Here’s the problem with writing a review of an Aman — there’s something so indescribably special about the experience that it simply can’t be conveyed in a blog or in 580 pixel pictures. The word ”Aman” means ”peace,” and it couldn’t more accurately describe how you feel at Amans.
Continue reading: Review: Amandari Bali
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
@ jay -- I booked a package, and the rates for the entire package along with what it included can be found here:
http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusivesfullview.aspx
Mosquito coil, definitely necessary with all that water around.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_coil
What are these numbers next to the items on the menu? Not dollars or rupiah I don't think.
They must be IDR, in thousands. Divide by eleven with the current exchange rate (and soon maybe more than that). Or search "USDIDR" in Google. There is something of a currency crisis brewing in Indonesia and India these days -- perhaps a good time for a visit.
Any sense of whether the two US Amans--in Utah and Wyoming--are also worth the splurge?
This is one of those reviews you forward the link to your friends and say, "we have to go!" You captured it well despite your fear that you couldn't do it justice. Talk about aspirational travel!
Between your current trip and this one, your folks are experiencing some great bonding time with their son.
Looking forward to the next installment!
@chris.. those are the prices in IDR. in most mid to upper establishments in indo, the last 3 zeros are omitted. just to simplify things abit.
The numbers are the prices, just add 000 to the end of each one. So French toast is IDR 160,000 or roughly USD 16 at IDR 10,000 to one USD. Book through a Virtuoso agent and daily breakfast is included in the rate.
@ John -- That's a great question and something I've wondered as well. I have a hard time imagining the service experience can be executed as well in the US as in Asia, so I'd be curious to find out.
Thanks for the review. We have our first aman experience in February and are very excited. We've got a pool suite booked at amandari. I'm very
Excited.
how were the mosquitoes/bugs there? did you have to use a lot of bug repellent?
@ ang -- Even though we were warned about it, surprisingly I didn't find bugs to be much of an issue at all.
Ever since my stay at Amanpuri, I've wanted to try others. Was this stay comped?
@ David -- Nope, I paid "retail" for it. I booked the Aman Bali Experience package:
http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusivesfullview.aspx
Ah, sorry, I missed Jay's comment earlier! Aman is so pricey, but for a special occasion like your trip, I can totally see it being worthwhile. I'm waiting for a double-digit anniversary as an excuse for a future trip. Or, winning Powerball. 🙂
By the way, I know someone who should be able to get you a SUPER great deal on future Aman stays, but it'd require full disclosure if you catch my drift. Given how popular your blog is, it should be pretty easy. Email me if you want the contact.
@lucky - I think my partner and I are doing 2 nights at Amandari and one night at Amankila. I am very very excited now after reading your review. Now I won't be able to sleep....
Looks amazing - but I think for the my budget, design aesthetic and what I would comment is a more impressive pool area I think we made the right choice doing the Hanging Gardens in Ubud.
Although now I wish I hadn't heard of Aman - pretty spectacular service.
Lucky you are insane, a 5k package, its too much for most of us. I ll just live vicariously through your blog.
@John: 'If you have to ask, it's probably too expensive...' 🙂
Off season 4 nights in a suite at Amangani for $3,200 as a part of the 'Adventures in the wild' package.
Or, you could stay at a Motel 6 (like) property in Jackson for $80 / night. Or something nicer for $150 - $300 / night.
Which is the better price?
Completely dependent upon who is buying and what they value...
http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusivesfullview.aspx?id=1852&LangType=1033
I notice on the menu it says gov't tax and service charge are not included in the listed price. When I was in Bali I noticed that all the hotel restaurants added this 11% gov tax and 10% service charge. When I ate at stand alone restaurants there was never a gov't tax or service charge. Is it just these resort restaurants that charge this 21% or do all restaurants in Bali?
Ben - I could not agree with you more on your write-up. This truly summarizes the Aman experience. It is defintiely har dto convey to people, but one just has to experience on their own to fully understand!
The ultimate is their Bhutan properties where Aman and the country are one. Within their organisation all properties are judged by by how they compare to Bhutan. Here you feel like it's a religious experience in under stated luxury. Bear in mind the country is going to charge you per day as well.
Fellow Amanjunkie here (thanks to you Lucky!)....
I did the same trip as you a few weeks later - 3 days at Amandari, followed by 4 at Amankila (we added an additional night - yep, couldn't leave), followed by a night at Amanusa. Man it was hard to come home from that trip and I haven't stopped thinking about those people ever since. The people that work there are so special - you're right, it feels weird calling it 'service' - I mean, they treated us like family. Also it was my partner's bday while we were there and they pulled out all the stops.
Problem with Amans is that the bar is raised so high now it's hard to go back to anything else. Too bad they don't take points of course 🙂
Also for the OP, I read on Flyertalk's Aman forums that the U.S ones are in no way comparable to the Asian levels.... and I had friends go to the Turks & Caicos one and said the same thing. Such a shame we can't get a 'quick fix' close to home.
Anyway, thanks Lucky for making this trip possible - getting free first class airfare on points at least helped us justify the cost of the trip.
We shockingly didn't spend that much once we were there since so much was included in the package - only the booze was expensive since they have outrageous taxes on that, but if you can keep that in check, the other food and beverage isn't outrageous (especially considering where you are).
Highly recommend any points and miles junkie to take the plunge on this trip if you can swing it - you'll forget what it cost the minute you get there and somehow leave feeling like you got a great 'deal'. Amazing!
Ben, I think your review does a superb job of expressing the Aman experience. Do you know if non guests are welcome at the restaurants and lounges of both Aman Bali properties?
I'm not sure I would want them to know so much about me and my comings and goings. Maybe that's why I prefer serviced apartments and condo rentals when it makes sense. I want to be left alone most of the time.
@ Stuart Falk -- Thanks for the kind words! That's a great question. I have a friend that was staying at a different Aman and went to this one for lunch, but I'm not sure if that was because he was a guest at an Aman or if anyone can. Come to think of it I do remember a Sheraton van at the Aman one day, so I think that anyone can have a meal there, probably. Might be a nice way to get a feel for the vibe of the place.
@ raksiam -- And I think that's perfectly reasonable. It's probably not an experience everyone will love quite as much as I do.
Writing this comment from the Amankila, having been absolutely stunned by the Amandari already. Very much looking forward to the next review..... I will report back on both, lucky!
@ Gunther -- As Simon notes they're in thousands of Rupiah. So if you take off a further zero you'll get pretty close to the price in USD.
My husband and I stayed at Amanjiwo, Amankila, Amanwana, and Amanusa while in Indonesia 4 years ago...and had lunch at Amandari. We were so impressed we've since stayed at the Aman at Summer Palace Beijing, Amangani in Wyoming, Amangiri in Utah, and will be at Amansara in Cambodia and Amanoi in Vietnam in January. Simply put, the review is comensurate with our experience--Aman service makes even the best hotels with FS, Peninsula, Mandarin, etc. seem more like Sheratons. Amans aren't cheap, by any means--their entry room price is usually far more than at the others , but for that you get a LOT. If you appreciate phenomenal service (even when things go wrong, as they still can, the Amans handle it with amazing aplomb and usually well beyond what is necessary, having even refunded nights for small mistakes!)., then Amans are worth it if you can afford it. If you just prefer bigger or more high tech rooms, there are definitely better options with other luxury chains that can give you more space for the buck. We love Peninsulas, but given the choice in Beijing we knew it had to be the Aman. We actually love them so much that we plan future travel based on locations of other Amans. They are absolutely incredible. Even if you can't afford to stay at one, if you are in the vicinity, I highly recommend dropping by for lunch or dinner--which is how we were first introduced to one by having dinner at Amangani in Jackson, WY (while staying at the FS in the Presidential Suite); we've never been back to the FS but have been to the Amangani several times since.
@Bill - totally agree with your assessment on every count! I'm curious (and someone else mentioned above) if you found the U.S Aman properties to be on par with the Asian ones? You said you've been to Amangani several times - so I'm assuming it's just as amazing??
Also in Beijing, what types of special tours/activities did they offer that you took advantage of?
You have described Amandari perfectly, which is not easy to put into words, its how you feel when are there, and difficult to describe, after spending ten day's there I had to be dragged back into the real world, unfortunately!
When using Aman to book your excursions do they rip you on the price as hotels usually do? I always end up booking stuff on my own but I wonder if part of the Aman experience is that they steer you straight when it comes to off-site activities.