There are only a few places that I can remember really looking forward to visiting twice - and the InterContinental Khao Yai is one of them.
What do local expats and native Bangkokians do during the long weekend? If they're not heading to a beachside city then we head to Khaoyai for some open space, and fresh air.
Despite some heavier traffic than usual due to the long weekend, Khaoyai remains a favourite destination for Bangkokians. You have everything that mother nature has to offer: waterfalls, mountains, and wild animals. After a short or potentially a little longer car ride depending on the traffic, arriving at The InterContinental Khao Yai is so rewarding.
Properties in Khao Yai tend to compete for 'quirkiness', and each property comes with its own style. The entire Intercontinental Khao Yai Resort was built on a foundational concept of the Railway; the Khao Yai region was traditionally the gateway to Thailand's Northeast, so the hotel has pulled out all the stops recreating the original atmosphere with railcars, a real train station, and even train tracks that meander throughout the property.
There are only a few places that I can remember really looking forward to visiting twice - and the InterContinental Khaoyai is one of them. What awaited us this time was an actual railcar fitted out as a 200sqm suite and a Chef's Table feast.
The heritage railcar one-bedroom suite is built from a repurposed railcar - all were created from upcycled train carriages ' historic pieces which rolled along the rails in Northeastern Thailand more than a century ago. The standard suites are 47 sqm and include a large indoor living room, a lounge area, a King bed, and an outdoor bathtub with a patio overlooking a lake. If you're travelling with little ones, they can set up a teepee which they did for our daughter, and it was definitely a hit.
Actually travelling in a luxury train may be just a dream for some, but this is the closest thing to getting a ticket for a real rail adventure - when you're in the room, you can't help but imagine yourself travelling through the mountains. The only difference is that rather than having the constant clickety-clack of the wheels, you have the amazing sound of birds singing and the wind blowing through the trees around you - did I mention that it's extremely romantic?
As we arrived for a unique experience at Somying's Kitchen - the property's Thai restaurant led by our HotelIntel.co Chef of the Month ‘Chef Nirut', we were blown away by how popular the place has become. At the Chef's Table event, Chef Nirut showcases the famous ingredients of ‘Korat' or ‘Nakhonratchasima' (the province where the resort is located) and turns the amazing ingredients into a memorable menu. The wine pairing is offered by Gran Monte Khaoyai - a local Thai wine producer.
Apart from Somying's Kitchen, there is also Poirot - a French restaurant named after Agatha Christie's famous detective Hercule Poirot. This restaurant takes you to a golden age era of train travelling. The highlight of its offerings is the quarterly murder mystery dinners - where you enjoy a three-course dinner while solving the mystery.
The dining phenomena at The InterContinental Khaoyai is enough to attract travellers but we, the big city people, really do appreciate being in a 100 rai open space and taking a bike ride around the swan lake, or enjoying a movie night outdoors surrounded by big windbreak trees and the beauty of nature, or the design from Bill Bensley.
There's a sense of calm that comes with the fresh mountain air and the unique charm of the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort. Each visit feels like a new adventure, blending luxury with the timeless romance of railway travel. It's a retreat that stays with you, long after the weekend ends, calling you back for more unforgettable experiences.