Cultured: Inside and Out
Often incorrectly referred to as Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai is actually small, but second to Bangkok only in a cultural sense with art galleries, imaginative museums and restaurants offering almost every major world cuisine.
Twenty minutes drive north from the airport - and well away from aircraft noise - an electronic front door key opens your way to an Azaya Villa. Into a tropical garden where large, Zen-styled pool features curves which nicely contrast with those sharp rooflines. Sandstone garden walls and natural foliage usher you onto large floor tiles from India, under soaring ceilings of warm, re-cycled teak, past a low hand-built glass wall and into a minimalist world of recessed lighting and unobtrusive Bose speakers.
What Ian describes as the “loose furniture” are the only extras in the Azaya way of doing things. “We are not taking short cuts,” he emphasises. Fitted carpets-which in every case give way to discreet patios - grace the guest rooms and, unusually in Thailand, the slender curving staircase to the master suite, all decorated differently with subtle good taste. Owners are invited to work closely with Azaya on all the detailing. Volcanic stone paves the master bathroom with its sunken jacuzzi-style bath and, even here, concealed systems give you a choice of positioning the TV.
Back down at ground level, the home entertainment room features the very latest Blue Ray technology, deeply cushioned chairs and sofas. Multi-layered insulation ensures cool temperatures despite the light and airy nature of every room - with the exception of a partially concealed and intimate ‘den’!
Built for All Seasons
Each villa sits on approximately one rai of land, allowing larger than average decks which are built with pressure impregnated timber to deter insects and stay smarter longer. From here, fortunate owners can overlook their infinity-edged pools or invite guests to the fire pit for a BBQ, lit via hidden piping.
Subtle detailing copes with the rainy season run-off from those dramatic roofs; some drainage hidden by pebble paths, some by ornamental urns which turn out to be water catchments.
Azaya Villa dwellers will have their own shared tennis courts, gym, spa, plunge pool and restaurant on site, with a rich variety of golf courses, activity centres, elephant camps, waterfalls and orchid farms less than 30 minutes drive away along smooth, uncongested roads.
Chosen with Love
And who will the owners be?
“We have sold 70% of the Villas already, having only begun planning 2 years ago and construction 6 months later” recalls Ian. “We have some Thai buyers, but most clients are westerners who are already living in other south east Asian countries.” Like him, they are likely to be captivated by the natural beauty of the mountains, the quietness and the clean air.
“I first came here 12 years ago and fell in love” he admits with a broad grin. “I’ve been here a lot over the past 5 to 6 years - and when I’m not here I’m missing it and it’s always hard to leave. I think that must be one of the definitions of ‘home’. Misty mornings, temples that seem to float in the clouds - this is a part of the world which gives you so much and doesn’t ask much of you.”
“If I can give myself credit for anything here, it’s putting the right team together. I have an English construction chief who is painstaking and patient, specialist technicians installing the Smart Home Network and high speed internet - everyone we need is on site.”
Everyone except the owners of the last few villas, at value which may never be seen again in Asia!
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