By Dea Jusufi
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Named after the Sanskrit for ‘peace’, Aman Resorts embraces this precept like no other. To this luxury brand, peace is more than passive enjoyment; it is a state of mind nurtured through active, authentic encounters with the cultures and traditions that enrich our earth. Indias rugged beauty demands to be seen from the seat of a Marwari horse, riding like a Rajput royal across the Land of Kings. A trip to Tokyo is incomplete without a fragrant cup of gyokuro served in one of the citys most renowned ryoteis. The Utah mountains echo with a piece of heritage preserved, as dinner in their Chinle Site is accompanied by traditional Navajo storytelling & music. Aman Resorts’ holistic approach has inspired many an affluent traveler to make the pilgrimage to their luxury wellness retreats.

THE HISTORY OF AMAN RESORTS

With 34 properties in 20 countries, this Swiss-headquartered company has revitalised the hospitality industry, providing awe-inspiring locations and culturally rich locales with all the comforts of ultra-deluxe service. With their luxury wellness retreats having an average ratio of seven staff to one guest, its no wonder the Aman brand is beloved by the social elite. Past guests include Bill Gates, David Bowie, and Princess Diana.

Aman Resorts began with a stroke of serendipity. While searching for a holiday home, founder Adrian Zecha happened upon a coconut grove just above Pansea Beach. From this spot on the west coast of Thailand, he could see the wide expanse of the Andaman Sea. Surveying the unspoiled coastline, Zecha had a vision. He imagined not a huge range of hotels all over the world, but rather a series of villas on the site to be occupied by his friends. In 1988, Amanpuri, the first place of peace’ was founded. 35 years later, this spirit of friendship is still at the heart of every property.

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"Peace is more than passive enjoyment; it is a state of mind nurtured through active, authentic encounters with the cultures and traditions that enrich our earth."

Aman-i-Khas' conversation pitAMAN-I-KHAS

Amans exceptional experiences are founded in an ethos of cultural understanding. With 15 of their properties located close to or within UNESCO-protected sites, their boutique hotels and luxury wellness retreats pay respect to the environment and culture in which they reside.

To visit the Aman-i-Khas in Rajasthan, for instance, is to see the spirit of India embodied in Mughal-style luxury camping. Built on the threshold of Ranthambore National Park, a former royal hunting ground turned wildlife reserve, this resort is a network of airy canvas pavilions and groves of silvery dhok trees. To walk along its footpaths is to be delighted by the sight of wrought-iron lanterns and water-bowls filled with floating marigolds. By day, the resorts swimming pool, modelled on a baori (ancient step-well) is the natural choice for recreation. By night, enjoy a crackling fire and intimate talks under the stars in the hotel patios cushioned conversation pits.

Aman-i-Khas' luxury accomodation

Emulating the travelling camps of the Mughal Dynasty, guests sleep under the soaring canopies of ten ultra-luxe, safari-style tents. The design of the rooms is elegant but unobtrusive, with panelled mahogany details, amritsar rugs, and a minibar – cleverly designed as a leather trunk – stashed at the foot of the master bed. The bathroom, which features a free-standing bathtub made from locally-sourced stone, is separated from the bedroom and living room by white cotton drapes. Each tent even comes with its own sundeck for the avid naturalist or daytime lounger. Moored in the Aravalli hills, Aman-i-Khas invites you to relive a bygone empire.

Exterior view of Aman Venice

AMAN VENICE

If the cityscape is more your style, why not escape to Aman Venice? Located in the 16th century Palazzo Papadopoli and overlooking the bustling Canal Grande, this magnificent site gives the Aman brand a Midas touch. Guests feast on the sight of sweeping marble staircases, arched Venetian windows, and lofty ceilings decorated with gilded Renaissance frescoes. A grand ballroom, three dining rooms, and a series of secluded libraries lie waiting to be discovered. In this palace, it is the culinary tradition of cucina semplice that reigns supreme. Classic Italian dishes are made fresh every day from produce bought from the local Rialto Market – Venice is known, in particular, for its risi i bisi, a creamy risotto with crispy pancetta and peas.

Aman Venice's luxury accomodation

Aman Venice has 24 rooms, each featuring the work of some of Italys greatest artists (including 18th century painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo). Even when living like royalty, Aman does not lose their love for the understated. Expect sleek and contemporary furniture that allow the palaces more opulent fixtures – a glittering chandelier, a Baroque marble fireplace, or the rich hues of Venetian damask wallpaper – to stand out. Aman captures Venices inimitable spirit and historic charm while still abiding by their own edict of uncomplicated luxury.

Amanoi's luxury wellness retreat

LUXURY HOLISTIC WELLNESS

It is no surprise that a brand taking its name from the Sanskrit word for peaceis a champion of wellness. Passing through the doors of an Aman property, all tensions should melt away in the warmth of the atmosphere. They take a holistic approach, focusing on four key pillars of well-being: nutrition, movement, psychological health, and bodywork. Wellness Concierges are dedicated to helping visitors build their own path.

Those seeking serenity may choose to pamper themselves at Aman Resorts’ state-of-the-art spas. Every spa is designed after the healing traditions and natural offerings of its host country. For example, the 2,000 square-metre spa at Amanemu, set within the rolling hills of Ise Shima National Park in Japan, features traditional Japanese Onsen Bathing. Originally a Buddhist cleansing practice, Onsen Bathing today involves luxuriating in mineral-rich waters sourced from hot springs and believed to have healing properties.

Amanemu guests can also enjoy beauty treatments that make use of in-season Japanese herbs and plants. The coming of spring offers the gentle aromas of neroli and green tea, while you can expect to leave any autumn treatment smelling of Japanese cinnamon, sweet gettoh (Japanese peach leaf), and crisp shisho (red mint).

Amangiri's nature yoga
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"The coming of spring offers the gentle aromas of neroli and green tea, while you can expect to leave any autumn treatment smelling of Japanese cinnamon, sweet gettoh (Japanese peach leaf), and crisp shisho (red mint)."

For a more active and all-encompassing wellness experience, look no further than Amans plethora of luxury Wellness Retreats, also called Wellness Immersions. Seeking to strengthen your spirituality? Why not try out the Restore and Rebalance Retreat at Amangiri where, nestled amongst Utahs towering limestone canyons, you can experience the element-focused healing methods of the Navajo people? Feeling out of touch with your body? Then the Advanced Yoga Retreat at Amanbagh in India may be the perfect choice to restore both your inner and outer strength.

SUSTAINABILITY

Just as Amans luxury wellness retreats prioritise the well-being of every guest, so too do they prioritise the well-being of the lands holding their properties. At Amanoi, a resort located in the Unesco Global Biosphere Reserve Núi Chúa National Park in Vietnam, the team participates in weekly litter pick up events. At Amanzoe in Greece, organic produce is grown on in-property gardens to minimise the distance it must travel. Guests can utilise their yield of sweet melons or fresh aubergine in the resorts cooking classes.

Amanoi's Sacred Cham Dinner

Aman also works to preserve and celebrate local cultures, cultivating symbiotic relationships with their host communities. Amanoi offers a Sacred Cham Dinner, in which resort guests stand witness to a ceremony carried out by the Cham people – one of Vietnams 54 recognised ethnic groups. On top of that, Amanoi provides English lessons and vocational training to local students and frequently donates school supplies to several schools in the surrounding areas.

With core values of peace, hospitality, and preservation, Aman Resorts has elevated the standard of luxury. Their clean designs and resplendent settings make them a haven for aesthetes, while their luxury wellness retreats and other offerings render each resort a true oasis for peace-seekers. They have mastered the art of providing five-star service while simultaneously championing local cultures and sustainable environmental practices. With all of this to recommend them, it is no wonder that Aman Resorts is loved by purveyors of taste around the globe.

Dea Jusufi

Dea Jusufi is a writer and editor based in London. Fuelled by coffee (and freelance gigs), she's always planning the next big trip. Her interests lie in fine dining, nature writing, and learning about new cultures.