Editors' Picks

Amanjiwo

Indulgent, spiritual, enclave-like

Ds Majaksingi., Borobudur, Magelang Central Jav 00000

(62) 293 788 333

See Website

At a Glance

Travelers looking for a spiritual sojourn should escape to Amanjiwo in Central Java, a one-hour flight west of Bali.

Best For: Couples or families in search of a cultural Indonesian experience
The Standout: The view of the Borobudur temple in the distance from the sprawling patio of your villa suite
Don’t Miss: A sunrise tour of Borobudur

Indagare Loves

  • The design of the hotel, which mimics Borobudur’s emblematic stupa
  • The property’s 135-foot infinity pool set in a colonnaded amphitheater.
  • Organized excursions to Borobudur, one of Southeast Asia’s great cultural icons (on par with Bagan, Myanmar and Cambodia’s Angkor area)

Review

While many associate Java with Jakarta, the country's crowded and frenetic capital, much of the island is actually rural, scenic and full of culture. Java is known for its spectacular shrines and palaces, the most famous being Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist monument.

Central Java’s tropical, mountainous landscape and community of craftsmen and artisans provide the setting for Amanjiwo, one of Aman’s most striking and architecturally significant properties. The design of the hotel mimics Borobudur’s emblematic stupa, with the lobby sitting in a domed rotunda and 30 suites radiating from the center in two crescent shapes. In fact, the center of the main house has a perfectly symmetrical view of the monument, which stands about one kilometer away.

Accommodations differ mostly in their views, either of the garden or Borobudur, and 15 of them have private pools. The interiors are simple in color and form, crafted using local materials such as coconut wood and bamboo and embellished with Javanese artisan wares. Sumptuous king-sized beds sit on platforms raised above terrazzo floors surrounded by marble columns. With an almost temple-like ambience, suites offer a distinctive spiritual sensibility. In the mornings and evenings, the calls to prayer of neighboring mosques echo across the hotel grounds.

Thanks to a fantastic Aman staff, the service guests receive and experiences offered at Amanjiwo– beginning with a welcome showering of rose petals upon arrival–are some of the most memorable and exclusive. Highlights include a sunrise hike up Borobudur, followed by an uber-luxe picnic breakfast overlooking the monument. Guests may opt to have dinner in the home of a villager and attend a Javanese Jatilan, a trance dance channeling the gods, typically performed exclusively for locals. Amanjiwo also offers cooking classes, jaunts to shop for antiques and guided tours of local art galleries and museums.

Amanjiwo’s onsite facilities include two tennis courts, a spa suite, small fitness center, and gorgeous 135-foot infinity pool. The ultimate place to absorb the tranquil landscape, the pool is set in a colonnaded amphitheater bordered by rice fields and overlooks Borobudur in the distance.

Who Should Stay

Couples or families in search of an off-the-beaten path, cultural Indonesian experience.

Written by Indagare

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