Amankila in Bali: A Hotel with History

Designed by Ed Tuttle and opened in 1992, Amankila, the second Aman resort in Bali, is built on a cliff overlooking the coast. It features 34 rooms, four swimming pools, a bar, and nominally three restaurants, though the Indonesian and Western restaurants share the same space. For an architect with a decade of experience in hotel design, Aman has always held a special place. However, personally, I find this particular Aman resort to be less impressive. Firstly, the maintenance is subpar. The lawn and landscaping under the connecting corridors show no signs of care, with patches of bare ground visible—unacceptable in Bali's climate. Most baffling is the strong musty odor upon entering the rooms, a problem that shouldn't exist at this price point. The service, however, was excellent. The staff were well-trained, responsive, and incredibly enthusiastic. The front desk staff exuded the air of seasoned butlers in a grand mansion, swiftly addressing every request. The dining staff thoughtfully advised us on portion sizes, suggesting we avoid over-ordering. It was evident that the staff interacting with guests were genuinely dedicated. Interestingly, the musicians at dinner seemed to be going through the motions with expressionless faces, like emotionless robots. Design-wise, the hotel's layout, elevated above the terrain, minimizes environmental impact. However, it lacks the harmonious integration with the landscape seen in Geoffrey Bawa's work. A significant flaw is the lack of privacy in many rooms, with interiors visible from the connecting corridors—another misstep for a hotel of this caliber. The three cascading pools along the main visual axis in the public area are truly stunning. The hotel's decor consistently uses square mosaic elements, from floor and wall tiles to furniture and even items in the gift shop, creating a distinctive design language. However, the layout of functional areas has significant shortcomings. The kitchen's prep area is too exposed, and the limited restroom facilities in the lobby force guests at the restaurant and bar to climb steep outdoor stairs, a problem exacerbated in rainy weather. The room design is unremarkable, offering little of the relaxation expected in a resort setting. The layout follows a partially symmetrical axis, and while the rooms are around 90 square meters, they don't feel that spacious. The windows frame views of various small features within the room. Overall, the hotel derives most of its value from the Aman brand. In my opinion, it's not a particularly outstanding example of hotel design. But Aman is Aman, and it undoubtedly possesses a unique charm that continues to attract guests.