Greenpea89

Has anyone been to Amanfayun yet? We will be staying at the Amanfayun at the beginning of April for the Easter holiday and I just wondered if anyone had any information or a review that they could share. Thanks!

vuittonsofstyle

It remains a work in progress and is quite different from other Amans. Aman have kept the look and tradition of an old Chinese farming village, so the suites are big but dark. Some of the windows are glassed in, but others are wooden shuttered, so in the colder months you have to keep these closed which means certain areas are very dark. Summer here would be the best time although some say that spring is very beautiful. It is cold in China of course, so I think summer is the ideal time.

Furnishings are light wood and sort of modern Chinese, with dark slate floors and tatami mats. Bathrooms are good, but there are no tubs - apparently a traditional thing.

Big suites, such as Amanfayun Villa are 2-storey and resemble a house - dark but very attractive and spacious.

Currently in the restaurant, European style food is served but the intention is to add Thai. The Steam House serves traditional style local food, such as dumplings at very low prices. They say they are going to do street food stalls as well.

Spa is very large but quite different from the norm, with Japanese style wooden tubs in each treatment suite. Gym is small as is Pilates studio.

No pool as yet as they are awaiting planning permission.

paul2

Thanks Vuittons great info on Amanfayun.
I like the idea of the village lay out. I hope to go there this summer and Shang Hai for the first time.

bearbrick

new crop of ghms to replenish their quickly disappearing portfolio.

in addition to The Chedi Cairo - i mentioned some postings back there will be

The Chedi - Suzhou as well as The Chedi Tamouda Bay , morroco .
also a Seoul outpost of the Ananti. .....all only happening after 2011 except The Ananti seoul - 2010 - at the earliest which if one uses the nizuc ,yamu as a guide ..is not that accurate .

good to know - but who cares !

bearbrick

Perfect timing

April - early spring is one of the BEST time to visit Hangzhou of not th e most ideal - unless the freaky weather is up to its tricks again !
the Amanfayun has bee largely ready for a while already and a good 85 to 90 % of the hotel is opened. except for the Spa and a restaurant - from the last time i was told...BY april it would be moer or less complete ,

the bamboo forest adjoining the property is a treat iand wonderment n itself ............i am reliably told

its been accepting guests since earlier Jan and been well patronised .

and since april is also the Shanghai Expo time you may get to experience something more ...unfortunately this would mean CROWDS ...not an AMAN thing......but you may think about a hotel in shanghai too if its not already too late

i plan a march visit


enjoy enjoy

Greenpea89

Thank you Vuittons and Bearbrick! The window information is invaluable and the shower thing is a bit of a worry (for me anyway!). We will be staying in the Amanfayun Villa and I will report back when we return. Thanks for the tip about crowds, Bear, we have our hotel booked in Shanghai (the Park Hyatt this time - hope it's okay too) so I am crossing my fingers that we may be ahead of the expo by a few days! Thanks again!

Kagehitokiri

(dinner)

http://www.littlecreambook.com/littl...an-junkie.html
(drinks - pic included, click to enlarge)

bearbrick

the Park Hyatt Shanghai is more than OK if you dont mind the Pu Dong side of town ...which is not a big deal with the new connections ..just plan to avoid the rush hours ..read the reviews of it if you havent done so already ...in the hyatt gold passport thread....

i do like the hotel and if you need wireless in room .......enure you get a room with good signals ...thats if its not already fixed from 6 months back....for whats its worth ..dinner at 100 century ave is recommended !


the SH EXPO would be a blast and a pity that you will miss it ... phaps you culd get a sneak preview...or replan your trip ^

paul2

Unfortunately this wonderful dinner is no longer available per Groombridge on another thread :
"I studied your trip report religiously, Ericka, when planning my first trip there for this coming October. There's some sad news: Amanbagh no longer will provide the Jeeman dinner in the chatri that you described as a highlight among all Aman dinners you've had. Here's the note I received from Amanbagh when I inquired about the Jeeman dinner after not seeing it in the listing of activities they sent me:

Regarding Aman Jeeman dinner- we have stopped doing it due to the weather & insects at the place. Now we organize the special set up you at our roof top terrace of the main building, totally open to the stars and overlooking the lovely view of our Main Pool and Garden. Looks so good being led up there on the candle lit stairs then the floral rangoli, diyas and candles (Rs.3000++ per person)."

paul2

Interesting article on the villas at Amangiri with a reference to Amanyara.

Sunny Lusted, the GM of Amangiri was honest enough to say that NO villas had been sold at amangiri as of december '09 :

http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/re...nts=1&showAll=

Kagehitokiri

saw that, but information seemed odd..
http://www.amanyaravillas.com/plans.php
http://www.amanresorts.com/amanyara/villas.aspx
say 20 villas (16 sold)

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&client=safari
kenzo has owned since at least 1998.

cant find it now, but also previously saw a british article IIRC in aug/sept 2002 saying there were resales for ~£2mm. (at the time equivalent to ~$3MM)

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&client=safari
mentions $5K > $6K per month management fee @ amanpuri

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&client=safari
dec 20 2007 article, including re trisara

paul2

Sunny Lusted says that no villas sold at Amangiri (she said this dec 2009) which i find suprising.

Thanks Kage very interesting about amanpuri values! Could they be really be worth those prices in the current market? Amanyara has sold very well also as kagehitokiri has said.

vuittonsofstyle

I remember when Amanpuri first opened in the late 80s, and even then the Villas were going for a Million or more. Last time I was there, I heard that many were estimated at 5-10 Million. I suspect that Mr Zecha's new Villa (well, newish compared to the rest) did not cost him this much, but it is, without doubt, worth more, as it is the largest ever built there.

Kagehitokiri

yeah, everything ive read said $1MM > $2MM originally.

talk about a great investment, considering current rental rates.

Hubertus

FYI The latest issue of Wallpaper features Amangiri as n. 1 retreat (2010 design award).