Khao Yai Thailand is a precinct 2.5 hours’ drive northeast of Bangkok that offers a wide range of many interesting activities. While there are some that leverage on its natural beauty like walks and hikes, some of the other interesting ones border along the lines of make-believe ranging from a ‘Hokkaido’-like Lavender farm to a replica Italian town and a cowboy ranch from a Western movie. These ‘replicas’ are done so well that they effectively add to the allure of Khao Yai and is a major tourist draw particularly in this ‘Insta-worthy’ age.

Complementing its attraction and allure is the Hotel InterContinental Khao Yai. Here are 5 reasons why we think Hotel InterContinental Khao Yai is the perfect hotel for a family getaway.

^{We share the highlights of our stay here.}

1. Relive the Golden age of Rail Travel.

Imagine stepping back in time to the golden age of train travel and taking a luxurious classic post-war train and having it make a stop amidst the lush forest of Khao Yai.

^{Life sized train carriages that is part of the hotel sitting along the Swan Lake graced by lovely swans.}

^{This is the reception! A train station seemingly in the middle of a forest.}

^{Meet some ‘local residents’ of the hotel.}

Designed by famed architect, Bill Bensley, who apparently is an aficionado of classic post-war trains, we were immediately wowed upon entering the grounds of the hotel.  Instead of a typical hotel reception, we were greeted by a replica of a small rural train station right in the middle of a forest! And there, we were checked-in whilst surrounded by a cacophony of calls from the cicadas and birds amidst the lush flora and fauna. 

^{No details were spared in recreating the train station of old.}

The hotel reception was decked from floor to ceiling with memorabilia of trains and train stations of old.  We were understandably distracted even as the receptionist was explaining the formalities to us!

^{It felt like we time-travelled!}

^{This is our luxury ‘carriage’, complete with faux window with a view of the passing scenery!}

Our 1-Bedroom Pool suite elevated our rail journey stay with its elegant dark mahogany interiors and faux carriage windows offering enchanting views. Complete with a plush king-sized bed, two spacious verandahs, and a private plunge pool, the suite exuded luxury that would be the envy of even the most demanding of rail passengers.

^{Stylish elegance exudes from every corner of the room.}

^{Elegant luxury that harks back to the colonial days of old.}

Venturing outside, we discovered a whimsical landscape adorned with refurbished train carriages transformed into unique hotel facilities. From indulgent spa retreats and elegant dining venues to cozy massage rooms, each railcar carriage offered a distinct experience. Not to be missed is the hotel’s kids’ club, Planet Trekkers, nestled within one of these charming carriages.

With actual rail tracks adding to the ambiance, our stay at the hotel was unlike any other, transporting us to a bygone era of romance and adventure by rail.

^{The living room of the suite}

^{The personal verandah of the 1-Bedroom suite. A personal quiet space to appreciate nature.}

^{The suite’s personal plunge pool – a luxury train passengers can only dream of.}

2. Planet Trekkers

^{A Kids Club in an actual refurbished Railcar. First ever!}

Planet Trekkers, Hotel InterContinental’s kids’ club is another reason why the hotel chain is always top on our list whenever we travel.  With its thoughtful offerings, it ensures that children are engaged in meaningful activities, providing them with opportunities to read, interact, and even learn about the local culture (Buddy even picked up some cool Thai dance moves!).

But what sets Planet Trekkers at Khao Yai apart is its unique setting within an actual train car—a delightful touch that adds to the charm. Here, families can enjoy quality time together, as the club offers space for the entire family to participate. Tucked behind the Planet Trekkers train car is an outdoor area complete with swings, a cozy Rabbit nest housing adorable family of rabbits, and ample space for family activities. One highlight is the chance to visit one of the serene lakes within the hotel compound to feed the exotic Koi fishes—an experience that adds to the overall enjoyment of the stay.

^{Ample of space for outdoor fun too!}

3. Wellness

^{Spa and massage in a luxurious railcar.}

Complimentary Thai massage lessons for parents? Why not?

Another signature focus of the InterContinental group of hotels is the wellness focus that runs through the whole spirit of the stay. At InterContinental Khao Yai, wellness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s woven into the very fabric of your stay. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of its surroundings, the hotel offers a complimentary wellness program that extends to parents as well.

^{Us and our massage instructor.}

During our stay, we had the pleasure of participating in complimentary massage lessons led by the hotel’s expert Thai masseuses—an experience that left us feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. It was a first for us, and truly special!

^{Daddy and Buddy went cycling around one of the many lakes of the hotel. Uniquely memorable!}

But if indulging in some unrushed time is your thing then the hotel has all the space for it too. Aside from taking a stroll through its large compound lusciously wrapped by local flora and fauna, one can rent a bicycle for free and cycle around and explore the beautiful lakes and perhaps say ‘Hi’ to the local wildlife here too.

^{A charming railcar that took us back in time.}

In between, we even took respite from the early afternoon sun by visiting the Tea Carriage, where we indulged in the High Tea set.  The Tea Carriage is a refurbished rail car that made us feel so pampered with its fine pastries set in a luxurious colonial-style train carriage right out from an Agatha Christie novel! We couldn’t help but feel pampered, while expecting Hercule Poirot himself to join us for tea!

4. Culinary Delights

Interestingly, it was quite difficult to find good Thai cuisine in Khao Yai.  Apparently Khao Yai is primarily a tour destination for locals who crave a different cuisine when they visit.  So it is quite common to find pasta, pizza and a collection of fusion cuisine! But for those like us who crave that authentic and delicious Thai cuisine, the choices are surprisingly quite limited.

^{Class and stylish, like a cafe in a grand old train station.}

Thankfully, Somying’s Kitchen, the hotel’s main restaurant, came to our rescue with its extensive menu featuring a delectable selection of authentic Thai cuisine alongside Western offerings. Our dining credits allowed us to savor the flavors of Thailand, from succulent prawns and seafood to perfectly al-dente pasta infused with fragrant Thai herbs. It was a culinary journey that delighted our taste buds and left us craving for more!

^{The photos don’t do justice to how good the food was.}

^{From authentic Thai to Western delights, Somying’s Kitchen surprises with exceptional good food.}

^{We were spoilt for choice!}

For breakfast, Somying’s Kitchen continued to impress with its wholesome spread of locally sourced delights. We relished the old-school charm of charcoal-toasted pastries paired with freshly cooked chicken noodle soup, accompanied by refreshing freshly-pressed juices—a truly satisfying start to each day of our stay.

^{Breakfast with a selection of the finest locally-sourced ingredients.}

^{Fresh and appetising.}

^{Home-made, old school goodness.}

By choosing to dine at the hotel rather than venturing out in search of eateries, we not only indulged in exquisite meals but also allowed the hubby to enjoy some well-deserved rest instead of driving out looking for places to eat at every meal time.

^{From Somying’s Kitchen to in-room dining, Daddy got to relax too without driving out looking for food.}

5. Service

What truly sets InterContinental hotels apart is the unparalleled level of sincere, warm, and personal service that surpasses expectations. From the General Manager to the friendly buggy driver, every member of the staff made us feel like honored guests, exceptional hosts that ensure our stay was nothing short of extraordinary.

Their ever-present smiles were accompanied by a genuine desire to provide exceptional hospitality and ensure that every guest felt at home away from home. Whether it was engaging with our son at Planet Trekkers, luxuriating in our well-appointed room, reconnecting during leisurely outdoor walks and cycling, or indulging in the exquisite local cuisine, it was the impeccable service that truly elevated our experience at InterContinental.

Note to the GM:

We experienced another first at our recent InterContinental Khao Yai Resort – the hotel’s GM, standing-in for her colleagues, arriving in buggy to fetch guests back to the room at 8:30pm.  This gesture of servant leadership spoke volumes of your leadership and commitment in caring for your guests and in return it has translated to the countless encounters of genuine warmth and authenticity of service from the hearts of your staff.

We were told that Khao Yai means ‘Big Mountain’.  After experiencing the service at the InterContinental Khao Yai, Khao Yai also represents a sense of big heartedness found through the ever-ready smiles and excellent service within the hills of Khao Yai tucked within the InterContinental.

• Remember to follow our FB @Life’s Tiny Miracles and Instagram accounts: @lifestinymiracles and @doting_dad for more tips on travelling with kids. If you’ll like to have a downloadable itinerary of our trip, please email us at [email protected] or DM us on our IG accounts. We hope our travelogue will inspire you to visit Khao Yai, Thailand one day.
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