Sorn Chivoan Assistant Head Butler at Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas Siem Reap
In this interview, Sorn Chivoan (aka G1) shares insight into his role as Assistant Head Butler at Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas Siem Reap.
What do you do?
I am responsible for running the butler department’s day-to-day operations and ensuring good collaboration between departments. I support team members in driving guest satisfaction and optimizing the highest level of service in alignment with brand concepts or standards.
How did you get into the industry?
I got into this industry because I love seeing everyone happy and smiling, especially because of me. I enjoy meeting new people, sharing culture, and showing everyone from other countries how amazing my country is.
Share with us a story from behind the scenes.
Being a butler requires flexibility and quick responsiveness. You spend a lot of time at your workplace to ensure everything is going well and is well organized.
What food memory from your childhood or travels stands out?
My childhood food memory was roasted chicken with young jackfruits, which I enjoyed with prahok sauce cooked by my father during family gatherings.
What’s the best/worst part of your job?
The best part is meeting people from all over the world and learning more about different cultures.
What’s one of your favourite food and beverage pairings?
Local beer with grilled chicken is always the best.
What’s one of the funniest things you’ve seen behind the scenes?
One of the many funny stories is a guest sharing their feedback about my farewell letter, which had a drawing of them on it. They congratulated me on my artwork, not realising my team did the drawing.
The perfect day off would be…
Spending time with friends and family, and enjoying some food together.
A day in the life of Sorn Chivoan …
Involves responsibilities such as managing and assigning butlers for every arrival, rostering, staff training, overseeing cleaning procedures for arrival/in-house guests, preparing and hosting showrooms, and overseeing overall butler operations.
What does Sorn Chivoan do for fun?
I enjoy travelling around the temples, enjoying fresh air, and fishing.
What would you like guests to know about Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas?
Guests should know about our Shinta Mani Foundation. By choosing to stay at Shinta Mani Hotel, you are actively participating in Cambodia’s ongoing development. Our foundation team works directly with the community, helping poor people in the countryside.
How have you grown in your profession? What have you learned from your start in the industry until now? Are there any misconceptions?
I first joined as a Bell Boy, then moved to the front desk as a receptionist, and finally reached my current position as Assistant Head Butler. I believe that passion for your work, willingness to learn new things, hard work, honesty, and taking responsibility for your job are the keys to success.
What would you like people to know about being a butler as a profession?
Being a butler is part guide, part friend, and part magician. The butler is responsible for delivering personalised services and creating a wow experience for guests from pre-arrival to arrival, throughout their stay and departure. The butler also makes dining and entertainment arrangements and keeps guest rooms up to the highest standards.
What’s your view on the hotel scene in Siem Reap?
The hotel industry in Siem Reap is very important. It is considered one of the key economic earners for Cambodia, creating many jobs.
What practices do you currently implement or hope to implement to work towards social responsibility and sustainability in the future?
In our workplace, we focus on being eco-friendly, trying to reduce plastic and save the environment as much as possible. Shinta Mani hotels exist to support the work of the Shinta Mani Foundation – your stay with Shinta Mani really benefits Cambodia’s people, communities, animals, and ecosystems.
What can guests look forward to in the upcoming months?
Soon, it will be the low season in Siem Reap, so guests can easily visit temples, escape from the crowds, and enjoy the cooler weather. Also, everywhere is green, especially at the temples.
Read more interviews with people in the hospitality industry here, like Sorn Chivoan, and stay updated with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations on The Yum List on Facebook here and The Yum List on Instagram here.
Work in the hotel industry is demanding but also fascinating.