Hi All,
Figured i’d write a quick Amankila review. I’ve seen a few reviews from 23’, but I haven’t seen anything super recent.
Background - I have been hemming and hawing about Amankila for the better part of 2-3 years. Each time, something has come up, or work didn’t align, etc (my poor TA), which resulted in two cancellations. Finally was able to book an Infinity Pool Suite (#20) here for 3 nights. The great part is that I was in Amanpuri earlier this year, so I’m happy to be able to have a point of comparison. Please note that I am not as detail oriented as some here on reviews, etc., I just figured i’d give my $.02. The last part is that since I mentioned solo traveling - I come to these places on my own because I have started to help my family and extended family on planning their trips, etc., and many of them are asking about property XYZ, etc, so the best way to actually get info, is to come.
Arrival + Transportation - met at DPS upon exiting the baggage claim area. Spotted the Aman sign, and off we went into the car to Benoa Port, where SGI Air Bali is located. I have never been on a helicopter before (they have always scared me a bit), I didn’t want to deal with what would have been a 2+ hour drive due to rain/traffic, and I didn’t want to sit for that long after 20 hours of flying. So yes, I splurged and booked it. Agus and Mar from Amankila were amazing in setting up all logistics, including helping me pick the best option. Option 1 is DPS - Ulakan Fields (5 min from Kila). Option 2 is Benoa Port to Ulakan Fields. Here’s the kicker - option 1 is TWICE as expensive due to airport parking fees, but if you take the 15 minute drive from DPS to benoa port, you pay 50% less. Note that even with option 1, you still need to take a transfer from DPS to the apron, and its just as long from what i’m told. The only time option 1 makes sense is if you’re flying private, then the transfer is literally walking from jet to helicopter.
Amankila contracts with AirBali. it’s a 12-14 minute flight from Benoa to Ulakan fields. They use a Bell 407 (pilot + 5) and it’s very safe and professional. The lounge at the helipad was nice, and I was there for 15 minutes while they did weight/balance and fueling. The flight path follows the coast from DPS up the eastern coast of bali and then directly over everyone’s favorite oil refinery into Ulakan fields (it’s actually the soccer field for an elementary school).
Ulakan Field
East Bali Coastline
Interior + Snacks and cold water provided.
I think based on my extended family and their preferences, a helicopter transfer is the way to go if coming off a long intl’ flight with connections. In addition, speaking with the managing director of AirBali, she has said that due to so many more tourists now coming, and traffic getting worse and worse, they are getting very busy. Interestingly enough, they even had a transfer from DPS to Bulgari in Jimbaran earlier in the day before me!
Arrival at Kila - what a fun arrival and was met by the resort manager and we had a nice chat. Funny enough, I saw him holding the client sheet with all our pictures on them, and you can tell that they did their homework before my arrival. Everyone was so amazing and genuinely warm and caring. I truly do understand what people now mean by when they say Kila’s service is so much more special than other places. You can
feel it. Everything was done in the suite, etc. Nothing ground breaking here.
- One issue I have upon arrival - there were 2-3 comments that were made by the arrival team about the fact that i was traveling alone. On top of that, there were also comments about my arrival method and the fact that it was “just for one person?”. I didn’t appreciate that, but decided to note make a fuss right there.
- The next day, I went on a cycling tour, and heard a comment that “we heard you took the helicopter here” - and it just irked me again. Is there a reason that everyone needs to know how I got there? Made me really wonder what they are saying behind closed doors and doesn’t give me confidence in discretion or privacy.
Villa 20 - (Infinity Pool Suite) - - This is a great suite. I really enjoy having the pool and the view of the ocean. The other pool suites are hemmed in by a wall, so based off that, it wasn’t a pool suite that I wanted to go for. I will say that I do wish the pool was a bit more heated, but it’s not too big of a deal for me.
- Privacy is the trade-off here - while the villa is very central (the pool overlooks the Fitness Villa) which is just a twenty second walk from the villa and another 20 seconds to the spa villa - there are raised walk ways that can see into the right side of the villa. (think bed side + right side of the bathroom). I believe villa 26 has MUCH more privacy.
- The villa is very well maintained. I don’t see any run down chips or stains, etc - I do have to say that I LOVE the knob that allows you to adjust/turn off/on all lights in the bathroom, instead of having to hit a million switches. The ipad in the room is useless - and I hate it.
View from 20 overlooking Fitness Villa
Service - - Resort is definitely low in terms of occupancy, so service has been great. Everyone is greeting me by name, they know my suite number, etc. Couple little points below from my POV
- The outlet by the bed was loose - the apple charger wouldn’t stay in all the way without some finesse. So I actually left it in there and wanted to see if they’d notice and fix it. They absolutely did when I got back from dinner and the socket is all fixed now.
- Breakfast//lunch service has been amazing - with team remembering my table, drinks, etc - standard Aman
- Beach club service by the pool and by the beach were great as well - no issues
- I did have to wait 5 minutes for them to finish tidying up after dinner - no big deal. BUT i do want to point out something funny. It seems like the housekeeping team comes in and cleans the room, etc, but for some reason, two days in a row, they didn’t take a glass left from room service last night outside, and didn’t replenish the coffee pods, and didn’t place the snack jars back in their place - however, each time, someone else came to do that. Makes me feel like they could//should just do it all at once?
in all, I would come back without a thought if I wanted something quiet, secluded, etc. If i want a few more people and something a little bit more lively, i’d go to Puri. Can’t lose with either.
That’s all I have, I think everyone else has said everything else - I just wanted to point out a few things from my POV. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.