Looking back on Aman rumors - What came true and what didn't
Dec 23, 2018, 12:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167
Looking back on Aman rumors - What came true and what didn't
I came across this thread (New and rumored Amanresorts / GHM Hotels - the 2012 thread) started just shy of 7 years ago. It covers a bunch of potential properties, an impressive number of which (7) came to fruition.
Quick recap:
Correct predictions:
Amandayan, opened in 2015
Aman Venice, opened in 2013
Amanoi, opened in 2013
Aman Tokyo, opened in 2014
Amanera, opened in 2015, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy
Amanzoe, opened in 2012, designed by Ed Tuttle
Only the last one is coming true (very very speculative shot in the dark guess that hit the bullseye it seems). Aman New York, opening in 2020.
Strong Rumors that unfortunately never came true
This one interests me. South America has so many locations that just scream for an Aman. Unfortunate it never came to be, as the image(s) seen looked beautiful. See here (found by googling 'Amanoca'): https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/...brazil-amanoca
Portugal is another area I could definitely envision an Aman (Douro Valley or Porto). This rumor seemed somewhat solid.
Rumors that specifically pique my interest
This is crazy and so over the top but has enough details that it could have very well been real.
Like my comments regarding Amanoca, South America, especially Brazil, has so many environments that suit the brand and would surely be spectacular locations for an exclusive ultra-luxury property. All 3 locations mentioned are jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Still waiting for a property in Malaysia... either on the Malay Peninsula or out in Borneo, maybe near Tawau. Googling 'Amancrag' shows mockups of the villas, as well as this fairly detailed article: https://www.edgeprop.my/content/crag...mancrag-resort
C'mon Doronin, you know you can make the greatest safari property of all time, so do it!
Interesting that this is in the 'Cancelled' section. Last I read (about a month ago), this project was alive and there may be a 2021/22/23 opening. Anyone seen anything?
Comments? Thoughts?
Quick recap:
Correct predictions:
Strong Rumors that unfortunately never came true
Amanoca close to Angra dos Reis, 2,5 hours from Rio de Janeiro. JM Gathy from Denniston will be designing. Only 20 room resort plus private villas for sale, on 70 acres of land including beach and marina. http://www.atlasholdingsintl.com/projects/brazil.php
First spotted by Air Junkie. Opening late 2013/early 2014 according to GK1998. Cheesy non-Aman website: http://amanoca.com/
First spotted by Air Junkie. Opening late 2013/early 2014 according to GK1998. Cheesy non-Aman website: http://amanoca.com/
- Amanduna in Comporta, Portugal (a natural reserve 1 hour from Lisboa), opening possibly in 2013. Sadly no ocean views. Next to Park Hyatt etc.: http://alcacergolf.com/Location/StrategicContext/ and http://www.herdadedacomporta.pt/en/tourism/amanduna/.
Rumors that specifically pique my interest
6 (!) Amanresorts in Gabon, West Africa:
- A resort with 20 luxury tents to the south of the Loango National Park
- A hotel with 30 villas on the Phare de Ngombe site in the Pongara National Park just outside of Libreville
- A hotel with 30 suites in Libreville
- A hotel with 30 suites in the Lopé National Park
- A hotel with 30 villas on the Kongou Falls site in the Ivindo National Park and a resort with 10 tents on the Langoué site in the same park
- A resort with 15 tents in the Batéké Plateaux National Park
First spotted by Gallivanter's Guide and paul2, now offical reports of the signing ceremony: legabon.org.- This website is for sale!.- legabon Resources and Information.
- A resort with 20 luxury tents to the south of the Loango National Park
- A hotel with 30 villas on the Phare de Ngombe site in the Pongara National Park just outside of Libreville
- A hotel with 30 suites in Libreville
- A hotel with 30 suites in the Lopé National Park
- A hotel with 30 villas on the Kongou Falls site in the Ivindo National Park and a resort with 10 tents on the Langoué site in the same park
- A resort with 15 tents in the Batéké Plateaux National Park
First spotted by Gallivanter's Guide and paul2, now offical reports of the signing ceremony: legabon.org.- This website is for sale!.- legabon Resources and Information.
3 more Amanresorts in Brazil, according to paul2, starting with:
- Aman at Alagoas, a spectacular site on the north east of Brazil, mentonied by paul2. Actual status: postponed.
- Aman at the Amazon. Told by Zecha in interview in 2008 (found by Kagehitokiri). Status: Pre-development.
- Aman at Pantanal (first mentioned by paul2). Status: Pre-development.
- Aman at Alagoas, a spectacular site on the north east of Brazil, mentonied by paul2. Actual status: postponed.
- Aman at the Amazon. Told by Zecha in interview in 2008 (found by Kagehitokiri). Status: Pre-development.
- Aman at Pantanal (first mentioned by paul2). Status: Pre-development.
Amancrag atop of Penang Hill (800 meters) at Penang Island, Malaysia. Spotted first by south_sea99, it will be the conversion of an old colonial hotel into a 20 villa Amanresort, most likely with quite spectacular bungalow design. See [...] at the end of this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=BE&f...&v=T5ArDgHsRbk. Planned opening in 2014, now some bureaucratic problems...
Amanmara in Kenya, spotted by Paul2: "If you try to open www.amanmara.com you are brought straight to the main amanresorts website.
Comments? Thoughts?
Dec 23, 2018, 5:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 26
https://www.aman.com/expeditions/kyo...t-journey-2020
Dec 23, 2018, 9:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 110
I don't believe Amaniwa is cancelled. Lots of talk about it (including some member on here who's seen the construction area I think), plus if you look at the 2019/20 Aman jet journeys on their website Kyoto is the first destination (and it says hotel TBA)... Wouldn't imagine they'd outsource this hotel on their jet journey so I think that all but confirms a definite Aman opening in Kyoto by 2020.
https://www.aman.com/expeditions/kyo...t-journey-2020
https://www.aman.com/expeditions/kyo...t-journey-2020
Dec 24, 2018, 12:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,220
As usual , the Aman folks on the ground are left cautiously in the dark . But the informed locals are coy too 
..
Dec 25, 2018, 11:06 pm
#7
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
Not new openings but reopenings...
On the wrong side, many didn't expect Amanruya to reopen as an Aman.
There's also the small question of Hotel Bora Bora.
On the wrong side, many didn't expect Amanruya to reopen as an Aman.
There's also the small question of Hotel Bora Bora.