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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.

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The Metropolitan Theater of Manila

Manila, once the address for three Davaoeño friends decades ago. A foodie-medical board reviewer in Harrison, Pasay, an art lover-flight attendant in Vito Cruz, Makati, and a wanderer-architecture student in Project 7, Quezon City. Since leaving, the city has become a transient stop for connecting flights. If lucky, visits longer than a couple of nights were rare. They all had their share of Manila. It’s too busy to handle for this bunch.

After being cooped up for the duration of the pandemic, traveling out of the hometown is always a good idea. Manila, however, was last on the local destinations list. How did they end up there?

The revisit was a split-second decision. It was prompted by chit-chat over an art exhibit in the National Museum. It didn’t take a lot of convincing for the ex-flight attendant to convince the other two, who were hungry to travel.

Art and, most especially, cuisine are always good reasons to hop on a plane and dare the challenges of Manila. However, all should be in place, from the ideal accommodation to transportation. Age dictates that comfort is a must. You, dear reader, will be able to relate someday.

Day 1 was out of Manila to Tagaytay. First time for one, do an ocular visit to a new bed and breakfast place, and of course, dine at the popular restos.

Tagaytay on Day 1

Of all days to hold a company outing it had to be on the day they visited. All of three Antonio’s outlets were closed, add to that, first-timer’s picture of tree-lined country roads Tagaytay was crushed.

But everything happens for a reason. The Girasol B&B menu was a discovery. The Angus Beef Tapa, Gourmet Girasol Sardines and the Imus Longganisa can rival the best breakfast offerings of the popular restos. The trio can attest to this claim. The rooms are gorgeous and spacious, too!

Must stay, must eat. Girasol B&B

Girasol B&B Tagaytay discovery- Imus Longgania

Th wine cellar & private dining space at Girasol

Back in Manila after lunch with buko pie and other delicacies on hand, they killed time in IKEA while waiting for dinner time. Okada’s Medley Buffet over Sofitel’s Spiral was the appointed spot because of location. The offering wasn’t able to rival with the flavors of the catch-up stories, which was cut by closing time.

Finding inspiration in IKEA's salon room design

Gathering of long-time friends in Okada

Day 2 was at the National Museum to view the exhibit of Magellan’s journey, the main purpose of the trip. But first, a visit to Juan Luna and Ang Kiukok’s murals at the entry hall. They wished they had more time to spare to visit the other galleries.

National Museum, what inspired the trip to Manila

After feasting on visual arts it was time to feast at Manila Hotel’s Cafe Ylang-ylang. The foodie did his research and the reviews on the outlet’s buffet lunch were impressive.

The lobby of the Grand Dame of Manila, Manila Hotel

Cafe Ylang-Ylang discovery- Pistachio Ice Cream

Before that happened, the wrong turn gave the trio a chance to reminisce about old times in Manila—Liwasang Bonifacio, the Metropolitan Theater, Jones Bridge, Quiapo, the Quinta Market, Recto and schools in the University Belt, and Luneta. Those were the jeepney-riding days in 80’s Manila. Nostalgic.

When was the last time you've seen these?

Liwasang Bonifacio

Quiapo Church

Luneta

CCP

The day ended with a so-so Japanese dinner in Makati.

On the last day, Chinese for lunch at the neighborhood Jade Garden was in order. It was a hearty one. Then a visit to the Mary Grace Cafe for a bite of grilled ensaymada to end the trip.

Cruising at 37,000 feet in an air-condition-challenged PAL aircraft filled to capacity with revenge travelers, sleep was evasive. Home, rest and sleep was not too far away though. It was the most comforting thought.

When will the next visit to Manila be? That will remain a mystery (aka not in a long time). Grin.

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