The coveted Aman Resorts celebrates 30 years of pursuing wellness around the globe.
by SunHee Grinnell
Amanyara, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Photo courtesy of Aman.
The name alone, “Aman,” suggests a place of peace, nirvana possibly, and it is exactly that: a wonderland. A place of tranquility and reflection, all 33 Aman resorts around the world are for Zen-seekers. For urbanites who suffer from “permanxiety,” there are the Aman properties, designed to provide a much-needed calmness of mind.
On a windswept coastline at the Northwest Point, Providenciales, the farthest secluded tip on the island of Turks and Caicos, sits the enshrined Amanyara, which means “peaceful place.” After a direct flight to paradise, only three hours and 20 minutes, a white Range Rover awaits at the airport, complete with a chilled “Amanyara-scented” hand towel inside. Like all Aman properties, Amanyara is designed to showcase its natural surroundings. The property sits above a white-sand beach with the most vividly clear turquoise waters, and the sweeping rocky coves bordering on Northwest Point Marine National Park provide dramatic coastal views. The property is also known for its spectacular reef diving and beautiful snorkeling sites.
On land, the Asian-inspired pagoda-style pavilions are grand, varying in sizes from 700 to 14,445 square feet villas. Built with warm teak wood and high, sloped ceilings, are each surrounded by lusciously overgrown vegetation, offering a real place of refuge for even the Kardashians (Kim and Kourtney are patrons) of the world. The villas also come with a private pool, butler, and chef, exercising Aman’s ultimate philosophy of solitude in luxury.
There’s no loud music here, and you will not see a rowdy crowd—ever. Only excellent cuisine, various water sports from scuba diving to sailing, and land sports from tennis and game rooms to Pilates and yoga. A screening room features a movie of choice nightly, equipped with beverages and popcorn, and there’s even a well-curated and divinely-scented library where one can collect oneself even more. Then, there’s the magnificent pool, which is indeed the epitome of serenity. To take that peace one step further, there’s the spa. Amanyara’s spa encompasses four treatment pavilions situated around a tranquil pond and a relaxation pool. The resort spa offers an array of facials to body treatments with island-centric therapies, explicitly designed for Amanyara visitors looking for the most soothing experience one can imagine.
Frequent Aman visitors often say that this particular location represents the true essence of Aman—how it creates a retreat in an unexpected place, and infuses it with the warmth of the natural setting. But one thing is the same across all Aman properties: an intimate, incredibly discreet experience within an expansive environment.
Celebrating its 30th year in business, Aman is led by C.E.O. Vladislav Doronin, a Russian businessman, avid art collector, and real-estate developer. The first Aman resort was Amanpuri (place of peace) in Phuket, Thailand. Since then, Aman has grown to include 33 hotels and resorts located around the world, with both Mexico and New York City locations arriving in 2020. And one must note the art of architecture in all Aman properties, the genius of its aesthetic consistency. The brand has only worked with a few principal architects to build its artfully harmonized uniformity, including Jean-Michel Gathy, Ed Tuttle, and Kerry Hill Architects, who have captured Aman’s true essence and minimalistic viewpoints, all while providing warmth on the various properties.
Aman will celebrate the anniversary with a private-jet journey set to take off October 7, taking up to 16 guests aboard a private jet for a two-week adventure across Asia, including visits to seven Aman destinations, from the outskirts of Shanghai to the palm-fringed beaches of southern Sri Lanka. As Marcel Proust once said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” And with that, wishing you a peaceful journey.
