InterContinental Khao Yai National Park

Enchanted Escapes

A new InterContinental resort in Thailand is set to feature suites in repurposed train carriages.

A charismatic storyteller, Bill Bensley is famed for bringing drama, character and a sense of adventure to the hotels he designs. In Vietnam, Hôtel de la Coupole tells the tale of French fashionistas living amongst the hill tribes, while in Bali, Capella Ubud recalls shipwrecked Dutch settlers arriving on shore and pitching their tents. Bensley’s latest saga is inspired by the travels of a former train conductor, who now lives in the lap of luxury in abandoned carriages deep in the forest.

Set to open late 2021, the InterContinental resort is located in Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site two hours’ drive from Bangkok. According to IHG, the resort will offer a genuine sense of connection to nature with views over mountains, lakes, flora and fauna from across the 100-acre site. Facilities include a club lounge, resort centre with dining options, a swimming pool and gym, though it’s the repurposed train carriages that really capture the imagination.

While the majority of the 61 guestrooms occupy built structures, 16 suites have been designed within upcycled train cars for a unique stay. Bensley was inspired by the area’s rich history as a gateway for rail transportation during King Rama V’s reign, and has developed individual schemes relating to travel routes across the continent, from Vietnam and Laos to Myanmar and Singapore. Suites feature cosy living quarters and canopied outdoor space, some with a freestanding bathtub amongst nature. Separate carriages will be transformed into a spa and tea house, while the main dining experience, Somsri’s Kitchen, is named after the spirited mother of the conductor.

Bensley and his team have brought to life over 200 hotels in 30 countries, but this could well be the first with a train on site. “No two projects we design are alike,” he notes. “We strive hard to put our clients first and foremost and in doing so create places which are unique to their context and story.”