SeamasterLux,

which aman determines comparison to "alternatives"

there is lots of discussion of aman and aman vs other properties, including from same exact perspective

typed abbreviations (save time) dont mean spoken abbreviations

you are doing so in luxury, yet you criticize even amanresorts ("aman limo") ?

so at least part of the criticism

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...periences.html >

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considering one can only travel in the present and future, im not sure it makes sense for one to never go somewhere just because it is not as good now as it was before (the nature of time)

(referring to comments like this most recent one)
related >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ion-ideas.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ot-missed.html

I stayed at an Amanresorts for the first time around 12 years ago. By then, we were just about able to afford the accommodation and did not have any amount of money left to eat/drink/go on activities there. During a holiday, we would go to simple hotels for most days, and then splurge in an Aman at the end. We would maybe stay 2 or 3 nights, but only have one meal there and do one activity and for the rest we would go out for food or by snacks and eat in our room. Still we loved every minute of it. It is nicer to go now when we can afford taking full advantage of everything offered in the resort, but I never regret that we went before. I do not know if you would feel the same way. If you would stay there and think about the high cost compared to alternatives all the time, I do think you should do it. The only way to find out, is to stay. Maybe just one night, arriving early one day and leave late the next day to fully enjoy? Amans are normally very flexible in terms of check in and check out times as long as they are not fully booked.

As mentioned in another thread, meal prices at Amans are same as in expensive restaurants in Europe or the US. Special meals (like private BBQ on the beach or similar) even more expensive, but very special. Not possible to give you costs of activities in general, but you can always write to the different resorts directly to get their activities lists with costs. Or if you ask for one specific activity, I can try to find it for you if I have the information.

very helpful thank you. I was not thinking of a particular activity, just wanted to know if overall it was pricey, which I think is the case.

Since I'm planning my holidays of January 2014, I'm considering 3 nights at the Sara or at the La Residence Angkor. I'm not too impressed by the design of the Sara; I find it rather neutral and without any local inspiration but it might be the pictures of the website... I don't know.
After that I'll fly to Vietnam either to the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay or to the Nam Hai.

I was especially glad to discover that not everyone started by staying 2 weeks in one shot at Aman resorts and that it could also be the splurge of 2 nights out of 10. In that case Musken, can you please tell me in what kind of accomodation you were staying aside from the Aman for the remaining nights?

I think Amansara is quite impressive in that it was the former residence of the King IIRC. If you check I do believe the Financial Times (the other FT) had a review on it a while back- perhaps in the "How to Spend It" magazine?

La Residence is also a nice property but be careful not to get a room that overlooks the ditch.

The Park Hyatt should be open by the time you are visiting as well- when it was the Hotel de la Paix I stayed there a couple of times and really liked this hotel although do get a room looking into the courtyard as street facing rooms are quite noisy. I also very much appreciated the former restaurant- no idea what the new management will do.

The first Aman we stayed at was Amanjena in Marrakesch 12 years ago. We stayed there after a 10 days round trip with rental car through the deserts and mountains, staying in 3 or 4 star hotels that I cannot remember the names of. One had little "caves" where we slept in, mattresses on the floor and not possible to stand up. Very romantic, though. We felt we came to heaven when arriving at Amanjena after this trip and had a wonderful time there.

One year later we went to Bali. We stayed in Amankila after having stayed in pretty good, but much cheaper hotels. One (Ubud) was called Waka di Ume or something like that and the other one was at Lovina Beach (North Bali). Damai Lovina Beach, I think it was called. Great food and pretty good service as well, but no idea if it even exists today.

SeamasterLux, our experience is almost identical to Musken's. Our first Aman was 13 years ago at Hotel Bora Bora for our honeymoon. We've since been to 13 of their properites. We have stayed for 2 nights all the way up to 2 weeks. Some of the shorter stays have been driven by the lack of US vacation time, but also by the US recession. (Which we are still in, BTW)

If you like the idea of luxury hotels, I think you should give Amanresorts a shot. Even if only for a short stay. Please avail yourself of all of the trip reports on this forum for the various properties. I don't recall Sara being one of my favorites, but others may feel differently.

Regarding Amanresort abbreviations, I've seen it done by the resorts themselves so I'm not too worried about it. One example that comes to mind is license plates at Amangani in Wyoming....Gani, Puri, etc.

Great piece of advice on the type of rooms to request in case I do not stay at Amansara, thanks a lot about that. I would hate to get a noisy room or with an awful view and since we'll be there close to Chinese New Year, I'm quite sure it'll be packed. If I opt for the Hotel de la Paix, soon PH, I'll use a suite certificate for sure. That might be the best value in Siem Reap in that case and I might then consider flying somewhere else for an Aman stay. I would have loved Pulo but the rates are quite steep and the location makes a 3-night stay meaningless (or anything below 5 or 6 nights).

Thank you for sharing, it gives me a better idea of how you felt before entering the Aman. I've been twice to Bali but only to the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, the ex Sofitel Seminyak where I had a confirmed upgrade in a beach villa from a 99 USD per night deluxe room and the Ubud Hanging Gardens. Nothing that would be near what Aman resorts seem to be like there. But I really heard Bali was getting more and more crowded so it's not a top priority to go back there right now.

I appreciate the piece of advice dear Ericka. I did read all your trip reports with great interests, especially the ones on India as it used to be a total NO GO for me and I'm starting to consider something after having read your TR.

During a stay at the MO Dhara Dhevi, I met a lawyer working in Japan on holidays with his family that was trying the MO DD for the first time after many stays at the Amanpuri and other Aman resorts. He said that accommodations were similar but that service, especially regarding kids' activities, were better at the Aman. I had amazing service at the MO so I can't imagine how that'd be any better and kids wise, I'm not concerned yet
Well, I guess I'll have to try to find a good first Aman to test the concept.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post17122792 >
linked there >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ite-forum.html

sara >
just posted this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post20458705
http://www.amanresorts.com/amansara/rates.aspx
amansara is NOT the best regarded aman, and there is discussion of other siem reap properties here, BUT some of those other properties have reportedly had package tour groups, and may be quite a bit larger (dont recall sizes) and re group tours, all of the group tour sites mention the other properties in itineraries while none mention amansara

aman never charges for internet, and many do not charge for minibar and other things, so additional things to factor in

bali >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ch-2013-a.html - Musken's just posted thread includes 'non touristy bali'
near amankila there is cheaper Alila Manggis
there is discussion of various non touristy locations here, incl cheaper/older properties mentioned by amanjunkies

india - can reach udaipur, jodhpur, jaipur, agra by commercial air (taj and oberoi incl palaces for example)

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en...ay/BeachVillas
"underwater" aquarium suites in singapore

http://globalblackbook.com/the-lowell-hotel/
http://www.elitetraveler.com/travel-...t-your-service

In 1992 we made our first trip to Angkor. The country had only just opened up after the Vietnamese invasion and I doubt if there were more than 50 tourists at the entire Angkor site. Some temples were off limits due to land mines and the whole place seemed perched between war and peace. The people were still in shock over the whole Khmer Rouge nightmare. It was an experience I'll never forget.

Anyway, our trip was arranged by A&K. We stayed at the Apsara Villas, one of the residences of Prince Sihanouk. There were about 12 rooms, fairly run down but certainly habitable. The pool hadn't been used in years and had rain water, rubbish and a dead snake in it. Meals of any kind were unobtainable so we went over the road to the Grand Hotel d'Angkor. This once palatial hotel - the Raffles of Cambodia - was seriously derelict. No rooms were available but they did have a restaurant - so this is where we went for breakfasts and amazing dinners, such as coq au vin served in sweltering heat which we ate with Chateauneuf du Pape. About $10.

Nowadays, the Grand Hotel is indeed a Raffles-owned place, quite exotic and full of tour groups. And the Apsara Villas is Amansara, perhaps the best Amanresort we have visited. It's true it doesn't look 'Cambodian,' but that almost Streamline Moderne look has its own authenticity. The circular restaurant is simply stunning. We might quibble about the rooms (we really dislike having bathtubs in the bedroom) but overall this place is the only place to stay in Angkor. It may seem expensive but don't forget the rates include room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, bar drinks and personalised sight-seeing trips. I'd could easily do another week here.

According to the email I received, the price for breakfast, lunch OR dinner and one activity per day is extra at USD 150 pppd which means USD 1660 / day on a 2-person-basis including taxes, so definitely not cheap. I don't think I'm ready to pay that.

"Our rates are as follows:

Pool Suites: US$ 1350++ per night plus US$ 150++ per person per day
compulsory half board & touring charges

Suites: US$ 1050++ per night plus US$ 150++ per person per day compulsory
half board & touring charges

Compulsory half board charge inclusions are as follows:

- Arrival & departure transfers (Siem Reap International Airport or other
location within Siem Reap Town)

- VIP fast immigration & visa assistance for all international airport
arrivals into Siem Reap

- Twice daily Amansara temple tours with private English speaking guide
(Please be advised that the temple pass is charged separately to guest's
account at US$20 for a 1-day pass & US$ 40 for a 3-day pass).

- Daily breakfast & choice of lunch or dinner

- House beverages, house wines & spirits. (Wines from wine list, premium
spirits & champagne are chargeable)

- Freshly baked cookies & cakes

- Daily selection of cheese

- Daily seasonal fruits

(++) Room rates are quoted on per Suite per night basis and are subject
to 10% service charge & 13.42% government tax. (++) Board charge rate is
subject to 10% service charge & 11% government tax. Rates and applicable
government tax are subject to change without prior notice."

I don't know why Aman quote a room rate and then quote a compulsory extra charge. Why not just quote an all-inclusive figure? I feel much the same way about the charges at Amanpulo - room only . . . so where are you going to eat off the resort for dinner?

I know Amansara looks expensive but when you start to calculate the cost of staying somewhere else (such as the Raffles across the road) it begins to look like a bit of a bargain, considering the quality and the intimacy of the place. At a Raffles you have to add on meals, drinks, transfers, tours and so on.

A day at Amansara worked like this: you get croissants sent to your room at 530am-ish. You go out on a tour just for you and your partner. You get back at maybe 8.30am. Have a shower or a swim, then have a proper breakfast. For lunch, things like cheese, fruit and a simple Chinese dish are included. At 330pm-ish you go out on another tour and return around 530pm. Someone has refilled the carafes in your room with your preferred brand of gin, whisky or vodka. Then you have dinner.

Not bad for the price, in my view. You don't get that at the George V and they don't have the climate or the ruins to drool over!

Probably for people bringing freeze-dried food with them on holidays at Aman resorts

But you have a point regarding the fact that once you're taking into account all the things that are included, you're probably closer to 1000 USD per day at the Raffles / Hotel de la Paix. As a Hyatt Diamond I'm wondering whether that wouldn't be the best value for me and then opting for Amanpulo for 5 days.

Difficult choice! And you people write too amazing trip reports, it influences my dreams!

award stay then best beach in world? sounds like a plan!