A Room With a View at lebua Hotel, Bangkok.

Stylebible checks into Lebua Hotel, the second tallest building in Bangkok and featured in Hangover II.
Written by Victoria Lam



Amongst the many high-rises and skyscrapers across the Bangkok skyline, there is one building that stands out amongst them all; with its golden crown shining brighter than the rest, The Dome at Lebua lights up the skies with a reverent and majestic air.The lebua hotel is an all-suite hotel with suite sizes ranging from 66 sqm for the one bedroom suite to 266 sqm for the three bedroom suites ( Tower Club Lebua Suite ).

Situated in the bustling suburb of Bangrak in Bangkok on Silom Road, the Lebua has been a regular on Hotel Awards lists over the last 7 years including: Expedia Insiders’ Select 2011 Hotel, Best Luxury City Hotel (by the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2009 ) , World’s Leading All-Suite Hotel ( by World Travel Awards ) and Overall Best Hotel in Asia (by Business Asia Magazine in conjunction with CNBC , in 2007 ).

And now, thanks to Hollywood blockbuster movie Hangover II, Lebua hotel is enjoying exposure on a global scale. With its near 360-degree views of Bangkok, lebua was instrumental in setting the stage for the panoramic scenes seen throughout the much-hyped movie. One of the chosen sites for many of the scenes was the Tower Club at Lebua, and in particular the entrance to Sirocco, the world’s highest open air rooftop restaurant on the 63rd floor. The backdrop for many of the scenes is the dramatic and amazing view of Bangkok’s skyline which can be experience from the renowned Sky Bar and Sirocco restaurant. Additional scenes also include Lebua’s famous golden Dome atop recently re-launched Mezzaluna restaurant , Lebua’s modern and innovative haute eatery.




Alas, Bradley Cooper was nowhere to be seen by the time I checked into my 2 bedroom suite at the Lebua hotel, but that was my only disappointment. At 186 sqm and complete with no less than 4 balconies, first impressions of the suite were of its sheer size. The décor was fairly standard though comfortable nonetheless but the views from the balconies, particularly at night, of the Bangkok skyline and the Chao Phraya river were the real piece de resistance of the suite.




With a showpiece semi-circle 8-seater sofa in the living area, when I wasn’t sampling the breathtaking views and mouth-watering food in the rooftop restaurants, I enjoyed the impeccable room-service and equally appetising in-room dining menu.

Though Bangkok has so many things to offer visitors to the city, the suite at the Lebua was so inviting and relaxing, I spent most of my 3 day trip in Bangkok safely nestled in the peaceful surroundings and comfort of my oversized suite.



This hotel is a must for those who appreciate stunning vistas, spacious hotel-living and a peaceful sanctuary whilst still located in the heart of a bustling city.

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 at 4:05 pmlebua at State TowerFeed Comments Previous

Quite high up: How Marzahner chefs were twins one notch restaurants in Bangkok - "mezzaluna"

Berlins Tagesspiegel daily, 12 July 2011


Two long-nosed Super Chefs!



Quite high up: How Marzahner chefs were twins one notch restaurants in Bangkok - "mezzaluna"

Guests of the "Mezzaluna" seeing double at times. This is not due to the fine wines that are served here. The chef of Bangkok's luxury restaurants are twins and live in Berlin.From a housing estate have Marzahner Mathias and Thomas Sühring the plunge in the Thai capital, accomplished - and thus in the leading group of gourmet restaurants.

The "Dome" with its golden dome is the crown of the State Tower 247 meters high. In the upper part of the second highest skyscraper in the city is home to the luxury hotel Lebua. About 357 rooms and suites begin on the 63rd Stick with a Sky Bar, the culinary highlight of the city with a breathtaking view over the city.

The Oriental ferries on the Chao Phraya seem tiny from up here. About the bar leads then to the top of the dome. Here in the 65th Floor is the kingdom of the two Berlin. The twins have turned the once Italian Restaurant "Mezzaluna" a gourmet paradise, whose guests also Crown Prince Maha Vajoralongkorn counts. This play also scenes of the current cinema hit "Hangover 2".

The fact that their sons would one day end up here, would the parents of the twins at 30April 1977 dared not even dream of. At intervals of five minutes saw Thomas and Mathias in Friedrichshain Hospital the light of day.

The sons of a carpenter and an administrative staff grew up in Marzahn and witnessed the fall of the wall when she was twelve. When the O-level was in the house, was from the 34th Polytechnic High School at the Landsberger Tor Comprehensive School has become the third Marzahn.Because they lacked a professional perspective, the brothers decided to take advantage of new opportunities and to make the high school.

The grandmother, who was on her property near Frankfurt (Oder) kept pigs and vegetables were cultivated, since the twins have helped on occasion while preparing hearty fare like Solyanka or green-bean casserole.

Later she worked in the school holidays in the hospital kitchen Friedrichshain. To their birthplace, they were now allowed to wash dishes. Abi first came after the military service.

But what then? The decisive tip, the then girlfriend of Thomas. "Why do not you cook?" Because the twins wanted to have a good start, she competed in 1998 only in the best houses in the capital. Thomas got an apprenticeship at the Hilton on the Gendarmenmarkt, Mathias in Angleterre on Friedrichstrasse - and both came in her profession by chance quickly to the taste. In 2001 she won in Maastricht with the junior national team of chefs the world title.

After the training, she asked chef Sven Elberfeld, whether they wanted to work in his star restaurant "Aqua" in Wolfsburg. Three years later, Thomas moved to Rome to Dutch Mathias Zwolle. To Thomas in 2007 the call from Bangkok. "Actually, I wanted to go to Asia, but I thought I would learn so much and yet it is still too early even to be chef," he recalls. This was followed by talks with parents, friends and brother Mathias. All encouraged him and then met the twins a momentous decision. "I said, I suppose, if my brother can come as an equal partner." In early 2008 it went off.

"That was the right step," says Thomas Sühring today. Although they found no professional workers, because there is a lesson for kitchen staff does not exist in Thailand. "But people are very inquisitive and have a good grasp," says Brother Mathias. "It takes a lot of patience, then you can also achieve a lot with the team." So the twins have ventured after three years of the step, the "Mezzaluna" change to a modern, innovative gourmet offering, which includes not only the best ingredients from 15 countries also increased Use of Thai products counts.


"Now we can play around with all the ingredients and cooking styles," says Thomas Sühring. Only at the team meeting in the morning will determine what comes in the evening on the table. In addition to conjure up a three-course menu à la carte, the twins in their guest room to the open kitchen is a daily changing six-course dinner. "It promotes creativity," says Mathias. Meanwhile, in addition to foreign visitors, more and more Thais are among our guests who are actually aware that they eat what they do not know.

The "Mezzaluna" has only 40 seats, this is a small side room. 20-40 menus produce twins with her 14-member kitchen and service team of ten people per evening. "I think we're on the right path," says Mathias and Thomas adds: "We have so many ideas."With stars, it has not worked, because Michelin is available in Asia so far only expenditures for Tokyo and Hong Kong / Macau.


The kitchen is spoken not only between the German brothers. A colleague from the service comes from Hamburg, the trainee from Magdeburg and barman Alex from South Tyrol. Homesickness does not have the twins in Thailand, family and friends they have already visited. Conversely, it found the brothers also always nice to return to Berlin for a visit, even though it recently had very few opportunities.

The interest in events in her hometown is undiminished. The Sühring wonder if Klaus Wowereit remains well-mayor.And how does Hertha BSC after the re-emergence in the Bundesliga. Until further information can be their thirst from a distance, silent - via satellite TV

Thomas und Mathias Sühring Restaurant "mezzaluna" Lebua at State Tower

„Leidenschaft und positives Denken!“




Thomas und Mathias Sühring

Restaurant "mezzaluna"

Lebua at State Tower

Silom Road 1055

10500 Bangkok

Thailand

www.lebua.com





Name: Sühring Vorname: Thomas und Mathias Geburtstag: 30.04.1977



Geburtsort: Berlin Wohnort: Bangkok/Thailand

Stationen


Thomas:

Ausbildung Hilton Hotel Berlin

Mitglied der deutschen Jugend Nationalmannschaft der Köche

Maritim pro Arte Hotel Berlin

Mitglied der deutschen Nationalmanschaft der Köche

Restaurant „Aqua“ , Chef Sven Elverfeld, Ritz Carlton Wolfsburg

Restaurant „La Pergola“, Chef Heinz Beck, Cavaleri Hilton Rome/ Italien

Restaurant “Mezzaluna” Lebua at State Tower Bangkok/Thailand



Mathias:

Ausbildung Maritim pro Arte Hotel Berlin

Mitglied der deutschen Nationalmanschaft der Köche

Restaurant „Aqua“ , Chef Sven Elverfeld, Ritz Carlton Wolfsburg

Restaurant „De Librije“, Chef Jonnie Boer, Zwolle/Holland

Restaurant “Mezzaluna” Lebua at State Tower Bangkok/Thailand



Interview



1/ What characterizes a connoisseur in your eyes?

Thomas: Someone who takes the time for good food and drink

Mathias: Someone who appreciates life's comforts and delights.

2/ Who would you like to cook even a menu?

Thomas: With Grant Achatz, because of its unusual way of cooking.

Mathias: With Rene Rezepi, inspired me because his style of cooking.

3/ Who would you most like to go sometimes eat and where?

Thomas: With the German national football team

Mathias: There are so many extraordinary places and restaurants where I would go to eat. But definitely with friends.



4/ What is your favorite cooked fish and how?

Thomas: Pacific Aury, gently cooked with Bergamot

Mathias: cod cooked slowly in olive oil



5/ Your most marked characteristic?

Thomas: passion

Mathias: positive thinking



6/ Their motto?

Thomas: Everything is possible

Mathias: The einizige source of knowledge is experience (AE)



7/ Your favorite dish?

Thomas & Mathias: Ne nice snack with all that implies.



8/ What you do not eat at all?

Thomas: Offal

Mathias: raisins



9/ What they did not go away as a child eating?

Thomas: brussels sprouts, and black pudding

Mathias: Liver



10/ What have you eaten as a child the most?

Thomas: rice pudding with sugar and cinnamon

Mathias: chocolate



11/ What regional personality do you most admire?

Thomas: Because I do not want to commit myself to a single person. I admire all the people here live under primitive conditions in Thailand and are still happy and full of joy

Mathias: The King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, it is the longest reigning monarch in Thai history.



12/ What is your favorite regional dish?

Thomas: Pat kra Pau (minced pork sauteed with garlic, chilli, Thai basil)

Mathias: Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad with dried shrimp, tomatoes, lime and peanuts)



13/ My favorite restaurant in the region?

Thomas: Greyhound café

Mathias: Honmono



14/ Your favorite restaurant outside the region?

Thomas & Mathias: "De Librije" in Zwolle / Holland



15/ Which chef (live) you admire most?

Thomas & Mathias: Jonnie Boer and Sven Elverfeld - passion for their profession and their unique personality.



16/ The ideal boss should be like?

Thomas: creative, crafts, team forming, fairly

Mathias: professional, passionate, creative



17/ The ideal Sous Chef must have the following characteristics?

Thomas & Mathias:: Loyal ambitious, and knowledgeable



18/ What mistakes in the kitchen, you most likely to forgive?

Thomas appear to work early

Mathias: everyone can make mistakes, but not twice the same.



19/ Your biggest mistake?

Thomas & Mathias: to have too little time for friends and family.



20/ What qualities do you value most cooks?

Thomas: attention to detail

Mathias: Creativity



21/ My favorite holiday country or region?

Thomas: No special, but I love to travel and explore new countries and cultures.

Mathias: I have seen too little of the world - I can answer the question again in 10 years.



22/ What country would you travel to learn times like 4 weeks and know the respective specialties, the cuisine and people?

Thomas & Mathias: Japan and Peru



23/ Your favorite drink?

Thomas: Green tea with lemon grass

Mathias: mineral water



24/ Your favorite wine?

Thomas: Amarone della Valpolicella

Mathias: Cloudy Bay



25/ I enjoy most like champagne (where and when)?

Thomas: On special days, no matter where!

Mathias: Ice cold and at special times!



26/ Their secret passion?

Thomas: Sleeping

Mathias: road biking and music



27/ Your favorite pastime?

Thomas & Mathias: cooking and eating well!



28/ What book have you read the last?

Thomas: QUAY, Food Inspired by Nature by Peter Gilmore

Mathias: Time and Place in Nordic Cuisine, Rene Rezepi



29/ How many cookbooks do you have?

Thomas & Mathias: A lot



30/ What is your favorite movie?

Thomas: Due Date

Mathias: Hangover



31/ What do you like most about your friends?

Thomas: To always be there for me!

Mathias: Honesty!



32/ Sustainability in the kitchen for me?

Thomas & Mathias: careful management of resources. Use of regional and seasonal products



33/ What was your worst kitchen accident?

Thomas: I have let try my former boss just the ingredient to which he is allergic.

Mathias: While the service is up to the Nat Riessen my pants and I just stood still there in his underpants. That was just stupid, we had an open kitchen.



34/ Who would you like to spend even one night in the kitchen?

Thomas: Anke Engelke

Mathias: I prefer not to be in the kitchen at night.

Another polished and riveting evening

One afternoon, Pi was convinced that tonight is the night. Promises were made earlier and today Pi acquiesced. At 6.30pm, he set off. The sun was slipping behind a bank of cloud, and the evening humidity and slight drizzle clashed with the cacophony of sight and sound on the road. Pi drifted past old traditional shops lining the streets before making a right turn at the Silom intersection. Stopping at the foot of the State Tower, he mounted a flight of steps and climbed up to The Dome.

lebua at State Tower BuildingHis host pressed the desired floor button and the doors came together for a close. As they defied gravity, and ascended high above, there was a moment of peace before Pi felt the deceleration and final stop. As they stepped out, two ladies decked in long cream coloured gown guided them towards the desired spot. They watched their steps as they gently caressed the spiralling steps heading to the chamber beneath them.


breeze If the weather was fine, diners will be seated outdoors, under the canopy of stars above.

Here is your menu, sir. The voice was calm, almost official. Pi gazed up and returned the smile. Pi raided the menu furiously, before choosing the lobster to kick off this Asian gastronomic voyage.

This opening dish was rich, multilayered in taste and very compelling. The taste was like nothing Pi had ever experienced. He was smiling, struggling to discern the plethora of taste that came together with each spoonful.

A bowl of pumpkin goodness was soup du jour. Bright yellow, piping hot and with a scallop gently placed on the top, Pi began in earnest. When he was finished with his soup, the waiter appeared and whisked the bowl away, clearing the path for the next masterpiece.

Another waitress always stood a few paces near them, anticipating their needs to have more chilled mineral water from the precious mountains of Denmark, or local nam-som refills.

As he waited for the main course of tiger prawns in Sichuan sauce, Pi secretly hoped the chef would repeat his performance and produce the same divine taste like the lobster. When the dish was finally placed upon him, he paused for a dramatic effect before finally spearing a portion of the succulent prawn and held it like some mini trophy before bringing it for the ‘final closure’.

A bowl of steaming hot Jasmine rice accompanied this Chinese dish or more specifically, Sichuan dish. Sichuan is a province in the south west corner of China. The Sichuan people are proud of their cuisine and most are usually described as hot, spicy and fragrant as chilli and garlic are abundantly used.

The Closing

“Sir, do you accept a final serving of desert with hot peppermint tea to close?"

I will try, Pi said. Accepto

As the medley of raspberry ice-cream and chocolate from a faraway land was presented minutes later, Pi methodically sliced into them, spoonful by spoonful, carefully ensuring that he scooped the best of both worlds simultaneously. It was flowingly smooth, silky and immensely pleasuring and a tad bit sinful.

With his bag beneath his arm moments later, Pi glided up the stairs and propelled himself effortlessly across the lounge area, into the adjacent lift and the evening came to an end.

The team here at Breeze comes together in unison to deliver high-end gourmet experiences that was wonderfully executed. Flawless from end to end, an evening here will lift up your spirits and you leave serenely satisfied.

Indulging in Opulence Redefined: Lebua

Towering above the rest from the heart of Silom, Lebua at State Tower heralds in new heights in genuine Thai hospitality and refined gourmet dining.



Lebua's acclaimed golden dome pierces the Bangkok evening skyline majestically, beckoning you in from all directions. And beneath this golden dome, rests the mesmerising Mezzaluna restaurant.

One Moment in Time

A Mezzaluna Moment is forever, and it outshines the allure of an ordinary diamond.

Come and experience a moment that will be treasured for a lifetime. Luxuriate in the finest modern innovative cuisine, rarest wines and top notch service. Its incomparable grandeur gives Mezzaluna moments an unparalleled timeless sparkle.

Beneath the Twinkling Stars

Cupped in the palm of the late evening air, 63 floors above the city, lies Distil – a place for authentic malt whiskies, vodkas, Cognacs, Fine de Claire Oysters, Iranian Caviar, cigars and a million-dollar view.

It is almost impossible to imagine a more breathtaking venue. There is simply no better place to view the sunset and witness the birth of a brand new night.

Tower Club

As the arbiter of quality and uncompromised luxury, guests at the Tower Club will indulge in the following compelling products and services at Lebua:


* Bvlgari products in your bathroom

* Video and music on demand in your suite

* A personal balcony

Day time access to Tower Club lounge, free Wi-Fi and a plethora of amenities and refined restaurants ensure that your stay in Lebua is one that is lavish and decked in style.

Contact usW: www.lebua.com T: (66) 2624 9999F: http://www.facebook.com/lebuaY: http://www.youtube.com/user/lebuagroup

Warm words of praise (TripAdvisor)


“The service right from the time we checked in till the time we checked out was excellent. The concierge was very helpful and gave us good and accurate advice for whatever queries we had.

The rooms were very spacious and good, the view is breathtaking spl. in the night. The house keeping was top of the line”

“Superb. No question about it!”

“Stairway to Nirvana”

The Luxury that is lebua

Towering above the rest

As the arbiter of quality and uncompromised luxury, guests at the Tower Club will bask in the following compelling products and services at Lebua:

* Bvlgari products in your bathroom
* Video and music on demand in your suite
* A personal balcony

Besides access to Tower Club lounge, free Wi-Fi and a whole lot more. To make your reservation, kindly visit www.lebua.com

Impact on Hollywood

The Hangover Part II (the first movie made US$450 million at the box office) was filmed extensively at lebua, the all-suite luxurious hotel in Bangkok. With its near 360-degree views of Bangkok, lebua was instrumental in setting the stage for the panoramic scenes seen throughout the much-anticipated movie.

The hotel was turned into a live film set complete with a helicopter in an adrenaline-pumping scene atop Lebua’s famous golden Dome.

A Mezzaluna Moment is forever, and it outshines the allure of an ordinary diamond.

Come and experience a moment that will be treasured for a lifetime. Luxuriate in the finest modern innovative cuisine, rarest wines and top notch service. Its incomparable grandeur gives Mezzaluna moments an unparalleled timeless sparkle.

Perched on the 65th floor of the State Tower, the Mezzaluna transports its guests to new and exhilarating journeys of culinary excellence. Beautifully executed creations are served on tectonic plate ware in an elegant ambience enhanced by a live classical quartet.

A pastiche of cucumber, yogurt, horseradish and ossetra caviar was the appetizer. With all of the ingredients seated comfortably on a spoon, the Arctic Shar kicked off the evening of epicurean delights.

The highlight of the evening and the climax of this gastronomic journey surely was the Wahyu Beef Tenderloin -served with guinea squash, miso, broccoli leaves and shallots. Marble Grade 9 and aged to perfection, just eating this dish made us feel super-class. Again, I wished we could just clap and get an encore for this dish. A glass of red went perfectly with this. The Marques de Riscal 2003 collection from Spain was offered.

Beneath the twinkling stars

Cupped in the palm of the late evening air, 64 floors above the city, lies Distil – a place for authentic malt whiskies, vodkas, Cognacs, Fine de Claire Oysters, Iranian Caviar, cigars and a million-dollar view. It is almost impossible to imagine a more breathtaking venue. There is simply no better place to view the sunset and witness the birth of a brand new night.

Romance at Lebua: Thoughts of a British Traveller

Romance at Lebua: Thoughts of a British Traveller


Guest post by a luxury travel writer


The Thai people had won me over long before I knew about Lebua. Setting the highest standards in the world in the service industry, I knew that wherever I went in Bangkok, I would get star treatment, the kind you just couldn’t get anywhere else in the world.


Lebua offered something distinctively different though; this wasn’t just luxury for the sake of it. This was more than just glitz, glam and rubbing shoulders with the rich. This was the hottest seat in the theatre and a view that really took your breath away.


My stay at Lebua came just in time after a week of travelling around Thailand and Cambodia. Hotels had been tried and tested – expensive ones, famous ones, spa hotels, economy hotels – but none came close to the plush and soothing comfort of my Lebua hotel room.


The stone balcony in my room opened up to a glorious view of the city, but this was just the start of the night.....


Sirocco and Skybar


The biggest reward was that I didn’t know what to expect. Having dined on many hotel rooftops before, I foolishly didn’t think I would be wowed by the experience – but as soon as I stepped out through the doors of Sirocco, I was in awe of the magnificent skyline. A warm breeze made me feel like I was on top of world. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Is this the most romantic place in the world? I thought to myself.


The beautiful al fresco style menu had the perfect balance between a romantic summer evening and seductive Mediterranean dining. Sitting down, the view was spellbinding. But standing up at the Skybar made the scenery even more intimate. Just a piece of glass apart, the rest of Bangkok was so close.

My evening at Lebua was simply enchanting. As a harsh critic of luxury travel, I believe that Lebua State Tower is one of the most understated luxury establishments in Thailand – and if you’re looking for the perfect romantic location, I promise you will find it here.

People say that luxury is worth paying for. I disagree. Lebua is worth paying for.

Author: The Smart Girl’s Travel Guide features advice and reviews on luxury travel destinations around the world. Read more from this luxury travel writer on her world travel guide