lebua at State Tower

We have been returning to the Tower Club suites each year for quite a number of years. Do not expect any recognition for your loyalty as a returning guest, as we have never had that but have tended to overlook that. In other hotels in Thailand as returning guests we have had chocolates, or a bowl of fruit in recognition and appreciation of being returning guests, but not at Lebua. The hotel is massive, impersonal and you are just another guest It's location is central with access to the BKK airport about 35-50 minutes away. A taxi costs between 500-600 bahts, depending on what taxi or car is used. The architecture of the hotel is impressive. Our Suite was very spacious, the bathroom is very large, there is a small kitchenette with free minibar stocked with numerous soft drinks, and the king size bed is like sleeping on a feather. The suite includes access to a Lounge offering finger buffet lunch and afternoon tea. We have noticed in the last two years the food options have had less variety. Staff are super friendly and helpful. You can walk out onto a walkway that allows you to take photos looking over the city and river. There is a dress code for the Lounge which involves smart casual clothing. Shorts, vest tops and flip flops are not allowed. Unfortunately this year as we were checking in to the hotel, I was told I would not be allowed in the Lounge due to my footwear. I was dressed in a designer shirt and silk blouse with sandals that were of a flip flop style in that there was a thong between my big toe and the next toe. They were not beach flip flops. They were made of white leather and had small diamante decoration. Since our room was not ready, we were told we could sit in Reception until our room was ready. Normally we would have gone to the Lounge to wait. But access to the Lounge was denied due to my unacceptable sandals. Once the room was prepared, the Receptionist told me I could unpack and change my shoes to an acceptable style. We had had a 3 hour drive back to Bangkok and I did not wish to just sit in Reception. The young lady receptionist suggested I go to my cases and find acceptable shoes. My luggage was sat outside with the Bell Captain and so I had to open my case on the public footpath, unpack items of clothing and personal belongings etc in order to find alternative footwear. Without totally unpacking my belongings on the ground, I found a pair of slip on trainers that I intended to wear on the long flight home the next day. These tatty trainers were acceptable to the Receptionist and met the dress code. I felt embarrassed and humiliated to be told I was not worthy of accessing the lounge, which I have pre-paid for. I cannot feel there is any dignity in a 64 year old woman scrambling around the dirty walkway unpacking her belongings to satisfy officialdom and inflexibility. I have to open my personal luggage to change into inferior footwear that totally ruined the appearance of the rest of my clothes. I can understand having a dress code, but feel the hotel were unreasonable in not having the discretion to be flexible and distinguish between beach flip flips and a smarter leather sandal witch had a similar style to a flip flop. I noticed other ladies in the Lounge had sandals that were slip on with no heels and just as much foot exposed as my sandals would have shown, but the top part of the sandal going across the top of the foot rather than having material between the toes. I attach some photos to demonstrate what I mean. So beware of the excessive fashion police at The Lebua and what you wear on your feet!

The hotel seems to have a mixed identity. Is it a hotel or a bar destination? On arrival, albeit an hour early for book in, we were told that our room was just having a maintenance issue finished and we would be able to go in, in the meantime we were shown to the Tower Lounge, where we were given food and drinks and informed that someone would be up to get us when the room was ready. An hour later, and after book in time, no one had turned up and I had to go down the 52 floors to reception to enquire what was going on. A different member of staff made enquiries and seemed very annoyed that we had been overlooked and made immediate arrangements for our bags to be taken up to our room as well as escorting us to the room and showing us around, as well as giving plenty of apologies. Our room was on the 58th floor, so we needed a lift every time we left the room. Here is where the hotel loses it a bit. There are 4 lifts from what I can gather that access above floor 52, plus one service lift. One of the 4 dedicated lifts was out of action for whatever reason. This led to a number of delays in obtaining a lift, if only to go down to floor 52 and the Tower Lounge most afternoons and evenings, with the evenings becoming very busy, with guests from outside the hotel visiting to use the "Famous" Sky Bar at the hotel, with a queue of at least 25 people noted on one occasion as we exited a lift to go out for a meal in the evening. On occasions we did have to wait in excess of 10 minutes for a lift, with one couple informing us that they had been waiting 5 minutes already for a lift that evening. Staff do try to have guests wanting to use the Sky Bar use a separate lift, but on two of our evenings our lift was used as well by Sky Bar users due to the length of the queue waiting to go up, which meant little or no space for any other hotel users should we stop en-route going up. Breakfast in the main restaurant was good, once you got down to the floor it was being served on, however we had our last breakfast here in the Tower Lounge, and found that although the buffet was not anywhere near as extensive, the views from the Tower Lounge in the morning more than made up for it. The rooms are a bit dated, and not sure what the suites offer as far as extra comfort is concerned. There is a kitchen with hotplates and a microwave, but no cooking utensils. There is a sitting area with lots of seating, tables and cushions on entering the suite, but no Television (that is in the bedroom), and in this modern age, very surprised to see an upmarket hotel without any USB charging points. A strange hotel that seems to rely on it being the location for a film set to attract extra custom, but is well placed to visit all the necessary outside attractions Bangkok has to offer.

We were greeted by a polite young girl, checked us in and toom us to our room upon arrival. We requested a twin bed river view in advance but end up got king size bed. Our room was on Level 22 away from lifts and noisy areas as our request. Amazing river view from our balcony. Comfy bed and pillows but we had a bad sleep cos of traffic noise whole night. Soundproof absolutely needs to be improved. Room and hotel were dated but spacious and clean. Most of staff were attentive. Duty Manager came up to our room fixing safety box quickly once we asked. Taxi drivers were very tricky. Once we got in the taxi at hotel lobby, they asked for 200 Baht for a short ride instead of using meter. Long wait for taxi tho. We wanted to visit Sky Bar at around 19.45. Once we arrived 64th Floor, we found more than 10 staff waiting fof guests. A young lady took us to 3 different bars on different floors. We told her 4-5 times that we wanted to go straight to Sky Bar since she took us to the first bar but she didn't listen. Still took to 2 different bars! Told her we were tired cos we just arrived from the UK but she still kept talking. Finally we were sent to another staff at Sky Bar. Everyone up there was so pushy. Really umcomfortable. Breakfast was excellent with plenty to choose from. Western, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese. We've been 40 countries and we must admit breakfast here is one of the best 🩷 I reckon you come down before 8 AM or it will be pretty busy. Loads of local restaurants, bars, cafes, stores, shopping mall within walking distance. 10 minutes walk to Skytrain BTS Taksin and Sathorn Pier. Wish there was USB ports and larger flat tv screen in our room. Everything is old style for 2025. Overpriced for what we get in our opinion.

Yes, the rooms are a but dated, but the service is excellent, the room and bathroom are spacious. Central location, just about a 10 min from the nearest BTS station. Service is impeccable. The room was immaculate. From the moment you enter the hotel, you're greeted with smiling and knowledgeable professionals who strive to ensure you have a great visit. The breakfast buffet was so extensive that you can have a different breakfast every day of your stay - western, asian, Indian, toast made in a wood burning oven, carved meats, even sushi and sashimi! It was over 15 years since my previous visit to Lebua, and it was just as great as my first time.

On arrival by vehicle you go to the reception where you are welcomed by all staff from exiting the transport to the check-in. From the Si Lom Road you can enter via the glass frontage and make your way through to reception. Interesting that Google maps have the bed sign and say ' Posh hotel with roof top dining and a pool' I would not argue with any of that. All the staff that we met were courteous, respectuful and very customer focused, it appeared they wanted us to enjoy our stay with them and it felt they meant it. However, even Lebua could not melt the Bangkok smog to get a sunset photograph, though the room was on one the top floors. Tips if you are a Hangover 2 fan, go early to the Riverview Rooftop Bar you may get the chance to recreate the classic scene on the steps. The staff more than helpful with this and are to be commended. If you are able do make use of the Tower Club Lounge which is a comfortable, and again welcoming setting in the hotel. Would I visit again - yes.