Maison Mystique

Amidst the rolling mountain ranges of Khao Yai lies a place designed to be more than just a hotel—crafted instead as a masterpiece of art. Every corner, every room, every cluster of trees has been carefully composed to allow guests to escape from the world, find solace in serenity, and immerse themselves in an aesthetic rarely found elsewhere.

On a 44-rai estate in Ban Khao Wong—once a thriving mango and lychee orchard—the land has been transformed into a European-style garden, its colors shifting with the seasons. At its heart stands a Western-inspired architectural gem built on one rai, seamlessly nestled within the lush landscape. This enchanting retreat is called Maison Mystique—a name which, in French, translates to “a house filled with mysterious charm.”

The European-style building resists clear classification—it is difficult to pin down to any single period or artistic tradition. Its pristine white façade stands at the heart of a landscape teeming with countless shades of green, accented by bursts of colorful blossoms. During the rainy season, when everything grows quickly, ivy creeps along the walls like living veins, especially on the shaded sides of the building. Yet the scene never turns wild or disorderly, for a devoted gardener tends the vines with care, ensuring they remain in harmony with the design. It is a reflection of the owners’ intention: every detail of the hotel has been personally and passionately designed by hand.

Architecture Born from a Love of Art

Maison Mystique was born from the shared vision of husband and wife, Wipawin and Ketchanok Jeerawattana Thadasi, who created this place together—with Ketchanok as the designer. She recalls her lifelong passion for art. Though she never studied architecture or interior design, her travels, visits to museums, and encounters with international architecture became powerful sources of inspiration. Combined with her academic background in fine arts, these experiences laid the foundation for Maison Mystique, making it much more than a hotel. It is filled with meticulous detail, refinement, meaning, discovery, and harmony.

“I am not an architect or an interior designer, but I have always loved art. My inspiration comes from blending what I’ve seen in the outside world with what I feel within—personal experiences, travels, art exhibitions, architecture, and literature.”

These elements merged into inspiration, thought, and imagination, which she sought to express through architecture as a form of art—so that everyone who enters can experience those stories and emotions for themselves.

Inspired by Western Art

Ketchanok’s unique design identity is reflected in all her works—whether at Featherstone, a restaurant on Ekkamai Soi 12, or The Apothecary Venue, a wedding studio near Kasetsart University. Both businesses remain active today, continuing to showcase her consistent taste: an irresistible sense of mystery.

“I love to travel and to see the world from different perspectives. Each place holds its own story, history, and identity. I believe art is about emotion and feeling, and it was Western art that most sparked my sense of wonder—especially art from earlier eras. I was deeply impressed by old architecture, gardens, flea markets, antique shops, and hidden curiosities in small towns. The charm lies in the fact that you cannot see everything at once; it makes you want to wander slowly, to discover the little details tucked away—whether in patterns, arrangements, or the way light falls through windows, changing with the time of day and the seasons. These things feel alive, carrying stories within them, much like art itself. Sometimes you cannot fully understand it at first, but its mystery and enigma invite you to keep observing, to reflect, and to sense the creator’s intention. It is curiosity that ultimately connects us to art.”

Maison Mystique: A Poem in Architecture

The purpose of creating Maison Mystique was never simply to build a place to stay. It was envisioned as a weaving together of artistic experiences from many cultures.

“This place was created as a work of art through the blending of cultures from different countries. The experiences we encountered have been expressed in the form of architecture. It could be described as ‘Old World’ or as Eclectic Style—both reflecting a fusion of influences shaped in our own way.”

Blending together the things we love has given rise to something truly timeless.

“I wanted this to be a place that feels timeless—one that cannot be pinned down to any single artistic era. It is neither old nor new, but rather a personal impression shaped by my travels, by the mysteries of nature and history, and even by the chance to visit a Cabinet of Curiosities. From there we brought back a display case now kept at the hotel, filled with taxidermy and collectibles—objects both beautiful and strange. Yet, when placed together, they formed their own kind of beauty, one that left a lasting impression on me.”

Escape from the world is the philosophy the owners want every guest to experience: to slow down, to return to living fully and genuinely. In today’s world, which often feels chaotic and spins too quickly, daily work can make us forget what truly matters. This place was created to allow people to immerse themselves in the beauty of art and the surrounding nature, while also receiving warm and heartfelt hospitality. That is the highest intention behind Maison Mystique.

From Imagination to a Marvelous Reality

With no formal training in design, but with a lifelong love of art and a degree in fine arts, along with an insatiable curiosity and constant search for knowledge, Ketchanok gradually sketched her ideas onto paper. She gathered scattered thoughts, arranged them into order, and eventually formed a clear vision.

“In my mind, the picture was vivid from the very beginning. I have always believed that everything should start from the inside out.”

She began by sketching the vision in her mind—placing the house on paper and mapping the gardens around it. From there, she developed the floor plan, starting with the main rooms she wanted to include and aligning them along a central axis that connected everything. The design emphasized lines and compositions that guide the eye toward focal points, creating continuous perspectives—what architects call vistas. For example, the arrangement allowed sightlines through layered doorways leading all the way to a destination point.

The most important principle was unity: color tones, materials, and atmosphere all had to be in harmony. The house needed to feel warm, serene, and inviting, yet still hold a sense of intrigue. Above all, it had to embody the essence of a true “home”—not merely a house of bricks and mortar, but a place with soul.

If the house is the heart, then the gardens surrounding it are like a body adorned with exquisite attire.

“When we began creating the garden, we put up scaffolding to see the perspectives from different levels—what the view would look like from the second floor, and what could be seen from the third. The first step was planting mahogany trees to establish the main axis of the house, drawing the eye from the entrance gate straight to the building. Then we added hedges as a secondary axis, dividing the garden into sections and leading toward different flower beds. The hedges also serve as a natural screen, preventing outsiders from seeing the whole garden at once, so that visitors feel compelled to step inside and explore for themselves.”

When the mahogany trees were planted, the building itself did not even exist yet—the trunks were no thicker than an arm. Today, they have grown tall and provide shade along the pathway leading from the entrance gate, marked with the “MM” emblem, all the way to the front courtyard. Every detail was born out of careful planning and imagination. Because Fern has always loved nature and trees deeply, the garden was given special importance from the very beginning of this home’s creation.

“This garden began from seeds and tiny cuttings, slowly growing into a living landscape. It combines both formal and freestyle designs, largely inspired by English, French, and Spanish gardens. We wanted our guests to wander and explore the garden as if they were discovering the intricate details of the house itself. That is why we named it The Garden of Curiosity.

The garden layout was designed along clear axes and divided into ‘rooms,’ much like a house floor plan. Each section has its own name that reflects its distinct character, just as each room in a home does. We carefully researched plant species to match the images we had in mind—considering tones, tree sizes, shapes, leaves, and blossoms. Every detail mattered.

When planting, we arranged each tree as though placing decorative pieces inside a home. Creating a garden requires time; it is something that must be nurtured every day. Every moment carries meaning, because it all depends on patiently waiting for the plants to grow.”

Even though the trees and plants grew according to plan and imagination, unexpected surprises still emerged—not as setbacks, but as blessings. Rare birds and countless butterflies made the enchanting garden their home, adding life and wonder far beyond what had been envisioned.

“It went beyond what we had imagined. These living creatures came to complete our dream without us ever planning for it.”

Details: The Most Challenging Part of Creation

If you take the time to explore closely, you’ll notice that the most beautiful aspect of this house lies in its small, intricate details—each one weaving together into a larger picture. It is like words strung into a captivating novel: when crafted by a skilled writer, subtle charms are scattered throughout each paragraph and between the lines, waiting for readers to interpret them through their own experiences.

“For us, it feels as though a kind of magic hides within these details. Beauty doesn’t come from grandeur or spectacle, but from the subtleties themselves. They make the space not only something to be seen, but something to be felt. Without details, design feels empty. And the true value of these details doesn’t lie in tricks or ornamentation, but in the sincerity and intention behind them.”

The garden, situated on a hillside, was not always as even as it appears today. There were once slopes and uneven terrain, which required careful leveling and reshaping of the land to bring the envisioned design to life.

“At first, many people doubted whether it could be done, thinking we lacked the experience. But those doubts became a driving force that pushed us to give everything we had. We worked with patience, dedication, and the determination to push beyond our own limits—especially when faced with restrictions in materials and budget. Human imagination may know no bounds, but financial resources certainly do.

Fortunately, Bun’s family has long-standing roots in the construction business, where every project leaves behind surplus materials. We carefully selected and repurposed those materials to suit this house. Stones, for example, were arranged into patterns that aligned with the design concept, now visible throughout the property. This blending of varied materials brought richness and diversity, but above all, everything had to remain in harmony. Unity was the guiding principle—ensuring that colors, textures, and atmospheres came together seamlessly as one.

I worked closely with master craftsmen who truly understood her vision. To her, they were artists, even if they never called themselves that. Together, they discussed every detail—from the profile of cornices, the curves of stair railings, to the weaving patterns of woodwork—often making adjustments right on site. Built-in furniture was also designed and created by their own team of artisans. Along the way, Fern learned countless techniques and insights from these craftsmen, and together, they transformed imagination into reality.

Just as every brick carries its own history, every small detail within this house holds a story waiting to be discovered.”

Customer Journey: The Art of Hospitality

For Ketchanok, a hotel is not merely a place to stay—it is an art form of hospitality. Every guest is meant to experience something unique from the very first moment. The property carries a signature fragrance carefully chosen, music curated to set the mood, and each room designed with its own meaning and character.

“The guest journey at Maison Mystique is carefully curated from the very first step to the moment of departure. We want our guests to feel as if they are in their own home, welcomed and cared for with warmth by attentive butlers. Along the way, they are invited to immerse themselves in experiences that unfold across different spaces—from The Botanist’s Bible tearoom and Bar Mystère, to the emerald-hued library Bibliothèque Émeraude and The Vivarium, a dining room where the ceiling blooms with flowers.

There is also the Hall of Starry Night for grand gatherings, a wine cellar tucked beneath the building, and hidden rooms like Hidden Adam, a secret whiskey chamber concealed behind library shelves. Each space carries its own character, its own sense of mystery, and was designed with a single purpose: to let guests savor the moment, embrace discovery, and gradually slow down together.”

12 Rooms, 4 Concepts

The heart of the hotel lies in its guest rooms—spaces that reflect meticulous attention to detail, a sense of privacy, and distinctive character. Each one is seamlessly woven into the hotel’s overarching design philosophy, centered on exploration, discovery, and tranquility, ensuring every stay is both unique and deeply memorable.

“Maison Mystique offers 20 guest rooms, each designed under four distinctive themes.

• Botanical Obscura captures the mysterious allure of flora in calming green tones, inspired by the spirit of naturalist Charles Darwin.
• Nocturnal Curiosities draws guests into a world of collections and intrigue.
• Siren Reverie embodies passion and romance.
• Celestial Lullaby invites visitors to dream beneath ceilings adorned with verses of the night sky.

Every room is filled with rare collectibles, antique furnishings, and handcrafted pieces created exclusively for this place, making each stay a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Part of the Forest, Part of the Community

The land that is now Maison Mystique was once a long-standing orchard, where fertile soil ensured that anything planted would flourish. Today, that richness is reflected in the lush greenery that thrives across the property throughout the year.

“This place is embraced by mountains. From the very beginning, our priority was to preserve Khao Yai’s atmosphere and safeguard the pure air provided by every tree on the land. We designed the house to be surrounded by gardens—about 80 percent of the property is dedicated to green space. The gardens are the heart of the hotel. What amazes me most is how they attract butterflies, birds, and many species of insects. Every day, hundreds of butterflies appear here—something I had never experienced in everyday life. Some species are incredibly rare, and we want to protect them, while also allowing our guests to share in that sense of wonder.”

Moreover, we are deeply committed to sourcing local ingredients for our cuisine.

We work closely with our chefs to ensure that as many products as possible are sourced from nearby—reducing imports while creating a unique culinary identity for Maison Mystique. Beyond enhancing the guest experience, this approach also supports the local community and helps position Khao Yai as an international destination.

Equally important, our philosophy is rooted in sustainability: no harmful substances are used, and leftover food is composted to nourish the fruits, vegetables, and edible flowers grown in our own gardens.

In today’s fast-moving world, our greatest hope is simply to encourage people to slow down, to live with intention, and to pay closer attention to the details of life.

“I want to see creations that are born of sincerity and meaning—and hope that Maison Mystique can inspire others to create something true to their own hearts and spirits.”

This is the story of someone who poured her dedication into what she loves and believes in, passing that inspiration on to others—each of whom, in their own way, has a part in changing the world.

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