The former guesthouse of King Sihanouk, beautifully restored by Aman with 24 suites in Siem Reap minutes away from the ancient Angkor temples.
what makes it special
Amansara makes it possible to see the temples in a way that avoids the crowds, some smaller temples you have for yourself and they manage to be in the most popular temples when they are least crowded
Airport pick-up in a vintage 60’s Mercedes
You have your own remork and driver at all times
Young and extremely nice staff
The dining room, once the King’s screening room, is open all times and the open bar
The feeling that you stay at a friend’s guest house
The contemporary design is the perfect contrast after spending the day exploring the temples
you should know
If you want to see the Angkor temples without the crowds you will have to get up very early, like 4am.
Much smaller than other Amans, so not so much public space.
conclusion
Without a doubt the most exclusive way to explore Angkor.
One of the most spectacular places in the world is Borobudur. Never heard of it? Me neither, until I saw a picture of the hotel Amanjiwo on the cover of a book. Borobudur, situated on Java, Indonesia, 42 km from Yogjarkarta, is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world, built around the 9th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by four volcanoes. Amanjiwo, which was inspired by Borobudur, is nearby.
In the driveway to Amanjiwo the driver stops for a moment and draws our attention to the first extraordinary detail. The hotel lobby was built like a stupa standing on columns and reveals the view of Borobudur in the middle of the background. Just like a picture in a picture.
One of many activities the hotel offers is to see Borobudur when the sun rises before it is open to the public. You wake up at 4 a.m. with a small breakfast before driving to the temple. Having arrived you can take the direct way up using steep stairways or you take some more time and walk along the galleries and the upper terraces in clockwise direction. The way illustrates Buddha’s slow rise to spiritual satori (enlightenment) in countless scenes. None of the galleries reveal the view to the surrounding, the next level or the top to make sure the visitor’s attention is not distracted by anything. Having arrived at the central stupa, which symbolises Nirvana, you can sit down and wait for the sun to rise.
From far away you hear a muezzin while the first sunlight appears on the horizon and the morning mist slowly dissolves over the trees. The rising sun sheds a soft light on the structure and its surrounding where the volcanoes gradually appear. Minute after minute the new day is dawning, nature is revived, and the place is still full of magic.
Back in the hotel, I begin to understand how Amanjiwo is inspired by Borobudur. The building is also arranged in planes, the villas are connected by passages and stairways which do not allow a look to the top or down. The central axis of the hotel is directed at Borobudur where the temple can always be seen in the background. The roofs of the main hall and of the villas are designed in the form of the central stupa. This theme is reflected even in the smallest detail from the stupa-like form of the sun shields to the wooden room key tags.
Some of the villas of Amanjiwo offer a direct view of Borobudur. Standing on the yoga mat, looking at the temple, memories that last forever.
One of the most spectacular places in the world is Borobudur. Never heard of it? Me neither, until I discovered a picture on the cover of the book “Great Escapes Asia” and nearly at the same time my husband developed a certain liking for Aman Resorts. As I browsed through the book I found pictures of a unique hotel, so beautiful, so extraordinary that I was wondering if it could be real. We then traveled to a place that exceeded all our expectations.
Borobudur, situated on Java, Indonesia, about 42 km distant from Yogyarkarta, is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world, which was erected around the 9th century and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. The temple is surrounded by four volcanoes, including the famous Merapi. Amanjiwo, which was inspired by Borobudur in a very special way, is situated in close proximity.
It is difficult to express what makes Borobudur and Amanjiwo so special. There is the first encounter: Rolling along the driveway to Amanjiwo the driver stops for a moment and draws our attention to the first extraordinary detail. The hotel lobby was built like a stupa standing on columns and reveals the view of Borobudur in the middle of the background. Just like a picture in a picture. However, the architecture of Amanjiwo with all its exceptional details can be comprehended in full only after having visited Borobudur.
Amanjiwo offers its guests a great variety of activities. One of them is to see Borobudur when the sun rises before the park is open to the public. Depending on the season you wake up at 4 a.m. with a little breakfast before driving to the temple area in 15 minutes. Having arrived in Borobudur you can take the direct way up using steep stairways. Or you take some more time and walk along the six galleries and the upper terraces with 2672 reliefs and 504 Buddha statues in clockwise direction with a battery torch at the break of dawn. The way illustrates Buddha’s slow rise to spiritual satori (enlightenment) in countless scenes. None of the galleries reveals the view to the surrounding, the next level or the top to make sure the visitor’s attention is not distracted by anything. Having arrived at the central stupa, which symbolises Nirvana, you can sit down and wait for the sun to rise.
The place has a fascinating sense of peace and harmony. From far away you hear a muezzin while the first sunlight appears on the horizon and the morning mist slowly dissolves over the trees. The rising sun sheds a soft light on the structure and its surrounding where the volcanoes gradually appear. Merapi sends out a thin column of smoke. Minute after minute the new day is dawning, nature is revived, and yet the place is still full of magic – ideal for some morning meditation, as also our guide Muji from Amanjiwo notices.
Back in the hotel, while having breakfast looking at the volcanoes, I suddenly begin to understand the wonderful way in which Ed Tuttle implemented his work. The building is also arranged in planes, the villas are connected by passages and stairways which do not allow a look to the top or down. The central axis of the hotel is directed at Borobudur where the sanctuary can always be seen in the background. The roofs of the main hall and of the villas are designed in the form of the central stupa. This theme is reflected even in the smallest detail from the stupa-like form of the sun shields to the wooden room key tags. And yet this synthesis of the arts does not make you feel like living in a copy. The architecture is functional, clear and timeless.
Java, just like the rest of the country except Bali, has got more of a Muslim character. Borobudur is omnipresent while the muezzins of the surrounding villages lead the call to the prayers after sunrise. The cacophony of different voices from the loudspeakers adds to the fascination of place and gives it a special charm that can only be described as magical. Some of the suites of Amanjiwo offers a direct view of Borobudur. Standing on the yoga mat, looking at the temple in front are moments the memories of which will last forever.
Zu den spektakulärsten Orten dieser Welt gehört Borobudur. Nie gehört? Ich auch nicht, bis ich auf dem Cover des Fotobandes “Great Escapes Asia” ein Foto sah und mein Ehemann fast zeitgleich eine gewisse Neigung für Aman-Resorts entwickelte. Ich blätterte in dem schweren Buch und fand Bilder von einem einzigartigen Hotel. So schön, so außergewöhnlich, dass ich mich fragte, ob das „Amanjiwo“ wohl real sein kann. Wir reisten an einen Ort, der unsere Erwartungen noch weit übertraf.
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