Folks,

I've been to the FS and RC on Maui. I've tried the Princeville and GH on Kauai as well. While all nice properties, none of them come close IMHO to the quality of service at resorts like an Aman. I'm referring to things like the size, quality and privacy of the villas at an Aman. The staff to guest ratios, personal service, attention to whatever you need, and the small size of the property are all things I appreciate at Aman's.

So my question is, does anything like this exist in Hawaii? And if not, I am at a total loss for why. Seems to be a great opportunity.

Thanks..

FS hualalai is one of the best regarded properties in the world here.

aman style (size) is more common in places that offer owner lower costs.
edit - not just labor, but land and government.

would certainly be nice if kona village was changed into FS tented camp.

Not to my knowledge. My favorite in Hawaii is FS Hua, but this resort is a FS, and doesn't have the look and feel of an Aman. I suspect it would be too expensive to do the Aman approach in Hawaii.

Hotel Bora Bora has this cost issue, and HBB appears to be in serious danger of never reopening.

actually the four seasons , hua lalai that is , was originally a Regent which has Aman "stock & pedigree " & " heritage " as it were ...

and thats not all .......the Halekulani was also very much a Regent linked or even managed - the link was Bob Burns - [ IIRC ] back in the days..of genuine gracious service !!

but the closest Aman got to a property in Hawaii was the HANA MAUI ...at least after years of negotiations ... it would have been a wonderful AMAN

I'm familar will nearly all the locations of Aman hotels worldwide and I admit I'm fairly knowledgable regarding luxury hotels worldwide, except for Aman resorts.

I've not stayed in an Aman resort but have read great reviews (from indivduals rather than in professional) - oh I had dinenr at Amanpuri once.

Please describe what makes Aman so unique, what is their 'approach' you refer too?

From my limited understanding so far, I'm aware the resorts have a small number of rooms/suites which would naturally offer a more personal level of service.

I understand privacy is rare, offered in resorts with 50 rooms or less (like Aman) or somewhere like North Island Seychelles and one of many resorts in The Maldives (where even when the resort is 100% occupied you still feel like it's your own private island).

Do share what exactly Aman offers their guests and from reviews, at least here on FT, you can not find anywhere else?

Since this is OT, I'll try to keep it quick.
Stunning locations, great architects, use of local materials, spacious and spotless accomodations, sense of place, high staff to guest ratio, know your name and preferences, excellent and often invisible service, usually local staff, genuinely friendly, ever-present GM, open line of communication before and after stay with a feeling of "relationship", activities are culturally rich, personalized, private and get you out amongst the locals. I might think of more later...

I've stayed at a few Aman's. I've also had the opportunity to try the new Ritz Carlton Reserve in Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand.

I've been to RC's, FS's, Shangri-La's, PH's and other small boutique luxury properties around the world but have never experienced something like an Aman before. The RC Reserve was the closest I've seen yet, in many ways equivalent to the Aman.

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of constructive feedback for Aman as well, it isn't perfect, but as the poster above said, it's about things likes:

Privacy - I have gone an entire day without seeing other guests even when venturing all over the resort and dining in the restaurants. There is absolutely no way another guest would see you from/in your villa, at least in the Aman's I visited.

Service - Top notch. No checks, signing, bills, etc. They all know who you are. They are over the top willing to accommodate any request. Example: provide free on-site tennis lessons at 10pm for my companion at no cost. Provide on the spot cooking class with head chef. Personal tour of on-site garden from head chef. 5am sunrise on the beach champagne breakfast.

Mgmt - GM always accessible via email or phone. Willing to take special requests into consideration and rarely cannot make them happen. Example: specific villa requests, specific food requests. They flew the head chef to Manilla at Amanpulo for us to get some special exotic fruits we requested - at no charge to us.

Architecture / grounds - Asian inspired, a combination of modern and old style. Always reminds me of Thailand, perhaps it's the roots of Aman with Amanpuri. Refined Asian inspired elegance and modernism tied together.

I could go on for a long time. Anyhow, a "hotel" experience like the FS or a standard RC are just totally different. Aman's don't have "lobbies" per say all the time, they don't have elevators to your room, there's no "which floor are you on", there's no maid carts running around the halls. Sorry, it's difficult to describe, best thing to do is give it a try.

Anyhow... back to the topic, I guess I don't understand the price point issue in Hawaii. Staff cost? That I can understand perhaps. They should just import some folks from one of their other Asia based locations and have them stay on property. Anyhow, I just think there'd be a big market for it if it were possible in HI.

I've only stayed at 1 Aman (amangani), and I thought it was nice but not superlative. Perhaps it was because we were there for New Years and it was 100% occupancy. Only a couple staff members actually knew us by name. Facilities were nice, but not over the top amazing. Service likewise was hospitable, but not like FS Tented Camp. We felt nickled and dimed for every little thing.

I will agree that the GM was ever-present and struck up conversations with us a couple times.

Spa was actually a bit disappointing, considering the spa heritage of the brand.

Food was good but not great.

I look forward to trying another one soon...I believe Amangiri is in the works for us this year. Perhaps Amanyara as well.

Comparing America to Asia is gonna be tough no matter how you slice it. Which might actually bring us back on topic...to Hawaii that is. There are lots of challenges (cost, service, and otherwise) here in the states.

I've never tried an Aman outside of Asia, and have heard the comments made above as well. But honestly, I'm sure it's possible to re-create the experience here, it's just about cost. But again, importing folks on 3 year rotations from other Aman's I would *think* would solve that problem. Work visas, cost of living, I can see how the costs would be higher.

My point is - I think there's a market willing to pay for that in places like Hawaii.

I keep asking myself why I'd want to go to the FS or RC in HI when I can go to an Aman for sometimes similar room rates. I realize Asia is another half way across the world, and I travel internationally all the time, so to me it's a no brainer, but to others it may be a stretch. So.. even more of a reason to consider a higher priced option with this quality of service stateside..

But that will be very un-Aman. Except for the management and chef, Aman likes to hire locals, and participate in the community it is in. At least that has been the case in the Southeast Asia properties that I have been to.

I guess I forgot to address the Hawaii issue...I have stayed @ FS Hualalai and think it's probably going to be your best bet in the entire state of Hawaii. As my review of the property pointed out, I would suggest avoiding the partial ocean view and oceanview categories, as neither has a particularly great view of the ocean, yet they cost substantially more than the golf view rooms. Instead, I would opt for a golf-view room and negotiate an upgrade to an oceanfront room at the time of check-in, assuming you are not traveling during a high-occupancy season. You'll save a lot more than if you just booked an oceanfront room to start.

Aman is truely one of the nicest vacations you could possibly have.
Any Aman. Some better than others, though.

I love the ones in Indonesia.

Bring someone special. The memories will last a lifetime.

My advice - pass on Hawaii, head to an Aman in Asia.

Four Seasons Hualalai attracts many people who could go wherever they want and they chose Hualalai. If you are looking for more space, you should consider renting one of the villas or homes.

And to this point, it is often 30% - 50% less expensive to rent one of the Hualalai private properties from an independent site like flipkey or homeaway. Same amenities, same properties, just a lot less money! I have seen the various villas (aka condos) go for $600 - $900 per night. I've seen the private residences go for $2500 - $2900+ per night, assuming not in a holiday season.