Bangkok, Thailand, September 16, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, which crowns Thailand's first INNSiDE Hotel, celebrates its first anniversary with a new, dynamic menu that puts a novel spin on classic Spanish dishes.

The menu was created by Juan Ignacio García Racionero, the Spanish chef of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, a native of Madrid who honed his skills in some of Spain's finest kitchens. It takes guests on a culinary journey through Spain, incorporating a dynamic array of local Thai ingredients.

Spanning the hotel's top two floors (the 33rd and 34th) and offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline, LUZ has quickly established itself as a trendy hotspot since its opening on September 15, 2023. LUZ serves authentic Spanish tapas, wines, draft beer, cocktails, house-made sangrias, spirits, non-alcoholic cocktails, and much more. A unique Bangkok experience: guests on the 33rd floor can enjoy views of the infinity pool on the hotel's 34th floor.

Highlights of “LUZ Tapas” include grilled octopus “Gilda de Pulpo” with olives, pickled peppers and olive oil, smoked sardines “Sardine Ahumada Con Lima” with lime and avocado cream, fried prawns “Gambas Al Ajillo” with chili, garlic and olive oil, and burrata with cold tomato cream soup, anchovies and avocado “Ensalada De Salmorejo Burrata”.

Among the already popular dishes in the "Chef's Tapas Selection" are "LUZ Salmon," Norwegian salmon with mango and passion fruit dressing, and "Tuna Taki Taki Rumba," Akani tuna with citrus dressing. "LUZ Signature" specialties include "Carrilleras de Cerdo Ibérico," braised Iberian pork cheek with carrot and cumin purée; "Pulpo a la Parrilla," grilled octopus with bell pepper and potato purée and mango; and "Entrecôt de Ribeye," a 300g Australian ribeye steak with potato gratin and salsa de carne.

“I want to highlight authentic Spanish flavors and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of my homeland, Spain. At the same time, I want to give the new menu a modern touch to make it more appealing to local palates,” says Racionero. “One of my favorite dishes is our ‘Pulpo a la Parrilla’. The addition of mango, chili, and smoked paprika puree creates a contrast of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors, giving the traditional Spanish recipe a fresh twist. Mango and chili resonate with local tastes and give the classic ingredients a unique flavor profile—all without compromising the dish’s Spanish roots.”

Prior to joining INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, the Madrid-born chef worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Saddle, as well as at Diverxo, which was ranked among the three best restaurants in the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” in 2023, and at the renowned restaurants El Jardin De La Marquina and Montellen.

On September 15th, guests of the LUZ restaurant had the chance to win a dinner for two, including drinks. They were invited to take the best photos in front of a special backdrop at LUZ while enjoying a glass of LUZ sangria and a Wagyu slider with chorizo ​​and roasted red peppers. After participants posted their photos publicly on social media (follow @luzbangkok_tapasbar and use the hashtag #LUZBangkok1stAniversario), the winner was announced at the end of September.

At night, the hotel's 34th floor, with its pool bar, transparent infinity pool, and rooftop terrace featuring lounges, sunbeds, and an impressive, modern interpretation of Bangkok's Brahman architecture, "The Giant Swing," transforms into an extension of the LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar on the 33rd floor. The design of the 33rd-floor tapas bar, with its striking, slanted lines and cables, pays homage to another iconic Bangkok landmark, the Rama VIII Bridge.

LUZ is open daily from 4:00 PM to midnight.

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is the newest member of a diverse collection of INNSiDE city and beach hotels – in 14 different countries across Asia, Europe and America – designed for people with a curious mind and a flexible lifestyle in terms of work and leisure.

About Meliá Hotels International

Meliá Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and operates over 400 hotels in more than 40 countries, either already open or in the process of opening. Its portfolio comprises nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The company is one of the world's leading leisure hotel chains and has successfully established itself in the growing market of leisure-oriented city hotels thanks to its long-standing experience in this sector. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led to Meliá being recognized as the most sustainable European hotel company worldwide (S&P Global's 2024 Sustainability Yearbook Member) and as a Top Employer 2024 in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, and Vietnam.

INNSiDE is a collection of unique city and beach hotels designed for curious people with a flexible lifestyle. Always true to their destination, they offer their guests the freedom to connect in an independent community of like-minded travelers or simply to unwind.

INNSiDE offers guests all the amenities of daily life and special touches to make their stay a unique experience. From the comfort of the rooms to the inspiring Big Idea Space and open-plan living lounges, right down to the fitness centers – we ensure our guests feel right at home.

Sustainability is reflected in even the smallest details: Every room is equipped with paper- and plastic-free packaging and complimentary organic toiletries. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each location with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by showcasing the work of local artists on hotel walls, merchandise, and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá hotels worldwide, and the brand is continuously expanding. All hotels are located in prime lifestyle districts in popular travel destinations. These include Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), the UK (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), the USA (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg), the Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milan), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam).