At Aman, true luxury is defined not simply by where you stay, but by the doors that open along the way. Across its 36 destinations worldwide, 14 of which border UNESCO-protected sites, Aman offers privileged access to extraordinary places and experiences beyond the public's reach. From private encounters with cultural masters and exclusive access to royal palaces and sacred temples to journeys through untouched landscapes, each experience offers a deeper connection to the destination and a rare window into another world.
With this in mind, here are The Wonders of Aman, a collection of extraordinary experiences offering guests privileged access to some of the world's most remarkable cultural, spiritual and natural landmarks.
Amandari, Bali (pictured) At Amandari, close to Bali’s artistic centre of Ubud, before-hours access is granted to Tirta Empul, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage water temple revered for its abundant natural springs. Arriving before the temple officially opens to visitors, guests encounter the sacred site free from crowds, bringing a new level of spiritual significance to the experience. The journey begins with tales from a village storyteller from the ManukayaLet Community, followed by a purification ritual to wash away stress and rejuvenate the spirit and a blessing performed by a priest.
Elsewhere, in the village of Singapadu, guests are invited into the home of Professor I Made Bandem, one of Bali's most respected scholars and performers and a winner of the UNESCO Music Council Award. Here, a private, one-on-one session unfolds with the cultural luminary, offering insight into the stories and philosophies behind Bali's performing arts scene. Dancers demonstrate the refined movements of Rejang and Baris techniques before introducing the rhythmic energy of the contemporary Kecak.
Amankila, Bali In collaboration with the Karangasem Royal Family, Amankila offers guests an exclusive historic dining experience within the grounds of Ujung Water Palace, celebrating the royal heritage of its home in East Bali. Just a thirty-minute drive from Amankila, the palace is made fully exclusive to hotel guests starting at 7 p.m. The experience begins with a guided tour of the site, followed by an intimate dinner curated and served by Amankila's own chefs. The menu draws inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of Karangasem, accompanied by the soothing strains of the Penting, a traditional stringed instrument unique to the region.
Amanwana, Moyo Island Set on the remote island of Moyo, a protected nature reserve east of Bali, Amanwana is Aman's secluded tented retreat, positioned between pristine jungle and the biodiverse waters of the Flores Sea. Amanwana’s Mata Jitu Waterfall Sound Bath offers a deeply immersive ritual shaped by generations of Javanese healing tradition. Guided by the resort's very own resident healer, the experience unfolds within the tranquil surroundings of the waterfall, where guests float as resonant tones gently soothe the mind.
Amansara, Cambodia Just 10 minutes from the storied site of Angkor, the vast temple complex of the former Khmer Empire, Amansara offers a private encounter with one of Southeast Asia's most celebrated archaeological landmarks. Here, guests are invited to rise at 4.30am for privileged access to the temples at sunrise, accompanied by an expert guide. As the first light moves across the site, the experience reveals Angkor at its most atmospheric, before the arrival of the day's public visitors.
Further enhancing the guest experience, Amansara reopened on September 15, 2026, following a three-month refurbishment in collaboration with Kerry Hill Architects. All 24 suites have been refreshed, with five additional suites upgraded to feature private pools and two new accommodation categories introduced, including a Two-Bedroom Family Pool Suite. A new bar occupies the former private dining room of King Norodom Sihanouk, celebrating the property's royal heritage. Extending Amansara's exclusive experiences beyond Angkor, the resort's upgraded Amanbala lake boats will also host private dining experiences for up to four guests for the first time. New hydrotherapy facilities and wellness journeys, including private contrast-therapy experiences, are scheduled to debut on November 15.
Amanjiwo, Java At Amanjiwo in Central Java’s cultural heart, access is extended to some of the Indonesian island’s most closely guarded cultural and spiritual traditions. This year, Amanjiwo welcomed Sasanatama, a purpose-built venue dedicated to Jemparingan in the Gaya Mataram style – a highly ceremonial form of Javanese archery traditionally taught within royal palaces. While many forms of Jemparingan exist across the region, the Gaya Mataram style remains extremely exclusive, with few granted access to learn its technique. Amanjiwo is now the only place beyond palace walls where visitors and members of the public can do so with sessions available for guests during their stay.
Amanjiwo also offers a traditional Ruwatan ceremony, a Javanese spiritual ritual believed to clear negative energy and ward off bad luck which is usually only practiced within local communities, rather than a resort setting. On the banks of the Progo River, Pak Joko Triagung, a renowned healer-shaman in Yogyakarta City and Province and master of kebatinan, guides the ceremony, which is tailored to each guest and draws on Kejawen, Hindu-Buddhist values including Tantrism, herbal remedies (jamu) and energy healing.
For those seeking to further their spiritual journey through Java, meditation sessions at one of two of sacred sites offer the opportunity to cultivate inner peace, purify mind-body energies and deepen a connection with ancestral forces. Guided by Javanese practitioners, guests take part in ritual offerings and meditative practices with each location offering a unique setting for contemplation. At Candi Gunung Wukir, just 40 minutes from Amanjiwo, guests meditate at a Hindu temple dating to 732 CE and among the earliest known monuments of the Medang or Old Mataram Kingdom, predating both Borobudur and Prambanan. With only portions of the original complex remaining, the site offers a peaceful setting in the landscape where Central Java civilisation first flourished.
Alternatively, Goa Kiskendo, an hour from Amanjiwo in the Menoreh Hills, offers a more adventurous pilgrimage. Rising 700 metres above sea level, the limestone cave extends almost a mile into the hillside, with winding passages of stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. Long regarded as a place of retreat, the cave contains several meditation chambers with the experience recommended for guests in good health with its challenging, yet deeply rewarding, terrain.
Amangiri, Utah Amangiri provides access to private canyons across private property and The Navajo Nation, including Rattlesnake and Owl Canyons. Here, guests explore ancient formations without the crowds, through highly curated journeys that reveal the geology and landscape at a tailored pace. Guests of Amangiri can also fly directly from the property to begin their day just after sunrise atop Tower Butte a sandstone landmark that acts as a private, open-air yoga studio 1,000 feet above Lake Powell. The journey starts with a scenic 15-minute helicopter flight from Amangiri, passing over Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area before landing on top of Tower Butte. Here, the dedicated yoga instructor guides guests through a 45- minute yoga and meditation session inspired by the magical energy of the surrounding scenery.
Amankora, Bhutan At Amankora, guests are granted privileged access to some of Bhutan's most revered cultural and spiritual landmarks through a series of exclusive experiences unavailable to the wider public. Beneath Taktsang Monastery, better known as Tiger's Nest, Amankora's private Log Cabin offers a unique way to experience one of the world's most celebrated pilgrimages, as no other cabins are so close to this remarkable landmark. Set within a gated forest enclave, the cabin serves as a secluded retreat where guests can conclude the iconic hike with a restorative Bhutanese lunch, private barbecue celebration, or spa treatment, all while enjoying uninterrupted views of the monastery above.
Amankora’s Bumthang Lodge extends this sense of privileged access through a private entrance to the neighboring Wangduechhoeling Palace, the 160-year-old former royal residence and birthplace of Bhutan's monarchy. Now a national monument and museum, the palace opens directly onto the lodge grounds, allowing guests exclusive entry to one of the country's most historically significant sites and a deeper connection to Bhutan's rich cultural heritage.
Adding a new chapter to Amankora's journeys through Bhutan, its Paro and Punakha lodges reopened in September 2026 following extensive refurbishment. At Paro, all 24 suites have been refreshed, alongside the introduction of a new private Spa House designed by Kerry Hill Architects, featuring a hammam, heated swimming pool and dedicated treatment spaces. A new Wild Nature Banya Experience, set beside a glacial stream beneath towering pines, offers an elemental wellness ritual combining sauna heat, traditional venik massage and cold-water immersion. At Punakha, a restored 300-year-old farmhouse continues to preserve the lodge's distinctive heritage, while all 12 suites have been renewed and the spa expanded with new treatment rooms and hydrotherapy facilities. Together, the enhancements offer guests new opportunities for restoration while exploring Bhutan's cultural and spiritual landscapes.
Together, these experiences reflect Aman's belief that the most meaningful form of luxury lies in access, connection and the opportunity to experience a destination in ways that are rarely possible.
