Amankila , still the best in Bali !

100   Recommended
Pool suite
September 17, 2022 by EXPERT

 Map | 14 Reviews | 57% Recommended
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Amankila
 Map | 14 Reviews | 57% Recommended

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Pool suite

Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats
Room
Pool suite


Pleased & relieved that Bali borders are open for us to return to our Kila home

 

 

Preamble

After having to abort our usual August stay , pre 2020 as yours truly ' s passport renewal took longer than usual , we managed to sandwich a visit to Bali between 2 Saturday weddings :)

As mentioned in another review upthread and quoted below , we paired our stay with Soori Bali but stopping by for tea at Dari enroute to Kila and also Aman Villas at Nusa Dua enroute to DEN after , nothing like delaying one ' s departure by hanging out at an AMAN :)

It is always quite a joy to catch up with Aman GMs ;) ..
 

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34594510-post308.html

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34600500-post309.html

Transferring from one to another

We went to Dari in our now favourite new Soori MPV to Dari and switched to Amankila ' s fairly new SUV from Dari to Kila 
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The usual cold towels were offered and our snacks were by us in the familiar Kila glass containers along with cold water in glass bottles ( thankfully the local ones like before & not the prevailing AMANs branded fad .. need to support local . So distressing so many shops shuttered along the way 

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Pre arrival , welcome and check in

They were a few pre arrival hiccups , very annoying emails which came from what we gather  corporate - these were duly ignored . One of these was asking for preferences like for first time visitors to Amankila . Fancy not checking their records - HQ really still has not improved or have an understanding how things are on the ground , imperative for them to step on it .   Cheapens their standing 

We were very warmly welcomed , thankfully by many of the long time Kila family members - like 30 years - and also the new GM Akira S .. What a relief it was to see them again .

While someone rushed to do in suite check in and for a Zoom meeting , one could savour the view across to Nusa Penida beyond the 3 tiered pools - spectacular all .

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Thrilled to be home & relieved to see all is " intact "

Boutique / gallery

Enroute to our suite , did a little detour to check in on long time team member & staff . Sadly , there are now 2 young girls who are fresh to Kila & seemingly to what the gallery has to offer .. our long trusted team member unable to return since Kila " closed " .

Thankfully , one can still browse for local artisanal items though much has disappeared in recent years .. swamped with " A " stuff :(  , needless to say , somewhat " unAMAN " .. YMMV  .

 

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and the local :)

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One of a kind bag made from bark !
Handcrafted dominoes set

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Candles and chiku seeds saved for me :)

Tea time !

Actually , the first detour was to the bar where tea time goodies are now instead of poolside by the library  .. would normally be a deterrent as hanging out by the pool is more like it or even the library rather than the bar at 4 pm !

 

But the team can always deliver the coffee , ginger lemongrass tea  or tea to " wherever " ;)

Young ladies ready to serve the day ' s offerings 

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Today ' s : almond cookies , choux puff , banana in pastry an ondeh ondeh 

Pool suite

Though occupancy was only about 50 % , all the pool suites were taken ! As our stay was somewhat last minute , glad we as least manage to the last one , though not one of the newer ones . We stayed in this suite many times before the newer pool suites " materialised " ;)

 

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Just for fun , Kila team provided this huge water melon float when asked what large floats were available  .. am sure they have a store of a range of " floatables " . Will check them out on next stay !

The suite

As many reviews have been done , just a few photos 

The welcome mangosteen drink / sorbet and fruits .

Basket of snacks from Soori which travelled with us & GM Astrid said to keep the basket as a souvenir ;)


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Our AMANJunkie Ts were placed on the bed on arrival this time rather than on the last night :)

 

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Like that mosquito nets are still unfurled at turndown even though there weren't any mosquitoes or bugs . Might be a different story during full moon though . Or if one loves leaving the doors & windows wide open without the screens in place , there is always the possibility ..

One has the option of keeping the mosquito net up too .

 

Bath and “ snacks “ area


This is also our back up holding area 

Having technical issues , especially adding photos when even able to enter to the edit function , again .. 

 

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Bath salts provided as usual but now bubble bath is possible too without having to bring my own ;) , but the bottle could do with some replenishment  ..

The meals & in betweens

Although Kila was only partially opened , only to those in Indonesia the past almost 3 years , the chefs have not only maintained her standards but have even improved and exceeded the already high levels from before !

Extremely pleased and pleasantly thrilled as we were concerned as they are without an executive chef on the team for awhile now .

Breakfasts ..

As mentioned , the meals & breakfasts included , were phenomenal . Although the menu looked pared down , it actually is not .. perhaps it is the font used or whatever format now .

As usual , had off menu items , something the Indon AMANs & other AMANs take not only in their stride but also excel at delivering these requests .

A selection of photos from 2 breakfasts & beond .. of what was enjoyed 

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The chiku is " out of season " but the team managed to deliver some !

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Here is the Amankila sunrise along with iced latte 

Delicious homemade jams and marmalade .

The baked eggs are " off menu " but from the former Amanusa one which they know yours truly really likes .. with avocado , bacon & spinach 

 

Breakfasts are long and stretch to lunch time especially when one does not make it down to the Beach Club  .. then indulging in chocolate soufflé ( dessert for the day ;) ) with dark chocolate ice cream is possible !!  One really has to plan the consumption for the day 

Dinners , megibung, ..

We always enjoy our meals at Kila , no babi guling to ourselves this time , only so much one should indulge in a brief stay .. plus our friends could not join us for a meal

 

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Nasi kuning with favourite lamb & sautéed young spinach , one of the simplest dinner we have had at Kila

Dark chocolate ice cream and tiramisu 

 

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Sup buntut 

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Megibung :) 

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The " local " lobster 


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Kueh dadar and mangosteen sorbet 

“ Spa treatments “

Spa treatments are available in the spa suite until the wellness centre materialises or in suite .  Looking forward to the dedicated spa facilities upslope from the beach next year .

 

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Looking down at the fresh flowers & potpourri for the day


 
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After spa treats & lemongrass ginger tea

The beach & ..

Pleased that possibly a first time late afternoon early evening bale lie in happened as the usual morning ones were missed after those long drawn breakfasts .

 It was " cool " and there was no one else on the beach as it looked as if it was going to  rain but held off .

Had the pleasure to see some of what is in store in the months to come .

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Some hanging bed which is being worked on .

Large volcanic basalt boulders are now shoring up where high tides now reach - first noted the exposed tree routes during Kila ' s 25 the anniversary celebrations 
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Note the yoga pavilion behind 
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The yoga pavilion lit in the evening , seen from the lawn by the Beach Club

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Many of the bales are now set up higher with steps 
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The beach with a few ships in view
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View from the bale

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Iced water with lemon slices 

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Beach shower area

Beach Club & surroundings


The Beach Club has been refreshed , the new kitchen ( s ) and dining area are all ready as are the showers . The restrooms should be by end September , all spanking new in October . 
 

Did not swim in the Beach Club pool this visit .

 

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Walking to the Beach Club from the beach
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Oops , sorry , messed up the pool photo .

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All cleaned up - even the pigs !


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The showers and restrooms area
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Peeked in a restroom which was being used to store stuff for the works .

Service & ..

Well , one can always count on AMANs to pick up pieces , either of other hotels , shops  , third parties or even another AMAN .

This , generally , is what disguishes AMANs from other top hotels , now that the new AMANs locations are not distinctive .

 

Thankfully , KILA still has many long serving team members . Sadly , there has been some attrition from what the world has been through these last 3 years along with health & post logistics supply chain issues ,  and whatnots . 
 

But she has weathered the worst and seems to be picking up steam again after being partially " closed " being open to only the domestic market .

More young ones in their 20s are now being " trained " by the seniors so hopefully , 30 years of experience , will be infused into them . AMANs DNA .. even the new GM will find this advantageous .

One remains optimistic as the young ones - both in age and those new to Kila / AMANs - did drop the ball a few times .

Yes , critical to be open and teacheable - these are the ones AMANs have to continue to bring on the team .. 

Overall

It has been awhile since we were in this pool suite . Pleased that improvements have been made , though somewhat perhaps too gradually this past decade ( one must remember this is Bali where the pace is generally more laid back ;) ) , and subtly incorporated into the overall classic interior with more gadget / " technological " to come . Lovely that one gets a sense of place staying at Kila unlike some other luxury hotels .. 

How we have matured together these 30 years or so !


The library & lounging area remains a refuge if it does rain . Liked it when tea was served outside on the steps . The lone computer / printer is no longer on the desk .

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The TV lounge area is relatively " new "

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Mt Agung from KILA ! - seen from close to former Kila helipad & now optional breakfast spot .
She has changed some through the years from blowing her top ;)

Odds and ends

Am really excited that when we return , God willing , as usual in ' 23 . The Wellness Centre will be ready - soft opening ? The Villas should be well underway too , if no other provincial hiccups happen .

Since the earthquake & volcanic eruptions , more tankers & vessels have taken shelter in the bay fronting Kila . Quite beautiful at night with the twinkling lights ( not so nice in the day ) along with those across at the more developed Nusa Penida .

Discussions are being held with vessel owners to drop anchor elsewhere - fingers crossed , no other natural disasters too .

Loathed leaving .. & dragged on a little more by a visit to the gallery but it was not kosher to keep GM Akira S & team waiting in the lobby .

The icing on cake was fitting in a brief tea with Michel B at Aman Villas at Nusa Dua , pleased that he had just returned to Bali and timing was perfect .

 

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The team there came to the rescue too - finishing the tagging , etc of " crates " done at Soori & completely redone at Kila  :) .. AMANs teamwork !

Kila & Aman Villas at Nusa Dua pairing ..

While a stay at Aman Villas at Nusa Dua was not possible this year , we look forward in much anticipation to returning next year after Kila & back to our AMANs pairing along with .. we shall see as more planning as ' 22 rolls on into ' 23


This villa or will it be our usual ?

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Till August ' 23 :)

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