I'd stay here again the next time I'm in the city.