Amanemu

The meals were a real highlight for my husband and me. Dishes made with Ise-Shima ingredients, from sashimi to warm courses, were carefully prepared and beautifully presented, with flavor and texture to match. Our suite had a lovely private hot spring bath overlooking the quiet scenery, and its restrained Japanese design suited the peaceful setting. The architecture and landscape fit together so naturally that the whole place felt serene. Staff were attentive without hovering and seemed to anticipate what we needed. We left feeling restored, with wonderful memories. Amanemu is a special choice for a restful luxury escape.

The outdoor spa really impressed me, and the resort itself is lovely and quiet. Every room is a villa, giving the place a bit of a tent-in-Africa feel, though you can walk around. It isn’t a traditional Ryokan. The staff were all friendly, but not everyone spoke English. I wouldn’t recommend bringing children, and the cost is somewhat high compared with other luxury Ryokan.

We were disappointed by the food: breakfast had limited choices, and the quality didn’t feel right for a luxury resort. In-room dining also stopped around 10 p.m., earlier than I’d expect, and the main pool was quite small. There were some lovely parts to our two-night stay with three friends in the Sora villa. It was huge and beautifully designed, with a luxurious private indoor natural onsen, and the property felt peaceful. The outdoor onsen area was the largest I’ve seen, though its water was cooler than I’d like. I also had an excellent, relaxing spa treatment. A beautiful place, but those dining and service details could be better.

Our private room onsen was the part my wife and I would gladly return for. We stayed three nights in May 2025 for our honeymoon, and also loved the suite, Japanese breakfast, spa facilities and a great massage. A few staff members were especially kind and helpful, particularly Mao. That level of care wasn’t consistent, though. Most staff didn’t meet what we consider Aman standards, even allowing for a language barrier. We didn’t have that issue at Aman Tokyo. As frequent Aman guests, we’re used to being recognized by name and room number. Here, only Mao and the person who checked us in remembered us. We’d told the hotel beforehand about the honeymoon, but it was overlooked until it came up in casual conversation. Then we received a small welcome gift, which was kind, though a low-cost bottle of prosecco felt underwhelming at this nightly rate. We know an upgrade is never guaranteed, but the hotel was far from full and we’d booked through a travel advisor who typically secures upgrades when available. None was offered. We were also next to a suite with two screaming toddlers, not ideal for a honeymoon. After one disappointing dinner, we ate off property for the other two nights and had exceptional meals. The restaurant food was average by Japanese standards and significantly overpriced. Since there aren’t walkable alternatives, we were surprised there was no complimentary ride to nearby villages, as at other Aman properties. That would make a real difference. The bartender also had to look up the ingredients for a Boulevardier and couldn’t recreate a cocktail we’d enjoyed at Aman Tokyo, which we’d reasonably expect from a bartender at an Aman resort. Our travel-advisor booking included benefits such as possible late checkout, subject to availability. Our request for two extra hours was declined, but a request to spend that time at the spa was initially approved. At checkout, we were told it couldn’t happen because the spa was “closed for maintenance.” After we expressed frustration, they offered two hours in the private spa instead, which was a compromise, but notably inferior to the main spa. We later learned the spa hadn’t been closed, it was reserved for a bridal photoshoot. We understand such events bring in revenue, but closing a key facility to paying guests at a luxury resort is hard to justify. Amanemu is a beautiful property with a lot of potential. But the service fell short of Aman standards and what we’d expect from any true 5-star hotel, and food quality and dining options were also a problem. We really wanted to love it. Given the price and our experiences at other Aman properties, we’re unsure we’d return.