Southeast Asia is one of our favorite places all over the world - good food, amazing beaches, warm, sunny weather (when the UK is at its worst) and beautiful clear water for swimming. The region is also home to very special hotel sites, from luxury beachfront villas to remote private islands. We have tried a few of these places over the years, including Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam and, one of our all-time favorites, Song Saa, a small private resort in Cambodia. On a recent trip to the Philippines, however, we stayed at Amanpulo, a hotel that takes the dream of the island's idyllic escape to a whole new level.
Completely abandoned in the middle of the Sulu Sea, Amanpulo is only accessible by the hotel's private charter plane which makes round trips from Manila twice a day. The fun really begins as soon as you climb up to the private air terminal, which is completely separate from the chaos of the main international airport. There is an Aman lounge where you can relax with coffee and cakes while waiting to board, 30 seconds walk from the lounge through the tarmac. Aman's service is so neat that once you have checked your baggage at the airport, the next time you see it, it will already be waiting for you in your room.
When you arrive ashore, you will understand how incredible this island is - shallow reef waters that glow bright blue; brilliant white sand that stretches all over the island; and a lush jungle in the center. You are greeted by your guest representative Aman directly from the plane who will take you around for a tour of the island on a golf buggy - a golf buggy that is yours to use for the entire stay. We would be lying if we said it was not one of the funniest parts!
The island is a decent size - it takes over an hour to make a full loop around the beach - so there is plenty to keep you entertained. There is a large outdoor pool at the Club House restaurant; a gym; spa; an outdoor obstacle course; and several restaurants (more on that later). Amanpulo also offers a crazy amount of activities, from boat trips and kitesurfing to nature walks and diving.
There is also a daily activity program that is offered for free, such as a snorkeling excursion, Pilates and meditation. We recommend that you snorkel at least once. We have seen so many beautiful tropical fish on two trips, as well as huge green turtles, some of which are 100 years old! The remote location of Amanpulo means that there are not too many people around to disturb the natural landscape, and the area surrounding the island is a designated turtle conservation area. Even while walking on the island itself, you will see many birds, including the bright yellow Oriole and the amazing watch lizards that forever cross paths before you.
You'll want to leave plenty of time to just relax on the beach and soak up the sun and the beautiful surroundings. The island is so large that it will only feel like a few people staying there even when it is at full capacity. Sitting on the beach facing the sea, you will almost feel like you have room for yourself!
Our room was a Beach Front Casita - there are also Hilltop Casitas and larger villas for families - which, as you can guess, was pretty much right on the beach, with just a little private path leading to the room . Inside the Casitas, it's pure luxury - dark and elegant wood, a huge bed and two daybeds by the windows that offer a breathtaking view of the sea. Then there is the bathroom separate with freestanding bath, double sinks, rain shower and dressing table. It really looks like your own little house - we even had dinner in one room one evening and sat down to eat it on our own dining table. We were absolutely ready to move in definitively.
Room service was a treat for us once, as we wanted to explore the plethora of other dining options available. For Filipinos and other Asian classics, there is the Club House; Meanwhile, Nama serves fresh sushi; for Mediterranean dishes, there is the beach club; and for a pizza, there is the isolated picnic, which is only open for lunch. As far as possible, the ingredients will come from Amanpulo's own organic garden as well as from fish caught by the local fisherman.
We enjoyed Filipino dishes such as adobo (a pork stew) and buko pie (coconut pie) at the Club House the first evening, then the last evening we had a special Gary's private dinner Nest, on a rocky outpost hidden at one end of the island. A very romantic setting, we were treated to fresh fish grilled by our own chef and were even serenaded at one point! If you have a special occasion to celebrate or if you are even thinking about asking the question ... this could be the place!
We absolutely loved Amanpulo (it would be quite difficult not to do so) - if you are looking for a truly secluded luxury getaway, with almost dreamlike white sandy beaches and beautiful clear water, we think it is is quite difficult to beat. Even when judged against similar hotels in its price range and style, Amanpulo feels like a special place - a rare combination of beautiful surroundings and elegant hospitality that adds to an incredible experience.
Stays in Amanpulo from £ 972.10 per room per night, breakfast and all taxes and fees included, double occupancy (Aman.com, + 44 800 368 6143)