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Soria Moria in Siem Reap
On November first the Norwegian Kristin Hansen is opening the new hotel Soria Moria in Siem Reap
30.10.2007 | news Signe Damkjaer
From November first Siem Reap in Cambodia will have its very own Soria Moria. It might not completely resemble the Soria Moria Castle, which Asbjørnsen and Moe describe in their classic Norwegian fairy tale. However, it will be a 3 star hotel managed by the 27-year-old Norwegian Kristin Hansen. Situated on Wat Bo Road in central Siem Reap, Soria Moria is taking over the building of the previous Hotel the Angkor Lion. “I have always wanted to manage my own hotel “says Kristin Hansen.
She has been living permanently in Cambodia since 2003. With a Bachelor of Business, Tourism and Hotel Management and a master in International Business she has been one of several owners of the guesthouse Earthwalkers in Siem Reap. From November first she will manage Soria Moria on her own.
Social work
The name Soria Moria is well known to most Norwegians who have grown up with Asbjørnsen and Moes famous fairy tale by the same name. “But in Khmer, Soria is a mighty word for saying sun”, Kristin Hansen explains. “I chose this name for the hotel because it means something both to Scandinavians and to the local people”, she says.
Just as the name is significant both to Scandinavians and Khmers, Kristin hopes that her hotel will have a positive impact on its guest as well as the local society. “It is never nice to just come into a country without giving anything back,” she says. This is why Soria Moria is cooperating with the Sangkheum Center for Children, which is an orphanage and an education centre. “The bed sheets and cushion covers are made by the Silk Lab – a project initiated by the center to help and create work for disadvantaged poor women from the countryside. All projects benefits the children at the Sangkheum Center. We are going to sell more of their goods in the hotel to support their activities,” says Kristin Hansen.
Furthermore the children from the centre are to come once a week to perform traditional APSARA dancing for the guest. “The performance is free for the guests, but I will give a speech about the centre, and ask them to give a donation. It is also possible for guest to go and visit the centre,” she says.
For those who are willing to do even more than that it is possible to sponsor a student through Soria Moria. “Gusts can sponsor a student for a year or a subject or a complete education. We put the money in an account and make sure that the bills are paid and that the student attends school. Many people think this is interesting because they can build a relation with the student in this way. In reality it works like a sponsor child,” she says. Another way Kristin Hansen is supporting the centre is by employing the young people after they leave. “They start working in the kitchen learn how to cook. Later they learn how to serve and to work in the front office. After a year it is much easier for them to find an other job than if they had come straight from the centre,” she says.
Soria Moria also sells Love Cards for the NGO Norwegian Education and Development Organisation (NEDO). The cards are pained by children in villages outside Siem Reap and the money goes back to the school. Likewise though NEDO, Soria Moria rents out bicycles for charity.
Kristin Hansen does not doubt that some guests are willing to support these social activities. “Many guest say the guest have a better experience when they feel they are doing something good to the country they are visiting, ” she says. “For the hotel it means that they might come back and stay here, so it’s a win win situation.”
Fusion Kitchen
The hotel is also to open a new restaurant where it is possible to enjoy Norwegian as well as Khmer food. “The idea is East meets West. We have Japanese dishes, Khmer food, some Italian and some dishes which is a mix”, says Kristin Hansen A few Scandinavian dishes are also on the menu. “We have Swedish meet balls with mashed potatoes and smoked salmon and pytt i panne from Norway.”
Although Soria Moria will open on November first, the date of the inauguration party is jet to be set. It might be around December first, but that is not entirely up to Kristin Hansen. “The monks will decide a good day for the opening party. They have to come and bless all the corners to chase the evil spirits way,“ Kristin finishes.
For more information about Soria Moria please visit www.thesoriamoria.com
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Kristin Hansen in front of the view from the roof of Soria Moria
Kristin and Samnieng at a balcony of one of the rooms in Soria Moria
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Reader Comments:-
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Vivi Påhlman :
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Hei, Kristin.
Blir helt matt av hva du får til!!!
GRATULERER MASSE MASSE!!!
Vi kommer helt sikkert og besøker deg på det nye hotellet. Håper det går veldig bra!
Igjen GRATULERER!
Masse klemmer fra Vivi og Tor Odd Påhlman. |
| Posted Date: 2007-11-02 21:14:45 |
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Kjetil :
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When visiting in november 2004, on Earthwalkers... we had a great time.
I bet we will enjoy your new hotel as well.
Good luck and I will see you when I see you....
Big hug
Kjetil Nicolai Benjamin Sørlie |
| Posted Date: 2007-11-12 21:59:13 |
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Steve Aspin :
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Kirsten
Thanks to you & Ken for such an interesting few days. You have a great concept in Soria Moria. It was great to learn how much you & Ken are doing for the local community in Siem Reap in very practical ways, and I hope this continues to gather the support it deserves.
Steve |
| Posted Date: 2007-12-21 10:46:24 |
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monika Kusinen :
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To Ken Oishi
Godt Nyttår vennen min, (Ken)
Her er det Nyttårsaften, vi har besøk av mamma og pappa.
Stille og rolig.
Kjempe flott og se hvordan du har det på hotellet du bor sammen Kristin. Kos dere masse begge to på nyttårsaften, ha ett fint hotell år i 2008 og lykketil med jobbingen med alle barna.
Vi er stolte av deg Ken.
Vi kommer neste jul på besøk, tenker jeg. Gla i deg !!
Nyttårs klemmer Monika,Tormod,Anne og Ulf.... |
| Posted Date: 2008-01-01 08:09:20 |
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Anne Hjerpset :
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Hei Ken
Gratulerer med dagen den 4. januar. Håper du får en hyggelig burstad. Vi tenker på deg alle sammen. Ønsker deg lykke til med prosjektene.
Fikk julekortet fra deg i går, og det var kjempehyggelig. Masse hilsner fra Mormor
Anne, Ulf, Monika og Ann Kristin med stort og smått.
Klem Anne |
| Posted Date: 2008-01-04 17:46:08 |
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Odd Einert Halvorsen :
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Kristin,
jeg besøkte Soria Moria for omkring et år siden ($1 night!) med noen NGO'ere. Jeg fikk endog en T-skjorte av Thomas. I begynnelsen av februar 2010 kommer jeg tilbake tl SR.Jeg pleide å bo på Secret of Elephants, men nå er det stengt. Jeg har prøvd å bestlle 2 dobbeltrom på Soria Morai, men har ikke lykkes ennå. Har dere noe ledig 29.jan.-3.februar? Jeg vet jo ikke om du leser disse meldingene, men jeg håper jo det, for Soria Moria gjorde et enormt godt inntrykk på meg.
Med vennlg hilsen |
| Posted Date: 2009-10-06 07:46:41 |
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