Odd Jobs: the Resident Hotel Historian

Meet Saravan Mouth, who might have one of the most unique jobs in the hotel industry: the in-house historian for the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Saravan Mouth (pronounced “Moot”) began his hotel career as a butler at the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and then was named the resident historian of the property, thanks to his vast knowledge or the hotel and Siem Reap. He gives daily tours of the hotel to guests and is always around to answer any questions about the place. The hotel has a long history, having opened in 1932, the second such hotel in Siem Reap, Among its guests are Charlie Chaplin, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Charles de Gaulle. Trip Out caught up with Mr. Mouth to discuss this most unusual but intriguing job.

Trip Out: How does one become a resident historian of a famous hotel?

Saravan Mouth: I’ve been with Raffles since they took over the hotel in 1997. Before that I was a tour guide here in Siem Reap. When I began working at the hotel, I was a butler. And then in 2012, Raffles named an in-house historian for their historic Singapore property and wanted to do so for the Siem Reap hotel too. And so, thanks to my background as a tour guide, plus the fact that I worked at this hotel for so long, they made me the resident historian.

TO: So, you worked here as a butler first. Is the name Saravan, like, the Cambodian version of Jeeves?

SV: Fortunately not [laughs].

TO: As a historian are you at least required to wear a tweed jacket with patched elbows?

SV: Also, fortunately not.

TO: When you were a butler, what was one of the oddest requests you ever received?

SV: To me, there was nothing strange. But in the beginning, I had a few people ask if I could get them cheese and I had no idea what that is. We didn’t have cheese here at the time and is not part of Cambodian cuisine.

TO: What are some strange historical facts about the hotel?

SV: From 1970, the hotel was used as a prison for political dissidents by soldiers of general Lon Nol and then by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

TO: Yes, that’s quite interesting! What’s your typical day like?

SV: I meet many of the guests. I give them tours. From 11am to noon and from 5pm to 6pm, I give tours of the hotel. 

TO: What’s the most common question people ask you?

SV: Most people want to know about my life during the Khmer Rouge regime.

TO: And are you comfortable with that line of questioning?

SV: Yes, it’s fine. We understand we’ve gone through difficult times here in Cambodia. Even my father was killed by Pol Pot. But I don’t mind talking about it.

TO: What’s the most difficult part of your job?

SV: There are no hard parts! I love my job!

TO: What’s the best part of your job?

SV: This is the best part of my job! Talking about the hotel and about Cambodian history to people like you.