Aman Resorts is among my favorite hotel groups in the world. Aman has properties in a lot of incredible destinations, with a big focus on nature. While I don’t follow the brand as blindly as I used to, I still think Aman offer some fantastic hotels.
Currently Aman has 35 resorts (the property in Kyoto is the newest one), with several more in the pipeline, including:
- Aman New York (2021)
- Amanvari in Mexico (2021)
- Aman Niseko (2023)
- Aman Miami (2023)
- Three Aman properties in Saudi Arabia (2023)
Aman Kyoto, which recently opened
On top of that, about a year ago we learned that an Aman would be opening in Bangkok, and now there are some more details about this property.
In this post:
Aman Bangkok opening 2023
About a year ago Aman signed a partnership with Nai Lert Group to manage a hotel and residence in Bangkok. This will be Aman’s second property in Thailand, after Phuket’s Amanpuri, which was actually Aman’s first-ever resort.
When the project was first announced it was supposed to be completed in 2022, while the timeline has now been pushed back to 2023.
Aman’s CEO, Vladislav Doronin, had the following to say about this new development:
“Thailand holds a special place in our hearts ever since the conception of Amanpuri, and our brand, in Phuket over 30 years ago.
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will be situated in its namesake iconic central city parkland and will further cement our vision to bring the Aman ethos to global cities. Nestled in the century-old tropical gardens of Nai Lert Park, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will offer a unique connection to the rich heritage and history of Bangkok enhanced by the gracious traditions of Thailand.”
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok details
Based on the new details we have, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will be in a 36-story building, featuring 52 suites, as well as no more than 50 residences. The project is being designed by Jean Michel Gathy of Denniston, and will feature wraparound views, open-air terraces, and a central atrium.
Other than that there aren’t yet many details about what we should expect from rooms, dining outlets, the spa, etc.
Aman Bangkok rendering
Has Aman just gotten lazy?
A lot of people say that Aman isn’t what it used to be since it was sold to a Russian investment group in 2014. While I’m not sure I’d go that far, I can’t help but feel like most new properties under construction are very… uncreative?
Amanjiwo in Java
What has historically made Aman so special is that the group has had resorts in incredibly secluded places you otherwise wouldn’t visit. With properties currently under construction in Bangkok, Cabo, Miami, and New York, I can’t help but feel like Aman is just cashing in on the name.
Aman New York rendering
I guess Aman does have those three properties in Saudi Arabia under construction, but those seem like the other extreme, and might be a bit too off the beaten path for the average Aman traveler.
Bottom line
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is expected to open in 2023, and will feature 52 suites and no more than 50 residences. I’m curious to see what the property will be like, though really my question is how much Aman will be able to charge for rooms in Bangkok.
Bangkok is probably the city in the world with the most reasonably priced luxury hotels, so I question if Aman will be able to come in and charge several times more than the next most expensive property.
What do you make of Aman’s new Bangkok property?
If this is, in fact, going to be on Sukhumvit, it will not be anything like their "old" properties...however, talk of the demise of "exotic" Bangkok is overdone, and seems to come from folks who don't do much in Bangkok but cruise around Sukhumvit: this is a massive city with amazing pockets to explore all over. I've lived in BKK for three years and know I missed the vast, vast majority of it, despite making...
If this is, in fact, going to be on Sukhumvit, it will not be anything like their "old" properties...however, talk of the demise of "exotic" Bangkok is overdone, and seems to come from folks who don't do much in Bangkok but cruise around Sukhumvit: this is a massive city with amazing pockets to explore all over. I've lived in BKK for three years and know I missed the vast, vast majority of it, despite making it a point to visit a different neighborhood at least once/month!
@Endre
Witthayu ferry terminal on Saen Saeb Canal is just behind the old Nai Lert hotel for easy access to Pratunam, Bobae Market, Banglamphu, and beyond ... if you're into the exotic hidden gems of Bangkok.
Hi Ben, any plans to visit and review another Aman?
In speaking with someone at Amangiri, apparently Aman Tokyo was the most profitable hotel in the portfolio in recent years. The recent urban focus seems to be a business move...
I couldn’t agree more with my namesake Endre! And the proposed location is a traffic nightmare.
I’ve been a fan of the brand for years and have to say I think they’ve stayed true to what made them Aman in the first place. I for one am happy to see they are opening in more cities – they’re just responding to what we want!
Just returned from Thailand. My wife and I stay 5 months every year in our Thai home. Each visit I see Thailand is loosing its vibe. TM 30 is upsetting tourists and expats. Exchange rate is worst iv seen. Shopping centers don’t seem as busy. Thai government/army doesn’t seem as welcoming as the it used to be.
Plenty of competition in the accommodation market and many hotels trying to fill rooms. Lots of high...
Just returned from Thailand. My wife and I stay 5 months every year in our Thai home. Each visit I see Thailand is loosing its vibe. TM 30 is upsetting tourists and expats. Exchange rate is worst iv seen. Shopping centers don’t seem as busy. Thai government/army doesn’t seem as welcoming as the it used to be.
Plenty of competition in the accommodation market and many hotels trying to fill rooms. Lots of high end hotels already available.
It’s not the old land of smiles it used to be.
@TProphet
Much truth in that, however: Chinese tourism has gone ‘off the boil’. In Phuket it has crashed ( partly as a consequence of the appalling boat ‘accident’ last year in which 50 or more tourists died). Thailand treated the Chinese market as the goose that laid the golden egg...but has proceeded to kill it ( literally in some cases) at a rate of knots.
A major Thai company ( controlled by a...
@TProphet
Much truth in that, however: Chinese tourism has gone ‘off the boil’. In Phuket it has crashed ( partly as a consequence of the appalling boat ‘accident’ last year in which 50 or more tourists died). Thailand treated the Chinese market as the goose that laid the golden egg...but has proceeded to kill it ( literally in some cases) at a rate of knots.
A major Thai company ( controlled by a dual citizenship Thai/American family) is suing Marriott due to a massive profit downturn in one of its Phuket properties ( citing, inter alia, adverse consequences of the changes to Bonvoy.
Meanwhile the Airport Authority makes mega profits ( highest fees and taxes in the region; apparently won’t pay to have adequate staffing at immigration counters), while the quality of the experience for tourists continues to decline.
Because for many people BKK still conveys the feeling of an exotic, hidden gem when in fact BKK has transformed into quite the opposite.
Interesting timing. The Thai government has gotten pretty hostile to tourists (except, for some reason, mainland Chinese tourists). Immigration takes hours to get through, and if you stay in an airbnb that doesn't file a TM-30 form, you can be prevented from leaving the country and fined (and people are being prevented from leaving the country, and are being fined).
Combine this with the Thai baht being at a 6 year high and it's no...
Interesting timing. The Thai government has gotten pretty hostile to tourists (except, for some reason, mainland Chinese tourists). Immigration takes hours to get through, and if you stay in an airbnb that doesn't file a TM-30 form, you can be prevented from leaving the country and fined (and people are being prevented from leaving the country, and are being fined).
Combine this with the Thai baht being at a 6 year high and it's no surprise that Western tourism is down. Thailand may be able to maintain its market with mainland Chinese tourists who are used to being hassled by a corrupt government, but these aren't tourists who will be spending. High-end luxury Chinese travelers want to shop and given Thailand's high luxury tax, Thailand is primarily attracting middle class Chinese travelers. They'll buy some beer and chicken wings to enjoy on the beach (usually leaving their litter behind) and stay in places that cost $20 a night, but this is hardly an Aman crowd.
I could not agree more!! We have been to 23 Amans. They used to be special and unique. Now they are becoming just another luxury brand. There are so many amazing places Aman could got but it’s no surprise that eventually they would just follow the money. Disappointing.
I’m on the same boat as @Mak. I would avoid Bangkok Aman as what they do best is building a resort in a rural setting not in a big city. I get what Doronin is doing and I would do the same as a businessman. But as a consumer, I will continue to only stay Zecha era Amans with perhaps few rural new Amans.
The new post-Zecha Aman has little to do with the old one, and there is no way it possibly could. Its now a large chain run by people without Zecha's impeccable sense of taste and hospitality, and catering to a significantly different crowd who are often looking for ostentation rather than simple comforts and service.
Spent a week here in a top floor (5th floor) suite back in 2008 when it was Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Hotel. It had a good lounge where we watched the Olympics during happy hour, great restaurant breakfast, huge pool, and lush gardens that they held the annual Flower Festival attended by the Royal family. This is also where the Hollywood legendary actor David Carradine choked himself back in 2009!
The recent demolition of the...
Spent a week here in a top floor (5th floor) suite back in 2008 when it was Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Hotel. It had a good lounge where we watched the Olympics during happy hour, great restaurant breakfast, huge pool, and lush gardens that they held the annual Flower Festival attended by the Royal family. This is also where the Hollywood legendary actor David Carradine choked himself back in 2009!
The recent demolition of the neighboring old British Embassy (between Nai Lert & Embassy megamall) with its huge gardens might be related to this renovation - one hoping it will be added to the property!
https://live.staticflickr.com/2543/4007117034_8fbe53b055_b.jpg
Tourism is falling in Thailand and now with the stupid huge TM30 reporting fiasco I predict even less tourists overall to Bangkok.
I believe that Aman Bangkok will be very close to Park Hyatt Bangkok.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok charge London rates and they're still full. I do concur that they're not what they were built to be. No matter, there's still Six Senses
That location would be problematic , unless they have acquired enough land to make a fantastic garden. The Swisshotel there ( previously a Hilton, IIRC) is nice, has a great garden but can’t match rates of other better-located properties.
Of course the hotel with the best garden in Bangkok ( and fantastic location), The Intercontinental, was demolished to build a terrible shopping mall, so anything is possible.
I agree that there are plenty of luxury properties in BKK at relatively reasonable prices. There are also lots of dirt cheap places just a notch below those top places. Altho costs have been rising there the last few years. I think C is right. Lots of ME and Russian tourists with too much money will help.
Bangkok gets that uber-luxe 1% market that use the airport as a travel base. So, it makes sense in my eyes.
Interesting each week to see the advancements in construction progress at The Crown building on West 57 for the Aman New York.
I mean, you paid over $1000 for some random Aman in Srilanka where other luxury places cost a fraction of that, so tons of rich idiots to fleece
Excited. Love Bangkok. I've stayed at the Tokyo property which is superb. The Peninsula and Oriental, need a kick in the pants. This might do it.