Where are you going next?
Aug 18, 2019, 12:29 am
#3871
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I hope it's improved since then.
We'd only return for the live-a boards.
Last edited by bhrubin; Aug 18, 2019 at 9:24 am
Aug 18, 2019, 1:45 am
#3872
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167
Wow. Thanks for sharing. Everything I had seen/heard indicated it was a great area for diving, but I trust you and it definitely doesn't sound good. How was the property itself aside from the diving?
Aug 18, 2019, 2:59 am
#3873
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
The tent was quite nice and spacious, but the air con wasn't what was promised at all. Yet they flew in 2 new air con units and a portable from other islands by the second day to improve it. It never got to the guaranteed temperature, but it was an impressive service effort. Ultimately, it wasn't worth staying after 2 days of dreadful diving (and one massive fail on the part of the dive master, which ended all interest for us in further diving) and not having really great air con, so they let us depart early and switch to Amanusa (and the Amanusa Villa) for our final nights.
Aug 18, 2019, 4:43 am
#3874
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,393
Just got back from Santa Marina Mykonos, heading to Santa Caterina Amalfi and Hotel Du Cap. Would love to fit in Il San Pietro too but sold out. Waldorf Jerusalem & Kempinski Singapore in October. Looking into Seychells + Mauritius + SA in Jan.
Aug 18, 2019, 6:20 am
#3875
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,521
The tent was quite nice and spacious, but the air con wasn't what was promised at all. Yet they flew in 2 new air con units and a portable from other islands by the second day to improve it. It never got to the guaranteed temperature, but it was an impressive service effort. Ultimately, it wasn't worth staying after 2 days of dreadful diving (and one massive fail on the part of the dive master, which ended all interest for us in further diving) and not having really great air con, so they let us depart early and switch to Amanusa (and the Amanusa Villa) for our final nights.
Aug 18, 2019, 8:30 am
#3876
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
The tent was quite nice and spacious, but the air con wasn't what was promised at all. Yet they flew in 2 new air con units and a portable from other islands by the second day to improve it. It never got to the guaranteed temperature, but it was an impressive service effort. Ultimately, it wasn't worth staying after 2 days of dreadful diving (and one massive fail on the part of the dive master, which ended all interest for us in further diving) and not having really great air con, so they let us depart early and switch to Amanusa (and the Amanusa Villa) for our final nights.
Aug 18, 2019, 9:18 am
#3877
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
So next confirmed trip is Bali.
Looks like it will be:
15-16 November: Alila Manggis (actually spending the entire day at Amankila after early lunch at Amanusa)
18-20 November: Amandari
20-23 November: Amanwana
I'm in Seminyak for a travel event from 11-14 November - actually keen to try out Katamama (trying to save a full stay at The Legian to combine with their resort in Lombok which actually should be open by then, but maybe I can do that next year instead).
There's a two night gap between 16-18 November I'm still trying to fill up that I'm having trouble with.
I'm really keen to check out Capella but was hoping to do a full 3 nights there (among others in the same boat including Mandapa, COMO Shambhala Estate, Alila Villas Uluwatu and more). Will likely go for a visit to Capella on this trip if I can squeeze it in.
Some other options:
Looks like it will be:
15-16 November: Alila Manggis (actually spending the entire day at Amankila after early lunch at Amanusa)
18-20 November: Amandari
20-23 November: Amanwana
I'm in Seminyak for a travel event from 11-14 November - actually keen to try out Katamama (trying to save a full stay at The Legian to combine with their resort in Lombok which actually should be open by then, but maybe I can do that next year instead).
There's a two night gap between 16-18 November I'm still trying to fill up that I'm having trouble with.
I'm really keen to check out Capella but was hoping to do a full 3 nights there (among others in the same boat including Mandapa, COMO Shambhala Estate, Alila Villas Uluwatu and more). Will likely go for a visit to Capella on this trip if I can squeeze it in.
Some other options:
- Ametis Villa Resort in Canggu
- Revivo Wellness Resort (a resort set within one of the Amanusa villas...)
- COMO Uma Ubud - probably seems like the best option for a nice 2-night stay, except that it's also in Ubud (since I'm following it with Amandari).
Also Revivo Wellness Resort is separate with a restaurant serving healthy meals ( of course ) , part of it was formerly AZ ‘ s when it was Amanusa Villas . It shares the same gate & security under Aman Villas at Nusa and next to it . A different entity now with a rather “ modern “ take of what the villas were before , structures remain the same .
Do let us know when you have decided where to stay . If of any help , Mark S is now GM at Capella , ex Aman Indonesia & SS .
Last edited by FlyerEC; Aug 18, 2019 at 9:38 am
Aug 19, 2019, 9:11 am
#3878
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York City
Programs: JGC
Posts: 445
JFK <-> LHR on BA 747, out in WTP and back in F. Traveling solely for the purpose of experiencing the nose of the 747 while it is still flying. First ever BA flight, and first ever international F flight. If I were London based I would have done F roundtrip ($2400!) but alas, had to hunt for some dates where F was a good deal. Looking forward to it (but not setting my expectations super-high for "the best business class in the world", plus I've read enough about BA on this forum! The CCR looks nice though)
Aug 20, 2019, 10:29 am
#3879
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
Awesome! There is little discussion about Amanwana on this forum (and in general in travel circles - it is definitely one of the more hidden and less popular properties) and I'd love to hear lots about it. Supposedly the diving is spectacular.
Viceroy Bali and Fairmont Sanur Beach. Both interest me a lot, but I don't hear all too much about them. Condé Nast (US) ranks the Viceroy very highly (though their rankings are definitely geared toward the average American traveller and less to those who frequent luxury hotels) so it would be interesting to see what you think. The Fairmont is never discussed, so again, it would be interesting to learn about it.
Enjoy your trip!
Viceroy Bali and Fairmont Sanur Beach. Both interest me a lot, but I don't hear all too much about them. Condé Nast (US) ranks the Viceroy very highly (though their rankings are definitely geared toward the average American traveller and less to those who frequent luxury hotels) so it would be interesting to see what you think. The Fairmont is never discussed, so again, it would be interesting to learn about it.
Enjoy your trip!
My colleague did Viceroy Bali already. I'll post up the review soon in one of the Bali threads. In short, very Balinese and definitely has the elements of a small, family run type place, gorgeous views, really good service, but hard product is a bit worn and needs improvement there. Food was good but very limited. They are adding new villas.
Fairmont Sanur probably not really relevant for this forum - there are a few other villa resorts in Sanur too.
What do you mean by early lunch at Amanusa when it is no more ?!! Should stay at Kila instead .
Also Revivo Wellness Resort is separate with a restaurant serving healthy meals ( of course ) , part of it was formerly AZ ‘ s when it was Amanusa Villas . It shares the same gate & security under Aman Villas at Nusa and next to it . A different entity now with a rather “ modern “ take of what the villas were before , structures remain the same .
Do let us know when you have decided where to stay . If of any help , Mark S is now GM at Capella , ex Aman Indonesia & SS .
Also Revivo Wellness Resort is separate with a restaurant serving healthy meals ( of course ) , part of it was formerly AZ ‘ s when it was Amanusa Villas . It shares the same gate & security under Aman Villas at Nusa and next to it . A different entity now with a rather “ modern “ take of what the villas were before , structures remain the same .
Do let us know when you have decided where to stay . If of any help , Mark S is now GM at Capella , ex Aman Indonesia & SS .
Yes, curious to see what Revivo is like and maybe that's a good 2-night option.
I might do a day visit to Capella and Mandapa if time allows.
Last edited by chinmoylad; Aug 20, 2019 at 10:44 am
Aug 20, 2019, 10:42 am
#3880
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I guess it's nearly impossible to really cool a tent down. A solid build villa is more suitable with such preferences in my eyes, but indeed great servic effort they tried. I just wonder why they didn´t make sure from the beginning. Perhaps they didn´t count in his Royal coldness
To his credit, the Amanwana GM acknowledged the guarantee without me saying much about it at all and immediately went to town to try and make it happen for us by the 2nd night. It always will rank as one--if not the absolute best example--of service recovery we'd ever witnessed: flying in 2 replacement air con units from Lombok and flying in a new portable air con unit (and cutting a hole in the tent for its exhaust). The net effect was to bring the overnight temperature from 78-79 F to 70 F or so, not as good as promised but still an amazing example of service recovery and effort.
Aug 22, 2019, 4:32 pm
#3881
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Quintessentially Elite, Amex Cent, UA* Lifetime Plat (2mm+), AA CK (6mm+)
Posts: 405
Aug 27, 2019, 11:24 pm
#3883
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
Sometimes it makes sense to books things well in advance, especially cruises because prices can be cheaper and things can sell out and then you miss the trip you want. So in April 2021 we board the five-star French ship Le Soleal in Papeete, French Polynesia, and spend two weeks in the Tuamotus and Marquesas, followed by 10 days cruising the Austral Islands. One of those islands, Raivavae, is possibly the most beautiful island in the South Pacific.
Last edited by Pausanias; Aug 28, 2019 at 1:08 am
Aug 28, 2019, 1:00 pm
#3884
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London, Paris
Programs: LH HON, AF Platinum
Posts: 2,001
Thanks for the update. I'm hearing reports of the same. I cancelled my 4S reservation and replaced it with Raffles now.
Aug 28, 2019, 1:31 pm
#3885
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Not really unfortunately. The island is so small that you will find everything within a day. Back in 2007 when I went for the first it was much quieter and the reason one went there was complete relaxation. Nowadays it’s really busy - but not unbearably so. There are some good day trips to be had however.
Naxos on the other hand is one of my favourite Greek islands. If you are there for a few days rent a car and explore it.
Last edited by GetSetJetSet; Aug 29, 2019 at 12:31 am