[box] **If you missed my post about Aman resorts on Bali you should probably go read that first. It has some general information that applies to all of the Aman resorts on Bali. **[/box]
Ahh.. Amankila.
Amankila is located on the eastern side of Bali on a cliff overlooking the ocean. There isn’t much in the way of shopping or nightlife here but there also aren’t as many tourists. What’s fun about this is that on this side of the island, when you’re driving around or riding a bike through a village, the people look at you, elbow their friends, point at you and then they all smile and wave. It’s kind of fun. It’s like being a celebrity, without the Paparazzi.
Like the other Aman resorts on Bali, Amankila is full of winding sidewalks and stairs that lead to each guest suite. Each suite is in it’s own Balinese style building with a thatched roof, large bedroom and bathroom, and a private terrace with a daybed. Amankila has a mix of garden view and ocean view suites. Of the 34 suites at Amankila 9 have private pools. All feel very private so it’s not difficult to imagine that you’re living in your own private jungle hut, albeit a very nice one. There are a few pool suites that connect to a garden view or ocean view suite for those of you who travel with children. And I do have it on good authority that the Balinese nannies are really amazing so if you’d like some romantic time away from the kiddos they’ll be well taken care of.
My friend and I spent our stay at Amankila in heaven, AKA – the Amankila Suite. It’s actually more of a compound – a resort within the resort. The Amankila Suite branches off from the main sidewalk, down a set of stairs towards the ocean that ends at this lovely pool.
If you stay in the Amankila suite this pool is all yours. There are lounge chairs, two open air bale’s with huge beds inside and a view you’re never going to want to leave. It sure was a great place to enjoy breakfast. And take a nap. And get some work done.
There are two staircases behind the pool that lead up the cliff a bit, each one leading to a separate building housing a bedroom and bathroom – this suite has two.
The included activity we choose at Amankila was a bike tour of the area. It was one of my favorite things we did. I live in Arizona where it’s dry, even during the monsoon season, so the humidity on Bali while we were there (February) was pretty uncomfortable. I was a little worried about riding a bike up and down hills. But It was almost all downhill! They drive you through some villages and fields UPhill to the starting point. Then your guide gets out with you and leads you DOWNhill through villages and past temples to the end of the tour at the <<<>>> where your driver is waiting to take you back UPhill to the resort. Since you’re going downhill there’s a nice breeze the whole time so it’s really comfortable and just all around makes for a great day.
<<INSERT SLIDESHOW FROM BIKERIDE>>
Although Amankila is located high on a cliff overlooking the ocean, it does have a beach. You can walk down, or catch a ride in a resort vehicle. It’s about a 5 minute walk up, or down steps. It’s not the same white beach Amanusa enjoys but much more private and has the same amenities and service and then some!
Windsurfers, boogie boards, surfboards, kayaks and Hobie cats are all available for guest use. If you prefer a pool there is a <<size>> pool surrounded by lounge chairs. There’s even WiFi at the beach so you can Instagram to your hearts content (and make your friends die with envy).
My stay at Amankila was so wonderful that the next day, when I was anchored just offshore, on a luxury cruise ship, within view of the resort, I kept looking at it and sighing, thinking – I wish I was back there.
