deer

One of the most interesting themes in Luxury Hotels Forum is speculating about new Amanresorts and new GHM Hotels/Resorts - since these resorts are mostly the best places in service, design and location. Hints about new developments were spread over different threads. This thread is made for gathering all the infos on New Amanresorts.

NEW AMAN - WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE:

- Amanfayun at Hangzhou, China, 180 km southwest from Shanghai, next to Ling Yin temple (http://tinyurl.com/yzryroz), official opening January 2010. Ian White, formerly GM of Bora-Bora Amanresorts and Amanwana, appointed as GM. Aman writes in casting ads: "Hangzhou is an extremely scenic location in the south China with stunning lake views and the numerous unspoilt sceneries. The Amanfayun is a luxury resort adjacent to the iconic site and country’s famous Buddhism temple - Ling Yin. Reflecting traditional architecture in the south China, the resort also features a variety of dinning areas, a comprehensive spa and a range of recreational facilities." Factsheet: http://tinyurl.com/ygjokl7

- "The Aman at Sveti Stefan", Montenegro Coast: Consists of 2 old hotels, completely rennovated. http://www.amanresorts.com/Aman%20Sv...vetiStefan.pdf Villa Milocer already opened, Aman Sveti Stefan (on an island): 08/09 planned opening, being pushed minimum to 2010 because of financing problems...


AMAN - SOUNDS REAL:

- Amancona in Brazil, close to Ilha Grande and the historic village of Paraty, 100 km from Rio de Janeiro. 30 room resort plus private villas for sale. Planned opening 2011. Cheesy non-Aman website online now: http://amanoca.com/

- Aman in Cavtat, Croatia near Dubrovnik (and not far from Montenegro), hinted by Vuittons and Nama, found at http://www.bjelasica-komovi.com/file...consulting.pdf

- Aman in Pulau Besar, North Malaysia, on the Island of an inland lake (Source: http://malaysia-travel.suite101.com/...n_and_air_asia and http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...0&sec=business). According to FlyerEC, the pre-opening/opening team is already on site.

- Aman on Playa Grande, Dominican Republic, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, 40 rooms, 40 www.playagrande.com, Sources: Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx4490014.html & developers detailed press release http://www.reuters.com/article/press...08+RNS20080103), the Master-plan prepared in coordination between Hart Howerton and Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston has been finalised. In addition, Denniston is progressing the architectural design of the Aman hotel and villas. Rees Jones has also finalised the rerouting of the golf course further enhancing the golf experience of the project. Most likely a 200-room-GHM Golf Hotel nearby (see below).

- The Aman Shanghai, China - on the site of the old British Embassy at the Bund, No. 33. SPG Land Company from Hongkong is developing, Architects will be The Pei Partnership (source: Gallivanter's Guide)

- Aman at Porto Heli, Greece - a 45 Million-Dollar-project which offers almost 360 degrees panoramic sea views. Architect Ed Tuttle. It is an exclusive villa community including a 40-room Aman hotel integrated with 40 Aman villas and a spa and is nearby some other developments, including the later featured, GHM-managed Kilada Hills Golf Resort. A good 200 kilometers from Athens. http://www.portohelicollection.com/hotels-aman.php

- Most likely two Amanresorts in Portugal, according to "4 your eyes only", confirmed by an Aman manager to me:
"Amanduna" in Comporta (a natural reserve 1 hour from Lisboa), opening 2011 or 2012.
"Aman in Douro Valley" (UNESCO world heritage site, famous for its wine), opening 2011, architect JM Gathy according to GG.
According to Gallivanter's Guide there will be a 3rd one in Porto by architect Kerry Hill, but this was NOT confirmed by my good source.

AMAN - SPECULATIVE/VAPORWARE

- Aman Tokyo, scheduled for 2014 according to vuittonsofstyle. In a new development area - Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, on the top floors of a mixed-use building

- Amanresort at Sukarta, one good hour from Yogyakarta and a little more from Amanjiwo. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post12971838. According to user Sundarma, construction will begin in spring 2010, so an opening could be expected around 2012.

- Amancaya in Norman's Cay, Carribean, "finally got permissions" according to AirJunkie and opxzaw on flyertalk. I also found a funny government-permission link including financial details: http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publ...m-002657.shtml

- Aman in Diqin area northwest of Zhongdian, Yunnan Province, China, opening unknown (http://kiplingandclark.blogspot.com/...tinations.html)

- Aman in Johor, South Malaysia, in a development zone disgustingly featuring two theme parcs (sic!) next to Singapore. According to nama opening earliest 2010.

- Aman in Perth, Western Australia. Aman is "in talks" to convert The Old Treasury Buildings, a heritage site, and add a slim tower to the back of the building - to get an Aman Hotel with 90 rooms. Not date set yet. Found by Kagehitokiri on http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...Six_Star_Hotel

- Dubai Aman near the Airport - "a unique lifestyle resort at DWTC's Dubai Trade Centre District" (http://propdubai.com/news/1091/index.php). Sounds disgusting!

- Amanoca in Brazil, designed by Jean Michel Gathy and 100km from Rio, according to Air Junkie.

- Aman in Amman, Jordan - according to FlyerEC opening in Mid-2009 (which is hard to believe...)

- AmanESB in Mexico, Estero Santa Barbara, way down at Baja Californica near Mulege, 600 km south of Tijuana (http://www.esterosantabarbara.com/bajacasur_big.html). Big plans including an Aman Resort, Aman Villas, Golf Course (http://www.dmkgolfdesign.com/portfolio-amanesb.aspx), other Villas and so on (http://www.esterosantabarbara.com/resort.html). Once again the Gathy-Guy is the architect. According to Air Junkie temperatures are very hot there, and the resort is still in pre-development...

- Aman on the site of a former Nikko Hotel on one of the 250 Palau Islets, 500 miles southeast from the Philippines, opening unknown (Source: Gallivanter Guide). According to the newest finding, thanks to Kage, "the project which will begin construction in the second quarter of 2009 will see completion in 14 to 16-month time" (http://www.mvarietynews.com/index.ph...-news&Itemid=5)

- Aman on Kayangel Island, also in Palau, opening unknown (Source: Gallivanter Guide).

- Aman on Grand Bahama Island, designed by good old Jean-Michel Gathy, according to AirJunkie.

- Aman in Bovina in US State of New York (http://www.allianceforbovina.org/bovina-news.html), spotted by bearbrick.

- Aman at Amazon river, Brazil - told by Zecha in interview (as told by Kagehitokiri).

- Aman in Riviera Maya, Mexico, opening unknown (Source: Gallivanter Guide).

- Aman in Los Angeles, "still looking for property" according to Air Junkie.

- According to wsj.com, Zecha is talking about doing a project in Vietnam, scouring for sites in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and "remaking an entire South China village into a retreat for the wealthy elite, set to open later this year" (maybe the Hangzhou project). http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the...palace-resort/ (link found by SIN1K)

- Very, very speculative rumors about Amanresorts in Amman (Jordan), St Petersburg, Sicily, Bermuda, Maui, Costa Rica, Kenia, Cuba, Venice and New York on flyertalk.

- Aman in Bangkok next to The Oriental - always rumored, never started building...

- Close to death: Aspen

- Cancelled:
Nepal.
Fiji.
Amanmila in Greece (on an unspoilt peninsula with 5 km of shoreline with design by Four-Seasons-Sayan-Spaceship-Builder John Heah, old announcement was http://www.dolphinci.com/index.cfm?page=1041).
Malibu Resort & Spa in California to be managed by Amanresorts (scheduled to open 2011, now dissapeared from investor Canyon Equity's website).
Amaniwa in Kyoto, about 1 km from the Golden Temple of Kinkakuji.



GHM - SOUNDS REAL:

- "The Ananti" by GHM in funny communist North (!) Korea, planned opening August 2008, but not opened yet... (great fotographs of the fantastic mountaineous landscape on www.ghmhotels.com -> Ananti), 5 hour drive from Seoul (South Korea) & 10-day-processment-time visa needed. Rooms from 850 USD + 10%, Suites from 1400 USD + 10%.

- "The Yamu" by GHM on Phuket (Thailand), designed by Phillip Stark opening pushed back from "fall 2008" over "late 2009" and "Q3 2010" now to "late 2011" (www.theyamu.com) due to "finance problems of the investors".

- "Nizuc" by GHM in Riviera Maya, pushed to "2010" (www.nizuc.com).

- "Chedi at Thracian Cliffs" at Kavarna (Bulgary), a 60 suite boutique hotel, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. Next Airport is Varna (VAR), reachable by LH or OS. It's located on the on the northern Black Sea Coast and will be part of a larger coastal resort. First spotted by bearbrick. Planned opening autumn 2010. Check out http://thraciancliffs.com/overview/V...sentation.html and http://www.golfandspa.eu/en/thracian_cliffs_chedi_en

- "Chedi Andermatt" in Switzerland inmidst the alps, as part of a kind of artificial resort/apartment town-development. Designed by Denniston and planned opening in 2012, The Chedi Andermatt will comprise 131 hotel rooms, pied-a-terres and penthouses, as well as 94 private residences, apartments and lofts - with an aprés ski bar, restaurant, bar, lounge, spa, gym and pool. Investors presentation with some impressive pics (spotted by Kage): http://www.orascomdh.com/uploads/med...09_english.pdf

- "The Serai Club", Bali - a GHM-managed all-villa-resort, located in the inland with no ocean view, no beach access and only one 25-meter-pool somewhere behind the Ritz Carlton Jimbaran. www.serai-club.com or with better pictures www.ghmhotels.com -> Serai Club. Opening postponed from late 2008 to April 2010.

- Chedi at Kilada Hills - part of Porto Heli development, Greece, two hours from Athens, managed by GHM, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. Once Scheduled for 2010. A 100-Million-Dollar-project on a 250-hectare site is to be developed as an upscale residential resort comprising more than 450 units on approximately 180 hectares of land integrated with a luxury hotel, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, as well as other supporting recreational and sports facilities, including a marina, an equestrian centre, a winery, an olive oil process facility and a small retail complex and also an Aman (see above). http://www.portohelicollection.com/hotels-chedi.php

- The Malkai in Muscat, Oman, opening end-2010, as an "exclusive community, the development will comprise of 101 four-bedroom villas and 92 two-bedroom suites, as well as a boutique hotel offering 41 luxury suites.", managed by GHM (http://www.themalkai.com, http://www.duttondirect.com/lifestyl...rticle/id:4095). But: 3 km from the beach, but with possible beach club access.

- The Chedi Taiping Lake, in Anhui Province, China near Mt. Huangshan. 30 villas and 90 rooms and suites plus a traditional hot spring spa, health club, golf course and restaurants. It will be in a very scenic landscape (UNESCO World Herritage Site) near one of the 4 holy mountains of China and a big lake, but be part of a huge resort complex, compromising of a Crowne Plaza Resort (sic!), some residential homes and a golf course. Details under: http://www.spgland.com/eng/business/hotel.htm

- The Artai in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road next to the Emirates Towers, designed by Denniston. Next to the Dubai World Trade Centre, The Artai Hotel Tower will comprise 150 one and two-bedroom hotel apartments, while The Artai Apartment Tower will feature 250 luxury one and two-bedroom serviced apartments and four restaurants, plus spa and health club.

GHM - SPECULATIVE/VAPORWARE

- Kraljičina Plaža Hotel at traditional coastline holiday resort Sveti Stefan, Montenegro - an old hotel destructed and newly built, 2010 planned opening, next to 2 Aman managed restored old hotels - no building activity yet, so most likely postponed... (http://www.visit-montenegro.com/article767.htm)

- "The Tanai" on Turks & Caicos next to fantastic Amanyara, The Tanai on Turks & Caicos next to great Amanyara, with 60 hotel rooms and 30 residences, opening 2010 according to GHM-designed Website http://thetanai.com (see also: Gallivanter's Guide & http://www.concierge.com/destination...etail?id=10503, http://www.tcweeklynews.com/default....lynews&he=.com)

- "Chedi at Livka Bay" at the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. http://www.dolphinci.com/index.cfm?page=1052

- GHM on Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, will be announced end 2008 according to AirJunkie.

- Chedi Dubai on the artifical Palm Jumeirah island (which will sadly also feature 25 of the top international hotel brands including Movenpick, Antara, Fairmont, Radisson SAS, Hilton, Metropolitan, Shangri La, One and Only Royal Mirage, Starwood, Marriott, Oberoi, Taj and Dusit, according to http://www.dxbdubai.com/index.php?s=chedi

- Chedi Bangkok & Chedi Singapore (all according to the site of IMEX Frankfurt travel convention: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com (search for "GHM"))

- 200-room-GHM Golf Hotel in Playa Grande, Dominican Republic, next to an upcoming Amanresort - Developer says "most likely managed by GHM" (http://www.reuters.com/article/press...08+RNS20080103).

- GHM Hotel in Philadelphia, rumored by Galivanter's Guide with the remark "which should prove quite a culture shock"...


SETAI (which will NOT be automatically managed by GHM)

- Setai Josei Ignacio in Uruguay, opening 2009/2010 according to NY Times and website www.setaijoseignacio.com

- Setai Costa Rica - in pre-development according to AirJunkie

- Setai Baja, searching for property according to AirJunkie.

- New York: Setai confusion - a condo-tower (not hotel) opening 2009 (www.setainy.com). And a rumored hotel, most likely NOT manged by GHM in Midtown Manhattan on 400, 5th Ave (http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...he_Name_Setai_).


OPENED since the beginning of this threat:

- Amangiri near Lake Powell, USA, developed by Canyon Group, open since fall 2009.

- Amantaka in Laos, Louang Phabang, the transformation of the old hospital next to stunning Wat Chom temple http://www.amanresorts.com/amantaka_factsheet.pdf.

- "The Aman at Summer Palace" in Bejing: www.amanresorts.com/home.aspx?id=5700 The Times reported http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle4867236.ece, and Flyertalks' Hubertus already made fotografs http://www.flickr.com/photos/aktkbk/...7607794370473/

- Villa Milocer in Montenegro, first part of Aman Sveti Stefan, opened beginning of 2009

- "The Aman New Dehli", City Hotel with individual pools: www.amandelhi.com First review: http://www.livemint.com/Articles/Pri...2-000B5DABF613


Please add, subtract & comment!!!

jkirk

One correction to the above - I'm quite sure the New Delhi property is still on track for opening in autumn 2008. I've been assured by Aman reservations office in the last few weeks that it will be open in time for our trip to Delhi in December.

uclabruin82

GHM is planning a prporty in Punta del Este (Jose Ignacio). Although I am not sure if it is just condos

Kagehitokiri

setai NY is not a hotel.

ananti (korea) and amangiri seem "real"..

setai jose ignacio has a website advertising a past event, OTOH i seem to recall reading something saying it was delayed or cancelled..

aman kyoto was said (by bearbrick and others? in aman thread) to have been postponed IIRC.

from Air Junkie (in aman thread) >
-aspen
-baja
-los angeles

zecha interview (referenced in aman thread) >
-amazon

edited >
setai NY is definitely not a hotel, and was never advertised as one. amangiri has been discussed quite a bit here, and all the others in my post have been mentioned here before. AFAIK the only property i "found" was the ananti.

arent delhi and beijing the only amanresorts that are definitely under construction? "rumor" is not really the way to describe properties that have been officially/unofficially announced.. i think whoever originally said "vaporware" (Pickles or Ericka?) had it right.. almost every property listed as "rumored" was actually officially announced. there are tons more "rumored" / cancelled / etc locations in the aman thread.

deer

Thanks Kagehitokiri for your input!
This thread is opened to bring all former stories, official/unoffical announcements and rumors together on one list, so everybody should please help with all the information you have or you can get.
Setai NY is now descended to the rumors category - maybe they rent unsold condo units as hotel rooms like in their Miami condo tower.

Newly added is extensive information about the Dominican Republic Amanresort - and a GHM next to it! It is developed by the Amanyara investment company. Next to that one also a GHM will be built, which is also newly added together with the GHM Philadelphia rumor from Gallivanter.

AirJunkie

Setai NYC (downtown) and Setai on 5th Avenue will NOT be GHM managed.
Setai downtown is not a hotel.
Amancaya finally got permissions in order. Look out!
Uruguay Setai is happening (very small), again, not managed by GHM. Setai owns the name, and now has their own management company.
Amanmilla is happening - going through permissions now, which will take forever.
GHM in Galapagos will be announced by the end of 2008.
Baja Aman has been financed by Dolphin as well. Ground breaking soon. Great property, but will be very hot.
Setai looking hard in Baja for the right site. 3 sites in the running.
Aspen Aman is close to dead.
LA still looking for property.

Enjoy....

deer

x---x

opxzaw

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=15886

vuittonsofstyle

News on the Kyoto Aman!
Currently training at Amankora, Bhutan, is a Miss Shimizu, who is destined to become GM of the Kyoto Aman. Traditionally, in Ryokan fashion, it is always a woman who manages these things.
The Kyoto Aman will be called Amaniwa and is in Takagamine, about 1 km from the Golden Temple of Kinkakuji, Kyoto.

Pauldublin

In light of recent developments i wonder if aman cuba will be developed. I beleive Adrian was a major factor in choosing the site but it may have been passed on.

opxzaw

don't know if anybody has mentioned this before, but it is news to me


http://www.serai-club.com/index.php

deer

Thanks for finding! The Serai Club seems very unattractive to me, located somewhere in the inland without beach access, behind the depressingly huge Ritz Carlton Jimbaran. Only one 25-meter-pool, with villas very close to each other, with no view at all.

Why in the world does Zecha and/or GHM management devaluate GHM with below-par-4-star-projects like Chedi Milan or this Serai thing?

Hubertus

I don't think GHM hotels and Amanresorts are comparable. All the Amans I had the luck to stay in were something far above and better than any other luxury hotel (though with some slight nuances depending on the resort).
I stayed at the Saujana in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago and (for the price that I payed) it was more than fine, but simply a very big hotel in a beautiful garden, with many restaurants, many people, a professional staff, but nothing more than that.
Also the Chedi in Milan (which I have never had time to visit since it is so far from the city centre) does not seem to be comparable to other top facilities in Milan (e.g. the Bulgari with its amazing garden, restaurant and spa). On the other hand, as far as I remember, it is significantly cheaper.
Isn't GHM simply focusing on a different target client?

Kagehitokiri

targeting a broader market does not exclude aman clientele.

some aman clientele might be interested in city locations, club offerings, and design, for example.

deer

The best and most spectacular GHM Properties like the Datai, the Setai in Miami, the Nam Hai or most probably the new Nizuc and Yamu are really top-notch, with the only disadvantage of being part of not-so-intimate resorts with around 80 rooms instead of the 40 room Amanresorts. They have fantastic features like for example the rainforest-setting of the Datai, the butler-served-villas and the fantastic restaurant at the Nam Hai, the decadent Tower Suites at the Setai or the 100-metre-swimming pool at The Yamu. That's why they are relevant alternatives to Amanresorts-Fans.

So what surprises me is, that clearly 4-star-properties like Chedi Milan or most probably the new Serai Club are part of the GHM brand. Maybe they should start a different brand/website for those hotels, maybe call them all Chedi. This would mean:

- Intimate 7 star resorts max. 40 rooms: Amanresorts.
- Spectacular 5-6 star resorts max. 80 rooms: GHM
- Designy 4 star hotels/resorts: Chedi

What do you think?