Amanjiwo Review: Is This Luxury Resort Near Borobudur Worth It?

Some trips you take to see new places. Other trips you take because you feel overwhelmed and need to get lost for a bit.

This was one of the latter trips.

Earlier this year, I took my first “forget-the-kids” trip in ages with a good friend of mine who had also just returned from maternity leave. This wasn’t because we don’t enjoy travelling with our children. Far from it. Most of our trips actually have kids in tow. But when travelling with family, there are inevitable sacrifices. Destinations become limited to “kid-friendly”, itineraries become stricter, and excuses become fewer to “just spend the day by the pool”.

Which is why twice a year (if we’re lucky), we promise each other to take at least one kid-free trip just for ourselves. Trips where we can slow down, unwind at a nice place, and re-connect with the saner side of our brains.

Well that is precisely why we went to Amanjiwo.

Perched on the slopes of two volcanoes in the hills of Central Java near Borobudur temple, Amanjiwo is less of a hotel and more of a destination in itself. Known for its architectural splendour, spiritual vibes, and tranquil surroundings, Amanjiwo is nestled between rice terraces, ancient temples and volcanoes.

My friend and I stayed at Amanjiwo for 3 Nights 2 Days (3D2N) from Singapore and to be honest, it was one of the best luxury hotel experiences we’ve had recently.

Read on for my Amanjiwo review where I cover:

Amanjiwo Review: Quick Summary

Why Amanjiwo Had Been on My Mind for Years

Years ago I went to Bagan Myanmar, and honestly it’s a trip that sticks out in my mind all these years later.

Let me just preface this by saying I’m not super religious guy nor am I a huge fan of ruins. Bagan had something mystical about it that moved me in ways very few places have.

Its open plains filled with temples stretching as far as the eye could see seemed harder and more spiritual than the ordered greatness of Angkor Wat. Standing among the vast emptiness, engulfed by silence, fog and jungle there were just thousands of stupas poking through the haze.

I felt minuscule.

Oddly enough at peace.

I stumbled upon some photos of Borobudur popping out of the mist in the sunrise a few years back and was hit with that same feeling all over again.

I knew that moment I needed to experience that feeling one more time.

Why Amanjiwo Was the Perfect Choice

Of all Aman resorts in Asia, Amanjiwo was by far my favorite.

The resort’s name translates to “peaceful soul.”

It couldn’t be more fitting.

Ever since discovering Aman’s ethos, I’ve been hooked.

Secretive destinations, low-density accommodations, culturally immersive to the core, surrounded by nature, and expensive-as-fuck.

Say what you want about Aman properties but they’re never showy.

In fact, Aman goes to great lengths to ensure luxury isn’t loud.

I mean damn, they are expensive.

But Amanjiwo was one of the first places that felt like a luxury resort where the emotions matched up with the costs.

Everything about it was curated to quiet your brain.

Getting to Amanjiwo from Singapore

Getting there was easier than expected.

We took a direct flight from Singapore to Yogyakarta with Scoot. The flight duration was about 2 hours 30 mins. There is currently one direct flight daily.

Amanjiwo often gets mistaken to be in Yogyakarta even though many locals from Yogya would drive for hours to reach the resort. But technically, Amanjiwo is situated in Central Java which is very far from the city.

When we arrived, there were already staff from Aman waiting at the airport.

We met our driver Henry who will join us for the next three days. He looked so young but he proudly confessed that he’s already 30 with a 5 year old child haha.

The transfer journey to Amanjiwo took about 90 minutes through tropical rain forests, villages, rice fields and sleepy roads. It’s nothing compared to driving in Bali or Phuket, it was sooo smooth and relaxing!

Already during the car ride, Aman provided us with some snacks, chilled bottled water, WiFi and iPad.

The hospitality began at the airport.

Visa and Immigration Tips for Indonesia

Indonesia offers visa on arrival for Singaporeans and most nationalities. But I highly suggest you apply for the Indonesian eVisa in advance.

It only took minutes and we were approved almost immediately.

Plus it allows you to go through the electronic immigration gates when you arrive at the airport. Those lines are ALWAYS faster than the people counters.

There was no need to print anything either. We just scanned our passports and walked right in.

First Impressions of Amanjiwo Resort

Our arrival to Amanjiwo was truly magical.

As soon we exited the car we were greeted with flower petals and chilled slices of watermelon, accompanied by refreshing welcome drinks.

Our first glimpse of the resort.

Built by famed designer Ed Tuttle, Amanjiwo was constructed as homage to Borobudur itself. Architecturally speaking, the resort resembles a massive bell-shaped Buddhist stupa.

In fact the alignment is purposeful as well. The entrance to Amanjiwo, the central dome and Borobudur all line up on the same axis.

It’s majestic without being overbearing.

Built almost entirely from locally quarried limestone, everything feels dense and eternal. Construction was completed nearly 30 years ago but upkeep is immaculate.

It’s spare by luxury resort standards these days.

Forgoing the all too common MAXIMUM frenzied stimulation of waterslides and activity kids clubs, Amanjiwo takes a purposeful approach with minimal offerings.

There are only 35 suites after all.

No waterpark. No massive entertainment complex to keep the kids busy. Even the tennis court is rumored to have been dismantled.

Instead they focus on ambiance above all else.

And honestly, ambiance is Amanjiwo’s luxury amenity.

Amanjiwo Feels Designed for Burnt-Out Working Adults

As soon as we stepped onto the grounds, time slowed to a crawl.

The outdoor lobby magically insulated us from the tropic humidity while still feeling breezy. Misty mountains, stone pathways, exotic flora, and intimate nooks for contemplation were scattered throughout.

Purple morning glories spilled delicately down the stone walls.

Mountains in the distance were perpetually shrouded in fog giving the entire place an otherworldly vibe.

This isn’t a hotel where you feel the need to schedule activities back-to-back.

This is a hotel where you can sit in silence for an hour watching rice fields and end up feeling refreshed.

For burnt-out desk jockeys and stressed-out city folk alike, Amanjiwo really does feel like a detox.

Lunch at Amanjiwo

Official check-in time was at 2pm so we went to the main restaurant for lunch first.

Prices were about on par with an upscale Singaporean restaurant. Depending on your order, it can average SGD 70+ per person.

However, what shocked me the most was the quality of the food.

I typically don’t expect much from Indonesian food at resorts because I dislike very fishy flavours. Amanjiwo blew me away.

Their Indonesian fried rice was seriously one of the best fried rice dishes I have ever tried.

So much wok hei. Rich smokey taste. Combined with their house-made spicy sambal chili sauce.

I bought a bottle of their sambal sauce to take home after.

Their fried noodles were also amazing. As someone who has really picky taste buds, this was genuinely surprising to me.

Our Amanjiwo Pool Suite Experience

We were upgraded to a Pool Suite on Amanjiwo. Thank you so much! It was stunning.

The highlight of the room was a huge king four poster bed on top of a terrazzo platform. Everything felt more minimalist and luxe:

Mini perks throughout:

• Free minibar treats and beverages
• His and her vanity stations
• Walk-in closets
• Bamboo slip stoppers
• Welcome gift of Amanjiwo hats made of straw and woven purses
• Outdoor sunken tub with candles and salts
• Art kit and maps on the desk

I thought the layout of this suite was particularly zen because all the openings allowed you to flow easily to the outdoor private pool and garden.

Even when we were sitting on the bed we could look out at plants and water.

So relaxing.

The Private Pool at Amanjiwo

Small point of interest was the fact that the floor of the private pool was funnel shaped rather than flat.

The deepest area was approximately 1.6 metres.

Amanjiwo had also provided sunscreen and mosquito coils next to the pool.

We spent several hours dipping in the pool that afternoon doing nothing.

Honestly it was just what we needed.

Afternoon Tea at Amanjiwo

We went to the main pavilion for afternoon tea around 4pm.

All items were freshly made.

The tea, desserts, and Indonesian treats varied daily, giving it a homelier feel.

One afternoon they had long bamboo leaves stuffed with rice and fish filling. It was unexpectedly tasty!

The attention to detail when plating and preparing everything was evident.

Learning About Javanese History

We attended a lecture in the library at 6pm about ancient Javanese kingdoms.

I was tired after waking up early for our flight but it was honestly really interesting.

Amanjiwo really excels at immersing you in the culture.

Nothing feels forced or overly touristy.

The grounds truly feel rooted in Java’s history, spirituality, and terrain.

Amanjiwo Service Is on Another Level

This was my first Aman resort and I can see why guests return to Amans again and again.

Service here is on another level.

It’s not stuffy luxury service. Not automated either. It’s hyper attentive and considerate service.

For instance:

• They knew our names almost immediately.
• Room service always had our drinks pre opened once we casually mentioned how bad we were at caps.
• Housekeeping would nip in and tidy up the room every time we left.
• Our usb cords were bundled together with ribbon ties.
• I noticed a cleaning cloth appear next to my glasses.
• Fresh surprises were found every time we entered our room

Their staff also had amazing English skills.

I kid you not it felt like we were living the rich life for a few days.

The Amanjiwo Borobudur Sunrise Tour

The highlight of our trip was easily the Amanjiwo sunrise tour of Borobudur.

We woke up at 4:30am.

Henry drove us through the darkness while our private tour guide arranged everything through the VIP entrance.

This sunrise tour of Borobudur costs about SGD 375+ for two people, but trust me it was worth every penny.

Some things that were included:

• Private car ride
• VIP entrance
• Private guide
• Sunrise ticket
• Breakfast
• Traditional sandals to walk around in
• Souvenir magnet

It felt surreal walking through Borobudur before the sun rose.

Watching Sunrise Over Borobudur

Borobudur is the largest and greatest Buddhist monument in the world.

Nine stacked platforms symbolize Buddhist cosmology and realms of existence.

Over 2.5 kilometres of relief panels illustrate Buddhist teachings and daily life from centuries past.

But what impacted me most wasn’t what I saw.

It was what I felt.

Floating between worlds as the sky began to lighten and immense stupas slowly rose through the haze.

An empty temple with small groups of people gathered silently facing east toward one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes: Mount Merapi.

And for some reason, at that exact moment, I felt the same feeling wash over me that I had felt in Bagan years before.

Small.

Still.

At peace.

Our Incredible Borobudur Guide

Our tour guide was named Mura and he enhanced the experience.

He taught us about Buddhist teachings, Javanese history, and Indonesia’s religious transformations.

He even said (kind of offhandedly) that he had been Barack Obama’s former tour guide when he was the President of the United States. He also guided the Prime Minister of Japan.

What stood out to me was his backstory.

Mura used to be a janitor. He taught himself English and history because he knew education could improve his life.

I couldn’t get that thought out of my head.

Most of Indonesia is Muslim now and Borobudur is a Buddhist temple. Yet, Mura expressed Buddhist teachings with such knowledge and reverence.

Amanjiwo River Picnic Experience

An unexpectedly inexpensive indulgence at Amanjiwo was the riverside picnic.

We drove a few minutes from the villa, then strolled through the jungle for ten minutes or so before reaching a peaceful riverside clearing.

It wasn’t luxurious.

But lounging next to a moving body of water deep in the jungle was oddly therapeutic.

The picnic lunch was basic too:

• Lunch box with Indonesian food
• Lunch box with Western food
• Ginger beer
• Snacks

But being there turned it all into a memorable experience.

My friend even fell asleep next to the river listening to the flow.

No joke, I get it.

Meditation at Amanjiwo

Back at the resort we attended a meditation lecture.

Led by the same lecturer who spoke about Javanese history.

Six attendees.

Five were office workers in Singapore.

Heading home tomorrow back to the office.

Oddly that felt strangely comforting.

Bamboo leaves rustled in the afternoon breeze.

Nothing felt quite so hectic.

No emails.

No deadlines.

No notifications.

Only stillness, wind and sun.

Amanjiwo Price: How Much We Spent

Yes, Amanjiwo costs a lot.

Like really hurts your wallet much.

But there is something different about it than other high end hotels that charge you just for the label. At Amanjiwo they actually give you that emotional experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Is Amanjiwo Worth It?

If you are searching for:

• Shopping
• Nightlife
• Omnipresent activities
• Theme park entertainment
• Instagram-only extravagance

Then Amanjiwo isn’t meant for you.

But if you are emotionally depleted.

Mentally fried.

Creatively exhausted.

Simply wanting some peace and quiet and perspective.

Then Amanjiwo will seem extra magical.

Because this isn’t a resort focused on distraction.

Its focus is on stillness.

Honestly, that may be one of the most unique luxuries in the world right now.

Final Thoughts on my Amanjiwo Stay

Hotels occasionally WOW you.

Amanjiwo transports you.

Architecture, Spirituality, Service, Nature, Silence & Atmosphere blend to create something truly UNFORGETTABLE.

I left mentally Weightless for three days.

Which was reason enough to go.

I already know I will go back someday.