GREAT EXPECTATIONS

On my way up, I was of course anticipating a beautiful hotel typical of
the Aman group. And perhaps more so in this case, as the bar to impress guests is certainly higher in Tokyo, the city with the most number of “Aman junkies” in the world.

“I was completely unprepared for the cavernous space of light, 30 meters high, that awaited me once the elevator doors opened. Talk about making first impressions count.”

Tokyo is also ground zero for design and technology pushed to the limit. So the pressure was definitely laid thick on Aman to come up with a Tokyo property that would dazzle. Moreover, it had to do so in a most subtle way — if this is even possible. After all, most of its jaded guests have already stayed in amazing hotels all over the world.

READ ABOUT THE BEST NEW HOTEL IN SPAIN

THE LOBBY OF AMAN TOKYO

I was one of these jaded guests and these were my lofty expectations. However, surprise greeted me upon arrival. I’ve stayed everywhere wonderful, but I was completely unprepared for the cavernous space of light, 30 meters high, that awaited me once the elevator doors opened. This was the lobby. Talk about making first impressions count.

Quite unlike any other hotel lobby in Tokyo, this is literally the equivalent of eight floors of space and soft bright light that deliberately extends one’s vision all the way to the top.

WHAT TO DO WITH WASHI PAPER

Then the designers covered the walls of about six of these floors in textured “washi” paper. They stretched these on a wooden shoji frame to resemble a traditional Japanese paper lantern. This gave the lobby an aura of unearthliness appropriate for a hotel so high up.

Meanwhile, at eye level, a calm pool of water lay at the center of attention. This was located somewhere between polished wood, rough grey stone, two Zen rock gardens and a mammoth arrangement of fragile ikebana-inspired greenery.

Then there were the views to take your breath away if you still had any left. I saw the breadth and width of the Tokyo skyline before me. This certainly made for a good combination of earth, sky, and, of course, luxury.

THE PERFECT FIT

Admittedly, this truly 21st century hotel is not for everyone. However minimalists and enthusiasts for Japanese design will immediately appreciate its aesthetics. It is stark, crisp and so seamless. Like a simple but perfectly cut little black designer dress.

READ ABOUT THE AMANEMU IN ISE

At least, this is how I felt, checking in one recent Sunday to happily call Aman Tokyo my home for four days. I was already sufficiently enamored at the outset. Nevertheless, this hotel grows on you and ends up fitting your lifestyle. By the end of my stay, I most definitely would have stayed four months or four years instead of four days — had my credit card allowed this.

Read more about the best hotels and resorts in Japan in Travelife Magazine.

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Most of the 24 suites and four two-bedroom villas have views of the bay and of the pearl farms. These also have hot springs bathtubs carved out of black granite that look out onto greenery.

SIMPLE ELEGANCE AT AMANEMU

Apart from these features, Amanemu is simplicity itself. Inside these stark modern structures, you will find wooden interiors along the same lines of a Japanese shrine. The hue of brown is exactly that of a well-polished chopsticks. Inside, you’ll find more somber pottery and utensils that speak of grace and elegance.

As for the architectural features, these are so restrained that you will immediately notice a cup or a book that is not in its place. Even the three plums in a basket on the table were arranged so artlessly and yet so artistically that I preferred to take photos of them than to eat them.

HOW TO FIND PEACE

At Amanemu, you will definitely find your peace. That is, if you don’t carry it within you yet. After entering its premises, almost everything mundane will cease to matter when confronted with the seamless serenity wherever you will look. In fact, this serenity is similar to what pilgrims must experience upon reaching the famous Ise Shrine, which is just a few minutes away.

Trust me. Amanemu is sublime at its best. It will overcome you even before you realize it. By the second day, you will be experiencing joy just by sitting on the sofa on the terrace, gazing at trees and the sea.

ABOUT AMANEMU

Amanemu is quiet and serene so it’s the perfect place to get away from it all. Most of the Amanemu villas have a view of the sea and the pearl farms of Ise, except for the entry-level villas which have views of greenery.

Otherwise, the layouts of the villas at Amanemu are the same. There is the one-bedroom Amanemu villa, which is basically half of a duplex, and they are all of the same size and layout, including a hot springs bathtub. The only difference is the view.

Then you have the two-bedroom Amanemu villas which are two bedrooms joined by a living room and a common bath, although each villa is ensuite anyway. The common bath is a hot springs bath while the ensuite baths are not.

THE LARGEST HOT SPRINGS POOL IN JAPAN

In contrast to the simplicity of the villas, the spa complex is a wondrous maze of water and wellness. It’s located at the end of the estate. The design is beautiful and it has a carefully planned bathing area with a simple wooden tub as focal point.

Meanwhile, the largest outdoor hot springs pool I have ever seen in Japan is just outside. It’s not even a pool, really. Rather, it’s a collection of large and small pools that flow into each other. The pools are surrounded by stylish cabanas, lounging areas and treatment rooms. Here, in one of the treatment rooms looking out onto a rock garden, I had an excellent 90-minute shiatsu massage designed to revitalize and invigorate.

BREAKFAST AT AMANEMU

The next morning, we decided to have breakfast in our room. Meals are also served at the main restaurant. However, we could not tear ourselves away from the serenity we’d so easily become accustomed to overnight. A smiling lady delivered our Japanese breakfast to us in unvarnished wooden boxes.

Each small dish was again placed so picturesquely within its assigned space. So breakfast looked more like an artwork than food. We lingered over our meal, comforted by the understanding that life is best savoured in small but delightful doses at Amanemu. Just like our Japanese bento box breakfast.

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Amanjiwo is one of the oldest properties of the Aman Hotels and Resorts group, but it has not lost its lustre in spite of age. The resort is the perfect venue for yoga and meditation. It also makes an excellent base for visiting the attractions of Yogyakarta. 

Foremost among these is Borobudur Temple, Indonesia’s most famous tourist attraction and the largest Buddhist structure in the world. There are also other impressive temples in this region. Many tourists also fly in to visit local art galleries as Yogyakarta and Borobudur have thriving art scenes. 

HOW TO GET TO BOROBUDUR

It takes about 90 minutes from Yogyakarta Airport to Borobudur, where the largest Buddhist temple in the world has stood since the 9th century. It’s a complete bible of Mahayana Buddhism that has drawn Buddhist pilgrims from all over for hundreds of years.

YOGA & MEDITATION AT AMANJIWO

Amanjiwo, nestled at the foot of the Menoreh Hills. The resort has a clear view of the Borobudur Temple and Mount Merapi. This area is also supposed to be full of positive energy. The natural environment dotted with temples is reportedly conducive for spiritual practices, as well.

This was good news for me, as my main purpose was to detach from the world and to focus on yoga and meditation.

Navi, a member of the Amanjiwo team, was waiting at the airport. “We have a regular way to Amanjiwo and also a scenic back road. Ibu, which do you prefer?” Ibu, by the way, is the honorific used for women. It has a soft and warm ring to it, and I soon learned to take pleasure in this courteous address from everyone.

Of course, I chose the back road. And soon we were meandering past rice terraces the color of spring green and villages full of interesting carvings and brightly colored houses. Then Amanjiwo came into view, its main building rising above a low rainforest like a graceful Buddhist stupa.

BEAUTY IN DESIGN

At first glance, the resort is a maze of heavyset contemporary structures. It’s a 21st century tribute to Borobudur Temple but with a traditional twist. The lobby and the main restaurant are housed in a massive minimalist building created from blocks of local limestone the colors of cream, butter, and brown.

This felt like a modern temple itself. It had a circular center inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. I could also see hints of Frank Lloyd Wright on its walls of uneven bricks.

Meanwhile, Greek-style colonnades supported the covered terrace on one side that opened up to an unencumbered view of Borobudur Temple and the Kedu plains of central Java. And everywhere, I found designs and accents inspired by the famous temples.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

The Amanjiwo offers a seamless experience of culture and relaxation amidst luxury. It’s the perfect partner to a yoga and meditation retreat, along with learning about Buddhism in the course of visiting the temples of Borobudur. Also, the service at Amanjiwo, where the team is trained to regard guests as valued members of the family, is flawless and friendly.

EXAMPLE OF MINIMALIST LUXURY

The Amanjiwo is definitely not your typical tropical resort. For one thing, a minimalist theme based on monotone limestone is not exactly what you expect in these parts. However, by the end of the day, the wisdom of the architect and the thought that went into the design became apparent to me.

The stone structures are reflective of the massive Borobudur temple itself. In fact, they are actually a welcome refuge amidst densely lush vegetation and rice paddies constantly hammered either by searing sunshine or thundering rains.

There is nothing ambiguous about the environment in these parts, you see. And the Amanjiwo has simply matched its surroundings, creating a pleasant visual break in the jungle and a most appropriate refuge in any weather.

THINGS TO DO IN BOROBUDUR

After you’ve climbed up Borobodur Temple at sunrise and relished enough R&R time by the Amanjiwo swimming pool, you might try the following:

• Hiking up Menoreh Hills

• Visiting art galleries and meeting local artists

• Taking a horse-drawn buggy around the villages

• Trying your hand at pottery making, Javanese-style

Borobudur is particularly known for its artists, and a painting makes a wonderful souvenir to take back home. Most galleries will roll your choice for you into a long cylindrical box that can be checked in at the airport.

HOME SWEET HOME

My 243-square meter Borobudur suite was perched on a mound high enough to make Borobudur Temple visible from the lounging pavilion on the terrace. It was similarly a haven of wood and stone in a contemporary Asian style. From the moment I entered, it spoke to me of calm and serenity. This is precisely what most guests staying at Amanjiwo seek.

Incidentally, climbing the nine tiers of the famous temple at sunrise, each one filled with stories from the life of Buddha carved on its tiles, was bliss indeed. Pilgrims believe that walking around the temple and reaching the top of Borobudur Temple is symbolic of life’s journey. 

It also signifies the final attainment of enlightenment and happiness. But bliss also came in the form of sitting on the lounge chair on my terrace with a book, soaking in the outdoor stone bathtub and relaxing by the Amanjiwo swimming pool every afternoon, once the sun began to set.

OUTDOOR PRIVATE DINING

I spent most of my days in the retreat, which was held in the pool pavilion of Amanjiwo. Then we all ate together in the restaurant. 

However, on my last night at this meditation and yoga retreat, I dined in my lounging pavilion instead of at the main restaurant as usual. I ordered the elaborate Royal Javanese menu via room service. As I sat cross-legged in the pavilion observing the calm all around me, the restaurant staff set up a round table.

On this, they placed a tray filled with covered porcelain bowls containing an assortment of specialty dishes from Java. Enjoying crispy duck and fish curry al fresco with cool winds blowing as I gazed at the stars above was simply nirvana itself. 

Read about the Sanchaya Resort in Bintan

The post Yoga and meditation at Amanjiwo in Yogyakarta appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

We recently visited Borobudur Temple, Indonesia’s most famous tourist attraction and the largest Buddhist structure in the world. While we were in Yogyakarta, we participated in a yoga and meditation retreat, and we stayed at the Amanjiwo, one of the top luxury resorts in Asia.

HOW TO GET TO BOROBUDUR

It takes about 90 minutes from Yogyakarta Airport to Borobudur, where the largest Buddhist temple in the world has stood since the 9th century. It’s a complete bible of Mahayana Buddhism that has drawn Buddhist pilgrims from all over for hundreds of years.

Yogyakarta is also home to the Amanjiwo, a luxury resort nestled at the foot of the Menoreh Hills. The Amanjiwo has a clear view of the Borobudur Temple and Mount Merapi. These were my intended destinations, and the latter was where I was headed first.

HOW TO GET TO AMANJIWO IN YOGYAKARTA

Navi, a member of the Amanjiwo team, was waiting at the airport. “We have a regular way to Amanjiwo and also a scenic back road. Ibu, which do you prefer?” Ibu, by the way, is the honorific used for women. It has a soft and warm ring to it, and I soon learned to take pleasure in this courteous address from everyone.

Of course, I chose the back road. And soon we were meandering past rice terraces the color of spring green and villages full of interesting carvings and brightly colored houses. Then Amanjiwo came into view, its main building rising above a low rainforest like a graceful Buddhist stupa.

BEAUTY IN DESIGN

At first glance, the resort is a maze of heavyset contemporary structures. It’s a 21st century tribute to Borobudur Temple but with a traditional twist. The lobby and the main restaurant are housed in a massive minimalist building created from blocks of local limestone the colors of cream, butter, and brown.

This felt like a modern temple itself with a circular center inspired by the Pantheon in Rome and hints of Frank Lloyd Wright on its walls of uneven bricks. Meanwhile, Greek-style colonnades supported the covered terrace on one side that opened up to an unencumbered view of Borobudur Temple and the Kedu plains of central Java. And everywhere, I found designs and accents inspired by the famous temples.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

The Amanjiwo offers a seamless experience of culture and relaxation amidst luxury. It’s the perfect partner to the experience of learning about Buddhism in the course of visiting the temples of Borobudur. The service at Amanjiwo, where the team is trained to regard guests as valued members of the family, is flawless and friendly.

EXAMPLE OF MINIMALIST LUXURY

The Amanjiwo is definitely not your typical tropical resort. For one thing, a minimalist theme based on monotone limestone is not exactly what you expect in these parts. However, by the end of the day, the wisdom of the architect and the thought that went into the design became apparent.

The stone structures are reflective of the massive Borobudur temple itself. In fact, they are actually a welcome refuge amidst densely lush vegetation and rice paddies constantly hammered either by searing sunshine or thundering rains.

There is nothing ambiguous about the environment in these parts, you see. And the Amanjiwo has simply matched its surroundings, creating a pleasant visual break in the jungle and a most appropriate refuge in any weather.

THINGS TO DO IN BOROBUDUR

After you’ve climbed up Borobodur Temple at sunrise and relished enough R&R time by the Amanjiwo swimming pool, you might try the following:

• Hiking up Menoreh Hills

• Visiting art galleries and meeting local artists

• Taking a horse-drawn buggy around the villages

• Trying your hand at pottery making, Javanese-style

Borobudur is particularly known for its artists, and a painting makes a wonderful souvenir to take back home. Most galleries will roll your choice for you into a long cylindrical box that can be checked in at the airport.

HOME SWEET HOME

My 243-square meter Borobudur suite was perched on a mound high enough to make Borobudur Temple visible from the lounging pavilion on the terrace. It was similarly a haven of wood and stone in a contemporary Asian style. From the moment I entered, it spoke to me of calm and serenity. This is precisely what most guests staying at Amanjiwo seek.

Incidentally, climbing the nine tiers of the famous temple at sunrise, each one filled with stories from the life of Buddha carved on its tiles, was bliss indeed. Pilgrims believe that walking around the temple and reaching the top of Borobudur Temple is symbolic of life’s journey. 

It also signifies the final attainment of enlightenment and happiness. But bliss also came in the form of sitting on the lounge chair on my terrace with a book, soaking in the outdoor stone bathtub and relaxing by the Amanjiwo swimming pool every afternoon, once the sun began to set.

OUTDOOR PRIVATE DINING

On my last night, I dined in my lounging pavilion instead of at the main restaurant as usual. I ordered the elaborate Royal Javanese menu via room service. As I sat cross-legged in the pavilion observing the calm all around me, the restaurant staff set up a round table.

On this, they placed a tray filled with covered porcelain bowls containing an assortment of specialty dishes from Java. Enjoying crispy duck and fish curry al fresco with cool winds blowing as I gazed at the stars above was simply nirvana itself. 

Read about the Sanchaya Resort in Bintan

The post Yoga and Meditation at Amanjiwo appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.