Aman
IndustryHospitality, hotels
Founded1988
FounderAdrian Zecha
Headquarters
Baar, Switzerland
Number of locations
34 (2019)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
ProductsHotels, spas, clothing
ParentAman Group Sarl
Websiteaman.com

Aman Resorts is the trading entity of Aman Group Sarl, a Swiss-headquartered multinational hospitality company. Founded by Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha in 1988, the company operates 34 properties in 20 countries. Vladislav Doronin is the chief executive officer, chairman, and owner.[1]

History

Founding

Founded in 1988, Aman Resorts' first destination was the result of hotelier Adrian Zecha's desire to build a holiday home in Phuket.[2][3] His plans soon developed into an idea to build a small boutique resort with Anil Thadani and two other friends. They invested their own money in the venture as no banks would lend for the project due to the small number of planned rooms. The resort opened as Amanpuri in 1988, with nightly rates reportedly five times higher than local competitors.[4]

By 1992, following the success of the first hotel, the group had expanded to include several resorts in Indonesia, a resort on Bora Bora and one in the Alpine village of Courchevel. Later, Clement Vaturi acquired a majority stake in the company,[5] thereby allowing the boutique hotels to be further conceptualized.

First ownership dispute (1998)

In 1998, Vaturi's controlling interest was acquired by Los Angeles-based Colony Capital, a real estate investment fund. A lawsuit between Vaturi and Colony Capital promised to drag on, and Colony Capital moved to protect its interests by taking a more active role in the company. At this time, Zecha resigned from his position at Aman and pursued other interests for the next two years.[6]

In 2000, Colony Capital and Vaturi settled their lawsuit, and Vaturi sold his shareholding interests to Lee Hing Development, a Hong Kong investment company. With controlling investors allowing full control over the company, Zecha returned as chairman and CEO. Over the next seven years, Aman launched retreats in Cambodia, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean. On 27 November 2007, DLF, India's largest real estate company, acquired Lee Hing's controlling stake in Aman Resorts for $400 million, including debt of $150 million.[7]

Second ownership dispute (2014)

In early February 2014, DLF sold Aman Resorts for $358 million to Aman Resorts Group, an investment company led by Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin, which also included Omar Amanat.[8] The sale included all Aman properties except for the Lodhi Hotel in Delhi. DLF sold Aman Resorts to reduce its debt and refocus on real estate after it had expanded into hotels, wind farms, and running export processing zones.[9] In April, Zecha stepped down as chairman a second time, and the company relocated its headquarters from Singapore to London in June.[10] Its corporate headquarters has since been moved to Baar, Switzerland. Doronin assumed the position of chairman, and French hotelier Olivier Jolivet was appointed chief executive officer in 2014.[11]

Aman under Doronin (2015–present)

In August 2015, Doronin became the sole owner of Aman when Pontwelly Holding Company, took full ownership of the hospitality business, Silverlink Resorts. Following this restructuring, Doronin and board director Alan Djanogly remain the only two directors.[12][13] In February 2017, Roland Fasel joined Aman as chief operating officer, continuing a 25-plus-year career in luxury hospitality.[14][15] Olivier Jolivet left the company the same year and Doronin assumed the position of chief executive officer.

In 2020, Doronin unveiled Janu, a spun-off brand to operate larger hotels in Japan, Montenegro, and Saudi Arabia, reportedly aiming to become a slightly more affordable complement to Aman.[16] The group's diversification strategy continued in 2021 with the launching a clothing line, marking a shift towards becoming a self-proclaimed lifestyle brand.[17]

In August 2022, Aman New York opened, occupying the former Crown Building.[18][19][20]

Hotels

Aman Venice, Italy occupying the Palazzo Papadopoli

Each Aman property typically has a small number of rooms, usually fewer than 55. The brand is often characterised by media outlets to offer remarkable service, with many of its properties reportedly having a staff count typically of six staff to one guest.[3][21][22]

Outside urban settings, guest accommodation is typically provided in individual private villas, pavilions, or tents (in the case of Aman-i-Khás in India, Amanwana in Indonesia, and Amanpulo in the Philippines), and often includes private outdoor lounging and dining areas.[23]

Aman mandates a concern for cultural preservation, and several properties are said to have some historical background and importance.[3] In Cambodia, for instance, the company acquired a ruined guest villa that had been built in the early 1960s by the country's King Sihanouk. All architectural records of the villa had been destroyed, but the discovery of an old tourist book with pictures of the building allowed the company to closely replicate what had been lost.[24]

Since its establishment, Aman has been highly rated by Condé Nast Traveler,[25] Zagat Survey, Gallivanter's Guide, Harper's Hideaway"[26] and Travel & Leisure. 34% of Aman patrons reportedly originate from Europe, another 34% from Asia-Pacific, 28% from the Americas and 4% from the rest of the world.[27]

Architects

Among the architects who have designed Aman properties are Emine Ögün,[28] Ed Tuttle,[29] Jaya Ibrahim,[30] Jean-Michel Gathy[29] (Denniston), Kerry Hill,[29] Marwan Al-Sayed,[31] Mehmet Ögün,[28] Peter Muller,[32] Rick Joy, Turgut Cansever,[28]

Controversy

In January 2023 Charles McGonigal, a former high-ranking FBI official and global director of security for Aman Group, was arrested on charges of money laundering and for violating US sanctions law. According to the US Department of Justice,[33] McGonigal conspired with a former Russian diplomat to assist Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch.[34][35][36] McGonigal’s hiring in the spring of 2022 was done through a very obscure process, according to Aman staffers, and raised many eyebrows because the previous director of corporate security was reassigned for no apparent reasons and because when reports that McGonigal was under investigation had surfaced and the first witnesses were scheduled to appear before the grand jury investigation of his conduct, he continued to be retained by the company.[35][37][38]

Locations

As of 2023, the group operates a total of 34 properties in 20 countries:

No. Hotel Name Hotel Location Country Opening Year Designer
1 Aman at Summer Palace Beijing China 2008 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston and Jaya Ibrahim[30]
2 Aman Kyoto Kyoto Japan 2019 Kerry Hill[39]
3 Aman Le Mélézin Courchevel France 1992 Ed Tuttle[40]
4 Aman New York New York City United States 2022 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[41]
5 Aman Sveti Stefan Sveti Stefan Montenegro 2008 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[42]
6 Aman Tokyo Tokyo Japan 2014 Kerry Hill[43]
7 Aman Venice Venice Italy 2013 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[44] and Elastic Architects
8 Aman Villas at Nusa Dua Nusa Dua Indonesia 1992 Kerry Hill, Danilo Capellini, and Dale Keller[45]
9 Aman-i-Khas Sawai Madhopur India 2003 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[46]
10 Amanbagh Alwar India 2005 Ed Tuttle[47]
11 Amandari Ubud Indonesia 1989 Peter Muller[48]
12 Amandayan Lijiang China 2015 Jaya Ibrahim[49]
13 Amanemu Shima Japan 2016 Kerry Hill[50]
14 Amanera Río San Juan Dominican Republic 2015 John Heah[51]
15 Amanfayun Hangzhou China 2010 Jaya Ibrahim[52]
16 Amangalla Galle Sri Lanka 2005 Kerry Hill[53]
17 Amangani Jackson Hole United States 1998 Ed Tuttle[54]
18 Amangiri Lake Powell United States 2009 Marwan Al-Sayed, Rick Joy, and Wendell Burnett
19 Amanjena Marrakesh Morocco 2000 Ed Tuttle[55]
20 Amanjiwo Magelang Indonesia 1997 Ed Tuttle[56]
21 Amankila Karangasem Indonesia 1992 Ed Tuttle and Danilo Capellini[57]
22 Amankora Thimphu Bhutan 2004 Kerry Hill[58]
23 Amanoi Ninh Hải Vietnam 2013 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[59]
24 Amanpulo Pamalican Philippines 1993 Bobby Manosa[60]
25 Amanpuri Phuket Thailand 1988 Ed Tuttle[61]
26 Amanrüya Bodrum Turkey 2011 Turgut Cansever, Emine Ögün, and Mehmet Ögün[28]
27 Amansara Siem Reap Cambodia 2002 Kerry Hill[62]
28 Amantaka Luang Prabang Laos 2009 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[63]
29 Amanwana Moyo Indonesia 1993 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[64]
30 Amanwella Tangalle Sri Lanka 2005 Kerry Hill[65]
31 Amanyangyun Shanghai China 2017 Kerry Hill[66]
32 Amanyara Turks and Caicos Islands United Kingdom 2006 Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston[67]
33 Amanzoe Kranidi Greece 2012 Ed Tuttle[68]
34 Rosa Alpina Alta Badia Italy 2020[69]

Upcoming properties

There are a total of 5 properties in the pipeline.

No. Hotel Name Hotel Location Country Opening Year
1 Aman Beverly Hills Beverly Hills United States 2026[70]
2 Aman Miami Beach Miami Beach United States 2026[71]
3 Aman Nai Lert Bangkok Bangkok Thailand 2024[72]
4 Aman Niseko Niseko Japan 2027[73]
5 Amanvari Los Cabos Mexico 2025[74]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rizzo, Lillian (2016-03-14). "Aman Resorts Owner Doronin Scores Legal Wins in Long-Running Dispute". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. ↑ "Aman Resorts" Archived 2016-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, Luxury Travel Magazine. Accessed 29 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Aman - The Unbranded Asian Luxury Resort Brand". Martin Roll. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  4. ↑ mahindro, radit (2021-01-18). "A Quite Long History of Balinese Hotel Architecture Part V: Adrian Zecha and Aman". Medium. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  5. ↑ Suryamurthy, R. "DLF to up stake in Aman parent". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  6. ↑ Doebele, Justin. "Poison in Paradise" Archived 2017-11-22 at the Wayback Machine, Forbes, 20 March 2000. Accessed 29 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Kumar, Arun (April 5, 2010). "DLF ropes in Goldman for Aman Resorts stake sale". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  8. ↑ Wrathall, Claire. "Aman for all seasons". Telegraph Aman for all seasons. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "DLF COMPLETES THE SALE OF AMANRESORTS TO ADRIAN ZECHA AND PEAK HOTELS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  10. ↑ Hamdi, Raini. "Aman relocates HQ from Singapore to London | TTG Asia". www.ttgasia.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  11. ↑ "The Peak Interview: How Olivier Jolivet Became Aman Resorts' Chief". The Peak Singapore - Your Guide to The Finer Things in Life. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  12. ↑ "Doronin takes full control of Aman, 'business as usual'". Archived from the original on 2015-08-19. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  13. ↑ Net, Hospitality. "Pontwelly Holding Company Ltd Takes Over 100% Ownership of Aman Resorts". Hospitality Net. Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  14. ↑ "Roland Fasel joins Aman as Chief Operating Officer". February 9, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Former GM of the Dorchester joins Aman as chief operating officer". 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-05-02.
  16. ↑ Ekstein, Nikki (4 March 2020). "Ultra-Luxury Hotelier Aman Launches a New, More-Affordable Brand". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  17. ↑ "Aman Resorts presents its new clothing line: The Essentials". Lifestyle Asia Singapore. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  18. ↑ "At Aman New York, a $20,000 Suite Doesn't Get You Full Hotel Access". Bloomberg.com. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  19. ↑ Murphy, Heather (2022-08-23). "Serenity in Midtown, Starting at $3,200 a Night? Aman Is Betting on It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  20. ↑ "The Luxurious Aman New York Opens Its Doors Overlooking Manhattan". Robb Report Malaysia. 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  21. ↑ Seligson, Hannah (2016-05-12). "Is This The World's Most Exclusive Hotel Brand?". Town & Country. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  22. ↑ "Aman at 31: The hotel chain faces critical choices". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  23. ↑ Friedman, Mitchell (2020-10-23). "Story Is Everything - Every Aman Hotel Has a Story". The Agenda. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  24. ↑ Smith, Jack (March 2008). "Feature: Aman's Man". Robb Report. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  25. ↑ "The Gold List 2010". Archived from the original on 2010-02-14.
  26. ↑ "PREVIOUS HIDEAWAYS OF THE YEAR". Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  27. ↑ "DLF to buy Aman Resorts". The Times of India. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Dunn, Scott. "Amanruya, Bodrum | Luxury Beach Holidays in Turkey | Scott Dunn". www.scottdunn.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  29. 1 2 3 "How Aman Changed Hotel Design Forever". Architectural Digest. 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  30. 1 2 "Jaya & Associates is known throughout the world for sophisticated Asian interiors." Archived 2009-11-29 at the Wayback Machine http://www.sleepermagazine.co.uk Archived 2010-03-10 at the Wayback Machine., July/August 2009.
  31. ↑ "Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah - Resort Review & Photos". Condé Nast Traveler. Archived from the original on 2017-06-03. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  32. ↑ "Homage to Bali Style". Australian Financial Review. 2003-10-31. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  33. ↑ "Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia". www.justice.gov. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  34. ↑ Tognini, Giacomo. "Russian Oligarch Oleg Deripaska May Have Probed Vladimir Potanin Using Ex-FBI Agent Who Was Thorn In Trump's Side". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  35. 1 2 "Former senior FBI official accused of working for Russian he investigated". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  36. ↑ Valle, Kara Scannell,Lauren del (2023-01-23). "Former high-level FBI official pleads not guilty in alleged schemes to help sanctioned Russian oligarch | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2023-03-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ "Ex-FBI official Charles McGonigal worked for more than one Russian billionaire". 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  38. ↑ Schwartz, Mattathias. "Exclusive: The FBI's McGonigal labyrinth". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  39. ↑ "What's New in Japan for 2019". www.travelagentcentral.com. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Hotel Of The Month: Aman Le Mélézin, Courchevel". Luxury London. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  41. ↑ Murphy, Heather (2022-08-23). "Serenity in Midtown, Starting at $3,200 a Night? Aman Is Betting on It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  42. ↑ "Aman Sveti Stefan Hotel- Deluxe Sveti Stefan, Montenegro Hotels- GDS Reservation Codes: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  43. ↑ Fujikawa, Megumi (2014-12-19). "Exclusive Glimpse of Aman's Tokyo Resort, Its First in a City". WSJ. Archived from the original on 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  44. ↑ "Aman Venice - Hotel Overview".
  45. ↑ "2006 Kerry Hill - RAIA Gold Medallist." Archived 2009-05-22 at the Wayback Machine www.architectureaustralia.com., March/April 2006.
  46. ↑ "Aman-i-Khas- Deluxe Sherpur, India Hotels- GDS Reservation Codes: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  47. ↑ "Amanbagh". www.luxurydreamhotels.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  48. ↑ Stern, Steven (May 2006). Stern's Travel Guides, Ltd. Amazon.com. p. 233. ISBN 9780977860807. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  49. ↑ "Amandayan, Aman Resort's Third Property in China Opens in Lijiang". www.luxurytravelmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  50. ↑ "Amanemu launches in Japan". Sleeper. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  51. ↑ Magazine, Wallpaper* (February 11, 2016). "Amanera — Cabrera, Dominican Republic". Wallpaper*. Archived from the original on May 14, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  52. ↑ LLC, Andrew Harper. "Amanfayun, China". Andrew Harper. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  53. ↑ "Amangalla, Galle Fort | Fleewinter". www.fleewinter.com. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  54. ↑ "Amangani Opens In Jackson Hole". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Archived from the original on 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  55. ↑ "Amanjena - Luxury Resort Marrakech - Luxury Explorer". www.luxuryexplorer.com. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  56. ↑ "Amanjiwo | Jawa Tengah, Indonesia - Venue Report". The Venue Report. 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  57. ↑ "Special feature: Amankila, Bali, Indonesia". A Luxury Travel Blog. 2015-08-19. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  58. ↑ "Amankora | Jakar, Bumthang, Bhutan - Venue Report". The Venue Report. 2014-10-30. Archived from the original on 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
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  60. ↑ "Amanpulo Resort- Deluxe Pamalican Is, Philippines Hotels- GDS Reservation Codes: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-10. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  61. ↑ "Amanpuri - Phuket, Thailand - 5 Star Luxury Resort". www.luxurytravelmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  62. ↑ Perlez, Jane (2005-07-10). "Amansara in Siem Reap, Cambodia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  63. ↑ "Amanresorts Opens Amantaka in Luang Prabang, Laos". www.luxurytravelmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  64. ↑ "The hotels of Jean-Michel Gathy: in pictures". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  65. ↑ "Amanwella, Sri Lanka | Traveller Made". Archived from the original on 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  66. ↑ "The Aman Amanyangyun To Open This Autumn 2017 - The Luxury Editor NewsThe Luxury Editor News". theluxuryeditor.com. Archived from the original on 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  67. ↑ Chen, Aric (2010-03-16). "Hotel Review: Aman at Summer Palace in Beijing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2017-05-03. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  68. ↑ Howard, Rachel. "Heaven in Heli". Conde Nast Traveller Greece. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  69. ↑ "Aman Signs Rosa Alpina in the Dolomites to Portfolio". Luxury Travel Advisor. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  70. ↑ "Aman Beverly Hills - Aman". www.aman.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  71. ↑ "Aman Miami Beach - Aman". www.aman.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  72. ↑ "Aman Nai Lert Bangkok , Thailand - Resort & Luxury Hotel by Aman". www.aman.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  73. ↑ "Aman Niseko – Hokkaido Wellness Resort Coming Soon, Japan – Aman". www.aman.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  74. ↑ "Amanvari – Luxury Hotel & Resort opening soon in Baja Peninsula, Mexico – Aman". www.aman.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
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