UNDERSTATED OPULENCE ON A PEACEFUL HILL
Amankila – meaning “peaceful hill” – overlooks the Lombok Strait from a cliff-edge setting. The resort is located near the village of Manggis in east Bali. Amankila’s layout draws inspiration from the nearby Karangasem palaces – including the nested motif of the Maskerdam Building – with features including a serene, three-tiered pool tumbling down the hillside like a cascading rice field. The hotel, designed by Ed Tuttle, is set amongst the backdrop of Mount Agung, a volcano revered as a home of the gods. In designing the hotel, Tuttle was inspired by the palaces of Ujung and Tirtagangga. The hotel has 34 suites which are fashioned as beach houses and are linked by walkways. The suites are thatched roof and freestanding with individual terraces furnished with daybeds. The tables are made of coconut shells and chairs are rattan. There are several choices in suites, including the Indrakila Suite, whose name derives from the hill upon which the hotel is built and includes a private pool, and the larger Amankila Suite that offers private butler service. The three-tiered infinity swimming pool, resembling terraced fields, is built into a cliff edge. Each pool flows into the one below it and its construction includes blue tiling. Nighttime poolside entertainment includes traditional Balinese dancing or live music. While the main restaurant serves Indonesian and Western cuisines, food and afternoon tea is served poolside, and the beach club offers lunch. Genevieve Harris was the founding executive chef of the Amankila Resort. All ingredients are locally sourced, from the catch of the day to berries from the nearby organic farm on Mt Agung. Beside the restaurant is an open-aired bar with a thatched wooden roof and bamboo furnishings. Located at the base of the cliff is the hotel’s private sand beach. The hotel’s beach club, set within coconut palms and a frangipani tree, watersports such as scuba diving, sailing and paddle boarding can be enjoyed in the pristine waters. The panoramic views from Amankila, are the first step to discovering east Bali’s mix of spiritual and regal heritage. Sacred mountains tower over villages tucked between emerald-green rice paddies, where life has changed little over the centuries. visit Amankila
