Amanjiwo

Amanjiwo (“peaceful soul”) is fashioned out of limestone and takes its inspiration from the surrounding culture of Central Java. The resort is located within a natural amphitheatre with the limestone Menoreh Hills rising directly behind, the Kedu Plain in front and four volcanoes – Sumbing, Sundoro, Merbabu and Merapi – gracing the horizon. Amanjiwo looks out onto Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world.

Amanjiwo’s 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 balé (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, batik pillows in classic Yogyakarta style, traditional glass paintings and a large sunken stone outdoor bathtub.

The rotunda Bar is a circular salon, with columns and drop fans, a coconut-wood bar and acid-etched bronze-drum tables. The Dining Room, with its silver-leaf ceiling swirling with muted colours, is defined by a double row of stone columns. Indonesian and Western cuisine is served in an open-air setting with panoramic views over the rice fields to Borobudur and its surrounding volcanoes. The view from the Terrace is particularly arresting at dawn and twilight, or after a cleansing rain, when the views open up over the Kedu Plain. Borobudur is directly ahead. Drinks, snacks and light lunches are also available at the colonnaded Pool Club that stretches into the rice fields. From the deck or from the 40-metre, green-stone pool itself, guests can enjoy views to Mount Merapi.

A 40m infinity swimming pool, lined with green tiles and overlooked by banyan trees, is set into the rice paddies below the resort.Other facilities include a large library with a selection of books and games, an Art Gallery, a tennis court and a boutique with a wide variety of Javanese clothing and textiles.

A range of Javanese and traditional beauty treatments are available at Amanjiwo, some of which incorporate the ancient holistic jamu method of healing. These can be enjoyed in the privacy of guest suites or in the specially-designed spa suite which has twin massage tables and an outdoor gubuk for relaxing afterwards with spicy ginger tea.

A new Amanjiwo train experience connecting Jakarta and Yogyakarta is now available to book for individual and private charter. Amanjiwo’s resident anthropologist, Patrick Vanhoebrouck will share insights into Javanese culture and the historical sites that are passed throughout the journey. With meals prepared by Amanjiwo culinary team, this Aman experience will begin from the moment you set foot in your private carriage. This experience is followed by a two-night stay at Amanjiwo.