Looking seriously at Amanpulo (after reading a zillion posts here - I'm the diver/solo traveler who loves privacy and quiet and not being forced to deal with children everywhere). If budget isn't an issue, is a 1BR villa a better choice than one of the casitas? I saw the property map but wasn't clear on the proximity of the casitas/villas to each other. And how's the food now? Thanks everyone...

from map page on main aman site >
http://www.amanresorts.com/uploadedF...0Map_Dec10.pdf
villas >
21 is older 4BR that is most private, unlike the newer 7 4BRs in southeast
32 is 1BR i think
31/33 are 2BRs i think

they still have 2 casitas, bunkhouse, clubhouse from west/etc villa? bookable?

a much better and more readable map than I was looking at - thanks! Does anyone know distances between villas (can you hear your neighbors)?

http://www.amanresorts.com/uploadedI..._Aerial_hp.jpg
http://www.amanresorts.com/uploadedI...illas1_alb.jpg

I never heard a peep from neighbours even in a Casita. This is a very quiet, private resort.

Thank you both so much - it's wonderful to have access to you all who have been to places and know this information

When travelling alone, a Beach Casita is definitely the best choice - since they are on the better beach compared to the Villas. Ask for a Casita from No. 25 to 29, since they are on the best location, far enough from each other.

If I recall, the villa side of the island is also very windy and if you stay there during a very windy month like December, the beach can be unusable. So time of year is definitely a consideration.

Exactly! That's one of the reasons I strongly recommend Casita 24 to 29 - which are the six red roofs on the lower right coast of Kagehitokiris first picture-link ("Aerial").

but the redone 1/2/4BR are on the west side.

All, thanks for that further info - I was thinking of Nov/Dec, so the windy comments are very welcome.

There are some small photos of the garden pool,partial ocean pool and two bedroom pool pavillions on the website now : http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpuri/accommodation.aspx

Which Aman is generally considered as the best?

Impossible to choose - they are all 'of the place' and totally unique. Having stayed in most of them, I could not begin to choose a favourite.

Totally agree that it would be impossible to choose one, even though I have only been to 6. We could, however, try to make a list of the favourite things at each of them, like I once did for FS. Mine would be (having been to jena, jiwo, dari, puri, wana and kila):
Best beach: puri
Best room: jiwo
Best excursions: jiwo - Private sunrise trip to Borobodur followed by elephant ride back to jiwo
Best cooking class: dari
Best food: indonesian feast at dari + Naoki at puri
Best arrival: water plane to wana
Best massage: puri
Best gym: puri
Best outside lounging: Bale at jiwo with view to Borobodur
Best bathroom: jiwo
Best snorkelling: wana
Best main pool: kila
Best beach "loungers": Bale at kila
Best complimentary in room snack: Dades at jena + fruit at jiwo
Best welcome: flower girls at jiwo
Best breakfast item: French toast at dari