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Spa therapy, a must-do when in Bangkok. Le Meriedien's SPA fuses deep healing & relaxation treatments

Travel is an indulgence, so are food (most especially desserts!), spas and fab hotels. Bangkok is one city that’s teeming with these: good food from the streets to fancy restaurants, pampering services from day spas to hotel spas, and hotels with a single star to five. The choices are wide for whatever the pocket can shell out.

Twice a year for almost two decades, a visit to Bangkok allows me to immerse myself in these indulgences. After the borders opened and travel restrictions were eased, I was back in the Big Mango. My nest? The chic Le Meridien Bangkok nestled in the most happening and colorful sphere in the capital city— Silom.

Le Meridien Bangkok is an award-winning, art-inspired, 5-star hotel that captures the essence of its address. Indulgent? Why not, we all need it after being cooped up indoors for more than two years. Its room key unlocks a most-comfortable and well appointed room with a panoramic view of the city skyline that’s most captivating at sunset. Fabulous hotel-check. Moreover, it also accesses two of my indulgences - food and spa, within the hotel.

The SPA at Le Meridien Bangkok

Tucked in the Lifestyle Floor on Level Six of Le Meridien Bangkok is the SPA by Le Meridien. The wellness center has won the hearts (and bodies) of spa devotees that it lands on lists of best spas in Bangkok, including Trip Advisor’s. That’s no surprise. Here’s why.

You choice of therapeutic oils

The luxurious SPA offers a multi-sensory experience that embraces fluidity, a seamless connection of perceptions and events from start to finish.

Calmness envelopes you as you enter through a pearly pathway with walls blanketed in white river rocks from floor to ceiling. The fluid path leads to the therapy rooms with light-colored wooden doors that open up to a circular therapy area that seem to float on air. The couples room, larger in size, is appointed with its own steam room, shower area and a bathtub.

Pearly white river rocks, an amazing detail appointed from entry to the inner chambers of the SPA

Session ender. Tea to hold on the relaxed feeling longer

For therapies, Le Méridien Bangkok's SPA goes beyond traditional Thai massage. Their’s fuse deep healing and relaxation treatments. Think: personalized wellness experience, this is what the expert therapists will carry out. The effect? A new, rejuvenated you emerges from a cocoon.

Rolling Ribs Brew bar & BBQ

Le Meridien Bangkok’s restaurant, Latest Recipe, serves an amazing array of cuisine from across the globe, but I am marking Rolling Ribs Brew Bar & BBQ as a must-eat resto.

It’s casual dining at this joint with a semi-outdoor setting that looks over Surawong Road.

Rolling Ribs is casual dining with a semi-outdoor setting that looks over Surawong Road

“Rolling Ribs Brew Bar & BBQ serves Memphis barbecue, famous for its pork variations,” shared Nuttinee Payungwong, the hotel’s marketing communications manager, adding, “We use a special kind of charcoal which gives the meats a distinct aroma.”

Discovering another great spot for good food in Bangkok. For fall off the bones tender, Memphis style BBQ meats, head to Rolling Ribs

If you want to dig into the mains and skip the starters and salads, go ahead. The menu lists several grilled meat choices including Thai style barbecue. Which comes recommended? All. The Combo Platter, All Star Plate is the best bet to sample the variety of meat dishes including half rack of smoked pork spare rib, slow smoked pulled pork shoulder, cured pork brisket, organic BBQ chicken, smoked sausages, plus five side dishes. It’s good for four, lesser if famished (like I was).

To get that good old backyard BBQ feels, pair the fall off the bones tender and tasty meats with the craft beers.

The bar with the brews. Craft Beers make for the perfect match for BBQs

Leave room for dessert. Not to be missed is the peanut butter cheesecake. It can be a delightful surprise and the treat is mildly sweetened.

Top scores for this dessert- Peanut Butter Cheesecake. Lightly sweetened,

Frenzied and fun. It’s a never ending exploration when visiting Bangkok. Whether it's the tuk-tuk or back riding on a motorbike, or taking the cooler and speedy option of the BTS Skyway Train or the MRT, or risk getting stuck in the notorious traffic on a cab or a private car, ticking the entries on street food, sites and shopping, must be checked.

No matter how many times I visit the place, I can’t cover all the bases. Why? Because the list gets longer with the passing months. The dynamic city develops fast and there’s always something new cropping up. Like the two I mentioned above.

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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Playful sophistication at the art-loving & award-winning 5-star hotel, Le Meridien Bangkok

At golden hour, the corner deluxe room’s picture window frames the breathtaking view of the Bangkok city skyline. It spotlights on the dynamic scene of opposites coexisting as one: lofty, modern buildings casting shadows over traditional gilded temples, which catches the Western light in between towers and flashes golden streaks across the neighborhood. As the corporate world clocks out at twilight, the streets below come alive with technicolor hues of the neon lights setting the district ablaze with excitement.

Golden hour. Catching the sunset from the high floor of Le Meridien Bangkok

Exciting? Take it notches higher and stay in an award-winning, art-inspired, 5-star hotel that captures the essence of one of the most happening area, if not the most colorful, sphere in the heart of capital city - the Le Meridien Bangkok along Surawong Road, a key central business district artery alongside Silom and Sathorn.

Le Meridien Bangkok along Surawong Road (Photo: Le Meridien Bangkok)

After undergoing a facelift recently, the refreshed Le Meridien Bangkok fuses playful sophistication and modern design with warm Thai hospitality. These are evident upon arrival. I-Jud, the giant white dog, extends a playful welcome to every arriving guest at the concourse. The smokey, art-tinted glass walls behind, although allowing a hazy impression of the interior, tickles the guests’ interest and entices them to explore what’s beyond.

Dot Dogs on parade

The fun reception extends indoors at the lobby and the Latitude Bar with more parading brightly colored I-Juds among other curated original artworks. From the inside, the same expansive glass panes that created intrigue to arriving guests present the lively Bangkok street life. While enjoying the view on this side of the window, relax and sip on an invigorating Illy espresso or latte while nibbling on a European pastry at Latitude 13° coffee shop.

The spacious Lobby connects the outside to within as an extension of the street. (Photo: Le Meridien Bangkok)

Sawasdee kah. A warm welcome, a speedy check in and I was in my “refreshed + recreated” room facing West on the high floors in no time. A plush sanctuary indeed, with an impressive view to match. A dynamic city as the artwork that’s captivating at day, at sunset and at night.

Warm Thai hospitality

Le Meridien Bangkok's Deluxe Cornor Room (Photo: Le Meridien Bangkok)

Sexy is how I describe thre bathroom that opens to the room (Photo: Le Meridien Bangkok)

There is much to discover and indulge in within the hotel, like the Lifestyle Floor. The outdoor pool overlooking the iconic Mahanakhon building is the perfect spot to cool down and work on a tan, or enjoy cocktails and bar chow on the deck at Plunge Bar while listening to modern tunes that can put you in the right mood. If indoor exercising is your thing then the Technogym-equipped fitness center is your spot. The floor-to-ceiling widescreen window panels connect you to the outdoors. Then there’s the world-class SPA, where seasoned therapists execute holistic treatments aimed at personalized wellness experience.

Immerse in cool water & Bangkok's city scene. The outdoor pool overlooking the iconic Mahanakhon building (Photo: Le Meridien Bangkok)

What’s your food craving? Latest Recipe embraces global cuisines from French Provençal and Mediterranean to Asian, and one might just pick your palate. The restaurant is known for its lavish entrées, à la carte delicacies and its Sunday brunch menu. Rolling Ribs is all about authentic BBQ in a semi-outdoor setting. The casual restaurant serves fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy meats smoked to perfection. It pairs perfectly with the resto’s craft beers. Cheers!

Stylish honeycomb at Latest Recipe entrance

Phad Thai omelete, a breakfast special at Latest Recipe

Rolling Ribs is all about authentic BBQ in a semi-outdoor setting

Rolling Ribs'all-off-the-bone tender and juicy meats smoked to perfection.jpg

While your key grants your access to a uniquely Le Meridien Bangkok Chic, Culture + Discovery lifestyle, it also unlocks a world of experience beyond the hotel.

“Attractive, fashionable, stylish. Our neighborhood is certainly colorful. The vibrant nightlife appeals across genders. Le Meridien Bangkok is steps from the vibrant Patpong Night Market, celebrated nightlife and Samyan Mitrtown,” shared Nuttinee Payungwong, Le Meridien Bangkok’s Marketing Communications Executive, adding that within the neighborhood are the Jim Thompson House, art galleries and Little Tokyo, the Wat Hua Lamphong, a Buddhist Royal Temple, and the Lumpini Park, referred to as Bangkok’s Central Park— all in walking distance.

Jim Thompson House

“Exploring farther, our guests can access a myriad of must-see spots in the city via the nearby Sala Daeng BTS and Sam Yan MRT stations,” shared Nuttinee, pointing out one of the conveniences of staying at Le Meridien Bangkok.

Dieter Ruckenbauer, General Manager of Le Meridien Bangkok

Le Meridien Bangkok Marketing Communications Manager Nuttinee Payungwong & Executive Chef Marco Cammarata

After a long day in Silom and around the city, I rushed back to my plush sanctuary to catch the sun set over Bangkok's skyscrapers and gilded temples. After two long years of home confinement, you and I truly deserve to savor the good life. Why not do it at Le Méridien Bangkok?

Waiting for sunset. Enjoying the view at daytime in my lush sanctuary

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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All the grilled meat-y goodness in one tray. Rolling Ribs, Le Meridien Bangkok

The best place to be after the two-year no-international-travel pandemic spell? Bangkok! Why? The food!

Celebrate! Home cooking and food deliveries may have provided us sustenance and sated food craving while “locked” at home. At this point, admit that food is more flavorful with the experience of dining elsewhere. Much more when done across the border.

Undoubtedly, Bangkok is a food haven, a melting pot of international flavors. Name it, they have it. You’ll probably say it’s HK or SG, but how far does your moolah go in these cities? In the Big Mango, it’s a long way. BKK has street food to fine dining, and the Michelin stars are showered all over shining brightly on recommended hole-in-the-wall eateries to silverware-laden tables by starred chefs offering savories and sugary fares from below 100Baht to several thousands. In this place, eating is an adventure. There’s something to discover each day.

On top of my Thai food list-Khao Niaow Ma Muang (mango with sticky rice). I have this daily when in Bangkok.

Obviously, it's my favorite.

The hotels and malls are the most convenient places to go to if you want choices. In hotels, a foodie can hop from one cuisine to another in a single stop. It’s a culinary trip from Thailand to Italy, from India to Japan, and elsewhere. The food trip’s “fare” varies per establishment with the established ones a bit costly, but it’s worth every baht. You might chance upon the foie gras on scallops on the buffet of Next2 Cafe at Shangri-La Bangkok or the Phad Thai omelette, a breakfast specialty at Latest Recipe of Le Meridien Bangkok. The gelatos are also divine in these places.

House specialty for breakfast, the Phad Thai Omelet, at Latest Receipe restaurant of Le Meridien Bangkok

Delicious discovery. Peanut Butter Cheesecake at Rolling Ribs, Le Meridien Bangkok

Finding wonders on the buffet spread- the Grille foie Gras on Scallops at the Next2 Cafe of SHangri-La Bangkok

3 out of 12 sampling 3 flavors of Ice cream on Next2 Cafe ice cream wheel

Meanwhile at the food courts and specialty restaurants in the mall giants like Siam Paragon, Central World, Icon Siam, Em Quartier and others, there is a variety of cuisine offerings with cost that’s easy on the pocket. All year round, these malls feature cuisines in pop-up kitchens both indoors and outdoors, the latter serving as an alternative to the street food fare.

And street food is one of the ingredients of Thailand’s popularity. Day in and out the entrepreneurial spirit of the locals is alive. Carts are pushed to positions, each serving a particular dish—from fruits to savories, steamed to fried. It’s a 24/7 sight across the city.

Fresh Pomegranate juice and more freshly squeezed thirst quenchers in the malls or on the streets

More freshness. Fruits, peeled, sliced & ready to eat

Grilled Octopus at Sook Siam

Eateries may not be open around-the-clock but during peak hours, each gets its share of diners. Where the locals form a long queue, it means the food is good. That's the best advertising for the place. It won’t take long until Michelin takes notice, visits, samples and gives its stamp of approval— the Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition awarded to restaurants that offer stellar food at an affordable price. There are 64 marked across Bangkok, which includes both the street-side joints and fancier ones.

Totally unexpected. Feasted unknowingly on a Michelin Bib Gourmand resto from Chiang Mai in Sook Siam. Khao Soi Lamduan Faham's Khao Soi Kai (Northern Style Curried Noodle Soup with Chicken), 80baht

And when you fancy the “fancy” on which the Michelin Stars shine upon, Bangkok has no shortage of it. There are 24 with 1 Star and six with 2 Stars, including Le Normandie, Suhring Mezzaluna, with Jay Fai seemingly the most popular with the general public. To reach for them would mean to reach deeper into the pocket. But that depends on one’s disposable income, or for gourmands, money is not an object.

Jai Fai may be the most affordable on the starred list, however, there are superstar chefs kind enough to have their gastronomic delights more accessible for many foodies. German twins Thomas & Mathias Suhring with Indian Gaggan Anand opened CDGre, a lifestyle coffee shop and restaurant in Siam Paragon. Who’s following next? Let’s wait and see.

Michelin star chef's affordable bites at CDGre in Siam Paragon. Carnival Beef Burger at B390

Food, like art, is subjective. In Bangkok, there’s a multitude of offerings that will catch one’s fancy. If you ask me, a short food trip to Bangkok never works. Stay longer, or keep returning, and dive into the food scene!

Now is the best time to head to Bangkok. The city does not have the usual crowd of visitors— yet, though tourists are starting to arrive. What is normally a snaking line at the immigrations is now a handful of visitors per officer. You zip by for the entry stamp. That’s more time to dive into the food spread that awaits you in the city center.

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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For lifestyle stories, visit dduriandaily.com