Amanjiwo

(which means “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 kubuk (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, old 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 Mt. 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, CDs and games, an Art Gallery and Studio, two tennis courts 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 kubuk for relaxing afterwards with spicy ginger tea.

There are five Aman resorts in Indonesia and five distinctly different resorts and surroundings to experience – Amanjiwo, Amandari, Amankila, Amanusa and Amanwana.

Amanjiwo is right at home in Central Java, rich in culture, spirit and beauty. At the center of the resort is a soaring, bell-shaped rotunda, welcoming guests to its stately Dining Room and Terrace, lively bar and Romanesque swimming pool. After settling into your lavish suite, with its volcanic ash–tinted roof, handcarved furniture and exotic Javanese fabrics, take time to explore the myriad cultural and archaeological opportunities that abound in this region. The resort can arrange excursions by car, open-air Jeep, bicycle or horseback. Later, enjoy a sundowner high in the Menoreh Hills.

Arrange an excursion to watch the sunset and sip cocktails in a bure (straw hut) overlooking the sea. So romantic! Distance from Surakarta Airport (SOC): 60 minutes