GLOBETROTTING

Herman Kemp, General manager of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh

Rediscover offerings in Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

» WHERE TO EAT There’s a strong French influence in Phnom Penh and this is reflected in the array of restaurants available in town. My top pick would be Pepe Bistro, a small French bistro with a vibrant ambience and some French décor touches. They serve a fantastic pan-fried squid with black ink risotto made with duck fat. Other favourites in town would be the new Chinese restaurant Zhan Liang. They have a solid dim sum and Cantonese selection. For a nice relaxing lunch in an eclectic and outdoor environment, I usually head to Kinin.

» WHERE TO DRINK Drinking coffee plays a large role in everyday culture here in Phnom Penh and you will see people enjoying a coffee at any time of the day, both in coffee shops or street side from their local sellers. One of my favourites is Tino the Coffee Yard. They source their beans from all over the world and aside from serving good coffee, you can also find a barbershop, a floral boutique and a clothing store. Enso Café and Lot 369 are also other favourites.

For a more low-key coffee experience, give the coffee stands a try. They are usually operated by a moving coffee cart or from the comfort of someone’s home shop. One such place is very close to our office, down a small side street and run by a very friendly man whom our team affectionately refers to as ‘uncle’.

» WHERE TO STAY Phnom Penh offers a diversity of hotels and residences. One such place is The Bale, located around 15 kilometres from the city centre. It is an oasis of calm by the river and a wonderful place to unwind for a family weekend getaway. Opt for the Plantation Urban Resort which offers relaxing pool villas for a more resort-like escape in the city. And of course, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh when it opens later in the year.

» WHAT TO DO Go for a morning run by the riverside. It’s not so hot and you can enjoy a cool breeze while running past most key attractions such as the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom and the riverside. Don’t miss a trip to Mount Oudong. Oudong used to be the ancient royal capital and a climb to the top of the mountain offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area as well as a chance to visit pagodas and temples along the way.