Review: Amanoi, the most exclusive hotel in Vietnam

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Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel and/or flight review.

Last April & May, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:


Today (August 23, 2017): Review of Vietnam’s most exclusive hotel, Amanoi. 
  • Location: Google Maps
  • Address: Road to Ba Dien beach, Vĩnh Hải, Ninh Hải, Ninh Thuận, Vietnam
  • Hotel website: Amanoi
  • Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso

In 2013, Aman brought the brand’s signature sleekness to its debut resort in Vietnam, a contemporary beachside resort alongside a full-service Aman Spa overlooking spectacular Vinh Hy Bay in Nui Chua National Park, northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The luxury hotel’s polished, slate pagodas peek out from a lush green landscape; its infinity pool segues into the sea; and its spa rests by a lotus-blossom-dotted lake. Amanoi offers total privacy in beautifully designed accommodations that are located in 31 pavilions, a number with private swimming pools, and five Aman residences, all positioned on the hillside with impressive views. The off-the-grid property designed by world-famous architect Jean-Michel Gathy positively encourages calm contemplation, whether lounging by the cliffside pool or at the elegant beach club, or surrendering to the tranquillity of the Aman Spa – set by a lotus-filled lake with a floating yoga pavilion.

Amanoi features in my lists of the hottest luxury hotel openings of 2013, the 10 most fabulous luxury hotels in Vietnam, the 10 most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, the 10 best things to see and do in Vietnam, and my favorite 10 Aman resorts in the world.

In this review (more info below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

  • Pros & things I like
  • Cons & things to know
  • My verdict
  • Tips for future guests & save money
  • Best time to visit
  • How to get there
  • Photos

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE
  • During my holiday, I was upgraded to a spectacular, so-called Mountain Pool Villa (Villa #6). The villa, which could be opened on two sides by pushing enormous pocket doors into the walls, drew on the grace of Vietnamese design by offering a combined bedroom and living room area. The airy space was equipped with an oversized king-size bed, writing desk, LCD TV with international channels, sound docking system, mini-bar, espresso machine, and a cozy seating area with one sofa and two loungers. The open-plan bathroom, which could be closed off from the bedroom with two pocket doors, featured a large bathtub between two sinks, with on one side an enclosed toilet and on the other a rain shower which had a sliding door towards the garden and large timber deck. The latter featured a magnificent private pool, which was heated and came with underwater lighting for night swimming.
  • Service is impeccable and attentive without being intrusive, as you would expect from an Aman resort. There’s a staff count of four staff to one guest. Rooms are cared for continuously through out the day and the staff magically knows when you’re not there. I did not have any issues with the English standards of the staff. Most speak excellent English, and miraculously, there is always someone popping up to address you in English when confronted with one of the few staff members that is not so fluent in English.
  • Amanoi is a self-contained luxury oasis, representing everything that its mother brand Aman tries to achieve: tranquility, exclusivity, and a sense of place. Aman is the world’s most exclusive hotel brand and the company manages a fabulous collection of intimate properties across the globe. The brand is known for the understated elegance of its resorts, exquisite attention to detail, minimalist design, heartfelt service, and otherworldly locations.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Amoi is the most exclusive resort in Vietnam and also my favorite Aman resort in the world. The phenomenal resort blew me off my feet, and the scale, design and setting are stunning beyond words. It’s a hotel I found very hard to fault. In fact it’s nearly perfect, but you may want to know the following nonetheless when considering a stay at Amanoi:

  • Amanoi sprawls across 100 acres of dense forest and rocky outcrops. Because the resort grounds are so spread out – they rank among the most expansive in the world – it does take some time to get around, although a very efficient buggy service is provided with waiting times reduced to the absolute minimum. The rooms, spa, Central Pavilion, and Beach Club are all located a 5 to 10 min gulf card ride from each other, so it does require a bit of organization to plan your schedule during the day. I believe that the resort experience and guest mobility would be enhanced by providing bikes or gulf carts to the guests for the duration of their stay (although the hilly terrain may make that option difficult and right-down dangerous)
  • Although it was probably an anomaly not in line with Aman’s overall superb service, the hotel driver who dropped me off in Nha Trang after my stay displayed a reckless behaviour on the road, despite me asking him to slow down. This is Vietnam, where the lines between traffic safety and danger are not drawn very clearly, but nonetheless, it was the only car transfer in Vietnam where I felt uneasy because of the high speed and repeated overtaking on the narrow winding coastal road. To give you an idea: the route from Amanoi to Nha Trang takes about 2 hours by car, but I was dropped off in less than an hour.
  • The resort has one main restaurant, located in the Central Pavilion, and a less formal dining venue at the beach if the weather allows. The menus did not change during my 3 day stay. So, the food options are a be limited when you consider a longer stay at Amanoi. Perhaps that the addition of daily specials, destinations cuisines, and/or private dining experiences would solve this problem.
  • This off-the-grid place is as remote as it gets. Amanoi is located about a 2 hour drive from the nearest urban center, Nha Thrang, but IMHO, that’s a good thing. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to decompress for a few days. However, if you like night life and action-filled holidays, you may find yourself disappointed, since the Aman brand appeals to a different type of traveler.
  • Yes, the hotel is extremely expensive according to Vietnamese standards, but it’s an Aman hotel, the world’s most exclusive hotel brand, where holiday budgets come to die. You should know that going in. The most important thing is that when you can afford it, you will not be disappointed with the unique experience that awaits you. It’s a place you will never forget.
  • Be prepared to become an Aman junkie as this will raise the bar for all your future trips.

MY VERDICT
  • Location: 10/10
  • Design: 10/10
  • Pool: 10/10
  • Rooms: 10/10
  • Food: 10/10
  • Breakfast: 10/10
  • Spa: 10/10
  • Service: 10/10
  • Value for money: 10/10
  • Overall experience: exceptional: 10/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY
  • Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Amanoi. Book a room at the cheapest price and/or receive many free perks!
  • Any accommodation type at Amanoi is bound to be a showstopper, but Ocean Pavilions with private pools are worth the extra price.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Amanoi’s own micro-climate makes it ideal for travel year round weather-wise. The five star resort is located in the southern part of Vietnam, near Nha Trang, the driest part of the country with very little rainfall. Amanoi experiences a long hot summer from March to October. From mid-November till the second half of February the wind can be very strong and sometimes there is a lot of rain. The Ninh Thuan Province is known to have one of the best climate in the country, with average temperatures ranging from 22ºC to 35ºC (70°F to 95°F). The area is protected by mountain ranges, which means that storms are rare. Approximately 250 days of the year are sunny.


HOW TO GET THERE

Amanoi is located a 75 min drive from Cam Ranh Airport (CXR), which services Nha Trang. Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Cam Ranh Airport.


ARRIVAL AT AMANOI

ARRIVAL AT AMANOI

ARRIVAL AT AMANOI

ARRIVAL AT AMANOI

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

AMANOI: OVERVIEW

CENTRAL PAVILION: ARRIVAL AREA

CENTRAL PAVILION: ARRIVAL AREA

CENTRAL PAVILION: ARRIVAL AREA

CENTRAL PAVILION: LOWER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: LOWER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: LOWER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: UPPER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: UPPER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: UPPER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: UPPER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: UPPER STAIRCASE

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: TOP FLOOR

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

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CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: RESTAURANT

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

CENTRAL PAVILION: BOUTIQUE SHOP

BUGGY SERVICE AROUND RESORT

BUGGY SERVICE AROUND RESORT

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: ENTRANCE

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: ENTRANCE

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: LIVING AREA

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BEDROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: BATHROOM

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK

MOUNTAIN POOL VILLA: POOL DECK (VIEW)

RESORT MAP

BEACH CLUB: ENTRANCE

BEACH CLUB: ENTRANCE

BEACH CLUB: ENTRANCE

BEACH CLUB: ENTRANCE

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: RESTAURANT

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: SWIMMING POOL

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: PRIVATE BEACH

BEACH CLUB: LUNCH

BEACH CLUB: LUNCH

BEACH CLUB: LUNCH

BEACH CLUB: LUNCH

BEACH CLUB: LUNCH

BEACH CLUB: LUNCH

AMAN SPA: AERIAL VIEW

AMAN SPA: AERIAL VIEW

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

SPA: ENTRANCE & RECEPTION AREA

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

v

AMAN SPA: LAKE & YOGA PAVILION

AMAN SPA: TREATMENT ROOM

AMAN SPA: TREATMENT ROOM

AMAN SPA: TREATMENT ROOM

v

SPA: WET ROOM

SPA: WET ROOM

SPA: WET ROOM

SPA: WET ROOM

SPA: WET ROOM

AMAN SPA: GYM

AMAN SPA: GYM

AMAN SPA: GYM

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST

AMANOI AT DUSK

AMANOI AT DUSK

AMANOI AT DUSK

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

AMANOI AT NIGHT

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK

HIKE TO GOGA PEAK


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