Bangkok 2012 Day 1 and Day 2 – Shopping

Arrived at 10pm at the Suvarnabhumi International airport, took the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai station where we transfer to BTS (their MRT) Sukhumvit line to Siam Central and transfer to Silom line to Saphan Taksin. From there, it was a 8 mins walk to the hotel. Walking there at night was a little difficult as we were certain of the direction to the hotel. However, the behemoth of a hotel with its golden dome provided a guide for us to walk towards it nonetheless – Lebua hotel.

Late check in with a fairly quiet reception counter was ok, though we were mesmerized with the expansive hallway that oozes luxury, we thought (opinions from infrequent 5-star chasers). However, what really impressed was the room. Huge rooms, huge balcony with a view, huge bathroom but at a really affordable price (comparatively).

Separate living room
Separate living room
Kitchenette along corridor.
Kitchenette along corridor.
Spacious sleeping area.
Spacious sleeping area.
Bath with separate shower.
Bath with separate shower.
Huge balcony with city view.
Huge balcony with city view.

It was getting late, bath time and bed time ensued.

Day 2 Shopping

Had buffet breakfast which was pretty good in terms of variety and taste. Before hitting the streets, we explored the hotel a little so see what facilities it had.

Those who caught Hangover II would be familiar with the hotel's open rooftop bar.
Those who caught Hangover II would be familiar with the hotel’s open rooftop bar.
Breakfast restaurant was big.
Breakfast restaurant was big.
Swimming pool near the breakfast place.
Swimming pool near the breakfast place.

First stop was the Platinum Mall. Getting there was pretty straight forward, though a fair bit of walking is expected. Get on the BTS at Saphan Taksin (which is only a single rail that has train coming from 2 directions) and alight at Siam station, and its a 15 mins walk to the mall, with food hawkers along the way for you to grab a bite.

Saphan Taksin BTS with incoming train.
Saphan Taksin BTS with incoming train.
Grabbed a cup of street ice coffee.
Grabbed a cup of street ice coffee.
Food hawkers up early selling foodstuff to the passerby.
Food hawkers up early selling foodstuff to the passerby.
Platinum mall is huge.
Platinum mall is huge.
Within the Platinum mall. Empty as it was still early.
Within the Platinum mall. Empty as it was still early.

We took the whole day to go through the multiple levels of shops, trying to keep track the ones that we visited or not. It was truly a shopping haven, being cheap and a large variety range. Only issue is that there were no trying but for the price, it was still risk worth taking. Went back to our hotel around evening time for a dinner at the restaurant top of the hotel.

Grilled chicken and fish, ready for the dinner crowd.
Grilled chicken and fish, ready for the dinner crowd.
Finger food.
Finger food.
Central World shopping mall.
Central World shopping mall. Another big mall, though it was more for the upmarket goods.

 

Siam Paragon, just like the Paragon in Singapore is filled with luxury brands.
Siam Paragon, just like the Paragon in Singapore is filled with luxury brands.
View of Lebua hotel from the busy streets below.
View of Lebua hotel from the busy streets below.

Had a dinner reservation at 730pm at the Mezzaluna restaurant. Initially wanted to do the Alfresco dinner at Sirocco, the world’s highest open air bar instead but it was fully booked! The moment we stepped out the elevator, we could felt the ambiance of a high class restaurant oozing, from the service, the deco, the band and the food. Reminded me of the Equinox of Singapore.

I tried to take a video of the band that was producing some classical note when a staff informed that it wasn’t allowed. It was ok for me though as I had taken my snippets for memory sake. Enjoyed thoroughly the 7-course dinner, fine dining style with nicely arranged small quantity of food, but surprisingly filling enough. There was a birthday cake prepared for my wife that came with a birthday song played and sung by the staff of the restaurant! Excellent service from the staff and a memorable night for the birthday girl.

After dinner, we could visit Sirocco which was just on the outside of the restaurant, one level below. All the tables were filled and so is the bar counter, where a paranoma view of the city can be admired from. Since there were many people there as well, it took some time before we could find a nice spot to snap some photos and enjoy the view.

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The dome lighted up in the night.
The dome lighted up in the night.

As we were out at the bar, the cake which didn’t had to tummy room left was delivered to our room, so that we could enjoy it later.

Birthday cake with customised words.
Birthday cake with customised words.