Amanjiwo

The simple fact that it’s an Aman resort high in the hills of central Java would be enough for most people, but Amanjiwo, it turns out, offers something a bit more otherworldly than the trademark Aman cocktail of clever design and world-class luxury. The views here are that much more sublime: for Amanjiwo looks out over not just acre upon acre of dense wooded valley, but a thirteen-hundred-year-old Buddhist monument as well.

It’s here, in this predominantly Muslim nation, that you’ll find Borobudur, the long-lost Buddhist sanctuary whose stone pathways tell an illustrated story of the Buddha’s life. It is, quite understandably, one of Indonesia’s most famous sights, and it just happens to be the focal point of practically every view from each one of Amanjiwo’s windows and terraces.

The architecture carefully echoes that of Borobudur, in materials and in shape. Suites are joined by stone walkways, laid out in a crescent configuration, many with private pools, all with four-poster beds on raised platforms and furniture in traditional rattan style. Bathrooms feature outdoor soaking tubs and each suite comes with a thatched-roof pavilion with a daybed.

Not only do the suites look out over Borobudur, but Amanjiwo guests have unparalleled access to the monument: hotel guests alone have the opportunity to visit at dawn, when the site is at its most spectacular.

Follow that up during the day with some traditional spa treatments, including traditional Javanese offerings as well as a variety of massages. The Aman spas are justifiably legendary, and though this one has the spiritual thrill of Borobudur to compete with, it’s more than up to the task. And at night there’s the dining room, with its classic Javanese menu, and the Terrace, the perfect place for a nightcap with the volcanic mountains as a backdrop.

How to get there:
Amanjiwo is a 75-minute drive (31 miles) from Yogyakarta Airport, and two hours from Solo Airport. Both airports serve flights to Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.