WORTH TRAVELING FOR
The world’s largest Buddhist monument, Borobudur — elaborately carved, built in the 9th century, and abundantly topped with stupas — makes its silhouette feel particularly mysterious and magically iconic when viewed from Amanjiwo, the indisputably best hotel choice in Indonesia’s Central Java area. There is an ever-increasing understanding that Indonesia, a country of more than 17,000 islands, is rich far beyond Bali. And this unforgettable property, opened in 1997 with a name meaning “peaceful soul,” is an incredible place to feel that to one’s bones. Imbued with significance, grandeur, and sense of place — it was designed by the late Ed Tuttle, after all — it was one of Aman’s Indonesian Founder Adrian Zecha’s earliest Aman properties and at the time joined four others across the country.
Amanjiwo sits in a place that is only recently gaining more attention as avid travelers venture over to some of Bali’s neighbors to discover the many lesser-known treasures. At Amanjiwo, intriguing cultural practices, fascinating history, heavenly design, and spiritual encounters swirl together meaningfully both on and off property.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
Amanjiwo’s 36 terraced suites are generously sized, ranging from 2,615 square feet (for a garden suite) to 12,917 square feet for the two-bedroom Dalem Jiwo Suite, which overlooks Borobudur and has its own 15-meter pool, dedicated butler, and on-call vehicle. Views and amenities vary, however the luminous palettes — sedative terrazzo, paras stone, and warm wood—and standout features such as sunken bathtubs, palatial columned platform beds, and al fresco daybeds are consistent. There’s an ethereal quality to the sublime accommodations.
The main pool is 130-feet long, with well-spaced lounge chairs, umbrellas, and manicured trees plus expansive ephemeral panoramas of green that shift constantly with the weather. It’s the site of the colonnaded pool terrace for breakfast and lunch, which includes exceptional spanakopita. For three meals a day, the restaurant and bar in the main rotunda serves an ever-changing degustation menu of local specialties, daily rice offerings (the coconut rice is unmissable), along with Javanese, Indonesian, Asian, and Western dishes that feel novel and wonderfully satisfying.
From guests’ celebratory arrival, which involves a flower-petal shower en route to the grand rotunda and columned restaurant that perfectly frame Borobudur, to the poolside (expect your bathrobe to be swiftly hung on a hanger), and everywhere in between, service is cheerful and beyond accommodating. The smiling local staff is detail oriented and mindful in ensuring the little things — such as a jar of absurdly delicious chocolate-chip cookies in the minibar was consistently refilled. Prolific inclusions include afternoon tea with traditional Indonesian treats, roundtrip transfers from Yogyakarta International Airport, cultural lectures by an in-house anthropologist, hands-on activities, and yoga classes, to name a few, and make the entire experience feel generously luxurious and well rounded.
ROOMS & EXPERIENCE
It’s quite natural to feel like some offshoot of royalty when taking up residence in Amanjiwo’s hushed suites — each with a four-pillared bed and fine sateen linens under a domed ceiling — inspired by Borobudur’s stupas. Each suite has ample private outdoors space within its walled confines that’s also quite regal and fragrant, thanks to lovely flowering trees and luscious landscaping. Small touches such as a watercolor painting set on the large desk for guests to render their own impressions of the resort or Borobudur enhance the stay further and add to the sense that the accommodations are a place for repose and inspiration.
I appreciated the silence of each evening, and the easy-to-use wood panels that slid to cover abundant glass — or not, depending on blackout preferences — and create an intimate feeling in the spacious room. The resort is a dream for honeymooners or couples seeking plenty of seclusion, but it also works very well for a family. The many staircases are not conducive to using a stroller or wheelchair, however, and those with mobility issues may find getting around a bit arduous.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK
I visited at the tail end of the rainy season, late October, and while the weather was a bit moody it was still gorgeous, but for more blue skies the ideal season runs from March through September. We were rained out of experiencing jemparingan, a form of traditional Javanese archery done sitting down, however Amanjiwo offers plenty of exceptionally fun and enthralling all-weather activities such as batik making, Javanese dancing, and beautiful blessings with a local guru.
Address: 9692+78, Sawah, Majaksingi, Kec. Borobudur, Kabupaten Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56553, Indonesia
Closest Airport: Yogyakarta International Airport, 90 minute drive
Feature image courtesy of AMAN. Travel Curator may earn a commission from product or booking links on this page.
