The second and final phase of the InterContinental
Khao Yai Resort’s opening adds 19 suites, housed within
repurposed heritage railcars, a spa, French bistro, and a cocktail
bar to the property’s facilities.
The train car suites tell the tale of Khao Yai
during the era of King Rama V, when the region was a gateway for
railroad travel to the Northeast of Thailand and surrounding
cities such as Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore,
Yangon, Luang Prabang, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen,
Songkhla, Sukhothai and Chanthaburi. Each wagon has been uniquely designed and named after a
different destination.
Set around a lake, the 47 sqm suites feature a bed, bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. Rich panelling, skillfully
crafted to emulate original carriage windows, is complemented by
scenic wallpapers and ambient backlights that evoke the sense of
rolling countryside vistas.
All rooms have an
outdoor space, whether a balcony or terrace, while the four Heritage Railcar One-Bedroom Pool
Villas (116 sqm) and the Heritage Railcar Two-Bedroom Pool Villa
(223 sqm) boast a private plunge pool.
Passionate about melding storytelling with
restoration in a way that preserves nature, designer
Bill Bensley recovered the railcars from around Thailand. Some of
them had been left unused for over 50 years, and Ficus trees had
taken root on the roof and almost completely enveloped the
carriage. Some of the root systems have been preserved, furthering
the feeling of being connected to Mother Earth.
In addition to the villas and suites, two dining concepts have opened: Poirot, an elegant
French restaurant, and the Papillon Bar which offers guests a wide selection of
cocktails,
Champagnes, fine wines and whiskies available.
The new spa is also located inside an upcycled heritage railcar
and features four
self-contained treatment rooms where therapists deliver a range of
treatments using Siam Botanicals’ natural and 100%
organic-certified skincare products.
The InterContinental Khao Yai is located in the Pak Chong district
of Korat (โคราช), approximately a two and a half hours drive
from Bangkok.
The first phase of the resort
opened earlier this year.
