Amankila

Having been to the other two Amans in Bali with mixed results, we were not quite sure what to expect going into our stay. In the case of Amankila, we are happy to report that not only is it the best Aman in Bali, but it also ranks amongst the very best Amans we have ever visited, and this was our 13th Aman stay. First, there's the setting. The ever-famous three-tiered pool was every bit as stunning as it looks in photos. Then there's the view from the rooms, the beautiful beach club, and the glittering black-sand beach. On top of that, whether you're attending the satay evening, going on the boat cruise, or kayaking out towards the east, you can see Mt. Agung on a clear day. The architecture, staircases and walkways are also absolutely beautiful. Second, there's the food. Arva served very good and authentic Italian food. The beach club restaurant was very good too, and at the Indonesian restaurant, the beef rendang and duck betutu were probably the most delicious Indonesian dishes we have ever had across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, which is quite something at an Aman no less. The satay evening was equally good, and somehow much better than the satay ayam we ordered at lunch at the restaurant. Third, there's the service. We all come to Aman mostly for two reasons, the environment and the service. The staff here more than delivered on the legendary Aman service. Everything was arranged and taken care of effortlessly. They also kindly gave us the room #32/#33 combo, which worked well as a family group travelling together. In the very rare case that something didn't go smoothly, the service recovery was strong. The very friendly GM, Takahiro Ouchi, was there to greet us from arrival to departure, and checked in with us every day to make sure everything was great. It was, as always, a much appreciated gesture. My wife and I discussed whether it could simply be recency bias that led us to rate Amankila as one of the best Amans. However, having reflected on the stay at length, and believing that we have become more attentive to detail over time, only reassured us of the greatness of this resort. We will definitely return, as this is a truly special place.

A beautiful escape from the daily grind. My wife and I spent a long weekend here. Pickup from the airport was smooth in a luxury car, with a knowledgeable and professional driver. The resort is nestled away in some cliffside jungle with beautiful architecture. We were greeted by the manager and shown to our room set in the jungle space with elevated bridges between rooms and facilities. We only left the property for one day on a guided tour by the driver, the rest of the time we relaxed by the pool or at the beach in the service cabanas. We were fortunate enough to be upgraded for 2 nights to their top villa which was enormous. Right on the cliffside overlooking the water. The only downsides to the trip, due to changes in shipping routes there were 6-12 large vessels anchored in the view at any one time. Some of them you could hear the hum of their engines. There was also construction at the property, heavy machinery digging into the cliffs for new villas. While the noise was extremely noticeable in the villa, we hardly heard it by the water at the beach. Overall a thoroughly relaxing resort to do nothing but eat drink swim and relax.

Away from the hustle and bustle Amankila is a peaceful haven with lovely villas and breathtaking views. The Aman brand does not fail and this one is another gem worth visiting. The food is high quality, may it be Asian or Italian. The service is top of course as what is Aman famous for. The pool area is an architectural piece and a great place to lounge after a day at the beach. We usually take our afternoon tea there and just chill before watching the cultural dance they present once a week. Breakfat is a delightful time, great menu and great service. We also attended a Hindu blessing which is a first for us. Its such a lovely experience and we would like to thank the staff, chef and manager for this unforgettble experience.

This was our first stay at an Aman property and it did not disappoint. The room was a little outdated, but the amazing service and beautiful view completely made up for it. We opted to do a trip to Tenganan and were lucky enough to have our driver show us around the village - definitely recommend if you want hand crafted local souvenirs. This stay made our honeymoon so memorable and we cannot wait to get to our next Aman resort.

Though some time has passed since my stay, the extraordinary experience I had at Amankila compelled me to set aside time to write this review. As someone who travels extensively and stays at the world's finest hotels, including several Aman properties, I can say with confidence that the service at Amankila is, without exaggeration, the best I have ever encountered. Many hotels achieve a 10/10 in service, but Amankila operates on an entirely different level—it was a 30/10. While the property itself possesses the serene, minimalist elegance that is the signature of the Aman brand, it is the staff that transforms a beautiful resort into a place you never want to leave. This culture of unparalleled hospitality clearly starts at the top with the resort manager, Ketut Gunartha, and permeates through every single employee. They are all simply remarkable. A few experiences highlight the team's incredible dedication: The talented pizza chef, accustomed to making Neapolitan-style pizza, went out of his way to prepare a completely different dough for me, creating the perfect thin-crust pizza I prefer. Astika, the restaurant manager, was the epitome of professionalism and warmth, ensuring every dining experience was flawless. Lanang, the front office manager, whose kindness and helpful nature made every interaction a pleasure and ensured our stay was seamless. The two masseuses, who have been with the resort for over two decades, provided one of the most sublime and restorative massages I have ever had. Their experience and skill were truly evident. The food was consistently excellent across the board, matching the high standards of the rest of the resort. Yes, a stay at Amankila is a significant expenditure, but it is worth every single penny. If you are on the fence about booking this hotel, I urge you to go for it. It's an experience you will not regret.