Aman Resorts: A World of Quiet Luxury
WHY AMAN IS IN A CATEGORY OF ITS OWN
Image courtesy of Amanzoe, Greece
There are luxury hotels, and then there's Aman. "Five-star" doesn't quite cover it — not because the category is wrong, but because Aman isn't really competing within it.
Aman (Sanskrit for "peace") started with a single property in Phuket — Amanpuri, opened in 1988 — and has since grown into a collection of around 35 retreats across 20 countries. Fifteen of those properties sit within UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That's not a marketing detail; it tells you something about how Aman chooses where to build.
The through-line across every property is the same: architecture that responds to its setting rather than imposing on it, service that anticipates without hovering, and a scale that's deliberately intimate. Most Aman properties have fewer than 50 keys. You will not be one of hundreds of guests.
The Aman Traveller
Aman attracts a particular kind of traveller — one who's already done the obvious things and is looking for something quieter, more considered, more immersive. The repeat guest rate is notoriously high. People find Aman and tend to stay found.
It's not the right choice if you want a buzzy hotel bar or a scene. It's absolutely the right choice if you want to feel like the property exists for you — because it more or less does.
Families travel well with Aman, as do couples and solo travellers. What they share is an appreciation for space, stillness, and experiences that don't need to announce themselves.
Six properties worth knowing
Amanpuri — Phuket, Thailand
Where it all started. Amanpuri opened in 1988 on a private peninsula on Phuket's west coast, and it set the template for everything that followed — pavilion-style accommodation set among coconut palms, architecture that draws from Thai tradition without replicating it, and a sense of privacy that still feels exceptional today.
The property sits on its own beach, with 40 pavilions and a collection of private villas spread across the hillside. The spa draws on traditional Thai healing alongside contemporary wellness practices. Dining leans into both Thai and Japanese cuisine, reflecting the island's culinary influences. For anyone who wants to understand what Aman is about, this is where to start.
Aman Venice — Venice, Italy
A 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal, with private gardens, frescoed ceilings, and Rococo details that Aman has left largely intact. It's one of the more opulent properties in the portfolio — Venice demands a certain grandeur — but the service remains characteristically understated.
The palazzo has only 24 suites, which means the experience is genuinely intimate for a city that can feel overwhelming in high season. Having a private garden to retreat to after a day navigating the crowds is not a small thing. Dining is strong: Arva for traditional Italian, Cook the Lagoon for a multi-course tasting menu, and The Palazzo Kitchen Table for private dinners.
If Venice is on your itinerary, Aman Venice would be my first recommendation.
[More on planning a trip to Italy here.]
Aman Kyoto — Kyoto, Japan
Hidden within a private forest on the grounds of a historic garden, Aman Kyoto takes some finding, intentionally. The design draws from traditional Japanese aesthetics without being a pastiche of them, and the setting, surrounded by maple and cedar trees, shifts dramatically with the seasons.
The onsen bathing pools date to the sixth century. Wellness here goes deeper than most: acupuncture, moxibustion, Shiatsu, and forest bathing are all part of the offering. Cultural experiences are arranged through the hotel's local connections — meditation with a monk, Ikebana, Uji tea tastings, private cycling tours. Aman Kyoto rewards guests who slow down and engage with it properly.
Amankila — East Bali, Indonesia
Most visitors to Bali don't make it to the east coast — which is precisely what makes Amankila worth the effort. The property sits on a lush hillside overlooking the Lombok Strait, with sacred Mount Agung as its backdrop. Frangipani-lined walkways connect stilted suites, each positioned for uninterrupted sea views. At the centre of it all, a three-tier infinity pool cascades down toward the water; at the base, a private black-sand beach.
The surrounding region of East Bali is culturally rich and largely untouched by mass tourism — royal ruins, ancient villages, rice paddies that have looked the same for centuries. Amankila's East Bali tour puts that context within reach. Dining draws on the resort's own organic farm, with Indonesian and international menus that take the local produce seriously. The spa leans into traditional Balinese healing — natural ingredients, unhurried treatments, and a setting that makes it easy to stay longer than planned.
Amanzoe — Porto Heli, Greece
On the eastern coast of the Peloponnese, Amanzoe sits on a hillside above olive groves and the Aegean — designed as a modern acropolis, with 360-degree views that make the reference feel entirely apt. Pavilions and villas each have private pools; the Beach Club, a short distance from the main property, has four pools of its own along with a restaurant, spa, and boutique.
The Peloponnese is one of Greece's most historically layered regions, and Amanzoe makes the most of it. Epidaurus and its UNESCO-protected amphitheatre, the citadel of Mycenae, Nafplion — all within reach. On the property, experiences range from traditional ceramics classes to a guided visit to a local apiary that supplies the resort's honey, to evening stargazing sessions with an astronomy guide. The spa takes its cue from Hippocrates, combining traditional Greek healing with modern natural therapies across a 2,850-square-metre facility.
If you're planning a honeymoon in Greece, Amanzoe belongs on your shortlist.
Amanyara — Turks and Caicos
Set within a national park on Providenciales, with half a mile of beach accessible only to guests. Villas come with a private chef; pavilions offer more privacy than you'd expect. The Caribbean setting lends itself to the obvious — diving, snorkelling, kayaking — but Amanyara approaches it with more intention than most. The Nature Discovery Centre is genuinely good for families, and the TELOS tennis programme draws serious players. For those who want nothing more than stillness, exceptional food, and one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, it delivers.
The Perks of Working With Me
When you book Aman through me, you'll have access to perks that aren't available when booking directly:
Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Daily breakfast for two
$100 USD property credit
If an Aman property — or one of the destinations featured here — is on your radar, get in touch.
