Amankila

Our last trip to Bali was divided into staying at 3 resorts 1st one was Raffles Bali for 1 week 2nd was Mandapa a Ritz Carlton Reserve for 5 days (second time as this is the best resort on Bali) 3rd was Amankila also for 5 days After staying in Bali for 2,5 half of the week for a second time, I can honestly review all the properties that we have visited : As we are Luxury Travelers we had very high expectations due to staying at Amankila. It was our second stay with AMAN brand . We have reserved infinity pool Willa number 20. There is only one villa in this category at the resort. This villa is completely overpriced ... but read carefully below. Surroundings of the resort & location : Views are breathtaking and seeing the ships at the sea was not annoying for us . Unfortunately, this resort is located at the worst beach on Bali that I have seen so far. Also, the facilities around the beach are really very poor. I have visited this beach only 1 time during my stay. The main problem in the resort are “steps “ there is no possibility to have a buggy drive to your villa, so holidays with kids are problematic in this aspect. 6/10 Accommodation : unfortunately comparing to all the resort villas we have stayed through it was one of the worst one. There are no modern solutions inside and furniture are very old. Everything was scratching. Comparing Amankila villa (the most expensive one with 1 bedroom) to the Villa in RC Mandapa or Raffles is just silly. Because there is nothing to compare. 3/10 Service: The biggest disadvantage was the lac of GEM service… I couldn’t understand how a resort which a price of 2900 USD per night can have standards like that . Room service was barely one per day, and we had to make a special request for extra cleaning. One time after our daily trip we have arrived to the villa which was not cleaned from the morning time. Another time there was a snake - what was funny :) Overall 2/10 Food: it was decent but nothing special There are two restaurants but just next to each other, so there is no variety in this case. 3/10 To sum up- after this stay there is a lack of good feelings about AMAN brand . I was reading a lot about AMAN junkies and truly I don’t understand this phenomenon. For me, Amankila is one of the biggest disappointments through all our hotel life story. Certainly there are much better resorts in Bali - just check all my reviews .

We came for the first time in May 2004, and then back in Aug 2013 and now for our third time in Dec 2024. Every time the stay has been impeccable with all staff super friendly, warm and hard working to make your stay special. This time we also enjoyed the special performance of “Frog Dance” on Christmas Eve against the spectacular pools, and would come back again in future.

Unfortunately, I cannot give Amankila more than 3 stars (or circles) - with a heavy heart, as I really appreciate the hard work of many people who are doing their best to keep this place class. Let’s talk about those people and the wonderful experiences first. The place is incredibly beautiful, spaced out over a hilly terrain, with many stairs - which I love, for the many outdoor exercise options the stairs give, but it may not be your thing. The villas are amazing, spotlessly clean, the housekeeping team do a great job. The views are breathtaking, the beach is pristine with dark volcanic sand - which again I love, but it may not be your thing. The beach team and the staff at the Beach Club restaurant also do a great job. The place has very good treks to choose from. I went from Tirta Ganga (Water Palace) to Tenganan and it was a good nature walk - the guide and the driver were again those people who did a great job. So did the massage therapist - the treatment was amazing; and the sommelier - there are some very good wines to choose from. I am really thankful for the effort they put in this. However … the problems start in the kitchen. Both restaurants serve mostly meat/ fish dishes, with only several vegetarian ones - some good, some bad. It felt like early 2000s or so - vegetarians would just manage, vegans would find it really hard. Overall, well below expectations. Worse - the problems then extend to the drinking water. The “Cleo” brand tastes as if someone solved anti-mosquito in it - gave me quite a stomach ache after I drank some of it at night. I finally fell asleep to the thought I was at least hepatitis vaccinated. In Aman, really? And finally - on a lovely afternoon, inside a snack going with the afternoon tea, I found a piece of hard plastic - quarter of nail size, most likely from a salt or pepper grinder. I was lucky not to have bitten it (broken tooth guaranteed) or swallowed it. It is really not cool to be constantly reminding staff of dietary requirements and constantly be on guard about the smallest bit or sip I put in my mouth. Nothing to do with relaxation. Plus a few lesser annoyances here and there. It’s sad, as I had a great experience in Amanoi earlier this year, but Amankila has some serious catch-up work to do.

This place is a food lover's paradise! The culinary offerings were diverse and innovative, showcasing both local specialties and international favorites. Each meal was a delightful experience, with attentive service and beautiful presentation. The chef's willingness to accommodate dietary restriction

Our stay at Amankila was truly unforgettable. This was our 6th Aman property stay, and while each one is unique, Amankila just might be our favorite of them all. The architecture of the resort is breathtaking—perched above the ocean, offering dramatic views no matter where you are. The blend of traditional Balinese design with modern amenities made our room particularly special. We had our own private infinity pool overlooking the ocean, which provided a secluded escape. Not like we needed it -- even the public spaces and main pools at Amankila still feel like your own private paradise. One of the highlights for us was getting massages on the terrace of our room. I had the nourishing massage, while my husband opted for the grounding massage. Both were phenomenal, and having them in such a peaceful setting made the experience even more special. The staff at Amankila was exceptional. Their warmth and high-touch service made us feel truly cared for throughout our stay, without being overbearing. A special shout-out to the chef—we loved the food so much that when we commented on a few dishes, he graciously printed the recipes, which we’ve already tried at home. So thoughtful! The resort strikes a perfect blend of luxury and seclusion. If you’re considering Amankila, just go—you won’t regret it!