In the rural heartland of Central Java, Indonesia, you’ll find the exclusive Amanjiwo Resort. It is located within a natural amphitheatre of limestone in Menoreh Hills rising directly behind the Kedu Plain in front and four volcanoes – Sumbing, Sundoro, Merbabu and Merapi, Amanjiwo looks out onto the 9th century Buddhist sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur. Amanjiwo (which means “peaceful soul”) is operated by Aman Resorts and was opened in 1997.
Amanjiwo Resort
Amnanjiwo’s main building is framed by 36 suites set in two graceful crescents around the central Rotunda. All suites feature terrazzo flooring, high ceilings, domed roofs and sliding glass doors that open onto a garden terrace with a view of Borobudur or surrounding farmland. Fifteen suites come with private swimming pools. All suites include a thatched-roof kubuk (pavilion) with a daybed for outdoor lounging and dining and two loungers. Interiors include a central, four-pillar bed on a raised terrazzo platform, sungkai wood screens, coconut wood and rattan furniture, old batik pillows in classic Yogyakarta style, traditional glass paintings and a large sunken stone outdoor bathtub.
Amanjiwo Resort
The hotel has its own library (which often hosts lectures on the history of Borobudur), art gallery, Javanese spa and a swimming pool with Javanese green tiles, known as hijau danau, set into the rice fields.
The main hotel’s restaurant is crescent shaped and open-aired, supported by neoclassical columns. It serves Indonesian and Western cuisines. A circular black marble bar is located in the lobby and featured Gamelan players and local girls performing traditional Javanese dance every day.
Amnanjiwo won La Dolce Vita Magazine’s Best of the Best and a bronze award by the Hotel Inspector Awards in 2010.
Amanjiwo Resort
