So we booked our summer vacation and now is the time I hit up all you incredibly smart and well traveled Ft'ers for some advice. (I like to start with the flattery.)

It's my Dad's 70th and he insisted we start with a cruise so we're doing a Seabourn Cruise of the Greek Islands. I insisted we hit up at least one Aman to make up for making me cruise. So we're heading to Amanruya. We're booked in sea view cottages... just wondering if anybody had any specific cottage recommendations and must do excursions.

We're also staying at the FS Bosporus in Istanbul and the Museum Hotel in Cappadocia. We're in Athens for one night before the cruise, i'm not sure where we're staying there, but from what I understand it doesn't really matter.

I'd love any insight. Thanks!

I assume you have read all the trip reports here from last year.

We were in villa 32 which I really liked. Close to main pool and restaurants, private, quiet and with a good (but not perfect) view. Larkin was in a villa close to ours with, I think, better view. She might remember the number as well.

Regarding activities, the boat trip is a must do. Seeing the ruins was too hot when we there in the middle of the summer, but I guess that it something you should do as well. We went to see a carpet village and a pottery + into Bodrum as well, which was nice, but not a must do.

Enjoy - it is a wonderful resort!

I read all the trip reports very eagerly. It sounds amazing.

We'll be there in the middle of July, so I expect it to be blazing hot too.

I tend to like rooms farther away from the main area. I like a long walk to and from dinner (and more privacy.)

Thanks for the advice, we will for sure do the boat ride.

If you want sea views, #26 & #27 are the best. However the garden villas are even quieter and if you like a long walk, then a garden villa is perfect as you have a lovely route to the restaurant areas, up steps, through archways, past the pool. I really liked the garden villas.

I also recommend the boat ride to Paradise Bay for swimming.

We loved Amanruya. We had an unobstructed full sea view from room 33 which was close to Muskin. It was not on the top level so perhaps not quite as private, but we never had anyone bother us nor saw people and the hotel was full. One word of warning - the view could have changed with foliage growth. So depending on what is important to you I suggest you contact Janet who was the rooms person when we stayed and had mp been with Aman at various Asian resorts for many years. We also looked at 37 at the very end of the top row. Very private and very large private oatio with I recall two salas and two sets of lounge chairs I think, but the view was through trees. 37 at the time last July had a better view and was private enough for us.

We also enjoyed the boat trip and had them us several special dinners. They were planning I expand their beach club which is very nice but when the hotel was full, it could fill up by 1:00 or so, especially the beach restaurant o the expansion is welcomed. Have a great time and talk to Janet or if she is gone her replacement or the GM about room choice. I did all via email btw and they were very responsive and we were very happy!

I don't understand this place and perhaps someone might sort me out - I want to go but I can't see the point of it. We started going to Turkey in the early 1970s when the only hotels were run by a chain called Tusan. We went exclusively for the Graeco-Roman ruins and we've been back a few times since - I think 1995 was the last time.

But this Amanruya looks a bit misplaced to me - while the design is the usual Aman restrained beauty, there isn't a proper beach, there isn't a village and it's miles from anywhere interesting. Is it really just a place to unwind, chill out, do-nothing except admire one's own perfection? Amanarcissus perhaps?

Great service and food, wonderful villas, huge pool, not a real beach, but a scenic beach with a charming beach club, full service, the best loungers etc. Small spa and gym, and a wide range of excursions to ruins or other places nearby, done in the real Aman way (private, special, service etc.) plus special dinners etc. A great place to relax and do nothing, but not far from Bodrum if you want to go out for a night or two. I do not want more. If you do, you should go somewhere else.

Thanks for the advice, I'll just ignore the naysaying.

Very much looking forward to the special dinners, I'm always a fan of the beach dinner, I hope they have something like that.

As far as Bodrum, is it worth a night out there? Any restaurants that make it worthwhile to drag us away from the resort?

Well said. Of course this depends on the individuals wants and needs on vacation.

Well said.

We're looking to make a reservation at Amanruya for October. Because we're reserving early, we'd like to be able to request a specific sea view room.

Reading all the reports and the references to top/lower level has us a bit confused. Here's our wish list.

- Best possible sea view, not too many trees in the way (just enough for ambiance)
- No rooftops in view
- Reasonable amount of privacy without other units looking down on us or into our patio
- Enough patio space for toddler to play outside without automatically toppling into the pool

We'd love your suggestions! Thanks.

i think resort map was posted unfortunately i dont remember where
satellite view - https://maps.google.com/maps?q=amanr...m,+Turkey&z=18
theyve added "deluxe sea view" (vs "partial sea view")

enjoy!

do you know when they close for winter this year?
interesting in 2013 high season included may and oct and low season was nov to dec 15

just noticed this - http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusive...&LangType=1033
great news!

Thanks, Kage. Don't know when they close, but they are expecting to start another one of those "all-in" packages Oct 1.

I did not see any other cottages than the one we stayed it. Cannot remember the number, but it does not matter really, as it does not fit your criteria anyway as there were some trees and also some rooftops to see. Privacy was great, though.

However, what I wanted to comment on, was the toddler playing space. The pool is one possible "danger", another one are the different levels with steps or built up "terraces" (for example: Just outside the cottage, the dining table is higher up than the rest of the ground, also the bale is built a bit higher) that a toddler could fall down from. I have some pictures that I could send you to illustrate if you would like to see, but then I need your email since I do not want to post pictures here with people on them. We never had a problem with such things and our son was never very "wild", but others might have.

There are 4 from Ruya at N'oi now ( N'oi was at capacity over CHRISTmas & NY 's ) & they will be back sometime in Feb.
Can check with them later & let you know; or email Ruya for opening / closing dates .