InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is the likely last stop for 19 heritage rail cars that were saved from scrap heaps around Thailand and turned into truly first-class accommodations.
Book InterContinental Khao Yai Resort on Tablet Hotels.
When Thailand’s InterContinental Khao Yai Resort first began welcoming guests in 2022, accommodations were spread between three buildings and consisted of 45 train-inspired rooms and suites. About six months later, another batch of accommodations was launched, except these weren’t just inspired by trains, they were trains: 19 repurposed heritage railcars recovered from all over the country. Some had been sitting abandoned for over 50 years.
If familiarity breeds contempt, then scarcity must breed adoration. That would help explain why long-distance rail travel, far less common than it once was, retains such a strong air of romance. It also helps explain Khao Yai, a swing-for-the-fences project by renowned architect and designer Bill Bensley. To the average visitor, this place is thoroughly enchanting. For true railway nerds it’s a veritable nirvana, complete with a miniature museum packed floor-to-ceiling with train-related antiques, curios, and repurposed bits of oddball machinery.
But it’s those 19 newer accommodations we’re focused on here.
Make no mistake, the theme at Khao Yai wasn’t chosen for convenience or cuteness. The individual carriages and indeed the entire resort are a passionate love letter from Bensley to the heyday of train travel in Thailand — specifically, the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Heritage Railcars occupy their own private area of the property, a bit removed from the three main buildings. On the outside, each car is adorned with the name of a different regional destination (Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phnom Penh, etc.). The interiors, meanwhile, have each been given their own dazzling color palette and elegant furnishings, as well as bespoke in-room art courtesy of Mr. Bensley. Further enhancing the vintage beauty inside each carriage is dramatic panelling, scenic wallpapers, and handcrafted fabrics by Jim Thompson.
The cars come in two flavors: suites and villas. Suites measure 47 square meters. They have a seating area and mini-bar at one end, king-sized bedroom at the other, and bathroom facilities tucked between. Villas offer all that and more, stretching up to 116 square meters and featuring larger outdoor lounges, including some built around a plunge pool. Since it’s a genuine old-school train car, it’s a pretty narrow space. So pick your travel partner wisely. Thankfully, each comes with its own outdoor space. Even the smaller units have a generous wooden terrace with a work desk and daybed, as well a vintage-style bathtub.
Scroll down for a full FAQ about InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
Nuts & Bolts
A bite-sized breakdown of your most frequently asked questions about InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
Who stays here?
Railway enthusiasts, history buffs, Bill Bensley fans, extended family groups, pet owners, and upscale city folk from Bangkok seeking a breath of fresh air.
What is there to do in the area?
Khao Yai, located in Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 130 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, is a picturesque region known for its lush landscapes, including rolling hills, dense forests, and scenic waterfalls. As Thailand’s first national park and one of South East Asia’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it offers a haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. According to hotel staff, Khao Yai is historically significant as the first train stop built during King Rama V era, adding a touch of historical charm to its natural beauty.
Anything to say about sustainability?
The rehabilitated vintage railcars speak for themselves, requiring substantially less environmental disruption than a traditional hotel build. Locally sourced materials were used as much as possible both in the railcars and main buildings, and otherwise, the resort is seriously committed to sustainable practices throughout the property, from recycling to conservation to the reduction of waste. Up above we said this was the likely last stop for the railcars, but knowing Khao Yai, if the resort ever closes, they’ll find another wonderful use for them.
What are some standout amenities you’d recommend?
With such a treasure trove of quirky, train-related paraphernalia on display, guests should explore the resort’s grounds as much as they can. An obvious place to start is Somying’s Kitchen, the indoor-outdoor, farm-to-table, all-day dining spot. And while this retro diner-style restaurant may not be housed in a converted train carriage, it’s still overflowing with railway-related décor and vintage posters advertising train voyages of yesteryear. The restaurant, incidentally, leads directly to the resort’s common area swimming pool, which is heated (quite the rarity in Thailand).
What else is there to eat?
Don’t miss out on the dining and drinking railcars. The upcycled railcar concept works exceptionally well at the resort’s three must-try F&B outlets, partly because it feels more like an actual train ride when shared with others. Poirot is the property’s brasserie-style, fine-dining French bistro, inspired by Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. The mix of plush, dark-colored upholstery, glittering gold accents on the ceiling, and carefully placed theatrical lighting creates a suitably dramatic atmosphere for diners opting to sit inside, evoking the feel of a ritzy first-class dining car.
What’s the final word?
If you love trains, you’ll love Khao Yai. If you don’t love trains, you soon will.
Book InterContinental Khao Yai Resort on Tablet Hotels.
