Hotel review: InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is an ode to train travel

The resort boasts 19 suites and villas, housed within repurposed heritage railcars. We were told that the suites tell the tale of Khao Yai during the era of King Rama V. During this time, the region was a gateway for railroad travel to the Northeast of Thailand and surrounding destinations including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Saigon Sukhothai and more. These voyages had been the inspiration when it came to designing each train carriage.

We were treated to a Heritage Railcar One Bedroom Suite, a lavish space that overlooks one of the many lakes on the property. The train theme continues within the room, from rich panels that have been crafted to emulate original carriage windows to scenic wallpaper that evokes the sense of rolling countryside vistas. On top of day beds and couches for lounging, our private balcony also had an outdoor bathtub overlooking the lake. While it may seem like an awkward floor plan, spanning 2.5 by 30 metres, Bensley turned it into a comfortable and homely suite.

Although the lake was just a few steps away from our balcony, plenty of trees and plants had been strategically placed in between, allowing us to feel a sense of privacy between the public space and our suite.

There’s plenty to do within the resort itself, ranging from morning yoga to a coffee scrub-making workshop. One of our favourite activities was the bike tour which took us on a leisure spin around Swan Lake. During the session, we also learnt more about the property from the 30,000 strategically placed trees to its family of swans.

Of course, a resort getaway isn’t complete without a trip to the pool. Located next to restaurant Somying’s Kitchen, the lavish outdoor pool is decked in sunbeds and a poolside bar concept. The pool was a popular spot for families as the young ones got a dip while the parents relaxed with a drink in hand. Speaking of families, little ones can also participate in the Planet Trekkers programme, offering a range of activities from a botanical garden treasure hunt to origami crafting.

While we were here, we also stopped by the spa. Like the rest of the resort, the Back on Track spa is housed in an upcycled railway cart. Treatments range from organic facials to full-body scrubs. We opted for a full body massage that uses a refreshing blend of lemongrass, peppermint and rosemary oil. Our masseuse was very attentive to our needs, from various pain points we had to varying massage pressure.

InterContinental Khao Yai offers a tightly curated lineup of restaurants and bars. The main restaurant Somying’s Kitchen is the resort’s all-day dining restaurant that offers a range of local and international plates. We were told that the Somying’s Signature is a popular choice that features a grilled whole chicken, spicy papaya salad, laab moo (ground pork) and sticky rice. We got to try various Thai classics including khao pad rod fai. Also known as railway fried rice, this dish was served on the Thai train over 80 years ago and comes cooked with kale and pork belly. 

For a tea experience, head to Tea Carriage for a traditional afternoon tea spread. Here, we got to indulge in various sweet and savoury bite-sized treats with a local twist—think mango sticky rice, tom yum goong vol-au-vent and larb gai quiche. There’s no better way to complement the spread than with a refreshing glass of iced coffee and Tea Carriage’s extensive spread of signature iced coffee does not disappoint. For a sweet treat, we recommend the ban pachi, which is a house blend of Thai origin coffee, almond milk, and 1883 vanilla syrup. 

The resort also has its fair share of bars. For one, its jazzy Papillon bar is set in a heritage railway cart and puts the spotlight on refreshing cocktails. We were told that some popular choices included the Platform, comprising a blend of Nua Spumante Brut, Beefeater Gin and rosella water; and Seating, a concoction made with Nua Spumante Brut, Martini Blanco and cotton candy. 

While there’s so much to do within the resort, don’t forget to head out and explore too. We were told that while many guests will travel out of the resort by their own rented cars, the resort also offers this service for an additional cost. The resort is a quick drive away from Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site home to a variety of wildlife, flora and fauna. Another popular spot to visit is the Granmonte Vineyard and Winery, one of the country’s most notable winemakers. Here, tour the production facilities, explore the vineyard and participate in a wine-tasting session.

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