First Bali Trip - Hotel Recommendations? Amex FHR vs other? (Consolidated)
Nov 10, 2016, 1:39 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
One thing I would point out about mixing Amans with non-Amans:
A few years ago, my wife and I stayed at Amanjiwo and then went to FS Sayan. We really enjoyed FS Sayan, and had a great villa and in the abstract, I am sure it is a quiet hotel. But having come from an Aman, it almost seemed like a standard Hawaiian hotel for the first few days given how many people were always arriving and leaving, all the honeymooners, etc.
Now this was August so it may have been more crowded than when you are going, and Amanjiwo may be quieter than the other Amans, but just something to think about. You may want to do a non-Aman first.
A few years ago, my wife and I stayed at Amanjiwo and then went to FS Sayan. We really enjoyed FS Sayan, and had a great villa and in the abstract, I am sure it is a quiet hotel. But having come from an Aman, it almost seemed like a standard Hawaiian hotel for the first few days given how many people were always arriving and leaving, all the honeymooners, etc.
Now this was August so it may have been more crowded than when you are going, and Amanjiwo may be quieter than the other Amans, but just something to think about. You may want to do a non-Aman first.
Nov 10, 2016, 6:08 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Thanks again all for the insights and recommendations.
Is full board often negotiable at these resorts? ( haven't seen it mentioned in any advertised packages ) If so, is it something the travel adviser should attempt to organize or should I contact the GM directly with a cash offer? Just trying to understand the ins and outs of the Aman hotels as each experience seems highly tailored to each individuals tastes.
Thanks All
Is full board often negotiable at these resorts? ( haven't seen it mentioned in any advertised packages ) If so, is it something the travel adviser should attempt to organize or should I contact the GM directly with a cash offer? Just trying to understand the ins and outs of the Aman hotels as each experience seems highly tailored to each individuals tastes.
Thanks All
He knows my " handle "
No need for any cash offers !!
This is Aman , not your run of the mill 5 :-: s
Breakfast & dinner should suffice for meals , plus lunch will " eat " into excursions time
. Usually too stuffed from breakfast to think of food till tea time . When there are complimentary kuih & cookies , etcetera on offer .. Yummy Just note that it maybe difficult to stay at non Amans after , will have to temper expectations when you do ..
Nov 11, 2016, 12:44 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I am not sure that sure, at least not on room rate (but food price was comparable, from memory).
Let's analyse two scenarios, using January as benchmark:
Scenario 1:
2 nights at Amanusa, 3 nights at Amankila, 3 nights at Amandari
Rates used: Undiscovered Indonesia
Total cost: $4,840 (605$ per night)
Scenario 2:
2 nights at Amanusa, 3 nights at Amankila, 3 nights at Four Seasons Sayan in Ubud
Rates used: Undiscovered Indonesia for Aman, third night free for FS Sayan
Total cost: $4,477 (605$ per night at Aman, 484$ per night at FS)
Conclusion: total room rate is lower when replacing Amandari with FS Sayan.
Let's analyse two scenarios, using January as benchmark:
Scenario 1:
2 nights at Amanusa, 3 nights at Amankila, 3 nights at Amandari
Rates used: Undiscovered Indonesia
Total cost: $4,840 (605$ per night)
Scenario 2:
2 nights at Amanusa, 3 nights at Amankila, 3 nights at Four Seasons Sayan in Ubud
Rates used: Undiscovered Indonesia for Aman, third night free for FS Sayan
Total cost: $4,477 (605$ per night at Aman, 484$ per night at FS)
Conclusion: total room rate is lower when replacing Amandari with FS Sayan.
Also, entry level accommodation at FS Sayan, while nice, is not comparable to any of the suites at Amandari. You would have to go up to a villa at FS Sayan to make an even comparison, which would be more expensive.
Nov 11, 2016, 4:02 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
I recentyl stayed at the Ritz Carlton Mandapa and really like it. The resort has very good facilities and service is near impeccable.
Nov 11, 2016, 5:18 am
#20
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
Thanks again all for the insights and recommendations.
Is full board often negotiable at these resorts? ( haven't seen it mentioned in any advertised packages ) If so, is it something the travel adviser should attempt to organize or should I contact the GM directly with a cash offer? Just trying to understand the ins and outs of the Aman hotels as each experience seems highly tailored to each individuals tastes.
Thanks All
Is full board often negotiable at these resorts? ( haven't seen it mentioned in any advertised packages ) If so, is it something the travel adviser should attempt to organize or should I contact the GM directly with a cash offer? Just trying to understand the ins and outs of the Aman hotels as each experience seems highly tailored to each individuals tastes.
Thanks All
Nov 11, 2016, 5:22 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: No program whatsoever
Posts: 284
If you read my posts, you will find the answers to your questions.
Pasting below for your reference.
Last edited by 0bsidian; Nov 11, 2016 at 5:29 am
Nov 11, 2016, 7:20 am
#22
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
I recall food prices at FS being higher than at Aman, enough to swing it accounting for the above as well.
I calculated my stay when I did 3 nights at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay vs 3 nights at Amankila. There wasn't much in it, but Aman was marginally cheaper accounting for everything we did/consumed/ate etc.
Perhaps if you add in 3 nights at Sayan vs Amanusa/Amandari it works out in FS's favour, especially if they're running 3rd/4th night free offers.
With time, I've grown fonder of Amandari and now consider it to be severly underrated, but I do think depending on what you're looking for, there are better options in Ubud so you're probably right on that; particularly if hard product is a key concern.
Having said that, doing the entire trip with Amans is part of the charm in how seamlessly they execute it.
Nov 14, 2016, 7:29 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I agree. My only problem with it these days is the food, but then you can always go up the road and dine at GLOW at COMO Shamhala - still the best food in Ubud.
Nov 14, 2016, 7:52 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: No program whatsoever
Posts: 284
I wouldn't choose Amandari over FS at gunpoint, but hey, different strokes for different folks.
Has anyone stayed at Mandapa? Especially curious about service, since hard product looks gorgeous.
Last edited by 0bsidian; Nov 14, 2016 at 8:18 am
Nov 14, 2016, 10:50 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
DPS airport has restarted VIP service again?
chedi club ubud remains at lower starting rate
0bsidian, some dates FS is more than aman
unless aman goes dynamic, this remains true
even aman tokyo is only semi dynamic rates
recent comparison i did in another thread >
chedi club ubud remains at lower starting rate
0bsidian, some dates FS is more than aman
unless aman goes dynamic, this remains true
even aman tokyo is only semi dynamic rates
recent comparison i did in another thread >
Nov 15, 2016, 12:52 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
VIP was not available at DPS for several years, was discussed here
buying VIP is like buying insurance, some of us dont like queues, and arent in row 1 F
(i was told on FT no problem at GVA, i waited a while (i flew Y) wished i'd done VVIP)
buying VIP is like buying insurance, some of us dont like queues, and arent in row 1 F
(i was told on FT no problem at GVA, i waited a while (i flew Y) wished i'd done VVIP)
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 15, 2016 at 1:22 pm