Originally Posted by
alpinecow
Stayed at Aman Tokyo in Sep 2015 w/wife and infant daughter. Experience was good on most points, but there was one big service miss (already posted a review on TripAdvisor, but thought this forum might be interested in more details). Having stayed at Jiwo, Yara, and Sveti Stefan, I would put Tokyo near the bottom of the pack for Amans, and at the top of the pack for price.
I've said repeatedly that the Amanresort model doesn't work or stand out as well in urban locations where there is far more competition with numerous high end luxury hotel options also offering great design and service. The Aman specialty is providing outstanding service in an authentic architectural luxury property showcasing the local culture in a way that differentiates it from other top luxury hotels. The Aman high price points were better justified by the outrageously high service levels, along with the fact that there were no other luxury properties that could compete or even come close in remote locations. That isn't true in urban locales; it is far more true in the original remote outposts that Aman capitalized on for much of its history.
Aman has only 2 ways to improve in this regard to not lose its market niche in the urban retreats it wishes to create:
(1) Truly improve service and restaurant levels to an outlandish level in its urban retreats. If Aman wants to charge its outrageous rates in city properties, it needs to offer something truly more impressive than its luxury peers like Pen, MO, FS, RC, and StR. Having truly top-rated restaurants would put its F&B on a level that better justifies its rates. Having truly top-drawer service would further justify its rates.
Right now, having a beautiful property is not sufficient in city locations. Beijing, Tokyo, and Venice don't necessarily justify their higher rates IMO. Remote outposts do.
(2) Make the entry rates for urban retreats to be more competitive with other luxury hotels in the same cities. Demand for Aman's urban retreats now seems largely based on Amanjunkies seeking the Aman experience in new locations and the typical luxury guest seeking to impress by virtue of staying at "the most expensive" property. This won't last IMO. As more and more people realize that the Aman urban retreat model is overpriced, more and more Amanjunkies will turn to the better priced luxury alternatives. That hurts the Aman brand.
I understand Aman wanting to expand its brand to urban locations where far more luxury travelers visit. But Aman risks hurting its brand if it cannot differentiate itself in those urban centers. Thus far, Aman hasn't impressed me yet in any. Venice thus far seems the most (and perhaps only) appealing option of the urban retreats, but even there the other luxury options cost substantially less and seem to offer as much or even more luxury bang for the buck.