HELLO! paid a visit to the iconic
lebua Hotel in Bangkok, which was also a site for the famous Hollywood flick The Hangover II. But that’s not the only thing that makes it famous…
When the wife of one of the crew members of
The Hangover stayed at a lebua property in New Zealand, (
Lake Okareka Lodge), so impressed was she with the place, that when the team began scouting for locations in Bangkok to shoot the sequel to the hit Hollywood flick, she instantaneously suggested that they go with the lebua there. The movie was shot in record time, and although it’s run its course at the box – office, the hotel is still reaping. The spectacular
sky-bar at lebua, Dome , is particularly sought after for the breathtaking bird’s eye view from its 63
rd floor, the part of the hotel which nestles its various restaurants and is iconic for its recognition value from the film that has been watched by audiences the world over. From the vantage point, you can see the entire Thai capital glimmer as you sip the latest offering from the bar – the Hangovertini, which is a special martini concoction that was prepared for the crew and has become a ritual for all those who visit
Sirocco, the
open air-restaurant which houses the sky-bar. The Hangovertini packs in quite a punch, a definite recommendation for bad boys on the loose and girls that like to indulge in a bit of adventure.
That apart, the hotel by itself speaks for ultra-comfort enhanced by luxury of the finest variety – from Bvlgari furniture and toiletries, the spacious suites give an at-home feel once you’ve returned after a hectic meeting or after soaking in the various sights and sounds of Thailand’s capital city. Each of the suites is built in a similar fashion with an extra bedroom, a living room, a kitchenette and a spa room. The spa room is definitely a welcome addition to the cornucopia of luxurious offerings at the hotel. With a prior appointment, you can call your therapist to your suite!
The Staff is courteous and available whenever you want them. In fact, they seem to mysteriously appear out of nowhere, every time you think you’d want to beckon them for a service request. That perhaps is the most charming quality about any hospitality hub, to be served with effortless alacrity at any time of the day or night.
The food at the lebua is for those who enjoy a gourmet’s platter with meals that go into several courses. However, despite its very elite set-up, not everyone can buy luxury at their behest. Its friendly Indian
CEO Deepak Ohri informs, “We have even had to refuse to dine without a prior booking.” It’s all fair in their scheme of things, which is why a confirmed lebua guest is treated as the most important person in the hotel – a king that deserves the finest treatment.
The majestic experience starts with a seven-series BMW pick-up and drop from the airport and continues throughout the stay, with minute details taken care of leaving no room to ask for more. From a location point of view, it helps that the lebua is situated in the heart of the city making it convenient to visit nearby markets and malls.
The lebua group is a fairly new set-up with hotels in New Zealand, Delhi and Bangkok. But each of their properties is marked by luxury and a commitment to give their clients their money’s worth. When in Bangkok, even if you miss staying at the lebua as a guest, make sure you visit the hotel for its unique fine dining experience at its various restaurants,
Mezzaluna, Breeze and Sirocco offer a fine spread of Mediterranean, modern, Asian, Lebanese and even
Indian cooking.
In any case, the hotel has fast gained a reputation for being quite the “it” destination in Bangkok- you see guests not only come dressed for an occasion when they visit the lebua, but also armed with cameras to capture moments spent at the hotel, posing many times where the Hollywood crew had! So whether it is a business meeting or a fine date night; luxury and romance can be taken to inconceivable heights here - like in the case of a “valuable” Russian guest that came in with his girlfriend and ran up an incredible bill of a few hundred thousand dollars, as he lavished her with the most fascinating gourmet gift. You can take your pick – about keeping it simple or escalating it to the heights beyond its serene sky-bar experience that makes you feel, quite literally, on the top of the world!
I arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport mid-morning and am immediately greeted by a driver sent from lebua at State Tower. He takes my luggage and ushers me into a fully air conditioned blacked-out limo – a welcome relief in Bangkok’s steamy 37˚C heat.
lebua at State Tower is set a little way off the road in downtown Bangkok, and as the driver turns into the driveway I can see the somewhat understated entrance, which surprised me because at 63 storey’s high, the hotel is far from understated. I later ask the doorman why the entrance is so modest. “It keeps the hotel’s entrance a secret – more exclusive,” he explains.
As I wander through the doors, the lobby is opulent yet very trendy – the crowd is young and very cool. Within seconds I’m whisked up to the Hangover Suite, named after the eponymous movie. lebua at State Tower was thrust into the spotlight when the much-awaited The Hangover: Part II, graced movie screens back in 2011, since the aerial views used in the movie were all shot from the impressive heights of the rooftop Sky Bar.
Located on the 56th floor and part of the hotel’s all-suite Tower Club, the Hangover Suite is made up of a master bedroom, one double and one smaller double, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, a lounge, four balconies, walk-in wardrobes, plus exclusive entrance to the Tower Club’s private lounge on the 52nd floor. If ever there was a place to hold a party, this would be it.
Checking in and signing the disclaimer forms that exempt the hotel from responsibility should I fall off one of the balconies took all of five minutes, and then I was left alone to explore.
The décor in the suite is fairly neutral – lebua aims to wow with its use of space and lighting, leaving the rooms as a blank canvas. All bedrooms have en suite bathrooms with Bvlgari amenities and the two larger doubles have balconies with sweeping views of the Bangkok skyline and Chao Phraya River below. The best views come at night, when the smog clears and the city lights up.
I race around the rest of the suite – the brown lacquered dining table has ample space to sit eight comfortably, which immediately starts me thinking about hosting a dinner party.
The kitchen, complete with breakfast bar and serving hatch, is ideal for the in-house chef to rustle up a treat if you opt for in-room dining. The lounge area, complete with a wide-screen TV and surround sound would be perfect to create a sophisticated atmosphere, and the extra guest washroom takes care of practical issues. All in all, the ample space coupled with the unrivaled views makes it the perfect venue for a dinner party; the only missing factor being the other seven guests.
The public areas of lebua are all equally outstanding. The three Dome restaurants offer unrivalled cuisine and have become popular places to be seen among Bangkok’s trendy set. Breeze on the 52nd floor, which I can look down on from my suite, is a truly unique concept – the food is Asian fusion, the view is of Bangkok’s skyline and the atmosphere is super cool.
The glass sky-bridge, which is suspended mid-air above the outdoor restaurant, is the ultimate catwalk, leading to a viewing station at one end. It’s the light show that sets this venue apart – the bridge changes from cool purples and blues to hot pinks, contrasting with the plain white decor.
Take the lift to the 63rd floor and you emerge in an ultra-cool bar. I wander out of the doors and into a huge outdoor bar and restaurant. In the far corner I can see the illuminated round Sky Bar; in front of me is the super-romantic Sirocco restaurant.
The glowing gold dome of State Tower is behind me and the Oscars-style illuminated staircase guides me to the bar. Guests staying in the Hangover Suite are entitled to a Hangovertini – a mixture of whisky, vermouth and other white liquors designed exclusively for the cast and crew of the film. It’s delicious, if a little too drinkable.
When I get back to the suite, the maid has turned down the room and softened the lights. I step out onto the spacious balcony for one last look at Bangkok at its most beautiful; the light shimmering all around me. I jump into the enormous bed in the master bedroom, snuggle into the luxury goose down pillow (my selection from a choice of nine) and close the blinds and the party sounds of the Sky Bar drift away.
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