Over the hills and far away

If Phetchabun province is known as the Switzerland of Thailand, then Khao Kho must surely be its Matterhorn. Khao Kho district, which takes its name from this emblematic peak in the western range of the Phetchabun mountains, has always been a popular venue for cool season holidays but today tourists are heading to the hills to admire the glorious scenery all year round.

On hand to welcome them is the newly opened Blue Sky Resort @ Khao Kho, a luxury hotel that offers a panoramic view of one of the most famous valleys in the entire mountain range. 

Offering rooms decorated in traditional English country style, Blue Sky Resort faces the famed Son Kaew cliff, which disappears into a sea of fog at dawn and is clearly visible from the balconies of all 28 rooms in the three buildings.

Blue Sky Resort’s president and owner Wirat Cunaratanaangkul highlights the easy access from Route 21 to the resort compound no matter how wet the weather, and says the temperature is cool even in summer. In the rainy season, the downpours bring out the greenery and later in the year, the mountains are a riot of colour as the blooms kiss goodbye to the showers and welcome the cold. 

Wirat stresses that at Blue Sky Resort, the happiness of guest is a priority and his staff are on hand round the clock to ensure the very best service.

The successful businessman, who acquired his wealth outside of the hotel sector, has two other resorts under the Blue Sky brand: Blue Sky Resort Koh Payam is a Maldives style hotel built on the water off the Ranong Coast, while Blue Sky Resort At Ranong is decorated in the style of Sorrento in southern Italy.

A vintage English country theme was chosen for Khao Kho for the simple reason that most of the other resorts have a distinct Italian look and is enhanced by year-round Blue Salvia flowers and winter weeds along with a fountain, gravel roads and stone-tiled walkways.

Wirat says that he and his wife Thanatporn handpicked the furniture and decorative items with advice from interior designer friends. Beds, chairs and couches are covered with throw cushions and pillows and decorated in two shades. Guests can choose between the yellow Dive Blossom and light blue Country Lover.

The restaurant, which has a large terrace facing Son Kaew cliff, serves continental and Thai food, prepared by chefs who have delighted guests at the other Blue Sky Resorts. The two-storey restaurant has an auditorium on its upper floor that can accommodate meetings of up to 25 participants.

Wirat says expansion may be in the offing along with the construction of a swimming pool at the request of guests, and that the 18-rai compound, which includes plantations of winter indigenous crops, could also grow in the future. 

Emphasising his business philosophy for the resort business, Wirat says that all the Blue Sky Resort projects are self-sustaining ventures aimed at giving satisfaction and excellent service to the guests. He is also building a Blue Sky Resort in Hua Hin’s Khao Tao area in Hua Hin district that scheduled to open in October.

       

At a glance

High points: Premium location, Very scenic

Low points: Room rates are on the high side

Pay for it: Bt6,000 for Suite and Bt5,000 for Deluxe

Find it: Off Route 21, 346 km by road  distance from Bangkok

Phone it: (081) 355 0500

Browse it: www.theblueskyresort.com/khao_kho/