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.

Amantaka - Luxury Comes to Luang Prabang

Amanresorts has a knack for picking the most exotic destinations to house their properties. Their latest Amantaka is situated in the heart of Luang Prabang. A former provincial hospital, Amantaka is beautifully restored, retaining its original French colonial architecture. I’ve stayed at a few Aman properties, and I must say Amantaka is one of my favorites. It’s an oasis of calm, nostalgia, romance and luxury – a hotel aficionado’s dream come true. Amantaka has definitely elevated Luang Prabang’s hip status like what Amankora has done for Bhutan, and Amangalla and Amanwella for Sri Lanka.

My sincere thanks to Gary, Filipe, Chittima, Nisaya and all staff for their wonderful hospitality.

Flower Saucer

If you think you’re looking at a UFO, you’re right! This unique flower object was taken at Amangalla, Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.

Amangalla – The Legacy of Luxury

At the heart of Galle Fort, lies Amangalla, a beautiful reincarnation of the New Oriental Hotel (or NOH as it is affectionately known). I had the privilege to photograph this historic hotel which operated as the NOH for 140 years before its acquisition by Amanresorts.

Amanresorts had done a fine job with the restoration. Nesta, the previous owner would surely approve. The original teak wood floors and antique furniture – planter’s chairs and pettagama chests are left intact. One can relive the glorious yesteryear and even feel the presence of colonial ghosts. Rumour has it that Room 25 (the room has since been renumbered after the renovation) is haunted. Fact or fiction, one thing’s for sure, Amangalla is a classy hotel deserving of the many accolades it has received and definitely worth the splurge.

Amanjiwo - The Other Awe-Inspiring Site in Magelang

Only five minutes (by car) from Borobudur is the equally spectacular Amanjiwo. Designed by world renowned architect, Ed Tuttle, Amanjiwo is undoubtedly your best accommodation option in Magelang. But only if you can afford it.

I had the privilege to shoot pictures of the hotel when I was in Magelang. The architecture bears a striking resemblance to Borobudur, which from the lobby you can see the mystical temple in the distance. It almost feels as if Amanjiwo is an annex of Borobudur!

Says Rohini Nordmann, General Manager, Aman Sales and Reservations, who has seen my pictures: “You may not be a painter, but you have a painterly eye for detail and an artist’s love of beauty, form and balance.”