Celebrate with Aman

AMANGIRI, North America

In the sublime wilderness of the Utah desert, Amangiri works closely with its neighbours providing support for the community with various fundraising initiatives.

This December, to support the elderly community guests can marvel the delicate craft of rug weaving as passionate Navajo artist Charlene Isaac Hunt weaves a traditional Navajo blanket in Amangiri’s Main Pavilion.

Guests are invited to enter a raffle to win the intricate creation, with all proceeds donated to the Adopt-a-Native-Elder charity that supports the wellbeing of Navajo elders. Further opportunities to show support include the chance to purchase a teddy bear that will be donated to CUDDLE Outreach, a local organisation that aids children in foster care and will share the bears as much-needed Christmas gifts.

While celebrating the festive season at the resort, guests will have further opportunity to discover local culture with an extensive programme of daily activities.

Alongside sunrise yoga, mountain hikes and sunset cocktails, highlights include fascinating storytelling sessions and evenings filled with live music.

Those staying at Amangiri will be invited to a presentation by Peter MacDonald, one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers who shares fascinating tales from World War II, while the resort’s Winter Astronomy Series allows guests of all ages to look to the stars with Amangiri’s resident astronomist who leads nightly tours of the sky with an impressive Orion telescope.

Also on property, guests will be able to marvel at the resort’s unique Christmas tree. Titled The Tree of Life, this year’s tree is a work of art by Colombian design studio, Verdi. Handcrafted in sustainable fibres, copper and straw, the installation makes its North America debut at Amangiri where it will be unveiled on 16 December and remain on show until mid-January.

AMANJENA, Morocco

Set within an oasis of palm trees and olive groves, Moorish heritage is reflected throughout Amanjena’s pisé-walls and manicured private gardens.

Reminiscent of a sultan’s palace, the resort echoes opulence of time-gone-by and is exceptionally well-suited to hosting elaborate celebrations with loved ones.

From 24 December to 1 January, the resort will offer several seasonal activities. These include children’s entertainment in the form of cookie making, Christmas crafts and treasure hunts alongside more sophisticated activities for adults, such as a cocktail making class and a tennis tournament.

The program will also feature events inspired by Aman properties across the globe. These include a Turkish coffee and teatime, inspired by Amanruya’s home in Bodrum, and a Japanese afternoon tea, with sweet treats such as matcha cookies and other desserts paying homage to Aman’s three properties in Japan: Amanemu, Aman Tokyo and Aman Kyoto.

This festive season, Amanjena also continues to support Les Enfants De L’Atlas Orphanage and Jarjeer Donkey Refuge, with guests invited to visit both locations to learn about the important work the charities do and support them with donations should they wish.

AMAN VENICE, Italy

Throughout the month of December, an enchanting sense of excitement fills the air in Venice and the city’s cobbled streets, charming squares and romantic canals come alive with a magical festive feeling.

In Aman Venice’s Palazzo home, festivities begin on 6 December, when, in Christmas tradition, guests are invited to leave a shoe outside their door at night, in hope that San Nicola may visit and leave behind an early gift.

The traditional theme continues with a ceremonial lighting of the tree and multi-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tasting menus making for an opulent stay.

On New Year’s Eve, the hotel is also planning a memorable event, where the celebrations begin with a Blue Note themed Aperitivo in tribute to the future opening of Aman New York. The jazz-inspired refreshment is followed by an exquisite dinner with a variety of musical entertainment.

As the time nears midnight, guests can choose to be whisked away by boat to watch the fireworks over the Salute before returning to enjoy yet another Italian tradition, Zampone e Lenticchie, for a truly unforgettable start to 2022.

This season, Aman Venice will support the rehabilitation program at Padova Prison once again, which is home to a pastry workshop, where inmates make award-winning panettone. Padova-made panettone will be served – and available for guests to buy – at Aman Venice throughout December, with proceeds supporting the prison’s rehabilitation efforts.

AMANBAGH, India

Over the festive season, the serene garden estate of Amanbagh sets out to immerse guests in the culture and heritage of Rajasthan and the Aravelli Hills, showcasing local crafts and cuisine.

Guests can learn the unique regional art of Lac bangle making at a pop-up artisan’s workshop in the hotel’s grounds and discover how the natural resin can be heated and shaped to make colourful jewellery. Alternatively, they can enjoy the traditional Indian art form of rangoli, whereby intricate patterns are created from coloured rice and sand, representing good fortune.

Further opportunities to experience the inextricably connected trinity of food, faith and medicine that have shaped Indian culture for millennia await, including the chance to try Rajasthan’s own sport of kings: camel polo.

On 31 December, guests are invited to join the Amanbagh team in celebrating the arrival of 2022 with a traditional Indian fair, featuring fortune tellers, fire dancers, traditional Manganiyar singers and an elaborate seven-course feast showcasing a choice of Indian or European cuisine.

AMANKILA, Indonesia

Occupying a breath-taking hilltop spot on Bali’s east coast, with ancient, spiritual and regal neighbours, Amankila offers the opportunity to make unforgettable memories with loved ones this festive season.

To start the celebrations, guests are invited to join the Amankila team in family-friendly craft sessions making Christmas decorations, with opportunities to donate to Soul Bali, a charity that supports and empowers communities in East Bali and an initiative that Amankila has collaborated with since its establishment in 2015.

Alongside opportunities to show gratitude, families and groups of friends alike will also delight in Amankila’s festive entertainment and culinary highlights.

On Christmas Eve, the region’s sacred Legong Keraton Dance is performed by the main pool before an unforgettable Christmas feast is served family-style.

The festivities culminate on New Year’s Eve, with a fire show featuring six fire masters who will present a dazzling display of movement and coordination accompanied by musicians on traditional instruments, who lead guests into the light of 2022.

AMANJIWO, Indonesia

In the lush forest setting of central Java, Amanjiwo presents guests with cultural experiences that offer support to neighbouring communities and play an important role in preserving cultural and artistic traditions.

Over the festive period, a variety of dance performances will take place at the resort, including a Jathilan dance performed by the children of the local villages, the legends of the Ramayana interpreted in movement by a troupe from the nearby Muntilan Regency, and the dramatic Javanese mask dance, Topeng. The art of dance is a tradition in which Amanjiwo works with local villages to keep alive from generation to generation.

Alternatively, for those seeking to end the year cleansed and spiritually reinvigorated, the Tolak Balak ritual, performed by a Javanese priest, is one of several ancestral protection and purification customs practiced in Java. In a 90-minute session, which includes chanting mantras alongside breathing techniques and guided meditation, the ritual offers a beautiful insight into local traditions that leaves the body and mind feeling light and energised.

The resort will also offer the Journey Though Java from 24 to 27 December to experience the visually stunning adventure across Java on the Kereta Api Wisata train, from the bustling capital of Jakarta to the peaceful setting of Amanjiwo.

AMANPURI, Thailand

Aman’s original place of peace, Amanpuri has hosted Christmas and New Year festivities for over three decades.

This year, the fabled Phuket retreat is pleased to announce an exclusive 10-night private jet journey originating from London, Paris, Dubai and Moscow, allowing guests to reach Amanpuri in safety and comfort.

Those travelling from London, Paris and Dubai will arrive on Amanpuri’s peninsula on 22 December and depart on 1 January. Guests flying in from Moscow will begin their adventure a week later, on 29 December, and return on 8 January.

Every day in between arrival and departure will be personalised to individual interests, with bespoke activities and excursions on offer, ranging from pasta making and mixology masterclasses, to sailing lessons and holistic massages, and no less than seven memorable dining experiences.

Those spending the festive season at resort will also be invited to a series of specially curated events commencing on 22 December with a Beach Barbeque at dusk.

Other celebrations include a White Christmas-themed Christmas Eve feast, where glistening decor transforms the resort into a winter wonderland accompanied by ballet, acrobatics and jazz quartet performances.

Also this season, nightly themed dinners take guests on culinary journeys from across the Aman globe, including to Aman Tokyo on 27 December, where Japanese specialties are served against a backdrop of lanterns and Sakura flowers, and to Amanjena on the 29 December, where the magic of Marrakech arrives in Phuket.

The celebrations culminate with Amanpuri’s iconic New Year’s Eve party, which this year pays homage to Aman Venice with a Masquerade Ball.

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