With just 4 Amans under my belt, I am not quite yet up to amanjunkie status; however I am not really convinced by the Aman concept. I love the architecture, there is always a very serene feeling about these places, and personally like to be greeted by the manager. And I must admit, my 1st Aman experience was Amankila, and at the end of the day, Aman like everyone else has good and bad properties. Strangely I can understand this for some brands but not for Aman.

During a recent stay at Amanjena I had a few problems which I feel are unacceptable, but maybe I expect too much from Aman.

Reservations, confirmation arrived for my stay with incorrect arrival date. I reconfirmed with correct dates, no response. I later booked spa and restaurants and received confirmation, so assumed they had taken note of correct dates!

Arrival, the manager on arrival, as with all my other stays asks if I have ever been to an Aman before, I find this insulting, they should know that shouldn't they?

The girl showing us around didn't seem to know that we had restaurant and spa bookings, a little memo recap in the room would have been great, instead of having to go through my papers to find the times etc... I am on holiday. But there I agree I am been difficult, even if others seemed to manage this.

On our last day, I was expecting a pre check-out bill, and confirmation of departure details, I had no idea of our departure time. I was disappointed once again. I had to call reception to check that everything was ok (they had got my dates wrong at reservations). And as if it were perfectly normal, they confirmed check-out time and that a car would be waiting. We arrived at reception to check-out, and I was asked if I had called to have by bags picked up???? Is this an Aman hotel?

Strangely there was no one to see us off.

These little niggles bought back to mind other points:

Spa is really not an Aman speciality so why not get someone else in to do it for them? They rant and rave about the Hamam, which indeed is beautiful but would be even better if hot. Indeed you have to ask to get them to turn the steam on, and get the Jacuzzi going as well. By the time the Hamam is hot (end of its cycle), you have to ask them to turn it on again for you to be able to enjoy it. Same for the Jacuzzi. When you get changed by the lockers you have your feet in the urinals, seriously, and other than the bench by these lookers there is no where to sit down and relax.

Restaurants: The in room menu has very little choice, but the service is very quick and efficient. The main Moroccan restaurant has very little choice again, especially when it comes to local specialities, which we love. We tried two different Tajines and they were bland and very uninteresting. On the other hand, the Thai restaurant was very good, but that was not what I was going to Marrakech for.

Housekeeping, they didn't manage once to clean the room while we were out, although we spent hours at breakfast, and whole afternoons out of the room. Staff in general were rather noisy, a real ballet of trolleys passing back and forth, and staff shouting from one side of the reservoir to the other.

I am a difficult customer to please, but I find that if groups like six senses can do it, Aman should be able to as well. I also recognise that Asian style service cannot be found in Morocco, but I have staid in may places in Marrakech and always found the service excellent.

woops , sorry, here I am ranting and raving. Take no notice, all that just to say I am not convinced. A little back to basics is called for in my opinion.