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.