Property Specifications

Total Size: Approximately 500sqm

Details: one storey, 5 bedroom, 5 en-suite bathroom property with swimming pool

Rooms: 5 bedrooms, 5 en-suite bathrooms, living room, dining room, hall, study, kitchen, utility room, Ironing room and system room.

Features: Designed with budget in mind for the purpose of boutique country hotel. Full turnkey project from design to completion. Including walk in closets, fountain, Lotus/Lilly pond, covered walkways, terrace, gravel driveway, swimming pool and landscaped garden.

Property Details

Kensington was approached by a client working in Dubai. The lady wanted to open a new boutique, country hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand; a peaceful place where a few guests at a time could come to relax, enjoying fine food, the beautiful countryside and all the attractions of the city. Naturally the client had a budget and her own ideas. Due to work commitments she were unable to come to Thailand to organise it and asked Kensington to help. Kensington’s English speaking Thai architect started to create the first preliminary designs. He communicated regularly with the client, as too did the Construction Director and Managing Director. The property was to be created with a budget in mind and to the client’s preferences.

The Design Stage

Designs and ideas were sent to the client via e-mail. Kensington continually worked with the client to achieve the design they wanted. Within 8 weeks the full architectural drawings had been completed. Kensington’s construction director who has over twenty years experience checked every detail to make sure all was correct. As is required by law in Thailand, Kensington’s qualified architect signed the plans and provided as many copies required for the government land office. As with all their projects, to the benefit of the client, an independent structural engineer checked the plans and signed them off too.

To save the client coming to Thailand, the lady asked if she could use Kensington’s service to gain the relevant governmental permissions to build the property. This Kensington happily did and permissions were granted. During this time Kensington provided an accurate construction cost quotation to the client including all the client’s choices of tiles, bathrooms, kitchen and any built in furniture.

The Construction Contract

On acceptance of the price, the client signed Kensington’s standard construction contract via a faxed copy. We were extremely happy to be the construction contractor. A copy of each was kept by both client and Kensington. The agreement is written in English or Thai, depending on the language used by the client. It not only protects and safeguards each of them, but also clearly lays out the responsibilities they have agreed to. Payments were spread over the course of construction into 4 payments. On transfer of the first stage, Kensington started the project.

At each stage of construction Kensington provided digital images of the completed stage and then the client sent the next transfer of funds. An invoice/receipt was sent to the client for each payment. As the chosen house builder of this project we took every step to assist the customer.

Successful Completion

Kensington completed the property in less than 10 months.  The project was completed on time, to budget and a testimonial can be found on the testimonial page of this web site. The client was extremely pleased with the results and was abroad during most of the construction process. Another happy customer ! Then in 2008 it was given the ‘Conde Nast Hottest Boutique Hotel in Asia’ award.