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LUXURY ON LOCATION: The Hangover Part II |
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The Movie: Hangover part II (2011)
The Location: Bangkok
The stars of the hilarious R-rated Hangover movies are not just three men, a baby and a chain-smoking capuchin monkey - but the glitzy locales.
The first movie, which brought in $US450 million at the box office, was set in sleepless Las Vegas, where the Forum Tower Emperors Suite at Caesars Palace provided the inspiration for the guy's ultimate bachelor/bucks party pad. This time bustling Bangkok and the opulent lebua hotel (so trendy it doesn't have a capital letter) steals the limelight in the Hangover Part II. |
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The Plot: Except for the backdrop the story is much the same. In this remix the friends head to exotic Thailand for Stu's (Ed Helms) wedding to fiancé Lauren (Jamie Chung). After a night they can't remember the guys find themselves dazed and defaced in the kingdom's chaotic capital and Stu's soon-to-be brother-in-law Eddy missing (a severed finger is all that's left behind). As you can guess, their search for him uncovers much more than they'd bargained for on the wedding trip. The
Location: Tim Rice and ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus's catchy lyrics about One Night in Bangkok for the 1986 stage musical Chess (which incidentally was about the Cold War between US and Russia) made headlines for its controversial but apt portrayal of the dark side of the oriental city - a "place to find 'a little flesh', 'a little history', where you'll find a 'God in every golden cloister' and where 'the bars are temples but the pearls ain't free'.
But Bangkok is a vibrant city which also offers the discerning traveller, on pleasure or business, a world-class lifestyle on par with London or New York. And as this movie also reveals, if you're looking for world-class comforts (and views) you can't beat the luxurious all-suite lebua hotel in the State Tower.
Enjoying near 360 degree views of the Thai capital, the five-star hotel provides the platform for most of the movie's panoramic scenes.
Many of them were shot from The Tower Club at lebua, and in particular the entrance to Sirocco, the world's highest open air rooftop restaurant on the 63rd floor (considered one of Conde Nast Traveler's 'Hot Tables' in 2005) as well as the dramatic Sky Bar. Additional scenes also include lebua's famous golden Dome atop the recently relaunched Mezzaluna restaurant which overlooks the city and the bustling Chao Phraya river.
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Hangover package: Fans who like what they see on screen can now put themselves in the picture. To celebrate its starring role, the lebua is offering a special two-night Hangover Part II package which includes accommodation for two people in a two-bedroom suite; luxury transfers to and from the airport; complimentary Hangovertini
cocktail (made with green tea liquor, Martini Rosso, green apple juice, and rosemary infused honey)
in your suite or at the Sky Bar (my pick); a three-course chef's menu at Mezzaluna for two people; and access to the luxury Tower Club lounge - an all day venue on the 52nd floor serving complimentary drinks, canapes and high tea. The package costs US$2,200.
Wolfpack wannabies can also stay in the redesigned Hangover Suite. The three-bedroom luxury suite in the Tower Club (51st-59th floors) has ample space to party, accommodating six people. The bar is well stocked with the finest champagne, whisky and spirits to kick off an 'unforgettable' night on the town. Guests can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie. Surrounding the room are prints of the cast and crew filming at the hotel. The Hangover Suite package costs $US999 per night and includes a fully-stocked complimentary mini bar per day; welcome Hangovertini (one per person per stay); on demand free movies (enjoyed on LCD TVs); in-suite internet access; luxury Bvlgari bathroom spa amenities (exclusive to lebua); and access to the Tower Club's private lounge.
Debbie Neilson-Hunter 4/6/11 |
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