An update on Amanruya. The married architects that owned and built this resort and then subsequently split up, have sold the resort. It is currently closed, but will reopen for the 2018 season.

Will it remain an Aman?

OT (mea culpa), but... I am really surprised Amanzoe is apparently posting losses. While this has been perfectly clear at Ruya from Day 1, it does surprise me at Zoe. This resort is usually packed from end of May right until September... and from what I gather, Dolphin is very pleased with the resort. Also continually adding/enhancing the resort, sometimes not even features that produce revenue. While they do (think Villa 20, Beach Cabanas), they have also improved the appearance and gave Ed a lot of work (think the addition of pebbles, some changes in the suites, etc).

There have been reports about design flaws and questionable choices at Ruya since the opening.

yes through virtuoso TA

A bit more about Amanruya from staff who worked there. The husband and wife owned the land. The development was owned by a large company. The land has now been sold to a second large company who has a good relationship with the first. A spa is to be built at Amanruya this year prior to it reopening next year.

Maybe it's because they're closed for so long - taking into account all the upkeep, renovations, improvements, beach cabanas etc. that have been added (financial accounting year and all that). Villa 20 must have cost a lot to build - it was sold though, anyone know for how much?

To paraphrase MacMyDay from his Amanzoe review: "budgets are something that were brought in a meeting and then duly ignored"


Edit - Actual quote(s):

1) I am glad you're enjoying Caresse, SanDiego.

2) I am disheartened to read about Zoe. I really, REALLY hope they stay as they are. Such a lovely property.

There is a thread about Caresse in the Starwood forum. It is part of their luxury collection. I posted about my visit there as some of my stay satisfaction stemmed from my Starwood platinum status. I was given an upgrade to a suite and was also given free breakfast. However, should you pay for a suite, it is far less than prices were at Amanruya and includes the breakfast. On a future stay, I might pay in order to be assured of the suite as it is worthy of the price. As its reputation builds, the possibility for complimentary upgrades will lessen.

Let me try to say a few things from the perspective of this forum. I often don't think that Starwood's collection of luxury properties understand luxury service. The GM and staff at this hotel truly do. The focus is on creating customer satisfaction. If we needed something in our room, staff was very prompt. If we had a question at a meal, staff tried hard to be responsive. If their English comprehension was not sufficient, they went in search of someone with greater fluency. We were checked on several times by more senior staff to see if everything was to our satisfaction. Here's an example. The first morning we were offered fresh made crepes with nutella or with orange sauce/lemon wedge/powdered sugar. I preferred the latter. The next day, a different chef was on who wasn't sure of what I wanted when I asked for orange sauce. He created something that was a bit different but absolutely outstanding.

The GM, Makis Antonatos, is terrific. He came from Starwood's luxury collection on Mykonos. He lives on property with his wife and child. We had a far ranging conversation about luxury hotels, life in Bodrum, guests in general, and what we wanted yet from our stay. He immediately booked a special Turkish dinner by his chef and the boat ride we wanted. He made sure he was on property when we left for some final words.

I suggested that they set up boat service to Bodrum Harbor. It was a challenge to drive there and find parking during off season. I shudder to think what it will be like in July and August. It turns out that he and his team were already working to offer a shuttle service back and forth. Perfect! Then you can have the pleasure of the boat trip, see the castle/Undersea Museum, eat shawarma, and go shopping - and then return to the peace of the hotel.

All hotels along this stretch of land have rectangular plots that drop from the main road down to the sea. They really are cheek to jowl. Once on property we were oblivious to adjacent hotels. However, our stunning view was over the swimming pool and seating areas. I can imagine that when the summer season is in full stride there will be considerable buzz. If you want solitude at all times, such as our villa at Amanoi gave us, this might not be the place for you.

We drove a rental car to the hotel. In season, the hotel will have Maseratis for the transfer. I would likely choose this.

I believe there are 67 or so rooms and suites so this is not a large property. There are an exceptional range of places to sit and enjoy the property, whether beach loungers, cabanas, under shade, in the sun. The choices go on and on.

If you met Ali at Amanoi when he worked there 3 to 4 years ago, he is now working at Caresse. He moved to Amanruya and now to Caresse. We met several employees who had come from Amanruya.

We were exceptionally happy with our stay and will be happy to return should our travels bring us to this area.

That's fantastic! So glad you enjoyed your visit, and I agree, Makis is wonderful.

I was there early May (2017), and they remarked that this seasons is surprisingly empty. It felt so.

While I can understand the outstanding service, privacy, & villa design at a very reasonable rate, personally I find it hard to understand why anybody would spend precious time in a remote and uninteresting part of Greece.

Granted, a similar size room in a prime EU destination (Mykonos/Santorini/Cannes/Monaco/Capri/Amalfi etc) would probably cost 5-10x.

not sure where zoe discussion came from, but >
zoe is residential development 'inside' larger residential development
announced 2BRs may maximize revenue for hotel, minimize owner use
the question is who ends up buying zoe resort, in the next 2 years

I could not possibly more strongly disagree with you that the Peloponnese is uninteresting. And when combined with the plaudits you give Zoe, I find it a very compelling destination.

Of course, if we all agreed this would be a dull forum!

Thank you so much for your posts on Caresse. Your feedback was the trigger to book a quick getaway in 2 weeks to Bodrum instead of Dubai/Middle East.

Do you happen to have the email of the manager? I would like to contact him. Thank you in advance!

I do, and will PM you with it.

i went to caresse for a concert this summer. i think it is a very nice property, but if price is not an issue I would choose MO.