As far as destinations go, the skyscrapers of central Tokyo and the Utah desert are about as varied as you can get. But in both locales, Aman has managed to create two of the world’s most coveted hotel reservations.
Completely hidden from prying eyes – the Japan property discreetly nestled on the top six floors of the stealth-black Otemachi Tower; Amangiri burrowed into the sand of an alien landscape – they offer a guest experience that’s impossible to qualify without the heights of hyperbole. Through a no-expense-spared embrace of local culture, they ensure Aman stands out in a luxury travel landscape that has become crowded and often tricky to define.
In the travel world, “luxury” is an endlessly relative term, covering the grand, gilded hotels of Europe and pavilion-pocked jungles in Thailand. For some travellers, it means complete privacy, for others a see-and-be-seen terrace above Fifth Avenue. Aman offers all these options (Aman Venice in a 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal; Amanpuri, the brand’s first hotel in Phuket; its brooding and buzzy New York address) but its point of difference is more of a vibe than an amenity (though some guests definitely book the Aman Tokyo just to swim their morning laps in its penthouse pool).
Aman Tokyo's soaring lobby, with its Instagram-famous glowing lantern ceiling.Aman Group/Supplied
“Since acquiring Aman, I established the Aman Group with a clear long-term strategy to expand into both resort and urban destinations, while preserving the essence that defines the brand – privacy, peace, and exceptional design,” says CEO and chairman Vlad Doronin, who has owned the company since 2014.
For Canadians, accessing this ethos is usually part of a far-flung adventure. Until recently, the brand’s North American and Caribbean properties have been limited to the Utah and New York hotels, its first U.S. foray, Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and resorts in the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos. But starting in 2026, more closer options are on their way.
Amanvari houses 18 rooms, suites and villas on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.Aman Group/Supplied
Amanvari, opening on the Sea of Cortez in the spring, will be the brand’s first property in Mexico, housing only 18 rooms, suites and villas. Its first in the Bahamas, Amancaya, will cover 160 hectares on Exuma. In the U.S., a tower by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma that also houses 22 private residences is coming to Miami Beach’s Faena District in 2027, while a similar hybrid property is also in the works in Beverly Hills.
“Aman’s growth continues to be deliberate and strategic, centred on creating true sanctuaries,” Doronin says. “Sanctuary” is perhaps the best way to describe Aman’s take on refinement and how it’s expressed in both remote and city locations.
Amangiri, located in the rugged Utah desert.Robert Rieger/Supplied
At Amangiri, you’re cosseted by almost 400 hectares of rugged desert. Its architecture is low and discrete, creating sharp shadows in the midday sun and quiet corners to zone out in the evening starlight. Its decor, dining and experience programs all touch on elements of Navajo culture, including private tours of nearby Antelope Canyon and small gifts, like a dream catcher, left on your bed each night.
In Tokyo, the sense of hospitality is enhanced by similar turndown tokens including spicebush toothpicks or a Tenugui patterned towel. Abundant personal space in the desert is one thing, but the amount of square footage guests enjoy in Tokyo is remarkable. From the soaring lobby with its Instagram-famous glowing lantern ceiling to its sprawling suites, the sense of privacy feels all but impossible in the dense Japanese capital.
Tokyo is where the brand is diversifying its portfolio in another way, with the debut of its Janu offshoot (additional locations are already in the works for Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Montenegro and Turks and Caicos). “Janu upholds the same standards of service and design excellence, but with a more uplifting and playful spirit that celebrates connectedness,” Doronin says.
Janu Tokyo, located in the Azabudai Hills, offers sweeping views of the Tokyo skyline.Robert Rieger/Supplied
Located in Azabudai Hills, its own mini metropolis of swish boutiques, restaurants and apartments, the hotel occupies the first 13 floors of a residential tower. Its down-to-earth vantage point puts your suite at eye level with the city, drawing you out into the neighbourhood’s lush parks and bustling outdoor squares. Its extensive restaurant lineup (from its modern Patisserie to Sumi, a theatrical, 13-seat live-grill experience) are as much social hubs for locals as hotel guests.
Not all privacy is lost, however. Janu guests and day visitors can check into one of two spa houses. These private suites come complete with outdoor terraces and a living room for a four-hour wellness retreat that can include banya and Hammam treatments. It’s a decadent treat to add to your escape, no matter where you’re staying – or how you define luxury.
ON LOCATION
Aman Tokyo
Chef Hiroyuki Musashi’s eight-seat counter is the height of a locavore dining experience. He grows his own rice, brews his own sake and forms all the restaurant’s rustic ceramic dishware. If spirits are more your speed, the hotel’s polished bar staff are happy to talk you through a Japanese whisky tasting. Stays from $2,900/night through aman.com.
Amangiri
The Utah property is a hiker’s dream, with marked trails to guide you through its vast hills and valleys. Take an evening stroll to Camp Sarika, a campus of tented accommodations and a restaurant with a terrace nestled into a rockface. Stays from $6,960/night through aman.com.
Janu Tokyo
Here, you’re in the middle of Azabudai Hills’ many attractions: the digital art space TeamLab Borderless is just an elevator ride away as are shops by Hermès and Cartier. Stays from $1,510/night through janu.com.
The Globe and Mail Style Magazine travelled to Utah as a guest of Aman and stayed in Tokyo as a guest of Aman. The company did not review or approve this article prior to publication.
