Inside the luxury resort of Amanpulo on an island for the super-rich

If you ask which establishment in the Aman hotel system is the best, the Amanjunkies – nicknames used to refer to loyal customers who are crazy about Aman – will give you a lot of different answers. However, for Aman’s owner and CEO, Vladislav Doronin, the Amanpulo hotel in the Philippines is the place he most wants to return to.

Doronin is not the only one who has such thoughts, many famous figures in the world from billionaire Bill Gates to the queen of contemporary music Beyonce have come here, even many times.

The hotel’s attractions are easy to spot: Amanpulo is located on the island of Pamalican, one of the Philippines’ most unspoiled private islands and arguably even the world’s most unspoiled.

Among the nation’s 7,000 islands, this one stands out for its lush greenery, velvety white sands and blue waters so clear you can see fish circling around your feet.

 

It’s a beauty that anyone has to see with their own eyes to believe, and the island’s natural resources explain why it was chosen as the home of one of the first Aman resorts.

Natural wonders

Upon landing at the airport, visitors will be taken to the apartment or villa that they have booked on a dedicated golf cart. The apartments are designed with mainly wood materials, decorated with carved motifs of the Capiz region and handmade items made from rattan. This graceful design, completed more than 30 years ago by Francisco Manosa, a National Architectural Artist of the Philippines, exudes a sense of relaxation, nature and luxury.

In fact, compared to a five-star resort, Amanpulo will definitely lose, but that is also the reason why this resort is so loved by A-listers.

With no overwater villas, infinity pools or poolside dining experiences, Amanpulo encourages guests to embrace nature in the simplest way possible.

Amanpulo will invite everyone to “Seas The Day”, where free daily snorkeling trips will take you to the island’s most famous sites, such as the large coral reefs teeming with sharks. tropical fish and sea turtles.

Those who don’t like to be immersed in the water can meet up at Kawayan Bar, a spacious floating raft set in the middle of the sea. Visitors can come here at sunset to sip some expertly crafted cocktails, while watching the skyline gradually turn orange then purple, finally disappearing after making the water slightly undulating. gentle.

Delicious cuisine

Food is the most important element of any Filipino celebration, so it’s no surprise that this element takes center stage in Amanpulo’s 30th anniversary celebration, which opens with a chain cuisine explores the colorful flavors of the local culture.

Every month, the Clubhouse will offer a seven-course tasting menu inspired by different regions of the country. In June, visitors can enjoy traditional food from Pampanga province, then feel the taste of Cebu in October with the world famous roast suckling pig.

To mark its 30th anniversary in December 2023, Amanpulo is also partnering with local brand Jewelmer to offer a new tour called “The Golden South Sea Pearl Journey”. ). For this experience, tourists have the opportunity to tour inside the Jewelmer pearl farm, see the pearl grafting and harvesting process, and witness local divers working underwater.

In addition, later this year, Amanpulo will launch a limited number of mother-of-pearl therapy programs. This is a cure with mother of pearl powder, which has the effect of lowering blood pressure, curing nausea, improving blood circulation among other benefits.

This milestone paved the way for Amanpulo to continue its long-standing mission of giving back to the community. A portion of the proceeds from these programs will be donated to the Andres Soriano Foundation (ASF), which provides the infrastructure for the sustainable development of the neighboring island of Manamoc.

From healthcare to education, the foundation is helping to improve the quality of life of locals, while preserving beautiful untouched nature. Even before the term “regenerative tourism” became popular, Amanpulo was at the forefront of community inclusion and using tourism as an engine for good.