Phnom Penh: More quarantined foreign nationals are complaining about the standard of their stays at some of the capital’s designated quarantine hotels. Foreigners are being charged a standard $10 per meal, and while some hotels are delivering decent service, others appear to be taking complete advantage. One foreign national who arrived in Cambodia last week spoke exclusively to EAC News.
Daryl Barnum arrived from China a week ago. He initially booked at Sokha Hotel for the Alternative State Quarantine package, but had to cancel that after encountering problems with his flights being cancelled and rescheduled. After landing at Phnom Penh International, his designated quarantine hotel was the “Aurea Central Hotel”. He opted for an upgrade of his quarantine at a cost of $182, but says for the past week, he’s been getting little more than bread and milk for breakfast, certainly not justifying the $10 he’s being charged. He says he’s also being overcharged for bottled water:
“They tried to be responsive. I have mentioned many times. These meals are lacking. They said they will try to improve them and they don’t. Also, it requires normal diet – it is required about 2000 calories. This is not. And that the meals are so far. It’s not even a thousand calories. So, in effect, we are being starved and dehydrate. We don’t get enough water. We surely don’t get enough food. So, I don’t understand. We’re being held captive and we still can’t get anything good. We are at the mercy of the hotel.”
Barnum says his family in Cambodia have tried to send him food but the hotel does now allow deliveries. He says the hotel only allows him to order food through them at inflated prices.
EAC News spoke to another traveller under quarantine at Olympia City Hotel. He also wanted to book at one of the four ASQ hotels, but they were all full. He has also complained about the food, but luckily for him, the hotel is allowing his family to deliver more. Both him and Barnum have expressed frustration about being locked in a hotel room for 14 days when they could be out working. Barnum has secured a job at a local school. As a first-time traveler to Cambodia, he says he’s looking forward to contributing and learning more in the kingdom. His only wish right now is for a meal that justifies the $10 he’s being charged.
Aurea Central Hotel is just one of many receiving complaints from its quarantine guests, especially when it comes to food. EAC News contacted hotel management about Barnum’s grievances. Their only comment – “we are sad to hear the complaints from our guests”.
