Amanjiwo
Indonesia
price per night: from 237€
number of rooms: 35
An ancient soul resides deep in the earth of Central Java, a peaceful spirit which rises up through the misty volcanic terrain to touch the elements of centuries past and present, leaving a tangible sense of timelessness in its wake. It is here amongst verdant rice terraces and gentle palm trees that Amanjiwo resides. Situated in a natural amphitheatre, Amanjiwo faces the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary, the 9th century Borobudur, as well as the mystical Tidar Hill, believed to house the spiritual and geographical centre of Java. Four slumbering volcanoes rise dramatically in the distance surveying the graceful limestone monolith that is Amanjiwo, while the rolling Menoreh Hills rise directly behind.
Amanjiwo (peaceful soul) rests in the rural heartland of Central Java. The resort is located within a natural amphitheatre, with the limestone Menoreh Hills rising gently behind, the Kedu Plain in front and four volcanoes (Sumbing and Sundoro to the west, Merbabu and Merapi to the east) on the horizon. Amanjiwo looks out onto the 9th-century Buddhist sanctuary of Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several villages are within walking distance of the resort.
cuisine
From Amanjiwo’s entrance, five steps lead to the Bar, a circular salon with columns and drop fans, a coconut-wood bar and acid-etched bronze-drum tables. The Restaurant, with its silver-leaf ceiling, is defined by a double row of stone columns and looks out onto the crescent-shaped Terrace featuring black terrazzo tables and silver-painted rattan chairs with batik cushions. At either end of the Restaurant, gold-painted murals recreate scenes from the Hindu Mahabharata epic, but the view over rice fields to Borobudur and its surrounding volcanoes takes centre stage. Indonesian and Western cuisines are served in these dining venues, but the specialty of the house is Makan Malam, a series of classic Javanese dishes served in traditional brass bowls. The view from The Terrace is particularly arresting at dawn and dusk. Borobudur is directly ahead of the resort, and just beyond the great Buddhist temple is the rounded hill of Tidar.
library
The Library is large and light-filled, with daybeds for two at either end. Books on Indonesia are available in several languages, including Japanese and German. A variety of CDs, tapes and games are also on offer. The Library is a venue for occasional lectures at which leading Indonesian experts speak on issues ranging from temple preservation to Javanese art and culture. Both high-speed and wireless connections are available for Internet access.
boutique
A wide variety of Javanese clothing and textiles (including exquisite hand-woven, hand-dyed and handpainted silk scarves and shawls) are available for purchase in The Boutique. Also featured are gamelan instruments, shadow puppets, old ceremonial baskets, jewellery and other Javanese crafts and antiques, including the loro blonyo figures. These painted statues in bridal attire depict the deity Dewi Sri and her male companion Raden Sadono. Statues of this classic couple can be found in most Javanese homes.
art gallery
Regular exhibitions featuring the works of renowned artists and photographers are held in The Art Gallery. Guests are also welcome to join Amanjiwo’s informal artist-in-residence for a morning of charcoal sketching in the countryside surrounding the resort. For those inspired by the views from Amanjiwo, a box of water-colours is provided in each suite.
spa services
A range of Javanese and traditional beauty treatments including facials, massages and cream baths are available at Amanjiwo, some of which incorporate the ancient holistic jamu method of healing. Treatments can be enjoyed in the privacy of guest suites or in the specially-designed spa suite which features twin massage tables and an outdoor bale for relaxing afterwards with spicy ginger tea. The two-hour Mandi Lulur, the traditional preparation of a Javanese princess on the eve of her wedding, is a complete pampering experience. The masculine version of Mandi Lulur is also available.
swimming pool and pool club
The resort’s 40-metre infinity swimming pool, lined with green tiles and overlooked by banyan trees, is surrounded by rice paddies. Overlooked by sun loungers and umbrellas, it lies adjacent to the Pool Club, a raised and colonnaded semicircular deck where breakfast, light lunches, drinks and snacks are served.
gym suite
Amanjiwo's gym suite features state-of-the-art fitness equipment including treadmills and cross trainers. A gym instructor can be arranged to provide personalised guidance.
tennis centre
A tennis court is tucked into the Menoreh Hills behind the resort. A thatched-roof bale is ideal for enjoying refreshments.
internet
Wireless broadband connections are available in all resort accommodations and public areas.
The most important island in the world’s largest archipelago, Java is at the centre of Indonesian culture and industry. Stretching more than 1,000 kilometres, Java is framed by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north, with Sumatra bordering its west coast and Bali immediately to the east. The volcanic, ruggedly beautiful island of Java is about the size of England. Its population, however, is about 105 million – nearly half of Indonesia’s entire population. Amanjiwo can be reached by several daily domestic flights to Yogyakarta and Solo from Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, Bali or Singapore.
Amanjiwo is a one-hour complimentary transfer from Yogyakarta, or two hours on the more scenic route from Solo, which passes some of the biggest volcanoes in Java. There are direct flights to Solo three times a week from Singapore, and a twice-daily service from Kuala Lumpur. A complimentary concierge arrival service is available for all guests arriving at Solo Airport. For guests arriving at Jakarta, the service is also available at a special rate of $40 per person. Due to airport restrictions, this service is no longer available at Yogyakarta.
Private air charter on a six-seater Piper Chieftain is available between Bali and Yogyakarta at a cost of US$7,550nett. The flight takes two hours and maximum load is 300kg which allows for approximately four passengers with luggage or six with only hand luggage.
Amanjiwo (peaceful soul) rests in the rural heartland of Central Java. The resort is located within a natural amphitheatre, with the limestone Menoreh Hills rising gently behind, the Kedu Plain in front and four volcanoes (Sumbing and Sundoro to the west, Merbabu and Merapi to the east) on the horizon. Amanjiwo looks out onto the 9th-century Buddhist sanctuary of Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several villages are within walking distance of the resort.
cuisine
From Amanjiwo’s entrance, five steps lead to the Bar, a circular salon with columns and drop fans, a coconut-wood bar and acid-etched bronze-drum tables. The Restaurant, with its silver-leaf ceiling, is defined by a double row of stone columns and looks out onto the crescent-shaped Terrace featuring black terrazzo tables and silver-painted rattan chairs with batik cushions. At either end of the Restaurant, gold-painted murals recreate scenes from the Hindu Mahabharata epic, but the view over rice fields to Borobudur and its surrounding volcanoes takes centre stage. Indonesian and Western cuisines are served in these dining venues, but the specialty of the house is Makan Malam, a series of classic Javanese dishes served in traditional brass bowls. The view from The Terrace is particularly arresting at dawn and dusk. Borobudur is directly ahead of the resort, and just beyond the great Buddhist temple is the rounded hill of Tidar.
library
The Library is large and light-filled, with daybeds for two at either end. Books on Indonesia are available in several languages, including Japanese and German. A variety of CDs, tapes and games are also on offer. The Library is a venue for occasional lectures at which leading Indonesian experts speak on issues ranging from temple preservation to Javanese art and culture. Both high-speed and wireless connections are available for Internet access.
boutique
A wide variety of Javanese clothing and textiles (including exquisite hand-woven, hand-dyed and handpainted silk scarves and shawls) are available for purchase in The Boutique. Also featured are gamelan instruments, shadow puppets, old ceremonial baskets, jewellery and other Javanese crafts and antiques, including the loro blonyo figures. These painted statues in bridal attire depict the deity Dewi Sri and her male companion Raden Sadono. Statues of this classic couple can be found in most Javanese homes.
art gallery
Regular exhibitions featuring the works of renowned artists and photographers are held in The Art Gallery. Guests are also welcome to join Amanjiwo’s informal artist-in-residence for a morning of charcoal sketching in the countryside surrounding the resort. For those inspired by the views from Amanjiwo, a box of water-colours is provided in each suite.
spa services
A range of Javanese and traditional beauty treatments including facials, massages and cream baths are available at Amanjiwo, some of which incorporate the ancient holistic jamu method of healing. Treatments can be enjoyed in the privacy of guest suites or in the specially-designed spa suite which features twin massage tables and an outdoor bale for relaxing afterwards with spicy ginger tea. The two-hour Mandi Lulur, the traditional preparation of a Javanese princess on the eve of her wedding, is a complete pampering experience. The masculine version of Mandi Lulur is also available.
swimming pool and pool club
The resort’s 40-metre infinity swimming pool, lined with green tiles and overlooked by banyan trees, is surrounded by rice paddies. Overlooked by sun loungers and umbrellas, it lies adjacent to the Pool Club, a raised and colonnaded semicircular deck where breakfast, light lunches, drinks and snacks are served.
gym suite
Amanjiwo's gym suite features state-of-the-art fitness equipment including treadmills and cross trainers. A gym instructor can be arranged to provide personalised guidance.
tennis centre
A tennis court is tucked into the Menoreh Hills behind the resort. A thatched-roof bale is ideal for enjoying refreshments.
internet
Wireless broadband connections are available in all resort accommodations and public areas.
The most important island in the world’s largest archipelago, Java is at the centre of Indonesian culture and industry. Stretching more than 1,000 kilometres, Java is framed by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north, with Sumatra bordering its west coast and Bali immediately to the east. The volcanic, ruggedly beautiful island of Java is about the size of England. Its population, however, is about 105 million – nearly half of Indonesia’s entire population. Amanjiwo can be reached by several daily domestic flights to Yogyakarta and Solo from Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, Bali or Singapore.
Amanjiwo is a one-hour complimentary transfer from Yogyakarta, or two hours on the more scenic route from Solo, which passes some of the biggest volcanoes in Java. There are direct flights to Solo three times a week from Singapore, and a twice-daily service from Kuala Lumpur. A complimentary concierge arrival service is available for all guests arriving at Solo Airport. For guests arriving at Jakarta, the service is also available at a special rate of $40 per person. Due to airport restrictions, this service is no longer available at Yogyakarta.
Private air charter on a six-seater Piper Chieftain is available between Bali and Yogyakarta at a cost of US$7,550nett. The flight takes two hours and maximum load is 300kg which allows for approximately four passengers with luggage or six with only hand luggage.