deer

Gallivanter's is tweeting, that Aman Playa Grande seems to be well on it's way, on the basis of Zechas original concept, with an anticipated opening date in Dec 2015. Good news indeed!

http://twitter.com/gallivanters/stat...18430092591104

Pierre&Cédric

What can we expect? What was the original concept?

deer

In the other thread, Kage indirectly linked an article about Aman Tokyo, where Aman-CEO Olivier Jolivet talked about up to four openings this year, including here well known Amandayan, Aman Playa Grande and, very interestingly, an Amanresort in Shima, Japan.

Whilst we rumored here about a possible Aman in nearby Ise province, the Shima Aman is a completely new mentioning - the more surprising, that he talked about it in the context of "this year".

Regarding Portugal, surprisingly he does not talk about already sketched Amanduna in Comporta, but about one in "Portugal’s Alentejo region".

The six Aman Gabon lodges are still planned for next year. Jolivet: ´A very complex project because we will be operating in some very remote places that at the moment can only be accessed by elephant, so it is taking a bit of time.´

Lastly he talks about plans for "South America" (most likely the Brazil project south of Rio, which seemed nearly completed some time ago and then dissapeared in the fog) and, as frequently quoted lately, the article talks about Aman investor Doronins plans for City Amans in London, New York, Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore.

A very interesting read indeed!

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/2138c...#axzz3P1LoQMX9

chinmoylad

Amanwana has a new cruiser now.

http://www.amanresorts.com/amanwana/amandira.aspx

Kagehitokiri

still charter only (whereas can book a cabin on alila)

deer

Gallivanter's found the following piece about Amanshima:

http://asia.nikkei.com/Japan-Update/...-central-Japan

- Construction underway for opening in 2016.

- Within the premises of already beautiful looking Nemuno Sato Hotel & Resort (http://www.nemunosato.com/en/)

- Mitsui Fudosan, which operates the resort, invited Aman to participate.

- Overlooking Ago Bay off the Pacific

- Low-rise buildings with about a dozen guest rooms each, along with restaurants and other facilities.

- The final name ist not deceided yet (Amanshima is just my nickname for it by now...)

PS: 5 hours by train from Tokyo https://goo.gl/maps/n8ksD

bhrubin

Thanks.

Has anyone on FT been on Amanikan for either Komodo or Raja Ampat expeditions? We've been to Amanwana and had a disappointing dive experience (May 2009) but have salivated over Amanikan (and now Amandira) ever since...perhaps for our 20th anniversary trip or my 50th bday trip in the coming years.

Would also be very interested in a diving quality/overall comparison between FS Explorer in Maldives vs Amanikan if anyone has one.

bhrubin

Lijiang is becoming a VERY crowded tourist trap, so I might recommend not waiting for Aman--since its open date is so unclear. We visited in 2012 and loved it, but it already was increasing vastly in tourists, and friends in China tell me it's gotten much more crowded in the past 2 years.

I did see the Aman construction--lovely spot overlooking the old town. We stayed at the Banyan Tree (which was just OK).

KrazeeJoe

I have been on Amanikan for the Komodo cruise and Alila Purnama for Raja Ampat. I found Raja Ampat has better coral and higher concentration of marine life. You also get the chance to see birds of paradise on West Papua islands. Having said that, I also enjoyed seeing Komodo dragons. You can't go wrong with either places if you are into wildlife.

bhrubin

Thanks for that. How do you compare the experience on board between the Amanikan and Alila Purnama ships?

ngfan

Re: Amanbadu in Jordan
Right, the property itself is ready for business but opening has been postponed due to the security situation in the region. They could open it within 3-4 months notice but they don't expect this to happen within the next 2-3 years unfortunately.

ngfan

Heard that Aman Bora Bora would reopen when the main road close by had been relocated inland away from the resort as it posed a major nuisance to guests. Relocation permit of the road is a political thing and difficult to obtain and maintain in this part of the world After the permit may be given eventually, they expect a re-opening four years later (!)...

Kagehitokiri

thanks ngfan. at least good to hear re amanbadu construction. might be about 10 miles from syrian border. seems about 1 hour from amman.

bawatours

We are told that Amandayan has opened this week.

http://www.amanresorts.com/amandayan/home.aspx

Kagehitokiri