Busy Doing Nothing

Andrew Leci spends a few days at a resort trying to find lots of things not to do.

THE AMAN GROUP has always been ahead of the curve. This is probably because, in a sense, it didn't subscribe to the existing one and set out to create a curve of its own. This will always be a bold move in the hospitality industry which, for quite a while now, has not necessarily been set in its ways, but has invariably signed up to a seemingly accepted and pre-defined set of parameters.

There are common denominators – there always are – and the majority have to be met, implicitly. Good accommodation, decent service, the availability of good food and an overall worthwhile ethic which guests feel comfortable being a part of. While not eschewing some of these common denominators – there’s a clue in the word ‘common’ – Aman has always tried to be a tad different. The basics are a given, it seems to have decided, but how do we make Aman Resorts not only different, but just that little bit special.

To date, and from my experience, the group has yet to fail, having established a portfolio that is becoming the stuff of legend, leading other groups to consider what they might have done differently to capture the imagination of Aman’s ever-growing coterie of dedicated followers. I have now met at least three people who vow that they will never stay anywhere else.