Originally Posted by
Kagehitokiri
everything is a tradeoff. if all pool, higher rates. see zoe (and giri?) peak, they could charge even more because they sell out. seems yara sells out a lot too.
FlyingDoctorwu continues to note comparative advantages of nera and (so far) aman
original dolphin plans had (small?) beach pool and zoe style cabanas (and huge main pool) also dropped to 24 pavilions from 36>40
Really wish they had a beach pool.. they do have a very shallow wading pool, almost like a kids pool in front of the restrooms... seems like kind of a wasted space though.. wish they had done something more substantial...
I like room rates starting lower without a private pool.. it gives you something to upgrade into..
Originally Posted by
offerendum
Sure! But with the prices they charge (you need definitively humor) a pool should be included. Sometimes it seems they think they can write every rate on the tag and people will pay. As people pay understandable and I would do it too. But at some point I´m out.
Indeed
I think $1100 is their starting low season rate.. maybe I'm jaded, maybe I'm out of touch but I don't think that that's a terrible starting rate for a new build Aman... I think Amanyara starts more...
Originally Posted by
zigzag
So glad to read your report. When you walked down the beach did you eat at the local place that serves you on the beach and which person did Aman recommend? Did you look at Playa Grande Beach Club(
http://www.playagrandebeachclub.com/) when you were down at that end? I have been on that beach many times and the ocean does lay down often and is flat and calm.
Did they really do the swan towel on the bed at turn down? I learned that in 1980's hotel school and just hated it. I loved that Amanresorts did not do the type of thing they teach in Swiss hotel schools. I hope table tents are not coming soon in the bar.
Lounge chairs around the pool, are they set up with towels and cushions, or do you arrive at the pool and they bring that out? How bout around your suite pool, do they set up your lounge chairs with towels?
we dd walk all the way down there... Amanera didn't recommend any place in particular but we ate at #20 (are there really different restaurants, or different guys selling from same restaurant).. it was quite good; however, the beach vendors were pretty aggressive.... we didn't go back into the Playa Grande Club though.. Good to hear about the ocean sometimes laying flat...
The swan towels were one night for our "romantic turn down" I know it's a little cliche and cheesy but it's also cute in that retro kind of way.. Do note that Amanyara also did the same for their romantic turn down as well..
Originally Posted by
mike_la_jolla
That's what we experienced also. This is why the GMs at 'Yara import the help from 'Pulo et al. But I wouldn't use the word 'horrible'. I would use the phrase 'non-existent' to describe the service. I'd also add 'sneering'.
The problem at 'Yara is similar to Bora Bora. There just isn't enough population base to staff the resorts properly at the pay the resorts can pay.
Off topic: Did they get the flies under control at 'Yara?
Maybe I misspoke about the service at Amanyara; I think your description is much better..
It seems like there are less (maybe zero?) resorts nearby Amanera; maybe that will halp them have less competition (plus maybe their attitudes want get tainted...)
Originally Posted by
chinmoylad
Yea especially with the regular crowd. Know a few who used to do Amanyara multiple times each year - now they've all switched over to Amanera.
I can see why.. hard product at Amanera is leaps and bounds past Amanyara; plus it does seem to be actually cheaper for what you get... impossible almost to get a view of the ocean and a pool at Amanyara
Originally Posted by
Pausanias
I immediately spotted the 'swans' on the bed and the petals in the bath - amazingly tacky stuff and not Aman at all. I also thought some of the food looked a bit iffy. Otherwise a nice-looking property and thanks for the thoughtful report and photos.
Yeah it was a little over the top... the "romantic turndown"... but a nice gesture... Lunch and breakfast food was the best; dinner only ok (and the iffy looking photos is probably my phone)...
FDW