Borobudur: 1 reason not to miss Java and experience luxury and mysticism at its finest.
Amanjiwo lies at the foot of the largest Buddhist temple in Java, and it is a timeless dream.
Built with black lava stone and local ochre stone, it offers an unparalleled view of Borobudur, enhanced by the luxury and privacy characteristic of Aman Resorts. Follow me to discover this experience between heaven and earth. Borobudur: a must-see in Java.
The driver stops halfway down the slope leading to the resort entrance.
The main building is there, in front of us, with its enormous black lava stone roof shaped like a stupa. The staff and the manager are lined up at the door to welcome us, but the car stops halfway down the driveway. Through the central corridor of the building, we have a view. Far away yet clearly visible, right at the center of the opening, we glimpse the Borobudur temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples. It is the reason for our journey to this region in the heart of the island of Java.
It was Sir Raffles, the governor of Java, who also founded Singapore, that first took an interest in this magnificent monument.
At that time, it was only the locals who spoke of its majestic presence. Now it stands before our eyes. As we sit in the hall, distractedly filling out the check-in form, our gaze inevitably drifts back to it.
The temple and resort are made from Javanese lava stone, much of it still crafted using traditional methods.
Amanjiwo is a tribute to this vision. Its architecture is inspired by the shapes of the stupas that compose it. The resulting form is of extraordinary elegance. The resort is arranged in a semicircle on the mountainside facing the temple, offering a breathtaking view of the valley.
In the morning mist of Java, which still envelops the tropical vegetation, the villas of the resort emerge, also shaped like stupas.
Inside, the canopy bed rises on a raised platform of light stone. The pool in the garden in front is made of lava stone, just like the roof.
The village is just a stone’s throw away, with no barriers in between.
Sitting under the traditional bale, one can greet the farmers cultivating rice and tobacco in the nearby fields. Their daughters entertain guests in the afternoon with traditional dances. Like in other Aman resorts, this place aims to be part of the locale. It interacts with the locals and reflects their forms, materials, and even cuisine.
In Java, Amanjiwo is an experience.
The temples of Borobudur and Prambanan are just an hour’s drive away. But there’s more: you can go trekking through the rice fields, follow mountain biking trails, or go horseback riding. The service is always attentive and personalized. Leaving is not easy. It won’t be easy to forget breakfast with the valley at our feet and the temple standing majestically on the horizon. As we ascend the driveway toward the gate, we turn back and once again gaze at it through the lobby.
Today the sky is clear, and it feels as though we could reach out and touch it. It is impossible not to see it and think that it stood there for a thousand years before we ever noticed it.
Tempio di Borobudur Amanjiwo Resort
