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| Amanjiwo (which means “peaceful soul” and opened
in 1997) is a monumental resort 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. |
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| Amanjiwo is constructed from paras yogya – the local
limestone. Thirty-six suites radiate outward from the main building in two deep
crescents. These are rimmed by high, limestone walls set off by spider lilies
and morning glory. The walls blend into the stone walkways that link the suites
to the main building and the Pool Club. At the far end of the resort, in a lush
tranquil setting, is the Dalem Jiwo – a large private suite. |
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| There are eight suites in varying locations with views of
the Menoreh Hills and terraced farmland. Each of the 12 Deluxe Suites offer
views of Borobudur and the surrounding valley. |
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| The Dalem Jiwo Suite is set in a discrete compound complete
with a private entrance, a classically styled rotunda and surrounding terrace
with two separately walled bedrooms, each with stone steps descending to the
suite’s private swimming pool. The 15-metre pool, finished in a green
Javanese stone known as hijau danau, is set into the rice fields. The Dalem
Jiwo personal attendant, always on call, has separate quarters in the compound.
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| From Borobudur and Gedong Songo to Prambanan and the Dieng
Plateau, many of the most ancient and important of Asia’s religious
monuments and temples are on the plains and volcanic slopes of Central Java.
The 8th Century Buddhist wonder known as Borobudur is among the best-preserved
ancient monuments in the world. The sanctuary, with its million and more
cut-stone blocks, 1,460 stone relief panels and 504 life-size Buddha statues,
each sculpted from a single stone, occupies a modest plateau. From the top
gallery of Borobudur, Central Java reveals itself. From Borobudur, return to
Amanjiwo atop one of the Sumatran elephants available for Amanjiwo guests. The
two-hour safari rambles through the kampungs of Borobudur with uncluttered
views. |
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| Getting There: Amanjiwo can be reached by daily
domestic flights to Yogyakarta and Solo either from Indonesia’s capital,
Jakarta, or from Bali. Flights take less than an hour from either place and
Amanjiwo is a one-hour complimentary transfer from Yogyakarta or two hours on
the more scenic route from Solo, which passes some of the biggest volcanoes in
Java. There are also several direct flights to Solo from Singapore.
Climate: Situated six to nine degrees south of the equator, Java enjoys
a warm, tropical climate year-round with the most agreeable months being May to
October. Humidity is highest between November and March, during the rainy
season. Even during the heaviest rains, however, the sun is rarely out of sight
for long. The mean temperature is a pleasant 27.2°C (81°F). |
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Borobudur
Central Java, Indonesia
U.S. Reservations:
904-288-0036
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| Amanjiwo looks out onto Borobudur, the largest Buddhist
sanctuary in the world. Indeed, Borobudur is carefully mirrored in the
resort’s design and central dome. The view runs arrow-straight through
Amanjiwo’s entrance and the stone corridor that neatly cleaves the resort,
up the steps to the soaring, bell-shaped rotunda, down to the Dining Room, on
to the Terrace, past rice fields in an unwavering line to Borobudur itself.
Several kampungs (small villages) are within walking distance. |
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| 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. Fifteen suites come with private swimming pools. All
suites include a thatched-roof gubug (pavilion) with a daybed for outdoor
lounging and dining. 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, and traditional glass paintings.
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| The luxurious bathrooms feature a outdoor sunken
bathtub. |
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| Four Pool Suites have views of the Menoreh Hills and
surrounding farmland. The 10 Deluxe Pool Suites have views of Borobudur and
Java’s most sacred mountains – Merapi, Merbabu, Sumbing and Sundoro.
The natural stone pool stretches from the bedroom toward the outdoor pavilion.
The pool is six metres by three. |
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| The Dining Room, with its silver-leaf ceiling swirling with
muted colours, is defined by a double row of stone columns. At either end,
gold-leaf murals recreate scenes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The tables
are of black terrazzo, the chairs silver-painted rattan with Yogya cushions.
Indonesian and Western cuisine is served in an open-air setting. The specialty
of the house is makan malan, a series of classic Javanese selections served in
brass dishes. |
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| The great temples and the glittering arts of Java sprang
not from Jakarta but from Central Java. Make your own personal discoveries with
Amanjiwo’s cultural excursions – by car, bicycle, horse or elephant.
Resort drivers can escort guests through the region’s cities and villages,
taking them to art galleries and trance dances, hidden temples and royal
palaces. They can bring guests to Borobudur at dawn, show them the sunset from
the highest point in the Menoreh Hills, accompany them up volcanic Mount Merapi
at midnight or simply help explore a local market in the bustle of early
morning. |
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