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Published on February 2, 2008

Despite the rapid growth of hotels in and around Chiang Mai, Kantary Group insists that there is still some room left for new projects. The group recently opened Kantary Hills Hotel and Serviced Apartments on Nimmanhemin Road to attract tourists and expatriates for both short- and long-term stays.

Located on Nimmanhemin Soi 12, the U-shaped, five-storey building on a four-rai plot of land will house 152 rooms, a fitness centre, swimming pool and conference room. The property is expected to open by March. The 35 rooms on the fifth floor, however, are already open.

The hotel has three types of rooms - studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom. The 67-square-metre rooms and 115-sqm two-bedroom rooms have separate living areas. All rooms are decorated in a typical contemporary style, and have beige and oak-shaded furniture.

As with every Kantary property, all rooms have a 42-inch LCD TV, stereo with DVD player and, importantly, pantry equipped with all the standard utensils, tableware, fridge, microwave, oven and toaster. The additional special facility of this Chiang Mai outlet is that all rooms are equipped with washing machines.

The two-room suite is very spacious and suitable for families and friends. Each room has an en-suite restroom with a separate bathtub and shower and plenty of toiletries. The wardrobe is big so there's plenty of room for luggage and clothes. In the living room, a set of comfortable sofas and a six-seat dining table make a great space for fun gatherings.

There's also the executive lounge on the first floor where all guests can get complementary tea, coffee, snacks, fruits, magazines and newspapers. Free Wi-Fi Internet connection is also offered but you need to bring your own notebook. The hotel has an all-day restaurant called Nimman Bar & Grill serving a wide selection of steaks.

The main lobby provides several daybeds and couches for comfortable reclining. When its cool enough, the lobby's long windows will be opened and the fireplace will be lit for a warm northern ambience. Security is provided in the form of a key-card system - if you don't have a card, you can't enter the lift zone leading to the rooms.

Kantary Group has run serviced apartments and hotels for decades with properties in Bangkok, Rayong, Sri Racha of Chon Buri and Phuket - most target the expatriate community and executives working in the industrial estates. Chiang Mai is its first venture in the North.

"With our long experience we believe we can find a niche in the competitive market in Chiang Mai with security and services similar to those you'd find in a five-star hotel. There are industrial estates in Lamphun province and we expect to draw their communities' attention," says the hotel's general manager, Magrin Phromyothi.

The Group will also develop a one-rai plot of land at the mouth of the hotel's soi. It's slated to have a shopping complex, spa and boutique hotel. It seems that their flow of projects is never-ending - next year, additional properties will open in the Rojana area of Ayutthaya and Prachin Buri 's Kabin Buri district.

Kantary Hills Chiang Mai at a glance

High points: Spacious areas, good security and a prime location.

Low point: As the hotel is not fully completed - the construction area is still a bit noisy and an eyesore.

Pay for it: Bt3,000 for studio room, Bt4,000 for one bedroom and Bt6,300 for two bedrooms. These introductory nightly rates are available until the end of the year.

Find it: 44 Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 12, Suthep Road, Chiang Mai

 

Book it: (053) 222 111, reservations@kantaryhills-chiangmai.com

Browse it: KantaryGroup.com

Khetsirin Pholdhampalit

The Nation