Every suite here has a dramatic view, with a lovely terrace to enjoy it from. Amankila’s cliff-edge setting ensures that, but so does the clever design, with the suites strung along the slopes and elevated to take in the best of the Lombok Strait. Each enjoys complete seclusion – none are overlooked by the others.
The traditional alang alang thatched roofs shelter sleek and spacious bedrooms and bathrooms with twin vanities and soothing living areas inside and out, stretching onto expansive terraces furnished with coconut shell tables, rattan furniture and hillside and ocean vistas. Many feature gorgeous private pools too, though there are so many pools at Amankila, you'll be truly spoilt for choice.
The whole resort lends itself to that sort of abundance – there is so much to enjoy in the surrounding area, from mystical temples to villages rich in art and culture – but it can be hard to leave as there’s so much to enjoy right here. Bali visits though, in the form of cultural evenings held poolside – where else – and the shrines that dot Amankila and lend it some of its serenity.
The food is a delicious reason to stay close to home; it’s widely regarded as superlative. And little wonder, with the resort growing its own berries and fruit on a farm high on Mount Agung, and herbs from thyme and rosemary to Balinese Lime in its grounds, sourcing its ducks from Amankila’s free-range farm in the neighbouring village of Jasri, cold smoking tuna, salmon and suckling pig on-site and gathering sea salt from a local beach.
When breakfast options range from Moroccan doughnuts to nasi goreng to soothing chicken porridge to banana pancakes or just simple bacon and eggs, then even poolside lunch is going to impress and dinners are outstanding, and can be served in outstanding private locations too – beach, pool or hillside, all candle-lit under the stars and palms.
Cruises on the Aman XII offer a way of gently leaving but not leaving Amankila’s charms, but if energy strikes away from pools or after delicious dining, then the beach club is well stocked with kayaks, boogie boards, hobie cats and windsurfs that don’t have to take you too far away along the Lombok Strait.
