A ‘PEACEFUL SOUL’ RESTS ON THE ISLAND OF JA VA, between the old royal city of Yogyakarta and the city of Solo, the seat of power during the reign of the great Javanese kingdoms. Power and government may have shifted to Jakarta over time, but timeless tranquillity and regal style still presides over the volcanic valley between these two historic cities. These qualities — and more — rule in winning ways at Amanjiwo, part of the Aman stable of ultra resorts. Amanjiwo, which means ‘peaceful soul’, is cradled within a natural amphitheatre of four slumbering volcanoes rising like sentinels from the surrounding horizon. The resort’s immersion in the natural environment flaunts the lush green rice terraces and palm trees that show the Javanese landscape at its loveliest. But Amanjiwo’s draw card is a feature few establishments can hope to have — a ringside view to the wonder that is Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument on Earth. Built as a shrine to Lord Buddha around the 9th century and a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Borobudur today is one of UNESCO ’s best-known World Heritage Sites in Asia.

The architecture of Amanjiwo in many ways mirrors that of Borobudur, with motifs of circles, squares and crescents echoing centuries-old art patterns. Built with distinctive paras yogay, the locally hewn coral-beige limestone, the resort and its 36 suites are set in two crescent formations around the main building. Amanjiwo also features a 40-metre infinity pool bordered by rice fields, as well as two tennis courts with kubuk, thatched roof shelters for well-deserved breaks from the tropical sun.

Most suites offer unblemished views of Borobudur, but the experience offered at The Dalem Jiwo suite is unparalleled. The 1,300-square metre two-bedroom suite is a discreet compound complete with a private entrance, a classical styled rotunda and surrounding terrace with two separately walled bedrooms. Local artefacts, hand-carved furniture, coconut wood and exotic textiles artfully evoke a serenity that augments the garden terraces beyond the suite’s glass doors and the sanctity of nearby Borobudur. Stone steps descend from each bedroom into the suite’s private 15-metre pool, finished in a green Javanese stone called hijau danau, and set into the rice fields. In separate quarters in the compound, Dalem Jiwo’s butler is on call around the clock to help the suite’s residents with dining options, explorations and activities in the area.

On your arrival at Amanjiwo, local village girls sing you a heartfelt welcome. If you are not too distracted, you will notice the view through the main building forms a frame for Borobudur, four kilometres away.

A refreshing jet-lag treatment is offered, washed down with a bottle of Dom Perignon. Should you prefer to dine in at Dalem Jiwo to enjoy your suite more completely, the chef from the main dining room will personally see to the preparation of your meal in the kitchen behind the rotunda. Otherwise, Amanjiwo’s main restaurant, the Dining Room, serves Indonesian and Western cuisine in an openair, antique-style setting.

A gamelan ensemble serenades guests during dinner. After the meal, you can retreat to the Bar, a masculine, circular salon with columns running around it with acid-etched bronze drum-tables, or retire to the Terrace to enjoy inspiring views of Mount Tidar on the horizon. Legends say the mountain is the point where the island of Java is ‘nailed’ to the earth.

Having sampled flawless service and a great meal as you soak in the resort’s serenity after your arrival, you may suspect that the superlatives applied to sacred Borobudur could well apply to the more earthly pleasures at Amanjiwo. You would not be wrong.

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