Originally Posted by
BESVISOR
Yeah, not sure why and really can't even put a finger on it but the room just didn't do it for us. We were just in the entry Superior room but I toured all the other suites and feelings remain the same. But that's just me and I'm a flawed being
I completely get your perspective in that NA Aman resorts should be comp. to other brands' NA resorts (and not Asian Amans)...but part of me also think a global brand is responsible to find ways to ensure global consistency as well. There's a reason for loyalty in a brand. Which is knowing no matter where you land in the world, you can expect the same consistent level in hard and soft products. But I understand why that's unrealistic....then again, this is the brand's problem, shouldn't be the customer's. Amankila was our first Aman, we fell in love with it and just used it as the benchmark ever since. Honestly, being a Travel Agent, I hate telling clients (whom have never heard of Amans) how great Aman can be and how much we love it but only to follow up with, ohh, please don't hold that expectations for the NA ones, though.
Have no idea if any of this is making sense to anyone aside from me...
p.s. in addition to St. Regis SFO, I added 1 night at FS (unfortunately, not in the renovated rooms) and 1 at Ritz Carlton as well....just to get a feel for the land. Dec 25 - 29, and Jan 1...If you're around, would love to meet and trade some stories. Can't decide if Benu is worth the splurge or not...have you been? if so, would love to hear your feedback!
I think you make sense to most people on here, actually. I’m the outlier.
I thought Amangani and Amangiri were both outstanding. Our service and food/beverage at Amangiri was comparable to that of our stay earlier this year at the more commonly lauded (and Asian) Amanbagh. Our service and food/beverage at Amangani was comparable to anything we had in Asia, though not as outrageous as Amanjiwo or maybe Amansara.
Just as some people romanticize their experiences with a spouse after they die (they could do no wrong...forgetting the times they did them wrong!), I think some people convince themselves that Asian Aman service is always inherently better. And while it often is...it isn’t always. And in case anyone hasn’t noticed, higher occupancy at Aman has always left people feeling that service wasn’t quite as amazing. I think some people are so used to going to Asian Amans that are at moderate to low occupancy and comparing them to N American Amans that usually are at high to full occupancy that they don’t realize their mistake. Apples to oranges.
I also think Asia seems more exotic to some people...and so they judge Asian destinations differently. N America isn’t so exotic to most. I think this matters more than many are willing to admit.
Also, the staff at a N American Aman doesn’t think it’s beneath you and/or isn’t grateful for a minimum wage to serve you as can be true in many Asian Aman locales. Any wonder why the service at Aman Tokyo and Aman Venice leaves so many feeling cold?
Aman Summer Palace wasn’t as hot for service but they recovered wonderfully—but they were at half occupancy (and still didn’t upgrade us).
Amangiri treated us Iike gold and had no hiccups really—despite being at 100% occupancy. Amangani treated us like gold and had no hiccups really—despite being almost at 100% occupancy. I’d say you can get amazing service that Aman is proud of at N American Amans. Maybe not always....but anyone reading reviews of Asian Amans recently isn’t paying attention if they haven’t noticed a change there in Asia.
P.S. I sent you a PM about SF.