Introduction Aman New Delhi Aman-i-Khas / Safari in Ranthambore National Park Amanbagh / Activities around Amanbagh After an amazing night at the Oberoi Agra complete with a visit to the Taj Mahal (which I'll cover later), we made the five hour drive to Ranthambore National Park, where we were staying at the Aman-i-Khas. This is…
Continue reading: Review: Aman-i-Khas
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loved my trip to india, but I don't think I will repeat the 5-6 hours drive anywhere.. Besides the hotel that looks really nice, what else is in that area to see?
@ Antonio -- I mean, that's a toughie. Both had *literally* perfect service, so I can't put one ahead of the other. That being said, service was obviously a bit more personalized at Aman-i-Khas, not just because of how small the resort is, but because you have your own personal butler.
@ geektraveler -- Stay tuned for the next post, where I'll cover information on the area, including going on safari in Ranthambore National Park.
Great review; curious to hear about tiger tracking. Did kanha and bandhavgard last November and saw quite a few tigers!
Thanks for putting this together. It is the most detailed report on this property that I've read.
How are families accommodated at this property? Do you think they arranged roll away beds or cots on the rooms for the kids? What ages were represented?
At Amandari, my wife nicknamed the staff 'The Ninja's'. They were never in sight when you didn't need them, but the moment you needed them they would appear out of nowhere!
I can't wait for our next Aman visit - maybe Amangiri...
@ Lisa -- Sadly we didn't have any luck with the tigers, though I'll have more on that in the next installment.
@ NYBanker -- I believe they can arrange a rollaway, though I'm pretty sure there were two families staying while we were there, and they each had two tents, which seems to be the most practical given that there's not so much "free space" in the tent.
As far as the ages represented go, there was a couple in their 30s (I believe Australian), couple in their 50s (I believe American), and then a couple of families (I believe European).
@ Lark -- Hah, sounds exactly like at Aman-i-Khas!
Ow on the world did you happen to find and book this place? Was it the safari idea first? The idea to visit India? I'd love to know your thinking on this.
"Aman resorts are all about being local, and that was reflected in every aspect of the experience."
Not to be snarky, but I have to say the Aman experience here is hardly "local".
How in the world did you find and book this? Was it the safari first? The idea to visit India? I'd love to know your thinking on this!
@ Jettyboy -- Sure the pure luxury doesn't reflect the surrounding area, but the employees are almost entirely made up of locals, the entertainment is "local," the food is largely local, and the activities (which I'll cover in the next couple of posts) are also very local.
@ Susan -- I explained part of the background in the introduction post, which was simply that I was planning to do a mileage run to India and asked a friend if he wanted to come along.
He has always wanted to try Aman properties, and India has three Amans that are fairly easily accessible from one another, so it was his idea. I actually had almost no part in the planning process. I just showed up and had fun.
And unfortunately for my wallet, I'm afraid I'm pretty hooked...
Hey lucky, once again, a nice report on Aman property. Few questions:
1) Is the daily rate for two persons?
2) How are the transports between Agra and this resort as well as back to Delhi arranged? Included in the rate as well?
3) How long has this property existed? It won't be another few years until I can even think about trying these types of 'resorts' but when I can, staying for three nights or so might be a nice 'treat.' I just hope that these exist longer until I can 'save' up. 🙂
@ brahms77 -- Thanks! The rate mentioned is for two guests. The property has been around since 2003, so I don't think it'll be going anywhere.
The transport is not included, and can be arranged either through the hotel or independently. We arranged it independently as it was quite a bit cheaper. If you go, I suggest not going right after monsoon season (so I would go in November or later), as the roads are in really bad shape at that time, so the drive can take an hour longer than usual.
Aman hotels normaly have included in their prices, adventures! East Bali it's a traditional yacht? that you go cruising on. The Bhutan property it's a personal guide. Staying at their new Bejing property in a few weeks which is at the Western end of the Forbidden Palace and includes/allows access directly to the palace out of hours. To do the palace with out the hordes is what I am looking forward to most! Aman has been around since the 90's and win many luxe awards. I keep asking to do one in Japan but as they say, "the location has to just so" My favourite group you can't call them a chain.
Does anyone else find it somewhat humorously ironic that your butler's name was "Surender"?
Whats wrong with you? First a review of a soviet bunker, now of a tent, will the next be a tour of a cardboard box under a viaduct?
Not all Indian sweets involve cottage cheese, somehow Aman guys seems to have a liking for cottage cheese based sweets.
I am considering staying there. What did you tip the butler? I know you have to tip em as well. Wondering how much everything will be including the 20% or so tips.
My daughter and I will be leaving in 5 days for our fourth stay at Aman I Khas and our third stay at Aman Delhi (was not open on our first trip). My area of expertise in the travel business is southeast Asia and I must say I have stayed in all the best hotels and none of them can beat the Aman Resorts. I have stayed 39 times at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok and thought I wold never find anything to compare to that but Aman I Khas and Aman Deli both do. Also I have booked many of the other Aman Resorts for y clients and have never had a complaint. They all become Aman "Junkies".
I am leaving San Antonio in 5 days for my 6th trip to India and my fourth trip to Aman I Khas and third trip to Aman Delhi.
I have been in the travel businss for 35 years and my area of expertise is S.E. Asia.
I have stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok 39 times and all the great hotels of the world. I never thought I would find
any hotel to match the Oriental but I have to say that Aman I Khas does just that even though it is a totally different type of property.
No where in the world will one get the warm personal attention one does at any of the Aman Properties. Pure Bliss - Can't wait !!!
Lee
Will be leaving in 5 days for Aman New Delhi (2 nights) then onto Aman-i-khas by train with our valet, Mukesh for a 15 night stay. Love Aman-i-khas. The surroundings are peaceful & the service is surperb. We have seen tigers almost everytime on safari. Love Ranthambore Park. The staff at Aman-i-khas are so attentive and warm. Definitely a must stay if you're heading that way. Aman New Delhi is great as well. Love getting into the plunge pool with some wine after a 15 hour flight from the U.S.
Just returned from our 15 night stay at Aman-i-khas. As always it was pure heaven. Mukesh, our batman is the best and took such good care of us. I went on safari 3 times and saw tiger T-18 and T-39 on 2 of the safari's. What magnificent creatures they are. All of the staff at Aman-i-khas are so helpful and gracious. Laundry is emptied out of your basket twice a day and is always back promptly. The Forest Dinner down in the woods was wonderful and all of the food is delicious. Rode the train to and from Delhi, where we stayed at the Aman Delhi to Sawai Madapur with our batman, Mukesh and that's always an "experience". The first class berths on the train are certainly adequate and the batman provides snacks and soft drinks/water for the ride. Anyone who wants to expereince a true, luxury safari cammp and is going to India should definitely try Aman-i-khas. It can't be beat.
@ Barbara Carvajal - WOW! I repeat, WOW! A 15 night stay is long. I agree it can't be beat. I haven't been to a resort nearly as good and even then, I don't stay for more than 8 days at a hotel in one go. Truly a paradise for a lucky few!
well her we go again for our fifth stay at Aman I Khas - our paradise in India. We will be there for 16 heavenly nights. Our wonderful batman and friend Mukesh Sharma will meet us in Delhi at the Aman Delhi now The Lodhi Hotel and accompany us on the train trip to Saway Madopur. Over the years we have really had good luck at seeing tigers but I love Aman I Khas so much I wouldn't care if I ever saw a tiger.
Lee Loving
Herff Travel, San Antonio, Texas