Review of Amanjiwo 5*

Amanjiwo is my 6th Aman property and my favourite one so far. The setting is dream-like, of course, with Borobudur in the horizon amidst misty mountains. But Amanjiwo holds up as a monument on its own.
The timeless Ed Tuttle-designed architecture has aged gloriously. The rooms and all areas are beautiful and well-kept, and everything works perfectly.
The highlight, as in all Aman hotels I’ve visited, is the service. It’s simply the best and something that no other luxury hotel group or single property I’ve stayed in can match (Capella is a close second). Housekeeping was magic — my room was cleaned every time I left. Overall, every request is fulfilled promptly and seamlessly with the perfect balance of discretion and friendliness. The staff also excel at anticipating your every need.
The food at the restaurant is delicious. I had only Indonesian food during my stay, and all the dishes were well prepared and with generous portion sizes. I loved the sambals so much they prepared some for me to take back home.
The Borobudur tour is well worth it. There is little signage or information at the site (and I didn’t see any in English). So unless you read up on it beforehand, it would be a shame to visit without learning about the history. My guide even helped me take the most amazing pictures of the Buddha statue inside one of the stupas.
Tip — If you’re a light sleeper, make sure to use the ear plugs provided. Or the 4:30am calls to prayer from the neighbouring village mosque will wake you up.
Amanjiwo is a special place. I will be back.