Bali and Beyond 2014 (extensive review of Amandari) -- Combined thread
Sep 20, 2014 | 10:30 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
Thank you both for your replies.
Definitely some food for thought regarding Amanusa which we were leaning towards as one of our venues and reinforcing our worry regarding the nature of Nusa Dua as an artifical complex. Perhaps we should rule that one out now.
David, I appreciate your thoughts. It's very good to know about Alila Uluwatu's amenities and that the planes at FS Jimbaran aren't too obtrusive. It's interesting to hear that you'd describe the Chedi Club as more of a high four star and I wonder if the Legian also fits this description.
FlyingDoctorwu, I was able to find your trip report here which makes all three of destinations sound fantastic. I really appreciate that you took the time to post your thoughts and pictures! I was worried that Amandari would feel dated based on some comments but your enthusiasm for the resort makes me want to reconsider.
Definitely some food for thought regarding Amanusa which we were leaning towards as one of our venues and reinforcing our worry regarding the nature of Nusa Dua as an artifical complex. Perhaps we should rule that one out now.
David, I appreciate your thoughts. It's very good to know about Alila Uluwatu's amenities and that the planes at FS Jimbaran aren't too obtrusive. It's interesting to hear that you'd describe the Chedi Club as more of a high four star and I wonder if the Legian also fits this description.
FlyingDoctorwu, I was able to find your trip report here which makes all three of destinations sound fantastic. I really appreciate that you took the time to post your thoughts and pictures! I was worried that Amandari would feel dated based on some comments but your enthusiasm for the resort makes me want to reconsider.
I just re read my trip report... made me feel a little nostalgic... Such a great trip... Probably one of the best we've taken... Yeah it was hella expensive... but so worth it... The Bali Amans are in good shape... they aren't contempary but they are classic.
Tried to squeeze a trip to Amanyara in this fall; the wife put the kibosh on that so we are heading to Prague and Vienna... also tried to squeeze Amanruya in but the days didn't work..
FDW
Sep 20, 2014 | 11:58 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
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As many have figured out , Kila is not to be missed , northernfrost . FDW sums it up nicely . Looks like you have enough time and can stay at all the Indon Amans . If you venture to Wana , best stay at Nusa just before as it will be easiest to get to the airport . Traffic on Bali is rather horrendous .
When you are at Ubud , Dari will be quite an experience . You can also check out COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE if you have urge to explore another interesting option . We stayed when it was Begawan Giri .
Perhaps you can begin your honeymoon at Jiwo .
When you are at Ubud , Dari will be quite an experience . You can also check out COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE if you have urge to explore another interesting option . We stayed when it was Begawan Giri .
Perhaps you can begin your honeymoon at Jiwo .
Sep 21, 2014 | 4:59 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,158
As FlyingDoctorWu noted, I was in the same boat trying to pick Bali hotels.
We explored Amandari, Amankila, Chedi Club, FS Sayan, The Legian, Coco Shambhala, Bvlgari and a few others. In the end, we decided that Amankila was the only "absolutely can't miss," and decided to book 3 nights at Chedi as a base for Ubud, and 4 at Kila. Chedi looks wonderful, and our interactions with them have been great.
We'll be staying in late April/early May. I'll report back, but it'll probably too late to be useful for you. We're pairing it with a few days at the FS Singapore first, so our trip is a bit different than yours. Not really sure what else I'd add in Indonesia. Of the others we looked at, Coco Shambhala was enticing, but with only 7 nights, I didn't want to split into a third hotel.
FDW also posted about the new Ritz Mandapa resort, which looks like it'll be a nice option in/near Ubud. I reached out to them, and despite their site predicting a 2014 opening, the rep told me they wouldn't be hosting guests until next spring. It's going to have 60 rooms (double the size of the CC), which turned me off from exploring further. No info yet on rates. They sent me a PDF booklet which only has marginally more info than their site, happy to send along to anyone that'd like it.
I hope DPS gets their customs/arrival mess sorted out before we get there. The Chedi is optimistic that they'll be able to begin offering VIP arrival services again late this year, though I'm not sure.
We explored Amandari, Amankila, Chedi Club, FS Sayan, The Legian, Coco Shambhala, Bvlgari and a few others. In the end, we decided that Amankila was the only "absolutely can't miss," and decided to book 3 nights at Chedi as a base for Ubud, and 4 at Kila. Chedi looks wonderful, and our interactions with them have been great.
We'll be staying in late April/early May. I'll report back, but it'll probably too late to be useful for you. We're pairing it with a few days at the FS Singapore first, so our trip is a bit different than yours. Not really sure what else I'd add in Indonesia. Of the others we looked at, Coco Shambhala was enticing, but with only 7 nights, I didn't want to split into a third hotel.
FDW also posted about the new Ritz Mandapa resort, which looks like it'll be a nice option in/near Ubud. I reached out to them, and despite their site predicting a 2014 opening, the rep told me they wouldn't be hosting guests until next spring. It's going to have 60 rooms (double the size of the CC), which turned me off from exploring further. No info yet on rates. They sent me a PDF booklet which only has marginally more info than their site, happy to send along to anyone that'd like it.
I hope DPS gets their customs/arrival mess sorted out before we get there. The Chedi is optimistic that they'll be able to begin offering VIP arrival services again late this year, though I'm not sure.
Sep 21, 2014 | 11:26 am
#50
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
FDW also posted about the new Ritz Mandapa resort, which looks like it'll be a nice option in/near Ubud. I reached out to them, and despite their site predicting a 2014 opening, the rep told me they wouldn't be hosting guests until next spring. It's going to have 60 rooms (double the size of the CC), which turned me off from exploring further. No info yet on rates. They sent me a PDF booklet which only has marginally more info than their site, happy to send along to anyone that'd like it..
Oh I had forgotten about the Ritz... unfortunately it's right across the way from Amandari which ruins the view a bit and probably removes that feeling of seclusion.
FDW
Sep 22, 2014 | 9:24 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 1,782
Neither of the Four Seasons in Bali excited me. We stayed in Sayan and were disappointed. Maybe our expectations were too high? Also, we had dinner at Jimbaran Bay and didn't like the view from the restaurant/beach club. You looked across a body of water to a bunch of other stuff, cranes included.
We loved our stay at Legian.
I did a TR that is in progress...
We loved our stay at Legian.
I did a TR that is in progress...
Sep 22, 2014 | 6:12 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 331
Anyone know if any luxury hotels in Bali cracked the code on providing fast track to guests under the new regime?
Sep 23, 2014 | 8:06 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
jiwo airports (less flights) still have VIP?
Sep 23, 2014 | 11:57 am
#55
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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garuda / lion air / indonesia airasia - JOG/jiwo>DPS
(dont recall what was said here about those flights.)
http://www.amanresorts.com/amanjiwo/location.aspx
re jiwo and timing >
(dont recall what was said here about those flights.)
http://www.amanresorts.com/amanjiwo/location.aspx
re jiwo and timing >
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Sep 23, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Sep 25, 2014 | 5:32 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,452
I see from Aman Resorts Facebook page that Cara Delevingne was photographed at Amankila recently. Lyn Middlehurst has commented on a spelling yet ironically she spelt Delevingne incorrectly
. She didn't know who the model was - maybe the's not a fan of Burberry's style:-:.
. She didn't know who the model was - maybe the's not a fan of Burberry's style:-:.
Sep 25, 2014 | 5:44 am
#57
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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I see from Aman Resorts Facebook page that Cara Delevingne was photographed at Amankila recently. Lyn Middlehurst has commented on a spelling yet ironically she spelt Delevingne incorrectly. She didn't know who the model was - maybe the's not a fan of Burberry's style:-:.
. She didn't know who the model was - maybe the's not a fan of Burberry's style:-:.
Sep 25, 2014 | 8:59 am
#60
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