limoncello1908
April 2, 2024
My husband and I are seasoned travellers, and embarked on an 11-day tour of Rajasthan, culminating in our final night at Amanbagh. As avid fans of the Aman brand, with ten previous resorts under our belts, our expectations were naturally high. We had experienced incredible service in India at the Rajmahal palace, The Oberoi, Six Senses Fort Barwa and Aman i khas (shout out to Kishan and his team who were superb and a class act in every way). However, our experience at Amanbagh left us feeling disappointed and somewhat disillusioned. Let's begin with the positives: Amanbagh's location amidst the picturesque and storied hills is undeniably breathtaking. The tranquility of the surroundings, especially during the morning and dusk, cast a spell of serenity over the entire property. Additionally, the ambiance during dinner was enchanting, creating an idyllic setting to unwind even further after a day of relaxation. Regrettably, our stay was marred by significant shortcomings in service, a cornerstone of the Aman brand's raison d’etre. The staff, unfortunately, lacked the finesse, charm and sadly experience, that we've enjoyed on many occasions. Instead of the warm hospitality that we’ve grown accustomed to at Amans, we found the majority of the staff to be distracted and disengaged. The notable exception was the spa manager from Bhutan, who stood out for his genuine interest in us and our plans. During our first lunch, two waiting staff members were on their phones. To say the service lacked refinement would be an understatement. The absence of the customary acknowledgment from staff (except for garden staff), a hallmark of Aman, and having to wander to get someone’s attention at the dining area or pool was the norm during our stay. Moreover, we barely had any interaction with the GM except briefly during arrival and departure, a stark departure from our previous experiences. He seemed disinterested and it was a similar theme with every guest. I also wasn’t expecting a room cleanup on every occasion we left the room (which is the case at some Amans like Amansara/Amanoi!), however, I have come to appreciate and be spoiled by the full room clean on departure day which I’ve experienced at all others excluding Amanbagh. While it may be unfair to compare Amanbagh directly to Aman i khas, given the disparity in price and scale, we expected a level of service commensurate with similar other Aman properties. Unfortunately, that is hardly the case here. I suspect Amanbagh is an addendum to most Aman i khas itineraries, and felt just like that, merely an afterthought post a grandiose and wonderful experience. Why anyone would return here is beyond me. We hope that our feedback will prompt improvements and uphold the esteemed legacy of the Aman brand.