Bali and Beyond 2014 (extensive review of Amandari) -- Combined thread
Apr 9, 2014, 3:17 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
First-rate report - if I were doing that trip, and I have done it, I might find 3 Amans in a row a bit samey and if there isn't much of a choice at BOROBUDUR (let's nail that spelling to the teak floor, shall we?) there is in Bali.
I must say, when I saw the title to the report - Bali and Beyond - I thought, crikey, someone here has gone to Flores or Maluku or even Papua!
Thanks again for writing in such detail.
I must say, when I saw the title to the report - Bali and Beyond - I thought, crikey, someone here has gone to Flores or Maluku or even Papua!
Thanks again for writing in such detail.
I was worried about doing 3 Amans in a row... but I was also worried about being disappointed by not being at an Aman... and as you can tell from the report; it wasn't the samey one bit... and looking back I wouldn't have done it any other way. One thing that I liked that I didn't mention is that the Amans aren't flashy or conspicuous at all... I've seen pics/reports of the St. Regis... it looks a bit over the top... Places like that aren't my style... I did want to try the Chedi club, if only to get my laundry done....
Thank you so much for your wonderful report and pictures. Brings back lots of good memories. I really want to go back to Amanjiwo one day, have such good memories (have been back to Bali several times), but there are just so many Amans.... (Amangiri this summer, Amanfayun this October and then the Indian Amans in March next year which will mean 17 Amans for us after these trips are finished). Once you get started....
What worth thinking about?
Thanks All!
FDW
Apr 9, 2014, 3:45 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,439
Great report and photos. I love Bali away from the hordes - it's remarkably untouched in various parts of the island once you get away from the main roads - of course if you want to see the main temples like Besakih you will have endure other people but i found most of the vistors there were Balinese observing their religious rites.
I haven't been to Yogja for many years - time to back soon I think. Did you also go to Prambanan?
I haven't been to Yogja for many years - time to back soon I think. Did you also go to Prambanan?
Apr 9, 2014, 10:40 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
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Sounds a bit far for just 5 nights. What about trying Amanruya instead? I guess the temperatures there are getting OK around Easter and the private pool villas are heated.
Apr 9, 2014, 12:10 pm
#21
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Apr 9, 2014, 6:36 pm
#23
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Apr 9, 2014, 6:48 pm
#24
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Nice report. For me personally I do not see anything that would justify the price that the AMAN properties charge. I have cruised on the worlds best rated luxury cruises and they included everything for a less per diem then the Aman properties.
I am going to Bali in June and looking forward to it even though I won't be at the AMAN properties.
I am going to Bali in June and looking forward to it even though I won't be at the AMAN properties.
Apr 9, 2014, 6:51 pm
#25
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Apr 9, 2014, 6:55 pm
#26
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Apr 9, 2014, 7:04 pm
#27
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What she said! Lovely.
Interesting that you remember the stairs at Amanjiwo. I do recall there being some, especially going up to the main building from our room, but it doesn't stand out as having been excessive, even though I was recovering from an ACL injury.
My memory of Amankila, on the other hand, is that it's sort of set into the side of the seacliffs, and it seems as if everything is up a steep path or a set of stairs! Totally worth it though!
My memory of Amankila, on the other hand, is that it's sort of set into the side of the seacliffs, and it seems as if everything is up a steep path or a set of stairs! Totally worth it though!
Apr 9, 2014, 8:14 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
Great report and photos. I love Bali away from the hordes - it's remarkably untouched in various parts of the island once you get away from the main roads - of course if you want to see the main temples like Besakih you will have endure other people but i found most of the vistors there were Balinese observing their religious rites.
I haven't been to Yogja for many years - time to back soon I think. Did you also go to Prambanan?
I haven't been to Yogja for many years - time to back soon I think. Did you also go to Prambanan?
It was an incredible experience... but well worth it...
What she said! Lovely.
Interesting that you remember the stairs at Amanjiwo. I do recall there being some, especially going up to the main building from our room, but it doesn't stand out as having been excessive, even though I was recovering from an ACL injury.
My memory of Amankila, on the other hand, is that it's sort of set into the side of the seacliffs, and it seems as if everything is up a steep path or a set of stairs! Totally worth it though!
Interesting that you remember the stairs at Amanjiwo. I do recall there being some, especially going up to the main building from our room, but it doesn't stand out as having been excessive, even though I was recovering from an ACL injury.
My memory of Amankila, on the other hand, is that it's sort of set into the side of the seacliffs, and it seems as if everything is up a steep path or a set of stairs! Totally worth it though!
Nice report. For me personally I do not see anything that would justify the price that the AMAN properties charge. I have cruised on the worlds best rated luxury cruises and they included everything for a less per diem then the Aman properties.
I am going to Bali in June and looking forward to it even though I won't be at the AMAN properties.
I am going to Bali in June and looking forward to it even though I won't be at the AMAN properties.
I think that the hardest thing to explain to people is why it's worth spending all this money to stay at Aman... I really didn't get it before I did it... but I read all these trip reports and part of the whole process was a bit of a leap of faith.... and, I was expecting to be disappointed... but the trip met and exceeded all my lofty expectations.... There's a certain jeune ne sais quoi about Aman... but je sais maintenant....
FDW
Apr 9, 2014, 8:45 pm
#29
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Apr 9, 2014, 8:59 pm
#30
formerly known as deathscar
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Where will you be staying, out of interest?