Enchanted Escapes A new InterContinental resort in Thailand is set to feature suites in repurposed train carriages.
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A charismatic storyteller, Bill Bensley is famed
While the majority of the 61 guestrooms
for bringing drama, character and a sense of
occupy built structures, 16 suites have been
adventure to the hotels he designs. In Vietnam,
designed within upcycled train cars for a unique
Hôtel de la Coupole tells the tale of French
stay. Bensley was inspired by the area’s rich
fashionistas living amongst the hill tribes, while
history as a gateway for rail transportation
in Bali, Capella Ubud recalls shipwrecked Dutch
during King Rama V’s reign, and has developed
settlers arriving on shore and pitching their
individual schemes relating to travel routes
tents. Bensley’s latest saga is inspired by the
across the continent, from Vietnam and Laos
travels of a former train conductor, who now
to Myanmar and Singapore. Suites feature cosy
lives in the lap of luxury in abandoned carriages
living quarters and canopied outdoor space, some
deep in the forest.
with a freestanding bathtub amongst nature.
Set to open late 2021, the InterContinental
Separate carriages will be transformed into a spa
resort is located in Khao Yai National Park, a
and tea house, while the main dining experience,
UNESCO World Heritage Site two hours’ drive
Somsri’s Kitchen, is named after the spirited
from Bangkok. According to IHG, the resort will
mother of the conductor.
offer a genuine sense of connection to nature
Bensley and his team have brought to life over
with views over mountains, lakes, flora and
200 hotels in 30 countries, but this could well be
fauna from across the 100-acre site. Facilities
the first with a train on site. “No two projects we
include a club lounge, resort centre with dining
design are alike,” he notes. “We strive hard to
options, a swimming pool and gym, though it’s
put our clients first and foremost and in doing
the repurposed train carriages that really capture
so create places which are unique to their context
the imagination.
and story.”
