Great Stay at Amanera
May 19, 2017, 3:23 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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havent you paid a lot more for suites? but obviously primarily for eastern US
26 high end bedrooms, huge beach with only tiny 'hotel' at the other end
everything is a tradeoff, not to mention construction/staff costs elsewhere
banyan tree and six senses are very different, even FS seychelles/samui larger
whatever happens with aman, brand will retain unique property scale
some care about it, others dont. some like its low occupancy, others dont
zoe is part of porto heli, whereas nera only sold 1 2BR and maybe few other
part of why ruya is closed may because of construction/operating costs
26 high end bedrooms, huge beach with only tiny 'hotel' at the other end
everything is a tradeoff, not to mention construction/staff costs elsewhere
banyan tree and six senses are very different, even FS seychelles/samui larger
whatever happens with aman, brand will retain unique property scale
some care about it, others dont. some like its low occupancy, others dont
zoe is part of porto heli, whereas nera only sold 1 2BR and maybe few other
part of why ruya is closed may because of construction/operating costs
May 19, 2017, 3:24 pm
#32
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May 19, 2017, 3:45 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
So glad to read your report. When you walked down the beach did you eat at the local place that serves you on the beach and which person did Aman recommend? Did you look at Playa Grande Beach Club(http://www.playagrandebeachclub.com/) when you were down at that end? I have been on that beach many times and the ocean does lay down often and is flat and calm.
Did they really do the swan towel on the bed at turn down? I learned that in 1980's hotel school and just hated it. I loved that Amanresorts did not do the type of thing they teach in Swiss hotel schools. I hope table tents are not coming soon in the bar.
Lounge chairs around the pool, are they set up with towels and cushions, or do you arrive at the pool and they bring that out? How bout around your suite pool, do they set up your lounge chairs with towels?
Did they really do the swan towel on the bed at turn down? I learned that in 1980's hotel school and just hated it. I loved that Amanresorts did not do the type of thing they teach in Swiss hotel schools. I hope table tents are not coming soon in the bar.
Lounge chairs around the pool, are they set up with towels and cushions, or do you arrive at the pool and they bring that out? How bout around your suite pool, do they set up your lounge chairs with towels?
May 19, 2017, 3:56 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
The problem at 'Yara is similar to Bora Bora. There just isn't enough population base to staff the resorts properly at the pay the resorts can pay.
Off topic: Did they get the flies under control at 'Yara?
May 19, 2017, 8:03 pm
#35
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
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Posts: 2,096
I do highly recommend Mukul. The only thing against Mukul is the challenge in reaching it. But it's a steal of an experience once you're there compared to any Aman or high end villa cost at any comparable resort in Hawaii, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
http://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revie...ont-villa-1215
http://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revie...ont-villa-1215
May 19, 2017, 8:05 pm
#36
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Posts: 2,096
Yea especially with the regular crowd. Know a few who used to do Amanyara multiple times each year - now they've all switched over to Amanera.
May 19, 2017, 8:07 pm
#37
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
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Hotels will (and should) charge whatever the market will bear. That's capitalism. That's the way it has to be. If Amans can charge premium rates and people pay them and the hotel sells out, then the hotel isn't overcharging...regardless of what we otherwise may think. Supply AND DEMAND are the important items here that you are forgetting. For good...or bad. 
May 19, 2017, 10:56 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,643
I immediately spotted the 'swans' on the bed and the petals in the bath - amazingly tacky stuff and not Aman at all. I also thought some of the food looked a bit iffy. Otherwise a nice-looking property and thanks for the thoughtful report and photos.
May 20, 2017, 4:11 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
everything is a tradeoff. if all pool, higher rates. see zoe (and giri?) peak, they could charge even more because they sell out. seems yara sells out a lot too.
FlyingDoctorwu continues to note comparative advantages of nera and (so far) aman
original dolphin plans had (small?) beach pool and zoe style cabanas (and huge main pool) also dropped to 24 pavilions from 36>40
FlyingDoctorwu continues to note comparative advantages of nera and (so far) aman
original dolphin plans had (small?) beach pool and zoe style cabanas (and huge main pool) also dropped to 24 pavilions from 36>40
I like room rates starting lower without a private pool.. it gives you something to upgrade into..
Sure! But with the prices they charge (you need definitively humor) a pool should be included. Sometimes it seems they think they can write every rate on the tag and people will pay. As people pay understandable and I would do it too. But at some point I´m out.
Indeed
Indeed
So glad to read your report. When you walked down the beach did you eat at the local place that serves you on the beach and which person did Aman recommend? Did you look at Playa Grande Beach Club(http://www.playagrandebeachclub.com/) when you were down at that end? I have been on that beach many times and the ocean does lay down often and is flat and calm.
Did they really do the swan towel on the bed at turn down? I learned that in 1980's hotel school and just hated it. I loved that Amanresorts did not do the type of thing they teach in Swiss hotel schools. I hope table tents are not coming soon in the bar.
Lounge chairs around the pool, are they set up with towels and cushions, or do you arrive at the pool and they bring that out? How bout around your suite pool, do they set up your lounge chairs with towels?
Did they really do the swan towel on the bed at turn down? I learned that in 1980's hotel school and just hated it. I loved that Amanresorts did not do the type of thing they teach in Swiss hotel schools. I hope table tents are not coming soon in the bar.
Lounge chairs around the pool, are they set up with towels and cushions, or do you arrive at the pool and they bring that out? How bout around your suite pool, do they set up your lounge chairs with towels?
The swan towels were one night for our "romantic turn down" I know it's a little cliche and cheesy but it's also cute in that retro kind of way.. Do note that Amanyara also did the same for their romantic turn down as well..
That's what we experienced also. This is why the GMs at 'Yara import the help from 'Pulo et al. But I wouldn't use the word 'horrible'. I would use the phrase 'non-existent' to describe the service. I'd also add 'sneering'.
The problem at 'Yara is similar to Bora Bora. There just isn't enough population base to staff the resorts properly at the pay the resorts can pay.
Off topic: Did they get the flies under control at 'Yara?
The problem at 'Yara is similar to Bora Bora. There just isn't enough population base to staff the resorts properly at the pay the resorts can pay.
Off topic: Did they get the flies under control at 'Yara?
It seems like there are less (maybe zero?) resorts nearby Amanera; maybe that will halp them have less competition (plus maybe their attitudes want get tainted...)
FDW
May 20, 2017, 8:03 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
also some here with small children have said they prefer no private pool
re beach plan i posted above, i saw floorplans, but cant remember where
all your photos look great to me, thanks again for taking/uploading a lot
and that is not an exaggeration >
1 pavilion, 5 villa (2 ocean, 1 beach sala, 1 artist, 1 6BR)
looking at reservations, some villas are occupied a lot
believe 1 pavilion cant be checked / booked on web
re yara capacity, villas have about 80 bedrooms total
re beach plan i posted above, i saw floorplans, but cant remember where
all your photos look great to me, thanks again for taking/uploading a lot
1 pavilion, 5 villa (2 ocean, 1 beach sala, 1 artist, 1 6BR)
looking at reservations, some villas are occupied a lot
believe 1 pavilion cant be checked / booked on web
re yara capacity, villas have about 80 bedrooms total
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 20, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Jul 10, 2017, 9:50 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
Just looking at some things...
They are doing a Season of Discovery Package (very similar to the one at Amanyara)
-3 nights food inclusive
-5 nights food inclusive+one free night
-7 nights food inclusive+one free night+ massage inclusive
Prices next year are really a bit higher..basically 50% more than what I paid in 2017 for the equivalent time period.. Seems tough considering that their occupancy wasn't terrible high (35% maybe?)....
FDW
They are doing a Season of Discovery Package (very similar to the one at Amanyara)
-3 nights food inclusive
-5 nights food inclusive+one free night
-7 nights food inclusive+one free night+ massage inclusive
Prices next year are really a bit higher..basically 50% more than what I paid in 2017 for the equivalent time period.. Seems tough considering that their occupancy wasn't terrible high (35% maybe?)....
FDW
Jul 10, 2017, 10:07 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
might become like yara with half/full board all the time except holidays
sounds like rate increase then offering that, very dependent on chefs
but both can be an experiment and they can change based on result
when offers arent repeatable, could combine direct with amex/etc
before 2014 there was report of repeating (3x) direct yara offer
sounds like rate increase then offering that, very dependent on chefs
but both can be an experiment and they can change based on result
before 2014 there was report of repeating (3x) direct yara offer
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 10, 2017 at 10:20 am
Jul 10, 2017, 10:35 am
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
FDW