Destinations

“Escape To Paradise!”

       The Five Star Lebua Hotel, at State Tower, lives up to its motto “Life is not worth living unless it is “simply exceptional”.  They provide simply exceptional amenities and exceptional services to make certain that your life is essentially as it should be.”  With that attitude, you know you will be treated like royalty.  Even the messages in the elevator said, “You were born free so break free from the expected, indulge in the exceptional and experience genuine care.”   

       Everything about the Lebua Hotel expresses a feeling of luxury from the lobby to their restaurants, suites, banquet rooms and even cocktail lounges.  Those “extras” really count.  Our spacious suite resembled a condo with a breathtaking view of the Chao Praya River and city of Bangkok from the balcony.  Their suites range from 66-266 square meters.  With over 330 count linens, silky feather Finesse bed mats, Bvlgari bath line amenities and a shower head that makes your shower more like a spa treatment, the Lebua Hotel seems more luxurious than our hotels in the United States.  And the prices are a fraction of the cost!  Lebua is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  You can even have their Conde Nast accredited chefs cook in your suite. 

       The infinity pool on the roof of the Mezzanine provides an outdoor setting next to the state-of-the-art fitness center.  They offer a business center for “away from the office” needs.  The Lebua Hotel is near one of their outdoors markets where I photographed craftsmen weaving their flowers, Buddhist monks and street sellers.

       Lebua offers Wedding, Dining Experience, Luxury Getaway, the World Under Your Feet, and Amazing Experiences packages along with discounts depending on number of night’s stay. 

       Lebua Hotel, at State Tower 1055, Silom Road, Bangkok Thailand.   resvn@lebua.com       www.lebua.com

By Guest Blogger Sandy Zimmerman from Discover the Ultimate Magazine

Enter the Sukhothai Hotel and see the true meaning of world-class luxury!  The Hotel resembles a palace in Thailand’s ancient Sukhothai Kingdom.  Their ancient frescos, objects d’art, reflection pools, and impressive pillars all present a picture of the past.  Silken fabrics adorn the furnishings, wallpaper, drapes and also many members of their staff wear colorful traditional silk clothing.

This is truly Thai-style with charm and elegance.  Whether you choose a superior room (409 square feet) or suite, you will enjoy a touch of luxury.  The Garden Suite (818 square feet) gives you a private balcony overlooking Lotus Blossom ponds and gardens.  The Executive Suite (818 square feet) has everything any one would want.  I especially liked the sliding silk lined wooden curtains, a perfectly beautiful way to keep out the sunlight when you want to sleep late.  There is a telephone at each side of the bed, on the desk and in the bathroom next to the oversized tub.  The plasma television swivels around (180 degrees) for viewing either in the bedroom or living room.  Light dimmers and air conditioning control panels allow you to regulate each area of your suite.  The grandest suite of all, the Sukhothai Suite (2,132 square feet), the “Suite of Kings,” has a long list of movie stars, heads of state and other dignitaries who stayed there.

Choose from the Celadon Thai Restaurant, Colonnade buffet, or La Scala Italian Restaurant.  The leisure facilities offer a health club, swimming pool, shopping arcade, squash and tennis courts.  Lotus Blossoms decorate the lobby, guest’s rooms and throughout the hotel in unique floral arrangements.  New guests receive flowers when they arrive.  Best of all, the exchange rate (34 Baht = $1 US- September, 2008) allows you to savor these surroundings at more reasonable rates.

The five-star Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Tourism Authority of Thailand

Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 until 1868.  It is one of the few cities in Japan that still has an abundance of ancient buildings.  For example, the Nijo Castle, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera (which has a spectacular view of the city), and the Ryōan-ji, famed for its Zen garden. It is important to plan your itinerary prior to arrival because the plethora of sites can be overwhelming.  There is so much to see and do in the Kyoto area, you will need at least a week to explore the city.  I have been to Kyoto twice and have not seen it all!

You may travel to Kyoto via rail or air.  The Tōkaidō Shinkansen provides passenger rail service linking Kyoto with Nagoya and Tokyo (in one direction) and with nearby Osaka and points west (in the other). The trip from Tokyo takes just over two hours. Another way to access Kyoto is via Kansai International Airport in Osaka. The Haruka Express carries passengers from the airport to Kyoto Station in 72 minutes. If you are taking the train, you will have to travel light; there is no place to store large pieces of luggage.  However, the scenery can prove to be rather spectacular.  If the weather is cooperating, you will see Mount Fiji en route from Tokyo.  I was able to take a photo that I keep at my desk.  Upon arrival at the Kyoto train station, it is easy to take a taxi to your local hotel.  It’s best to have your hotel name written in Japanese so that you can show it to the driver and prevent confusion.

Visit Kyoto in either the spring or fall for optimal weather—fall for those who are searching for some lovely autumn colors and spring for those who wish to be surrounded by cherry blossoms.  Kyoto is best explored on foot—be sure to check out the Philosopher’s Walk.  It is a 1 ½ mile-long path through north-eastern Kyoto. The walk runs south from Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion) beside an aqueduct to Nyakuoji Shrine and passes several temples en route. Japan National Tourist Organization offers a Kyoto Walks brochure, with information about touring the city on foot.

I stayed at the Kyoto Hotel Okura in the city center.  Just steps outside of your hotel is the Gion district. The flagstone-paved streets and traditional buildings are where you’re most likely to see geishas.  Unfortunately, you cannot go to a geisha house without a prior introduction.  There are an abundance of small mom-and-pop restaurants in the Gion district as well.  Even if you cannot speak Japanese (and the owners cannot speak English), you’ll be able to communicate by pointing at the plastic food in the window. Some of these restaurants take credit cards, but it is best to have some Yen.  You usually pay at the cash register instead of leaving cash on the table.  Tips are not necessary and tea (bancha) is free of charge.

After all that walking and touring, I would highly suggest that ask your hotel to recommend a local Japanese bathhouse or sentō.  The baths are separated by sex (men go through the blue door, and women through the reddish door—but you can also check with the attendant) and normally have a bathing area, boiler room, and sauna; most also offer massages.  Bring along a large towel for drying, a small towel for washing, and soap.  Some bathhouses sell these items.  Be sure to take off your shoes before entering the bathing area! (just as you would when visiting someone’s home)  It is also important to shower first before relaxing in the baths.  Spending the afternoon at a sentō is a real treat!