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.

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

The post Peace at all costs appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

A great start to the day makes all the difference to rest of it, and when we are staying at some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, we simply must enjoy breakfast and oftentimes this becomes the most important meal of the day. Savor these photographs of the best breakfasts around the world with us.

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BREAKFAST IN ISTANBUL

at the Four Seasons Bosphorus

Healthy starters at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet in Istanbul

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Mornings and breakfasts at the Hyatt Regency  in Thessaloniki, Greece

BREAKFAST IN MOSCOW
at the Standart Hotel

Caviar over Eggs Benedict at The Standart in Moscow

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BREAKFAST IN MARRAKECH
at The Selman Marrakech

Al fresco breakfast and croissants  at The Selman in Marrakech

A morning spread prepared by Palais Amani, Morocco

Fruits and olives for breakfast in Chateau Les Crayeres in Champagne, France

Oysters, green tea, seeds, fruits and champagne for breakfast at the One & Only Cape Town in South Africa

Continental breakfast at the Rachmaninoff Hotel in Veliky Novgorod, Russia

BREAKFAST IN TURKEY
at the CVS Park Hotel Bosphorus

Eggs and fruit at the Park Hotel Bosphorus

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BREAKFAST IN AFRICA
at the Oceana Wildlife Reserve
in the Eastern Cape

The Eggs Benedict at the  Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve, South Africa  makes early mornings worth it

The Japanese breakfast at Amanemu in Ise, via room service, came in a beautiful lacquer trio of boxes

Breakfast at the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne

Spicy eggs in Tel Aviv, Israel

Breakfast in Otaru, Japan,  a port city known for known for glasswork and sake distilleries

Santorini, Greece breakfasts are a feast for all senses

Farm to table breakfast at a farm in Rostov, Russia

An energizing morning meal in Crete, Greece’s largest island

A French morning spread courtesy of Les Crayères

Crystal Cruises breakfasts are both eye-catching and delicious!

A really delicious made-to-order omelette at the Grand Hotel in Tver, Russia

The post The best hotel breakfasts in the world, from Russia to Japan appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.