TRIP REPORT: Amantaka, Amansara, and Amanpuri
May 15, 2012, 4:04 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 855
Well, if I were to place all Aman resorts on a spectrum from "nearly 100% cultural experience" to "nearly 100% beach resort w/very limited cultural attractions," I'd place Amankora on the far side of the "cultural" spectrum and Amanyara on the far side of the non-cultural/beach resort spectrum.
And yes, Amansara would be much closer to the Amankora end of the spectrum than the Amanyara end of the spectrum, and Amantaka closer to the middle, but still on the cultural side of the spectrum.
But the wonderful thing about Aman is that even the culture-focused Amans are really and truly resorts (think Amankora's wonderful spa building at their Paro lodge). Aman blurs boundaries between city resort and cultural resort and beach resort really beautifully.
I do think that folks tend to rally around the Amanresorts that are closer to the middle of the spectrum -- the Bali reports in particular, that provide such a perfect balance between culture and resort.
And yes, Amansara would be much closer to the Amankora end of the spectrum than the Amanyara end of the spectrum, and Amantaka closer to the middle, but still on the cultural side of the spectrum.
But the wonderful thing about Aman is that even the culture-focused Amans are really and truly resorts (think Amankora's wonderful spa building at their Paro lodge). Aman blurs boundaries between city resort and cultural resort and beach resort really beautifully.
I do think that folks tend to rally around the Amanresorts that are closer to the middle of the spectrum -- the Bali reports in particular, that provide such a perfect balance between culture and resort.
May 15, 2012, 10:43 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 633
Great report, thanks.
Edited to ask: Can I ask if you considered alternatives to Amansara? To my admittedly uninformed eye, it seems as though there is a greater possibility for options around Siem Reap that might be comparable to Amansara than, say, comparable options in Phuket for Amanpuri.
Edited to ask: Can I ask if you considered alternatives to Amansara? To my admittedly uninformed eye, it seems as though there is a greater possibility for options around Siem Reap that might be comparable to Amansara than, say, comparable options in Phuket for Amanpuri.
Last edited by Homer15; May 16, 2012 at 12:53 pm
May 17, 2012, 9:36 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Great report, thanks.
Edited to ask: Can I ask if you considered alternatives to Amansara? To my admittedly uninformed eye, it seems as though there is a greater possibility for options around Siem Reap that might be comparable to Amansara than, say, comparable options in Phuket for Amanpuri.
Edited to ask: Can I ask if you considered alternatives to Amansara? To my admittedly uninformed eye, it seems as though there is a greater possibility for options around Siem Reap that might be comparable to Amansara than, say, comparable options in Phuket for Amanpuri.
Hotel de la Paix is closed. It has been taken over by Park Hyatt and will reopen as this next year.
Nothing else is worthy of consideration.
May 17, 2012, 6:36 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Not really. The Raffles property tends to be a tourist trap, with tour buses constantly in the drive. It is right across the road from Amansara, but feels as though it is in an entirely different universe. More 4-star, I would say.
Hotel de la Paix is closed. It has been taken over by Park Hyatt and will reopen as this next year.
Nothing else is worthy of consideration.
Hotel de la Paix is closed. It has been taken over by Park Hyatt and will reopen as this next year.
Nothing else is worthy of consideration.
Amansara
As mentioned, no alternatives !
But if you'd like to try something with a little character , there's Residence d'Angkor , not far from Amansara
May 18, 2012, 6:28 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York City
Posts: 408
I really didn't consider any alternatives to Amansara, particularly since we were also staying at Amantaka and Amanpuri. It is a great pleasure to stay back-to-back at several Amans, because they will make everything so very easy for you, in terms of transfers, and also provide nice incentives to combine stays (free meals, transfers, spa credits, etc.)
May 21, 2012, 9:41 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Just had an outstanding dinner at Puri. I think the Thai food is so good here and the setting of the main restaurant is so sublime that Puri needs top rating in the food category. (Caveat - I'm a huge fan of Thai cuisine).
Sep 27, 2012, 6:33 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 710
Not really. The Raffles property tends to be a tourist trap, with tour buses constantly in the drive. It is right across the road from Amansara, but feels as though it is in an entirely different universe. More 4-star, I would say.
Hotel de la Paix is closed. It has been taken over by Park Hyatt and will reopen as this next year.
Nothing else is worthy of consideration.
Hotel de la Paix is closed. It has been taken over by Park Hyatt and will reopen as this next year.
Nothing else is worthy of consideration.
Sep 28, 2012, 10:27 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Oct 16, 2012, 5:04 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA-2MM EXP
Posts: 86
We are going to Siem Reap at the end of March and will have 6 or 7 nights available until we have to get to our next stop (Tokyo). We are considering doing the Indochina Past & Present package at Amansara / Amantaka, but I'm wondering if 3 nights in each location will be enough time? We will essentially have 2 full days in each location (considering the travel days and our late arrival into Siem Reap from Shanghai). Is it better to spend more time in just Siem Reap... or is Luang Prabang/Amantaka not to be missed?
Oct 16, 2012, 6:37 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York City
Posts: 408
We are going to Siem Reap at the end of March and will have 6 or 7 nights available until we have to get to our next stop (Tokyo). We are considering doing the Indochina Past & Present package at Amansara / Amantaka, but I'm wondering if 3 nights in each location will be enough time? We will essentially have 2 full days in each location (considering the travel days and our late arrival into Siem Reap from Shanghai). Is it better to spend more time in just Siem Reap... or is Luang Prabang/Amantaka not to be missed?