Preamble

This is to follow up my write up in February 2018 , see post #50 .. Amanresorts Thread 2018

For those who are not aware , Amanusa closed end February ‘ 18 .

The Villas “ complex “ back from when they were built each separately the last decade or so till then , were low key . This was when Monty B was covering Indonesia . The dirt track linking them to Amanusa remained as such and could not be ‘ used ‘ .

Unlike the villas at , say , Amanpuri and of course , Pulo , these at Nusa Dua are not in the same compound . Villa owners and guests wanting to go to Amanusa had a somewhat circuitous route - so near and yet so far .

Aman has since renamed / rebranded these villas as Aman Villas at Nusa Dua . Before this visit , we last stayed in June ‘ 18 .

Transfer from Kila and Arrival

The one hour plus ride in the Kila vehicle went surprisingly quickly with the usual snarled traffic closer to Sanur and Nusa Dua not quite happening . While we were sad to be leaving Kila , we were rather eager to see how the villas were “ being presented “ with the absence of Amanusa .

We were welcomed by a familiar face who has returned to the AMAN fold ! - Michel B , Hotel / Resort / Villa Manager , and the villa team ( few more familiar faces ) .

We cooled off in the library while chatting with Michel about our dinner menu & such .

Our welcome drink , fresh coconut , was awaiting us in our suite .

Room

All suites in the villas have the same layout as was at Amanusa . Our suite this time had an access past the library along some paving stones via the garden through the outdoor terrace and the main one that went behind the library .

This villa has 4 suites.

Shortcut 

This is the day route to our suite

The way to our suite and the next from behind the library 

Pool

All the villas have lovely lap pools with the largest being Olympic length at 50 metres .

This is taken from outside the library towards the dining pavilion .

View towards the library .

We had 8 loungers to choose from .

The Beach “ Club “

Last year , with no more Amanusa , the Beach Club also went . Thankfully , the Villas have since secured a patch fairly close to where it was previously , just past where the boardwalk ends towards the blowhole . 

It is a 10 / 15 minutes ride away similar to when one had to make the detour from Amanusa to the Beach Club when some construction was being done .

There are no bales though . As you can see , usually 6 loungers and 3 tables .

Sunrise , lone fisherman 

2 fishermen 

The best time to enjoy the beach with few people around is at sunrise . For more action , besides watching the fishermen , it will be the rest of the day .

This temple is at the entrance of AMAN ‘ s beach area .

Towards the end of one day , the priest was present possibly , I was told , praying for good weather for events at the hotels .

Dining

This stay we did not venture out and dined in . Breakfasts in the library and dinner too as it is air conditioned = bug free .

Set up for breakfast in the library .

As it was breezy during our stay - fewer or no bugs , we also dined in the dining pavillon by the pool . Michel had also arranged for extra portable fans for us besides the ceiling fan . The ceiling fans are present in just about all covered areas .

Meals can be had anywhere , like this main upper dining and living areas overlooking the pool 

We had very enjoyable meals . Anticipating our requests , we also ordered off menu besides checking out favourites / specials by the villa Chef - also not on the menu . Our villa Chef was open to whip up dishes especially with some notice , remember that this is not a boutique hotel . More bespoke . If you are staying for awhile , you will want to discuss / plan your meals and / or whether to give the Chef free hand to have market fresh items daily .

We had light afternoon teas , like ginger teas with cake & fruit . Complimentary as in other Indonesian AMANs .

Service

As mentioned last year , each villa has 2 butlers , a chef and assistant besides the gardeners and others covering all the villas .

For this villa , we again had competent ones . Aman service standards of old ..

Quite a relief after learning of the fiasco at Puri . Even at the beach , it was the seasoned steward from the Amanusa Beach Club and also others from the villa team when needed .

Location

A sanctuary if one wishes to be in the Nusa Dua area or needs to be near the airport .

To start one ‘ s Bali holiday especially if arriving really late , one can rest up / unwind & get over jet lag here .. Then move to the other Amans or other hotels  , Bali is a rather large island ! Plus traffic like all the time , just hope not a standstill ..

Then if one has an early departure , like to Wana or return flight , staying here would make sense so one does not have to leave unnecessarily early .

Set back from the increasingly congested beach front hotel scene .

Odds and ends

This villa has a gym which I did not get to this time . Viewed it on some previous visits .

There will be 6 villas available soon .

Even if one only requires a suite , it is very likely that one will not have to share the villa with other parties . Perhaps another suite maybe occupied . But one will hardly notice others unless using the pool at the same time if this occurs . The grounds and various areas are arranged and configured such that privacy is priority besides being large enough to share .

Check out done in suite as before .

Overall

One year on in this new arrangement , things are “ in place “ but with Michel working on further enhancements for guests . 

Like before , we did not have to share our villa :)

While some have commented on rarely seeing anyone else at some other Aman restaurants and find the quiet disconcerting , we enjoy the solitude .

Perhaps one can liken Nusa Dua now like a miniature Seminyak as there seems to be more galleries , shops and restaurants just enroute to the Villa Beach area .

It is like coming home as we did not have to check in ;) , only in Bali , and going to the beach or out to town just ‘ down the road ‘ in chauffeured cool villa vehicle when necessary .