totally forgot about that! definitely another to look forward to.

This place looks like it has just gone off and jumped the shark. I'll pass.

Philippe Starck-inspired chandeliers and Italian murals are not what I'd be looking for in a Phuket holiday

Looks a tad better here http://www.duttondirect.com/lifestyl...rticle/id:2924

The beach looks very nice, but the interior picture in that website looks like somebody's basement den after being decorated with second-hand Salvation Army furniture, sea detritus that the current brought ashore, and a couple of 50 gallon oil drums salvaged from the Exxon Valdez.

But I guess what you get when you commission Philippe Starck rather than Ed Tuttle or Jaya Ibrahim.

I might encourage some criticism in this forum but I am puzzled by GHMs directions - The Setai seems a long way from the serenity of The Legian. And while I would question the business rationale for The Strand, it is certainly in a nicer way tourist-y than The Yamu.

I don't know what that means for the direction of future Amans. Le'ts hope for the best and be prepared...

at last.

http://www.georgewongdesign.cn/galle...ject=G01&id=47
http://www.georgewongdesign.cn/galle...ject=G01&id=48
http://www.georgewongdesign.cn/galle...ject=G01&id=49
http://www.georgewongdesign.cn/galle...ject=G01&id=50
http://www.georgewongdesign.cn/galle...ject=G01&id=52

very interesting direction

From

http://www.beltcollins.com/projects_...earch=T&id=146

Summer Palace Club is a unique entity situated within the grounds of the historic Summer Palace complex on the outskirts of Beijing.

The project is envisioned as a private exclusive social club catering to international executives. Club amenities include multiple dining and special function venues, lounge, performance pavilion, boutique hotel and underground spa. These facilities are housed in a combination of restored historic courtyard houses, reconstructed historic buildings and new construction compatible with the surrounding period architecture.

The various buildings and their facilities are appropriately ordered around garden courtyards. These vary in scale from the grand vehicular arrival court to intimate private residential gardens.

Here's a short video sequence (in German language) about Amankila published by German online news service DER SPIEGEL ONLINE bringing back great memories:

http://www.spiegel.de/video/video-20018.html

The guy in the interview wears my black t-shirt Still only available at Amanpuri I was told...

Happy New Year to everyone here at FT ! :-:

And for once I can confirm this is not vaporware. Just had a conversation with the deputy GM at Amanwana, and he's moving to Beijing to work on the opening.

The expedition runs only in summer and early fall. Otherwise it is rainy season, and the seas are rough and treacherous. The same applies to Amanwana, which is great, except that during rainy season they don't use the seaplane, and depending on the day, you can't even get off the island, not even for scuba diving, truly stuck if you are unlucky. Food and service and overall experience at Amanwana is tops. To me, best of the Amans for service and quality of the staff, followed closely by Amanjiwo. Amanpuri comes dead last for me. So go in dry season.

Haven't been on the expedition, but have seen the boat. It is very nice, has only 2 or 3 cabins, and fills up quickly. Very very expensive, something like 15 grand for a cabin for five day live-aboard, not including dives and such. I'm sure it is amazing, but there are other more modest ways to get there and still see the komodos if that is your objective. Someday I'd like to combine a rough expedition to Komodo and/or Rinca followed by a couple of days at Amanwana for a high-end relax.

The $100 charge includes 3 squares a day, very tasty, from a wide "blackboard" menu by Chef Made. Breakfast is equally varied, and includes fresh juices, fruit, yoghurt, french toast, eggs, cereals, and Indonesian specialties. Pretty much whatever you want. And if you want something not on the menu, they'll be happy to give it a try, usually with good results. You can also stop by anytime and they'll cook you something if you are hungry. Given the quality and quantity of the meals, $100 for food including laundry, non-alcoholic minibar, and beach equipment (snorkels, fins, short trips around the harbor in a boat, etc.) is a comparative bargain.

As the GM said, "it'd better be good, it is the only game in town."

when you say 3 squares a day.......what does that mean???......is breakfast with meats [eg bacon] or continental as listed by u?

been meanning to go amanwana...but for some reason havent done so...dont understand why either .sounds so nteresting.....have they done any renovations to it ?

and which is the best/ your recommended way to get there ?

is champagne still served on the boat ride to the resort from sumbawa?

Breakfast is off a two-page menu, which includes pretty much anything you can think of as a possible breakfast item: eggs, waffles, pancakes, french toast, yogurt, fruits, juices, pastries, indonesian breakfast items, congee. Get whatever you want as much as you want.

Yes, champagne is still served on the boat ride. However, the best idea is to avoid the boat ride altogether and go in summer, when you can seaplane right into the Moyo island jetty.

Just another note about Amanwana...Mr. Ericka and I haven't done it YET, but if you are afraid of the seasickness that might result from the Komodo expedition, you would be happy to know that they offer a day trip to Komodo island as well. It includes a private charter (plane or helicopter, I can't remember) and naturalist guide with picnic meals. It was expensive. $5k maybe? But we figured it would be worth it since the other costs at Amanwana are so reasonable.

Still, the boats and itineraries they put together for Komodo seem sooooo romantic! Tough call.