Report on my stay at Aman Sveti Stefan
Aug 16, 2018, 4:37 am
#46
formerly vienna-resident
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Montepulciano, Tuscany
Posts: 1,062
All this is obviously unacceptable . . . but perhaps not surprising? This is August after all, height of the season, with resultant pressures on everything. Don't forget that even Macmyday found major service lapses at his favourite Park Hotel Vitznau in Switzerland, so maybe chaos in Montenegro is only to be expected. The lesson here is simple - don't go to the Med at the height of the season!
Aug 16, 2018, 4:41 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,050
It's peak season alright, but guests are also paying peak rates in this period. And any hotel which takes on more than they can handle with their infrastructure is doing something fundamentally wrong. The issues described here are completely unacceptable, and the lack of service recovery is shocking.
Aug 16, 2018, 5:55 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
appreciate the two reports! hope there is response and improvement
callmedtop was there last august under peak rates, as were some others here (but maybe recent press?) perhaps if there were staff from amanruya last summer that may have helped, but clearly there have been changes (re pools partly labeled adults only starting to allow children, may have changed after 2014 corporate sale, there was 2014 report)
"aman" service could not exist without a level of dependence on GM, as is case with independent properties, and there are quotes from GMs and possibly zecha saying he had GMs run properties like they were the owner. some here are regulars at both FS and aman. i suspect most of them would not like to see FS service replace aman service.
this is still maintained under several veterans and several external hires.
callmedtop was there last august under peak rates, as were some others here (but maybe recent press?) perhaps if there were staff from amanruya last summer that may have helped, but clearly there have been changes (re pools partly labeled adults only starting to allow children, may have changed after 2014 corporate sale, there was 2014 report)
"aman" service could not exist without a level of dependence on GM, as is case with independent properties, and there are quotes from GMs and possibly zecha saying he had GMs run properties like they were the owner. some here are regulars at both FS and aman. i suspect most of them would not like to see FS service replace aman service.
this is still maintained under several veterans and several external hires.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 16, 2018 at 7:28 am
Aug 16, 2018, 6:04 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,050
"aman" service could not exist without a level of dependence on GM, as is case with independent properties, and there are quotes from GMs and possibly zecha saying he had GMs run properties like they were the owner. some here are regulars at both FS and aman. i suspect most of them would not like to see FS service replace aman service.
Aug 16, 2018, 7:12 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: USA
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Exec, CITI Prestige, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold and all ever changing
Posts: 218
It's peak season alright, but guests are also paying peak rates in this period. And any hotel which takes on more than they can handle with their infrastructure is doing something fundamentally wrong. The issues described here are completely unacceptable, and the lack of service recovery is shocking.
i appreciate the honest review by the op and personally will remove this location from my wish list...Amanzoe here I come.
Aug 16, 2018, 7:39 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
Well Sven will be delighted 
.
Let me say that I also find these 2 recent reports rather shocking. Instead of posting my comments, I was assured in the meantime that Mr Tapa would take care of the issues. I really hope this is the case. After all this is a public forum and I really tried to take care of that.
FWIW, I don’t think Amanruya took care of Aman SS staff whilst being closed. On the other hand, apart from Zoe, Ruya is alive and kicking, so might also take Ruya into account. One of my clients just returned from a most happy holiday ar Ruya and my own trip back in May was outstanding.
Good luck anyway to OP and Damaxer. So sorry to hear about your experiences!
. Let me say that I also find these 2 recent reports rather shocking. Instead of posting my comments, I was assured in the meantime that Mr Tapa would take care of the issues. I really hope this is the case. After all this is a public forum and I really tried to take care of that.
FWIW, I don’t think Amanruya took care of Aman SS staff whilst being closed. On the other hand, apart from Zoe, Ruya is alive and kicking, so might also take Ruya into account. One of my clients just returned from a most happy holiday ar Ruya and my own trip back in May was outstanding.
Good luck anyway to OP and Damaxer. So sorry to hear about your experiences!
Aug 16, 2018, 7:48 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
dolphin announced plan to sell everything by end of next year including zoe, while ruya didnt open last year so hard to tell what future holds without more information
some staff (only management / GM ?) moved during ruya closure and jena strikes
thanks Epicura and others
some staff (only management / GM ?) moved during ruya closure and jena strikes
thanks Epicura and others
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 16, 2018 at 7:53 am
Aug 16, 2018, 7:52 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Yes, I was there last August in peak season with 90% occupancy, and service was excellent. Not that it is an excuse regardless. I will also add that these “local” photoshoots of non-guests was not happening. That is a new development and a terrible one at that.
Aug 16, 2018, 10:41 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,505
People are ready to pay very high rates for Amans. If you claim such prices you can expect and the hotel has to deliver only one thing: the best.
Aug 16, 2018, 1:14 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Sound like a stay in hell rather than a luxury resort. Felt terrible for the OP. Makes one question what is the point to pay so much more to stay at a "branded" name like Aman when the actual delivery can't be guaranteed and can be inconsistent.
Aug 16, 2018, 1:22 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
many luxury brand big box and grand dame hotels have prices as high or higher than aman, especially in higher seasons which are not limited to holidays. almost all amans have seen (many) others open in same areas, many others definitely not much lower rates.
though most aman did once have flatter rates, vs 'discounted' low and higher peak
though most aman did once have flatter rates, vs 'discounted' low and higher peak
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 16, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Aug 16, 2018, 4:00 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,505
many luxury brand big box and grand dame hotels have prices as high or higher than aman, especially in higher seasons which are not limited to holidays. almost all amans have seen (many) others open in same areas, many others definitely not much lower rates.
though most aman did once have flatter rates, vs 'discounted' low and higher peak
though most aman did once have flatter rates, vs 'discounted' low and higher peak
Aug 17, 2018, 6:55 am
#59
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
Due concerns over these issues and having 3 sets of clients visiting next month, I decided to connected with Tapa (GM/Regional Director) about these issues. He was very open to my concerns (listed the issues) and assured me that they are looking into this to ensure the clients won't suffer the same experience.
Thanks for calling this out again, @GetSetJetSet ... Still, sorry about your stay, though! I experienced something similar this Summer at Amanfayun as well. Very high hopes, booked their top two bedroom villa and it was a huge let down. GM was/is in transition so it was a mess without proper Aman leadership. But in the end, just lucky to be able to travel and fortunately, more good to excellent stays than poor ones.
Cheers!
Thanks for calling this out again, @GetSetJetSet ... Still, sorry about your stay, though! I experienced something similar this Summer at Amanfayun as well. Very high hopes, booked their top two bedroom villa and it was a huge let down. GM was/is in transition so it was a mess without proper Aman leadership. But in the end, just lucky to be able to travel and fortunately, more good to excellent stays than poor ones.
Cheers!
Aug 17, 2018, 6:56 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Due concerns over these issues and having 3 sets of clients visiting next month, I decided to connected with Tapa (GM/Regional Director) about these issues. He was very open to my concerns and assured me that they are looking into this and ensuring the clients won't suffer the same experience.
Thanks for calling this out again, @GetSetJetSet ... Still, sorry about your stay, though! I experienced something similar this Summer at Amanfayun as well. Very high hopes, booked their top two bedroom villa and it was a huge let down. GM is transition so it was a mess without proper Aman leadership. But in the end, just lucky to be able to travel and fortunately, more good to excellent stays than poor ones.
Cheers!
Thanks for calling this out again, @GetSetJetSet ... Still, sorry about your stay, though! I experienced something similar this Summer at Amanfayun as well. Very high hopes, booked their top two bedroom villa and it was a huge let down. GM is transition so it was a mess without proper Aman leadership. But in the end, just lucky to be able to travel and fortunately, more good to excellent stays than poor ones.
Cheers!
Ironically I found Amanjiwo highly overrated
