With sacred Mount Agung in the distance, overlooking the Lombok Strait, Bali’s east coast is a celebration of the best of this Indonesian island’s soul-stirring geography. The central three-tier infinity pool at Amankila is a majestic reference to the nearby water palace at Ujung, a scene as special as when the hotel first opened in 1992 as one of the original Aman resorts. Merging with Mother Nature has always been the intention of the property, along with a commitment to showcasing Bali’s cultural heritage – from the hand-crafted interiors at every turn to authentic local experiences.
HYPER LOCALITY
Soul Bali is an NGO established by members of the Amankila front office team, which supports children and the elderly who live in poor conditions or with difficult access to medical care and social contact. Heart, spirit, humanity, integrity, compassion and selfless service are the essential values that drive the foundation every day. The hotel works with Soul Bali Charity for turndown gifts, such as local salt and coffee, a nod to the beauty and bounty of Bali.
Socio-economic sustainability is as much a consideration as environmental endeavours. Amankila aims to prioritise local procurement with all turndown gifts handmade on the island. This reduces importations, which in turn, decarbonises the resort’s supply chain and aligns with the brand’s ambitions to support the immediate community.
FOOD & BEVERAGE INITIATIVES
Rice farming, its lovingly tended terraces, and subak irrigation systems with their temples give East Bali’s landscape its character and charisma. There are thousands of rice varieties across Indonesia’s archipelago. Amankila champions the producers that best honour biodiversity, heritage grains, regenerative farming, and saving varieties from extinction. Visits to these farms share the importance of this project which is also educating Bali’s next generation about why the chemical-free cultivation of this healthier brown rice is essential for environmental restoration. The rice is also available for guests to purchase in Amankila’s boutique.
Embracing eco-friendlier ways of eating at Amankila is easy, with the freshest seafood and vegetables sourced from across Indonesia. With the richest volcanic soil on our doorstep, produce is grown in the resort’s own organic herb garden or sourced from local suppliers. Amankila’s team also has a weekly meat-free day with healthy proteins such as tempeh and tofu as substitutions.
ON PROPERTY EXPERIENCES
Showing a reverence for Bali’s heritage, from on-site temples to guest entertainment, is a big part of life at Amankila. Padmasana Shrine is highly respected by all, especially our teams, who maintain its cleanliness, present offerings and host private ceremonies here. A Piodalan event – the shrine’s anniversary – is celebrated annually on Purnama Kedasa, the tenth full moon from the Saka calendar. In addition, the resort’s Kecak, Legong Nelayon, Legong Keraton, Cekepung and Wayan Kulit dance performances tell ancient tales with traditional music every week, while Mecaru ceremonies explain purification and cleansing in Balinese Hinduism.
Immersing our guests in nature through thoughtful rural excursions, such as guided cycling rides through the volcano’s foothills inspires empathy for protecting the environment. A Balinese chaperone takes cyclists through the foothills, past lovingly tended rice paddies punctuated by temples, dipping into authentic daily village life, visiting artisans’ ateliers off tiny tracks. When pedalling from Budakeling to Perasi, guides invite guests to visit the local blacksmith to learn about their trade, and while passing the paddy fields, they explain the subak cooperative water management system and their associated centuries-old Balinese Hindu customs.
As at other Aman properties, Amankila encourages guests to have their linen replaced on a less frequent basis. By placing a Palmyra-palm lontar leaf on the bed, guests inform housekeeping that their bed linens and towels don’t need replacing. The subsequent saving results in a charitable donation to a worthy cause, such as a the local kindergarten in Manggis.