Luxury Hotels - Best way to book Amanyara TCI

Through an agent, their website, some other website, or call them?

If an agent, can anyone recommend one?

Thanks.

Price is always going to be the same (unless someone knows something I don't, in which case they should jump in).

So you are really looking at packages, freebies, potential upgrades, etc. I would start by seeing what the Aman website lists for "exclusives" and compare that to what a Virtuoso agent might be able to offer you.

I booked Amanyara through Amex FHR...mainly for the upgrade. You get a 60 min massage too. Oceanfront pavillions are very nice !

Thank you for info Ericka

Through an agent, their website, some other website, or call them?

If an agent, can anyone recommend one?

Thanks.

I get 10% discount booking directly with the sri lanka central reservations. I have never asked for it but it seems to be part of my profile. I don't know, it may be because we were one of the first ones to visit Amanpuri when it first opened (don't calculate the years - it's scary!)

I get 10% discount booking directly with the sri lanka central reservations. I have never asked for it but it seems to be part of my profile. I don't know, it may be because we were one of the first ones to visit Amanpuri when it first opened (don't calculate the years - it's scary!)

Really? 10% off? I've booked through them before with no such discount. Now I use David O, as Virtuoso agents enable free breakfast, room upgrades and other amenities. I wouldn't book an Aman any other way.

I prefer to book directly. As a first time guest I book through the reservations department by telephone or email. Otherwise, if I have a contact at a hotel or resort I usually contact that person directly.

I find Aman's reservations departments, unlike many other hotels and resorts, to be a pleasure to deal with. All of my questions are thoroughly answered, and information about packages, rates, and activities have been promptly emailed to me. I feel no need to book through a third party.

I book through a Virtuoso agent and usually get some nice perks . have never booked directly with them.

Virtuoso Amenities currently offered at Amanyara are:

*upgrade upon arrival (if available)
* daily continental breakfast for 2 served in restaurant or in room
* a la carte lunch for 2 once per stay

Now I use David O, as Virtuoso agents enable free breakfast, room upgrades and other amenities. I wouldn't book an Aman any other way.
you forgo the additional harper amenity? (matches amex cent, beats V and amex plat)

I find Aman's reservations departments, unlike many other hotels and resorts, to be a pleasure to deal with. All of my questions are thoroughly answered, and information about packages, rates, and activities have been promptly emailed to me. I feel no need to book through a third party.
ive had one issue with aman central reservations. also como's NY office.
even though virgin's NY office didnt know everything, they didnt guess.
ive not had fun dealing with non management... i dont like wasting time with people who dont know what theyre talking about. and my time is a lot less valuable than (all?) the regulars here.
and have had issues with management level since then.

personally, 3rd party if upgrade (and maybe if breakfast depending)

there are other extensive discussions/threads on booking, even specifically regarding aman

Virtuoso Amenities currently offered at Amanyara are:

*upgrade upon arrival (if available)
* daily continental breakfast for 2 served in restaurant or in room
* a la carte lunch for 2 once per stay

Welcome to FT, KimberlyH.

I find Aman's reservations departments, unlike many other hotels and resorts, to be a pleasure to deal with. All of my questions are thoroughly answered, and information about packages, rates, and activities have been promptly emailed to me. I feel no need to book through a third party.

I am trying to make a reservation for next September.
In 2 days it's already my fourth email and after having written three times that dates were in September I have received a confirmation for August...:mad:
Don't they read before answering?
Even the rate they confirmed is wrong.

I am trying to make a reservation for next September.
In 2 days it's already my fourth email and after having written three times that dates were in September I have received a confirmation for August...:mad:
Don't they read before answering?
Even the rate they confirmed is wrong.

That is a shame. Have you contacted management? They should be able to handle your reservation personally, and hopefully address the issue with the reservations department.

I guess I have just been lucky with the people I have dealt with in my relatively limited experience (mostly Amanpuri and the Indonesian Amans). I have not had good experiences with Aman's central reservations center in Sri Lanka.

At several hotels (never an Aman) I have canceled reservations and stayed elsewhere as a result of bad service in the reservation process.

I have not had good experiences with Aman's central reservations center in Sri Lanka.
Several times I have canceled reservations and stayed elsewhere as a result of bad service in the reservation process.

Indeed the two people I exchanged emails with are from Sri Lanka, I didn't know it was their central reservation center.
I will call directly next Friday if situation is not clarified by then.

PS: it's ok, reservation is now confirmed! ;)

In my (limited) experience I have found that the Aman reservation in Sri Lanka is better on the phone than by e-mail. I would make the first contact by calling.

Also, I think that the Aman "Exclusives" can be quite a good deal. Does anyone know if they are also available if booked through a TA? Can they be "doubled up" with other perks?

Aman Exclusives can be booked through a TA but technically cannot be combined with other offers/amenities. Best to do a comparison to see which is the better deal & let the TA book in hopes of getting some additional perk.

The Aman Bali & Beyond (http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusivesfullview.aspx?id=11988&LangType=1033) package 100% includes the Virtuoso lunch at each resort (except Amanwana which is full board) and possible upgrade on arrival.

The Aman Bali & Beyond (http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusivesfullview.aspx?id=11988&LangType=1033) package 100% includes the Virtuoso lunch at each resort (except Amanwana which is full board) and possible upgrade on arrival.

Is this true of Amex FHR too or just virtuoso?

Is this true of Amex FHR too or just virtuoso?

you'd have to ask Amex that... your call will be placed in priority sequence ;)

Welcome to FT, KimberlyH.

Thanks, glad to be here.

The Aman Bali & Beyond (http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusivesfullview.aspx?id=11988&LangType=1033) package 100% includes the Virtuoso lunch at each resort (except Amanwana which is full board) and possible upgrade on arrival.

If already booking second category (Ocean/Valley/Deluxe) at the Bali properties under a Bali and Beyond package, would upgrades to Pool Suites be possible?

At Amankila is Ocean -> Pool Suite. Amandari is Valley -> Pool Suite. Amanusa Deluxe -> Pool Suite. Those are all one cat upgrades. But on Bali & Beyond you must visit Amanjiwo or Amanwana.

At Amankila is Ocean -> Pool Suite. Amandari is Valley -> Pool Suite. Amanusa Deluxe -> Pool Suite. Those are all one cat upgrades. But on Bali & Beyond you must visit Amanjiwo or Amanwana.

Thank you for the information, those are valuable upgrades. I will be combining the three Bali properties with 5~7 nights at Amanwana, however at Amanwana I will be reserving an Ocean tent, so no upgrade benefit applies.

The lunch benefit also adds value at the three Bali properties.