Thursday, May 6, 2010
Amanfayun – The Bumpy Path to Luxury
Amanfayun in Hangzhou is Amanresorts’ newest baby. Since its opening in December 2009, it has received mixed reviews.
First the bouquets. Surrounded by lush greenery, creeks and mountains, Amanfayun is breathtaking. And it looks nothing like your typical resort or hotel. The rooms are housed in separate buildings (century-old farm houses), many with their own courtyard. The original structures are left intact, only the interiors are refurbished with mod cons. The sprawling property is like a beautiful set in a Zhang Yimou’s period movie. Spring is the best time to go when the flowers are in full bloom, adding splashes of color to the already picturesque landscape. In the day, you can hear birds singing their happy song. When night falls, it is so quiet you can hear a pin drop.
Now the brickbats. Because it is located in a public park, Fayun Pathway, its grounds are open to non-guests which mean tourists can walk about freely outside your room. Hate to say this, but it feels like a theme park. This has irked many paying guests, especially Amanjunkies who have come to expect total exclusivity and privacy from Amanresorts. I was lucky that my room is situated far away from the main pathway so I was spared from gawking tourists.
Amanfayun’s service compared to other Aman properties is not quite up to par. The security guards manning the public areas can be brusque at times, while the restaurant service can be slow and the food unexciting (and terribly expensive). I understand that teething problems are the norm for any new hotels, so I just closed one eye and happily took these pictures.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Bare to Basics
If you’re looking for a different holiday experience, where there’s adventure for adrenalin junkies and quiet time for introverts, Naked Retreats is it.
The eco-conscious and animal friendly retreat is located in 395 Village, Moganshan. Set amid unspoiled bamboo forest and alongside running streams are double-storey bungalows for family and friends and self-contained studios (two were converted from pig sty) for honeymooners or single travelers. While there are no concierge or butler services, ayis are on hand to tidy your room and cook delicious (and very large portion) meals.
The rooms are fairly basic, but cozy and comfortable. To be honest, I thought the retreat is a little rough around the edges (grubby shower curtains and dusty corners), but its stunning and serene surroundings more than make up for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)