Interview with the CEO of lebua at State Tower, Bangkok

What is unique about your hotel's location?

lebua at State Tower in very conveniently situated within Bangkok, being a mere 40-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and a 10-minute walk from the closest Skytrain station. Just a short stroll away is the venerable Chaophraya River where shuttle ferries ply freely, creating a whole spectrum of activities along the riverside. Also close by are popular shopping centers and temples as well as many other places of interest.

What authentic local experiences will guests have access to?

lebua is currently offering a 'lebua Amazing Package'. In addition to special privileges such as roundtrip airport limo transfer, in-suite express check-in, complimentary set dinner at Sirocco and evening snacks at Breeze, guests will have the chance to experience authentic local experiences such as a sunrise champagne breakfast served on a private boat in front of the Temple of Dawn, Thai cooking class, or a sightseeing tour. Our concierge can also arrange for any particular activities that individual guests would like to request.

What are some amazing things that your Concierge can arrange?

Our concierge can arrange for anything and everything within reason. Come rain or shine, they are determined to realize our guests' needs and wants. In one instance, a senior management from a big corporation was staying with us, and needed to make an urgent business trip to meet an official in another province. Our concierge managed to make arrangements for a private charter jet to fly our guest to the desired location for a 3-hour meeting before returning him safely to lebua.

Does your hotel have a philosophy?

lebua has a vision of creating luxury leisure destinations in Thailand and elsewhere, focusing on our two main core values of understanding consumer motivations and innovating, the latter of which is the differentiating factor that sets us apart from the competition. Through the combination of exclusivity, luxury, and quality, we are committed to offer our guests experiences that are truly second-to-none.

What makes your hotel memorable and unforgettable?

We are continuously learning and innovating, thus able to present to our customers a new experience every time. We are repeatedly listed among the top 100 suites of the world, but our biggest reward and confirmation that what we offer is indeed memorable and unforgettable is seeing customers come back to us.

What will guests rave about to their friends and family?

Quality, exclusivity, and luxury are themes applied to all details in every single product and service at lebua, so hopefully guests will find a lot to rave about, whether it be the exquisite cuisine and stunning vistas from our restaurants at The Dome, our in-suite Bvlgari toiletries and superfine 330 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, our exceptional service, the exclusivity of select beverages of which we hold the only rights in the country to sell, and just the entire lebua experience as a whole!

What is the atmosphere of your hotel? What types of guests does it attract?

While our service is warm and gracious, lebua at State Tower exudes luxury and exclusivity. Our top-tier clientele are highly sophisticated and are not willing to settle for less than the best. They choose lebua not only because the experiences are excellent value for what they’re spending, but also because some offerings are simply not available elsewhere. A big portion of our business comes from satisfied guests, with our rate of return customers currently at 65%, a number we’re always aiming to increase.

What makes your hotel a destination within itself?

We've always believed that a hotel with quality restaurants and extraordinary guest service can serve as a destination in itself. Our restaurants & bars will always be trendsetters with exquisite food, extraordinary wine selections and of course warm attentive service. We strive for all lebua properties to become destination hotels.

Do you have a favorite meal in your restaurant(s)?

We have seven F&B outlets at lebua, all top-notch and each serving up distinct cuisine and catering to varying gastronomical desires. So depending on what I feel like at the time, I have the choice to have authentic Italian food at Mezzaluna, Mediterranean at Sirocco, Asian at Breeze, Middle Eastern at Café Mozu, enjoy imported delicacies and premium beverages at Distil, or simply snack on delicate pastries and sip a cup of Harney & Sons tea during high tea at the lebua Lounge.

What is the best way for guests to "arrive in style" to your hotel?

The best way to arrive in style via hotel transfer. lebua representatives escort guests from inside the airport to the awaiting limousine and accompany them back to lebua, where they will have the added convenience of in-suite check-in.

Can you recommend other destinations/hotels nearby (within 300 miles) that your guests should consider combining into a trip?

The ruins of the old Thai capital Ayudhaya is just an hour away by car from lebua, and is definitely recommended for a day trip, especially for those interested in the history of the Kingdom. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors can marvel at the ancient monuments, temples, and palaces still standing at Ayudhaya.

Another must-visit for those visiting for the first time is the Damnoen Saduak floating market, located about 50 miles from the hotel. The market bustles with hundreds of vendors and buyers floating in small row boats, and now more routinely the long tail boats, still adhering to the local people's traditional way of life by the canals.

View Hotel Profile: Tower Club at lebua, Bangkok

More information: Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua