Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 - (Page 29)

BANGKOK HAS A LONG HISTORY of providing absolutely top-flight service in its five-star hotels. Iconic properties such as The Oriental, Shangri-La Hotel and The Peninsula have earned high marks from a dedicated clientele who return again and again. Bangkok also has two five-star hotels with outdoor rooftop restaurants: the Banyan Tree and lebua at State Tower. In this exciting and frenetic city, these sophisticated restaurants provide a refuge from the relentless activity at street level. They also afford phenomenal views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya, the river that winds through the city. Resources Flights: Most major international airlines have flights to Bangkok. Visitors usually arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as the new Bangkok International Airport. Suvarnabhumi replaced Don Muang International Airport as Thailand’s major gateway. Thai Airways (www.thaiairways.com) is the country’s national carrier, and it offers vacation packages through its Royal Orchid line. Tour operators: Among the tour operators with programs to Thailand are Abercrombie & Kent (www.abercrombiekent.com, info@abercrombiekent.com, 800323-7308), Gate 1 Travel (www. gate1travel.com, info@gate1travel. com, 800-682-3333), Globus (www.globusjourneys.com, 866755-8581), Orient Flexi-Pax Tours (www.orientflexipax.com, info@orientflexipax.com, 800545-5540), Pacific Delight Tours (www.pacificdelighttours.com, pdt@pacificdelighttours.com, 800221-7179), Pleasant Holidays (www.pleasantagent.com, sales@ pleasant.net, 800-448-3333), Ritz Tours (www.ritztours.com, china@ritztours.com, 800-9002446), SITA World Tours (www. sitatours.com, sitatours@sitatours. com, 800-421-56430) and Travcoa (www.travcoa.com, info@ travcoa.com, 800-992-2003). Tourist board: Reach the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Los Angeles office at 323-461-9814, tatla@ix.netcom.com or tatla@tat. or.th. The New York office’s phone is 212-432-0433, e-mail info@ tatny.com or tatny@tat.or.th. lebua at State Tower In 2006, lebua Hotels & Resorts—a company dedicated to “new concepts in hospitality”—took over the management of the hotel at the State Tower, reopening it as the all-suite lebua at State Tower (http://bangkok.lebua.com). Guest accommodations are on floors 51-59 of the second tallest building in Thailand, so they have great views of either the city or the city and river. Suites are at least 710 square feet and feature Bulgari toiletries in the bathrooms. Two-bedroom suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, and most of them are corner units. “Even for two people, the two-bedroom suites are a better deal,” says Meik D. Ruge, hotel manager. “The common areas are so much larger in these suites.” Ruge, the hotel’s travel agent liaison, can be contacted at 011-662624-9999, meik@lebua.com. lebua’s glittering and popular rooftop restaurants Sirocco and Breeze are garnering much attention for their service, cuisine and incredible views. This is where the hip and stylish residents of Bangkok rub elbows with well-heeled visitors. In addition to Sirocco and Breeze, lebua contains the Italian restaurant Mezzaluna and three bars, Distil, Ocean 52 and Sky Bar. The State Tower is topped by a dome, and the venues are referred to as the Restaurants at the Dome. All have their own ambiance and design. Breeze is modern, but warm and appealing rather than hard-edged. If your clients want river views, guide them toward the tables on the left side of the restaurant upon entering; city views are to the right. Guests enter the restaurant by walking across a suspended catwalk that is lit from underneath. Beneath the catwalk is a pool studded with white water lotus. The breezes that gave this alfresco restaurant its name ensure that it’s always cooler there than at street level, which can be a blessing in sultry Bangkok. A DJ spins lounge music in the background, and the menu features Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on Chinese cooking and seafood. Sirocco serves Mediterranean cuisine amid a classic interior design that includes a wide staircase leading down to the tables. “When you walk down the staircase, the view ahead of you gives the illusion of walking right into Bangkok at night,” says Ruge. Of the two restaurants, Sirocco has the slightly more refined and quiet atmosphere. Live jazz is offered nightly. Dress code is strict at the lebua at State Tower restaurants. Open-toed shoes are not allowed, nor are T-shirts or backpacks. Ruge says an average of 100 people are turned away every night. “It’s all about emotions,” he says. “We sell the CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 March 3, 2008 TravelAgent | 29 http://bangkok.lebua.com http://www.thaiairways.com http://www.abercrombiekent.com http://www.gate1travel.com http://www.gate1travel.com http://www.globusjourneys.com http://www.orientflexipax.com http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.pleasantagent.com http://www.ritztours.com http://www.sitatours.com http://www.sitatours.com http://www.travcoa.com

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Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Special Supplement: Planet Hollywood Florida: We Checkout Four Hotels in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. Europe: Ruthanne Terrero’s Tuscan Adventure Pacific/Asia: Five-Star Hotels in Bangkok Las Vegas: Where Your Clients Go for Golf Outings Central & South America: Starwood Leads Expansion by Hoteliers in Latin America Pacific Northwest: The Fairmont Empress Celebrates its 100th Birthday this Year Alaska: Take a Tour of Anchorage Alaska Briefs Caribbean & Bahamas: La Romana in the Dominican Republic Offers Fun and Pampering Cruises: The Key to Success for River Cruise Lines Full Panama Canal Transits Cruise Briefs Cover Story: Hot Hotels Special Supplement: Spa Specialist Hotels: Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Hotel Briefs Auto Europe: Company Offers Competitive Prices and High Commissions Agency Profile: The Travel Society Charts a Course for Expansion Revelex Revolution: Deal with Am Ex affirms status as Major Provider in Travel Industry Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Volunteer Leadership Future of Hawaii’s Cruise Industry Panda Travel, USA Caribbean News In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

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