FlyingDoctorwu

At 84 rooms does this make this the largest Aman? It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain service levels given the large size. With the current weakness of the Japanese Yen though this appears to be one of the cheapest Amans in the world....

FDW

Kagehitokiri

84 tokyo
50+8 sveti stefan
51 summer palace
42 fayun

puri has 3 more villas than pavilions
aman with residences have higher max occupancy

dont forget the 22.04% additional fees

old >
current >
im thinking rooms on 4 floors
44 (11 per floor) Deluxe Rooms + Premier Rooms
24 (6 per floor) Suites
12 (3 per floor) Corner Suites
4 (1 per floor) Aman Suite (northwest corner)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/tr...ok-inside.html

FlyingDoctorwu

I think the fees are pretty universal though right?
Aman Tokyo has a 13% service charge, 8% Govt Tax and 200 Yen Tokyo Accommodation tax.

the Indonesian Amans have a 10% service charge and 11% tax. I think that most of the Amans have a combination of service charge and tax that is about the same if I'm not mistaken....

FDW

Kagehitokiri

rate compilation in second half of this post >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post22607265

back to tokyo - staff >

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kullen-o...?trk=pub-pbmap
Kullen Ozaki Chief Concierge since apr 2014
peninsula concierge supervisor aug 2007 - mar 2014

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ryu-ishi...?trk=pub-pbmap
guest assistant supervisor since apr 2014, 5.5 years SL

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kohei-ma...?trk=pub-pbmap
front office manager since nov 2013, 2 years RC okinawa, 3 years SL tokyo

http://jp.linkedin.com/pub/akihisa-s...?trk=pub-pbmap
restaurant manager since mar 2014, past incl 2 years at peninsula

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/yuki-ki...?trk=pub-pbmap
spa manager since jan 2014, past incl 5 years MO, 1 year conrad, 3.5 years GH, 2 years fairmont

http://la.linkedin.com/pub/daichi-ogihara/39/569/515
bell and door since apr 2014, 2 years MO, 1.5 years SL

http://jp.linkedin.com/in/dedyardiansyah
IT manager since oct 2013

also one other management level from peninsula and one other management level from SL

luxury

Aman Tokyo will be a soft opening and inventory is rather limited through most of Q1 2015. Reservations are being accepted online and through Call Centres for stays from 1 March 2015. Before that, you will have to contact the hotel directly.

bhrubin

I still think that Aman's focus should be less on urban retreats and more on the remote and exotic that has been its bread and butter--and where their incredible service and amenities really allow them to shine.

In most cities, Aman will find FAR more competition, even at the high end luxury level, that I believe will hurt its brand. Venice is perhaps the biggest exception, as that is quite the unique locale for an urban location. Beijing's Aman Summer Palace was very nice but a bit disappointing for us, as it just didn't give us quite the same escape feel as we've enjoyed in every other Aman. Future Aman possibilities in NYC, London, Paris, etc. are destined to disappoint us, IMO--since there are plenty of other options providing top drawer service and high end luxury in each city, often for less than the entry price point of a typical Aman (unless Aman prices itself a bit differently as a result).

Kagehitokiri

any aman court updates?

re cities (NYC) >
aman tribeca concept dated jun 23 2009
57 rooms including 2 duplex, hotel pool
curious who commissioned gathy to do it

one factor in any discussion of properties like aman, with really few rooms, is what value one places on having really few rooms, with full facilities/amenities

Richey66

A bit OT, but can someone explain to me, what is so special about Aman, that they are able to charge exorbitant prices, even compared to Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton resorts, etc ? What do they offer, that other uber-luxury hotels do not?

Kagehitokiri

what is the average number of rooms for a Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton

scented

It's a different kind of luxury. More personal, intuitive. Some magazines refer to it as staying in the private residence of a friend, a gracious host. That's PR, but you get the idea. Basically they sell great taste, incredibly high service levels and true hospitality. The rest depends on the individual property and is controversial.

Pierre&Cédric

It is difficult to explain and I was prepared to be disappointed when we finally chose to try an Aman hotel. But it is plenty of little details which make the experience unique. Location, personalised service, food, etc. You feel like you're staying at friends place, with a perfect mix between professional and friendly service, not too formal, not too familiar (especially if you're not in the mood for socialising). We tried only 3 so far: Sveti Stefan (obviously very unique), Zoé when it just opened, and Bagh in India which was out of this world, literally. I can't wait to try Canal Grande and Pulo in March! We also had great stays at FS hotels & resort but there we felt we were paying hotel guests, enjoying services proposed by the hotel. In Aman we were Guests, enjoying services created especially for us. What I like also in Aman is their definition of luxury which excludes bling and 'show-off attitudes'.

bhrubin

We've thus far been to 8 Aman properties (all 5 in Indonesia in 2009, Beijing in 2011, Jackson Hole in 2009 and 2012, and Siem Reap in 2014) and will be at Amangiri in Utah in April 2015.

Amans are special in that:

(1) They are authentic, unique representations of the local architecture and culture. FS and RC and MO and even Peninsula can feel as if you are in the same property almost anywhere, but ALL Amans are distinct, unique, and reflect the places where they are.

(2) They usually have just 30-40 rooms (Venice only has 24 rooms), and still have amenities more comparable to a 100 room 5 star hotel with gyms, spas, pools, restaurants, etc. You pay for that.

(3) Until recently when Aman began opening properties in more urban locales (like Beijing, Venice, and the upcoming Tokyo property), Aman properties are most often located in remote, exotic locales which create their own destination, usually with some UNESCO type scenery or sites nearby as the big draw. There usually are few if any competing luxury hotels in such remote locales, though Bali and Phuket obviously now have tons of competition and yet still are the pinnacle of experience for those. For most Aman destinations, there just isn't anything even remotely comparable in boutique size, architecture, style, and layout, let alone service (see below) to compete with an Aman.

(4) Every room usually is the equivalent of a junior suite or better (Amangani in Jackson and Aman Venice are 2 where I know this isn't true). Better "suites" are more often better situated or have better views or might have private pools, but essentially there is a standard Aman layout among most properties that Amanjunkies like us very much enjoy (and are comforted by!). Even the villas/special suites are usually just combined "suites" with more open space/bigger pools/special pavilions.

(5) Service at an Aman makes a FS or RC feel more like a Sheraton. When errors or problems arise, they acknowledge them without argument and always take care of them in a way that truly makes you know they realize a mistake happened and they want to make up for it...which doesn't happen usually even at most other so-called 5 star properties:
--We had less than optimal air con at Amanwana, so they actually flew in new units and replaced them the very next day, and flew in a portable air con unite and cut a hole in the window to vent it so as to further cool my "tent" to resolve the temperature issue for me (getting it down to 21 C in 30C conditions).
--We had less than great dive conditions at Amanwana and wanted to leave early, so within 30 min of our request to leave early the GM had arranged for us to fly out a day early and stay at Amanusa in the best Amanusa suite for our final night.
--We were bothered by a "window" looking into our Amankila suite, so we asked them to cover it while we went off on a bicycle excursion. We returned to find that the covering didn't satisfy the GM, so they upgraded the only nearby suite and left it unoccupied for the rest of our stay so that no one could possibly bother us or see into your suite at all.
--We had poor breakfast service our first morning at Aman Summer Palace Beijing, so we returned after our day to find the GM waiting for us who offered us a night comp'd plus 2 free dinners and a comp'd bottle of whatever wine we wanted to make up for the error...and then she threw in a free spa treatment for my husband.
--For my birthday eve at Amansara in Siem Reap, we actually went out on the town with the F&B manager and chef whom we'd gotten to know well during our previous 3 days. They also made a birthday cake unbeknownst to and unplanned by either of us and served it to us at a club in town!

(6) They truly and genuinely want to get to know you (if you're open to that, of course) and want you to have the most pleasurable and enjoyable stay and will do whatever you might want or need to make that happen. A couple we'd met at Amankila had requested a special hard-to-find champagne for their anniversary dinner there, which the GM had arranged to be flown in from France!

Amans are expensive, but you are paying for unequaled service in a property that almost never feels like a hotel--even a luxury or 5 star hotel. You are treated like a guest in EVERY way, and if there's anything that you want, they will do it (though you gotta pay a premium for that!). If anything goes wrong, they take care of it--period. Most FS and RC and even MO and Pens don't get it together on that level of absolute superior service. I always say that true service is just as much about correcting mistakes with aplomb when errors necessarily arise, and Aman does this better than anyone else...by a mile.

We know when we go to an Aman that our stay will be expensive, but it will also be extraordinary and that if anything goes wrong, it will be handled. If you don't value service to this level, then perhaps the Aman is not for you. For those of us who do value service at this level, Aman is the perfect example of a destination in and of itself.

Pausanias

I'm not sure that every Aman is special enough to justify the prices. However, some undoubtedly are worth the extra and of the Amans I have been to these are - Amantaka, Amansara and Amanpulo. I think that Amanpuri and all the Bali places are equalled if not surpassed by other hotels in those locations; the competition is simply too great. Obviously Amanjiwo is out on its own in that location, but I've not been there.

I must say that the Amans in Morocco, Montenegro, Venice, Greece, Turkey and Vietnam don't interest me at all.

bhrubin

I agree that not all Amans are special or unique enough to justify the price points. For me, Beijing didn't quite allow us the peace and serenity we associate with Aman, so we'd opt for the Pen or SR or other typically 5 star hotel if we ever were to return. Venice has too much competition for the price point, so we'd get better value at the Gritti Palace being SPG Platinums--and likely comparable service since we're in a city and not spending as much time on property.

Amanjiwo IMO has no equal--it remains the gold standard for us in terms of almost everything. Amanpulo sounds like it has no equal, though I've not been there, but I can't imagine there being another private island anywhere with quite the repertoire of Amanpulo. We loved Amansara, and wouldn't choose anywhere else (even having checked out the much less pricey PH). We wished we could have included Amantaka with Amansara but time didn't allow that--but we definitely plan to visit in the future. Amankora has increased competition from COMO, in particular, but we believe this is still the gold standard in Bhutan.

Again, note that the more out of the way/remote destinations tend to be the Aman strengths where they really stand out from the crowd and offer something spectacular.

I do concede that there is significant competition now in Phuket and Bali, but I still believe that Amankila, in particular, offers the best of more remote Bali.

Amanoi in Vietnam does interest me, but I agree that it offers more of a beach only/short getaway experience, and less of a historical/cultural/UNESCO experience, much like the other properties you noted as being uninteresting. They also rank lower for us insofar as our interest goes.

I'm salivating over Amanoca outside Rio, however--since I love Rio so much and would love to combine them. I'm also salivating over the possible Gabon properties. And, of course, I cannot wait to get to Amangiri.

chinmoylad

I don't travel half as much as some of the members on here, and neither do I have half the money (presumably!). I'd gladly pay for a few nights at Aman and take the dent in my wallet/bank account than stay anywhere else in that destination.

Almost all Amans are very unique, whether in decor, location or the cultural experience it provides. What REALLY distinguishes the Amans from everything else - as many have noted - is that it feels like you're a guest at a very wealthy friend's home, rather than just another hotel client. And that is as much to do with the beautiful, understated manner of the design, almost always incorporating heavy elements of local (luxurious) decor, to its fine, fine service.

Aman will never compete solely on its rooms (its villas are a different matter). And yet, when I'm staying at an Aman, I don't care how 'dated' the room is, nor how it lacks amenities comparable to other hotels. You just sit there (either in your beautiful courtyard or by one of the iconic pools) and let time while away.