Amanbagh is another Amanresorts gem. Hidden in the middle of nowhere in Northern Rajasthan, Robyn and Manav will welcomed you as this is a strong Aman tradition. By the way, arriving in a hotel who wants you feel at home could not do otherwise. Robyn and Manav are always very attentive to all of their guests and they know the country very well. They are truly adorable and they very quicly taylored what we were expecting. No surprise if they won the Gallivanter's award of the best managers of the year!
Frankly speaking, first impression let me mitigated: Amanbagh is a huge hotel according to Aman standards. The hall is vast and a little bit cold with its hidden front desk. Then you can distinguish a gigantic and crowded swimming pool – again, according to Aman standards. The way to the villa is a long one. But my first impression disappeared soon…
Our villa was absolutely beautiful with a vast garden in front of us; it is intelligently stopped by an old wall and an organized jungle – from where monkeys might arrive every morning. The grass welcomes energic squirrels and many birds as well so that you always have performance while having a rest on you private pool.
As there is a pool. Not a plunge one. A pool. Not the basic Olympic. A pool to refresh, to bath ad even to swim. And it is heated so that winter time can be swimming time as well. Then, an outdoor roofed terrace with an Indian-style table where breakfast is a must.
In the villa, two parts if we do not consider this nice, lighting lobby: the bedroom and the bathroom. I must mention marble is absolutely everywhere there in a soft pink peach which is so relaxing. Bedroom is a nice, double-windowed area with a large desk on the garden, a enjoyable sofa an table and a overking bed very well oriented on the light. Of course, quality of the mattress is there as well as pillows that can be modified according to your preferences (large or small…). No TV hopefully but a CD player with a not that bad choice at the Library of the hotel. The bathroom is large organized around a one-piece marble bathtube dominated by a sky dome. Here are the Mille et une Nuits! Bath items are from the Aman standards even if these are not my favourite – too sweety.
The main building is dominated the resort. On the first floor an excellent library. The choice of books is excellent aiming on local interest as we might expect (“as you might expect” is a key word in hostelry). And this is one of the best within Amanresorts (with the incredible one collected by Olivia Richli in Amangalla). The library is opened on a terrace among old eucalyptus trees and a roof terrace above. That last one looks a little bit abandoned while I am sure things could be organized there; I suppose that will be done later…
Downstairs are the indoor and outdoor restaurant and the bar. By winter time, real fire will be placed around your table as evenings are really, strongly cold. This is fun but it can make you quickly crazy as sparks jump a lot. Perhaps another way could be developed… Need to think about! The bar belongs to those traditional tropical bars: what could you drink as you know your drink will be too sweet anyway. Indeed, barmen in tropical countries are always mixing sweet cocktails. The one at Amanbagh belongs to that tradition with a trend to “less” than few others – the worse being at the Raffles, Singapore. As a diner, two possibilities: Western or Indian. I always opt for local food so that I am sure, when back home, I will not eat this kind of food for a while; you might get bored of same dishes everyday… But I know I am opening a controversy. Service is perfect with the whole ritual: butter and bread while it is useless for an Indian diner. And fork is never on the right position. That is fine anyway.
The boutique is first of all an annex of jewels shops from Jaïpur. The attendants are not playing it very friendly and above all they are not gems experts while they are selling many jewels. Then the choice need to be reinforced with basic books, postal cards and some paintings as well as Rajasthan is a kingdom for miniatures. Even if I spent time there, I still think this is of the two main areas for improvement.
The other one is the spa. Staff is very friendly but they are suffering of misunderstanding because of their English level, obviously. Then, their massage are not as experts as in other places – Aman-I-Khas on the first hand. Finally, by winter time, you have to come from your villa in you robe by a chilly late afternoon. They offer you a drink to prepare your body and then you will reach the treatment room by going outside on a 2 minutes walk. Then once your treatment finished, again, you open the door of that room directly on the chillier nature: blanket should be provided as you are immediately caught by coldness.
As I mention areas for improvement, let me mention that none of the employees leave their sandals while entering the villas. That should be automatic.
Activities are always great time within Amanresorts. And Amanbagh firmly follows the tradition. I would mention that quick trip to top-hilled desert ancient temple followed by a lunch on a small long wood boat cruising on a quiet and birdy lake among hills, mountains, unmotorized fishermen and old castles. Then you will reach an abandoned city with its palace and temples: the one of your child books when dreaming of the Book of the Jungle. That will make you India addictive, without any doubt. The other must is a late afternoon horseback riding in the villages, fields and castles surrounding the resort: that is magic.
Finally, I will mention Ratan: he is an excellent driver – and you must be very confident with your driver in India – a very intelligent man who will give you a lot from his absolutely perfect country.
No note for this Amanbagh: it is above many hotels.
Gut!
Rédigé par: berlin | février 27, 2009 à 04:40 PM