Feb 12, 2018, 5:37 pm
Amanresorts Thread 2018
Nov 5, 2018, 5:07 am
#511
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 102
Having never been to the Philippines, I'll take your word for it. I guess I was more commenting what I would do. I've been to Hong Kong dozens of times in my life, so I would opt for Manila as a brand new experience, to join with a new Aman (pulo). Don't get me wrong, Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities in the world, but I will almost always choose something new over something I love but have done lots. That being said, if OP hasn't been to Hong Kong, he should definitely go, as 4-5 days is perfect to explore the city.
No shot we’re staying in Manila for more than the absolute minimum time required. No thank you.
Right now I’m thinking 4 nights Amanpulo + 4 nights Tokyo. Might require 1 night in MNL after Amanpulo. Normally I like to do city, then beach, but timing doesn’t work well for that in this circumstance. I hope wherever we stay in Tokyo - likely the RC - isn’t too much of a downgrade!
FWIW we have been to HK many times, while I’ve only been to Tokyo once. My wife lived there for a few years so she know the city well, but hasn’t been back since. We want to do Beijing more than anything but flights between Manila and Beijing are limited at best. I also can’t imagine going from the serenity of Amanpulo to the middle of Beijing (Tokyo/HK are a little more do-able in that sense).
Right now I’m thinking 4 nights Amanpulo + 4 nights Tokyo. Might require 1 night in MNL after Amanpulo. Normally I like to do city, then beach, but timing doesn’t work well for that in this circumstance. I hope wherever we stay in Tokyo - likely the RC - isn’t too much of a downgrade!
FWIW we have been to HK many times, while I’ve only been to Tokyo once. My wife lived there for a few years so she know the city well, but hasn’t been back since. We want to do Beijing more than anything but flights between Manila and Beijing are limited at best. I also can’t imagine going from the serenity of Amanpulo to the middle of Beijing (Tokyo/HK are a little more do-able in that sense).
Don't look for structures and statues. Come for the stories.
Might I recommend:
Carlos Celdran's Intramuros Tour for a great and entertaining introduction (His Imelda Marcos Performance is equally informative): https://carlosceldranwalks.wordpress.com
Ivan Man Dy's Chinatown + Chinese Cemetery Tour (Crazy Rich Asians at their finest... Chinese money + Filipino ostentation) to see how Chinese culture has been locally appropriated: Old Manila Walks
the slum tour run by a Dutch NGO to see the desperate poverty/reality in Manila. Not for the faint of heart, you'll see how left over KFC from the rubbish pile is recooked and served buffet style. If you've been to the townships of South Africa or the favelas of Brazil, you'll find those tame after this one.: Smokey Tours
Bamboo Bike if you just want a pleasant afternoon riding through a heritage area: https://www.bambike.com/ecotours
This should be enough for a three day itinerary. Manila is singular and extraordinary.
P.S. For those interested in gastronomy, there's a nascent haute cuisine industry that has some real world class gems:
Mecha Uma: https://www.facebook.com/mechaumaph/
Gallery by Chele: https://gallerybychele.com
Toyo Eatery: https://www.facebook.com/toyoeatery/
Last edited by TheBrownPrince; Nov 5, 2018 at 6:19 am
Nov 5, 2018, 6:59 am
#512
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,048
If Seoul works timing / airline wise, I would highly recommend it. We spent 4 nights there a few years ago and had a great time. In my opinion, very underrated as a tourist destination (big city wise) and could be a change of pace from some of the other cities you are already familiar with.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:01 am
#513
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
We did Paris and Amanjena in March. It was great. Travel pretty easy as well. Loved the private pool at Amanjena. Nicolas is one of my favorite GMs...
Ive looked at Amanpulo so many times but just the logistics are too overwhelming for me. At least coming from USA getting all the travel to line up just never seems to work in an easy way... or maybe I’ve just gotten lazy.
Fdw
Ive looked at Amanpulo so many times but just the logistics are too overwhelming for me. At least coming from USA getting all the travel to line up just never seems to work in an easy way... or maybe I’ve just gotten lazy.
Fdw
Nov 5, 2018, 9:12 am
#514
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
We did Paris and Amanjena in March. It was great. Travel pretty easy as well. Loved the private pool at Amanjena. Nicolas is one of my favorite GMs...
Ive looked at Amanpulo so many times but just the logistics are too overwhelming for me. At least coming from USA getting all the travel to line up just never seems to work in an easy way... or maybe I’ve just gotten lazy.
Fdw
Ive looked at Amanpulo so many times but just the logistics are too overwhelming for me. At least coming from USA getting all the travel to line up just never seems to work in an easy way... or maybe I’ve just gotten lazy.
Fdw
Nov 5, 2018, 10:25 am
#515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i know i am odd and boring, but logistics keep making me become even more boring. i can understand perspectives of KatW and others. although i seem to have even fewer destinations of interest. Musken made a comment about flights - no matter how good the plane is, it's a long time on a plane and usually in airports and to and from airports. seems most here have gotten into routines that do not necessarily change that much other than some relatively slight changes in property preferences over time.
on the other hand amangiri is pretty much only destination i really look forward to doing at some point, regardless of long drive etc. clearly unique effort by zecha and canyon equity.
probably should have gone right after damaxer91 posted trip report on may 6, oh well.
on the other hand amangiri is pretty much only destination i really look forward to doing at some point, regardless of long drive etc. clearly unique effort by zecha and canyon equity.
probably should have gone right after damaxer91 posted trip report on may 6, oh well.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 5, 2018 at 11:13 am
Nov 5, 2018, 9:38 pm
#516
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
While we anticipate the opening in Kyoto next year , at Nemu ;
Fond farewell to Hisayo S , another of our dear Aman veterans . May she enjoy her retirement years across / crossing oceans
Welcome
GM Noriko T
viennaresident please note , have a lovely time !!
Fond farewell to Hisayo S , another of our dear Aman veterans . May she enjoy her retirement years across / crossing oceans
Welcome
GM Noriko Tviennaresident please note , have a lovely time !!
Last edited by FlyerEC; Nov 5, 2018 at 9:48 pm
Nov 5, 2018, 10:36 pm
#517
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,396
I have to respectfully but strongly disagree with the people who claim Manila has nothing to offer. Culturally speaking, the Philippines, (with Manila being its cosmopolitan hub) is unique as it is "a Latin American country that just happens to be in Asia." You will not find this mongrel mix of Spain+US+Malay+Chinese anywhere else. You just need to know where to go and the right guides to show you the places.
Don't look for structures and statues. Come for the stories.
Might I recommend:
Carlos Celdran's Intramuros Tour for a great and entertaining introduction (His Imelda Marcos Performance is equally informative): https://carlosceldranwalks.wordpress.com
Ivan Man Dy's Chinatown + Chinese Cemetery Tour (Crazy Rich Asians at their finest... Chinese money + Filipino ostentation) to see how Chinese culture has been locally appropriated: Old Manila Walks
the slum tour run by a Dutch NGO to see the desperate poverty/reality in Manila. Not for the faint of heart, you'll see how left over KFC from the rubbish pile is recooked and served buffet style. If you've been to the townships of South Africa or the favelas of Brazil, you'll find those tame after this one.: Smokey Tours
Bamboo Bike if you just want a pleasant afternoon riding through a heritage area: https://www.bambike.com/ecotours
This should be enough for a three day itinerary. Manila is singular and extraordinary.
P.S. For those interested in gastronomy, there's a nascent haute cuisine industry that has some real world class gems:
Mecha Uma: https://www.facebook.com/mechaumaph/
Gallery by Chele: https://gallerybychele.com
Toyo Eatery: https://www.facebook.com/toyoeatery/
Don't look for structures and statues. Come for the stories.
Might I recommend:
Carlos Celdran's Intramuros Tour for a great and entertaining introduction (His Imelda Marcos Performance is equally informative): https://carlosceldranwalks.wordpress.com
Ivan Man Dy's Chinatown + Chinese Cemetery Tour (Crazy Rich Asians at their finest... Chinese money + Filipino ostentation) to see how Chinese culture has been locally appropriated: Old Manila Walks
the slum tour run by a Dutch NGO to see the desperate poverty/reality in Manila. Not for the faint of heart, you'll see how left over KFC from the rubbish pile is recooked and served buffet style. If you've been to the townships of South Africa or the favelas of Brazil, you'll find those tame after this one.: Smokey Tours
Bamboo Bike if you just want a pleasant afternoon riding through a heritage area: https://www.bambike.com/ecotours
This should be enough for a three day itinerary. Manila is singular and extraordinary.
P.S. For those interested in gastronomy, there's a nascent haute cuisine industry that has some real world class gems:
Mecha Uma: https://www.facebook.com/mechaumaph/
Gallery by Chele: https://gallerybychele.com
Toyo Eatery: https://www.facebook.com/toyoeatery/
Nov 6, 2018, 6:03 am
#518
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 102
I never felt any sense of danger when I did the slum tour. Amongst the group were Australians and Europeans. They found it comfortable as well. Just stick with the guide. The locals know your guide (who might actually be a denizen of that area). Regardless, the Dutch NGO that operates the tour has many programs that benefit the locals there. Hence, everyone is on their best behaviour and a code of honour operates. I suggest you email the tour operator to get their side.
Yes, I have been and can recommend the Corregidor tour (especially if you specify Mr. Armando Hildawa as your guide). Neither the ferry trip there nor the vehicle on the island will be private though. The included buffet lunch also will not be a culinary highlight. There's a way to do this tour completely deluxe through the Peninsula. They'll arrange a helicopter and a private picnic (for 75x the price of doing it the way everyone else does). This depends on your budget and priorities. Either way, what you'll get is a good historical account of how the Americans ran their first colony. Much of the history you'll get elsewhere in the country will focus on the Spanish.
Here's a list provided by celebrity tour guide Carlos Celdran detailing other tour options.
https://carlosceldranwalks.wordpress...016/05/31/458/
Nov 6, 2018, 7:08 am
#520
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Yes , Hisayo san is retiring .
Quite a year of losses
Still in the midst of sorting our Aman stays , from next week to 1 st quarter 2019 !! Cannot even begin to plan on later quarters ..
Usually all sorted with a couple of emails , however seems will take more than a couple dozen these days ..
The Aman correspondence is getting more laborious as the days go by , what with newer ones & what possibly can be attributed to the new Aman system / way of operating ??
So no Puri this week and unlikely Giri in January .. dare attempt a return to Pulo instead ?
Quite a year of losses
Still in the midst of sorting our Aman stays , from next week to 1 st quarter 2019 !! Cannot even begin to plan on later quarters ..
Usually all sorted with a couple of emails , however seems will take more than a couple dozen these days ..
The Aman correspondence is getting more laborious as the days go by , what with newer ones & what possibly can be attributed to the new Aman system / way of operating ??
So no Puri this week and unlikely Giri in January .. dare attempt a return to Pulo instead ?
Last edited by FlyerEC; Nov 6, 2018 at 7:18 am
Nov 6, 2018, 7:32 am
#521
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
We should all meet at an (SE Asia) Aman and throw an "end of days" party!
Nov 6, 2018, 7:37 am
#523
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
Nov 6, 2018, 7:58 am
#524
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Now to figure out the month which may determine the ASEAN Aman to be at with the better / best weather
Possibly third & last Do ?
Nov 6, 2018, 8:03 am
#525
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
