Bali | The Surprisingly Exceptional Amankila

Amankila is located on the east coast of Bali, backed by Mount Agung, and was chosen in 1992 for its view of the Lombok Strait. Its name, derived from Sanskrit, means 'peaceful hill'. Despite being a design from 32 years ago, the three-tiered swimming pool inspired by terraced fields remains a highlight of the hotel to this day. About the design: The hotel was designed by Ed Tuttle, the late Aman's go-to architect who passed away in 2020, with 35 suites all adopting traditional Balinese architectural styles. Multiple columns support the elevated thatched roofs, and each separate suite, built against the hillside, is designed in the form of stilt houses. The suites and the main public building are connected by winding terrazzo walkways. Indoors, a large amount of cream-colored terrazzo and wooden finishes are used as the main materials, paired with open thatched roofs. Details include wood carvings and stone carvings, as well as decorations of coconut shell inlays, shell mosaic vessels, and rattan furnishings. All these details remind me of what Ed Tuttle once said in an interview: 'Design should respect the cultural background of the location and the potential impact of the architecture on the surrounding environment.' About the facilities: The hotel has two restaurants, one offering Indonesian flavors and the other an Italian restaurant. It seems that the restaurants are relatively full during holiday meals, so it's necessary to make a reservation with the front desk in advance. The Bar near the swimming pool provides snacks and drinks for swimming guests, with free afternoon tea around four o'clock. Aman's standard Spa and Gym require advance reservations with the front desk. There are two swimming pools, in addition to the three-tiered pool, there is also a large swimming pool near the beach made of turquoise tiles. The hotel's private black sand beach is a must-visit, where you can book a private dinner by the sea, and the play of light and shadow at sunset can truly bring a moment of inner peace. About activities: Initially, I was worried that Amankila might have fewer activities than Amansara, but this concern was unnecessary once I arrived at the hotel. Activities are divided into sea and land activities. Sea activities include boat trips for snorkeling, fishing, surfing (about a 1.5-hour drive, so I didn't go), and scuba diving, which offers certification but requires at least three days. We took a private boat, Aman XII, for snorkeling, and the boat was equipped with a safety officer and crew. The underwater world was truly beautiful, with many strangely shaped corals and colorful fish. The only downside was that the waves were quite big that day, and both my friend and I got seasick. Onshore activities include horseback riding on the beach, visiting nearby villages to understand local culture, and hiking in the mountains. In short, if you stay for a longer period, you won't get bored. About the service, after all, it's Aman, so you can be quite assured. Having housekeeping as soon as you step out of your room is a basic operation, but since the hotel was fully booked during my stay, the staff ratio was not as good as the Amansara experience. They didn't manage to organize charging cables, fold clothes, or polish shoes, but the overall experience was truly beyond expectations!