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The REAL Paradise Hotel

I love people. Mostly, I love learning about what drives them; what they’re passionate about. I believe that it is knowing each other’s purpose that truly connects us and helps us all learn, grow and be better. That passion is why I started Lionzestto help others find their “why” and share it with the world by video.

A few weeks ago, I travelled to Cambodia with my family. What an experience! Before the trip, I knew very little about the country. I knew only that they had experienced a horrible genocide in the 70’s and that the country is home to the temple of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.

I was excited to learn more as I am fascinated by countries that have been to hell and back, to meet the people and witness their extraordinary and deeply inspiring resilience.

On this trip, I discovered paradise. And it was not the temple. Rather, it was a small boutique hotel called Jaya House. A jewel I will never forget!

Jaya House Hotel

 

The REAL Paradise Hotel

Family excursion at the temple

Located along a riverside, this small, 36-room hotel is all about making a big impact on the world. They have a ‘no plastic, no waste’ rule and have turned this eco conscious mindset into a truly peaceful, welcoming and life changing experience for guests.

The moment you enter the hotel, you feel peace. You are welcomed with a glass of fresh mango juice and gifted a reusable water bottle to encourage you to avoid the disposable ones

The REAL Paradise Hotel

The REAL Paradise Hotel

In your private bathroom, where most hotels provide small plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion, everything is instead in refillable ceramic pots. It feels more like home than a hotel!

In your room are glass bottles filled with filtered water for you to enjoy and refill your new bottle to take on excursions. Instead of individually wrapped tea bags, there is a glass pot of locally sourced moringa tea. What a discovery!

 

Lotus Flowers

Lotus Flowers

The REAL Paradise Hotel Jaya House

After exploring the surrounding sights and experiences we were always greeted with warm hand towels that smelled of lemongrass and given a glass of homemade lemonade with reusable bamboo straws. No disposable wet wipes or plastic straws here!

One day, I decided to take full advantage of the great tasting local food by taking a cooking class with one of the hotel chefs. The chef took me to the local market. Wow! I could scarcely believe the diversity of colours, scents and tastes. It was like nothing else I had ever experienced.

 

Cambodia Cooking

 

As the chef went about making his purchases for the hotel, he insisted on only using the eco bags he had with him. No plastic! No waste! Even outside the hotel, he was continuing to spread the message of love and respect for the planet. He said that if he could educate people as he went about his day, even just one person at a time, that it was worth it. This was beyond a hotel policy. It was something he truly believed in!

I learned that members of the staff also co-started the Refill Not Landfill campaign, which has saved approximately 1.2 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. I also discovered that the entire hotel staff just yesterday planted an additional 17 more trees & helped clean up the nearby lake in support of the community.

I asked my new friend what made him excited to go to work each day. He answered, “I simply love my job. I love Khmer people. I want to make a difference and reduce the abuse of plastic. It is amazing to be able to make a sincere difference on a daily basis.”

https://refillcambodia.com

The result of this passion is a hotel so amazing that Town & Country just listed them in their TOP Worldwide Hotels. Proof that it pays to have purpose!

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/travel-guide/g20683529/best-hotels-in-the-world-2018/?src=socialflowFBTCO&slide=41

 

Jaya House Hotel River Park

Town & Country Mag lists Jaya House Hotel in their TOP

Although there is so much to discover, learn and experience in Cambodia, the hotel was the highlight of my trip.

Because of their passion, I am now consciously working harder to be better. I shop local, buy eco friendly products from Montreal’s The Unscented Company, make my own fragrant water and have started a vegetable garden.

By sharing their “why”, by sharing how far they have come, how far they still have to go, and how motivated they are to continue, they have inspired me. And after an experience like that, I can’t believe that I am the only guest to come away changed. They are spreading their message, person by person, and changing the world along the way.

That is the power of your “why”, your passion. By getting your message out there, in every way you can, to as many people as possible, in a way that truly connects… you can do incredible things.

Do you know your “why”? Do you know how to get your message out there, to connect with and inspire people? Contact me. Let’s build your paradise.

http://www.jayahouseriverparksiemreap.com/home