Bangkok’s skyline has always had its fair share of scene-stealers, but one tower, in particular, continues to stand a cut above the rest, quite literally. Lebua at State Tower, already famed for its sky-scraping bars and fine-dining sanctuaries in the clouds, has added yet another feather to its gilded cap.

In the 2025 edition of Travel + Leisure’s esteemed World’s Best Awards, the luxury property was crowned #3 hotel in Bangkok and an impressive #72 globally, a distinction not handed out lightly in an industry where excellence is often promised but seldom delivered.

The awards, voted on by readers who know their rosé from their Riesling, underscore the hotel’s reputation as a vertical sanctuary offering jaw-dropping views of the Thai capital and culinary experiences that will make your taste buds stand out.

A toast to excellence

“Our team is incredibly honoured,” said Narawadee Bualert, President and CEO of Lebua Hotels & Resorts, with a calm pride befitting someone who’s just been handed the luxury travel world’s equivalent of an Oscar. “We’re constantly refining the art of hospitality—elevating not just the experience, but the very expectations guests hold when they arrive.”

It’s not mere corporate fluff. Lebua’s lofty ambitions are anchored in its tangible offerings. The property, set within the State Tower, holds the rare title of being the world’s first vertical destination, and if that sounds like PR spin, wait until you experience the 11 dining and drinking venues that seem to float above the city.

And these aren’t your average rooftop bars and overpriced buffets. We’re talking about two Michelin-starred restaurants, cocktail bars where mixologists treat gin like gospel, and all-day eateries that turn breakfast into a highlight of the trip.

It’s an empire built on ambience, indulgence, and consistency—a word that separates the five-stars from the wannabes.

Redesigning relaxation

Not content to rest on its rather lofty laurels, the hotel is set to unveil a complete suite redesign in late 2025. The first phase includes 28 refreshed suites, embracing a warmer, more tranquil tone, with earthy palettes, sleek wood floors, and marble details that whisper understated luxury.

The hotel’s much-loved restaurants, Sirocco by lebua and Café Mozu, are also due for a stylish overhaul, part of an ambitious rollout to ensure every corner of the property evolves with the times and the taste of its worldly clientele.

Sirocco isn’t just any rooftop eatery for the curious—it’s the same cinematic sky terrace featured in The Hangover Part II. Of course, the only thing you’ll lose here is your breath when you see the sunset.

Recognition that resonates

Being ranked in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards is not merely a matter of clout—it’s a trusted stamp of approval from the people who count most: travellers. These awards, stitched together from the opinions of thousands of global readers, form an annual snapshot of quality, consistency, and desirability in global travel.

For Lebua at State Tower, this recognition signals more than a nod of approval—it confirms its place as a benchmark for luxury hospitality in Asia and beyond.

In a city teeming with grand hotels and boutique boltholes, Lebua stands tall—literally and figuratively. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, but everything to those who expect the extraordinary.

And in Bangkok, that’s no small feat.

To learn more or to book your elevated escape, visit www.lebua.com.

By Karuna Johnson

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