Amankila, Aman’s hillside resort above the Lombok Strait in east Bali, closed on 20 October and will reopen on 20 January 2027. The reason is construction. Aman is building 11 private villas for sale next to the resort, and its finance team told local media the work had become too noisy for guests. Closing for three months, over Christmas and New Year, is a clear choice: finish the homes faster rather than earn the peak season. For resort owners thinking about branded residences, that is the lesson.
Key facts
- Resort: Amankila, Manggis, Karangasem, east Bali
- Closure: 20 October 2026 to 19 January 2027; reopening 20 January 2027
- Reason: to speed up construction of Aman Residences, Amankila without disturbing guests
- Residences: 11 villas with infinity pools and pavilions, listed by Aman
- Local impact: Rp5bn to Rp6bn in lost regency tax, estimated by Karangasem lawmakers
- Reported room rates: about Rp15m to Rp38m a night
What happened
Amankila first announced the closure to Karangasem’s regional parliament in mid-October. Local reports said construction of the villas had intensified and the resort chose a full closure over noise complaints. Aman’s own site now says the resort is closed until 20 January.
The villas are sold as Aman Residences, Amankila. Aman describes them as 11 hillside homes with terraces, infinity pools and pavilions joined by private walkways, using the same thatch and stone as the original resort. Buyers get year-round access to Aman services.
Why it matters: residences pay for the resort
A three-month closure costs Amankila its room and F&B revenue in the busiest weeks of the year. The resort still chose it. Our read: finishing the villas on time, and handing them to buyers, is worth more to the project than one peak season of rooms.
That is now normal at the top of the Bali market. Anantara’s branded villas in Ubud are on sale from about US$700,000, as we covered in Anantara’s Ubud residences, and new five-star supply on the island is growing fast, as our Bali luxury pipeline analysis shows. Residences fund the build and pay the brand. The hotel keeps the brand’s value high for buyers.
The closure also shows a local cost. Karangasem relies on a small number of luxury resorts for its hotel tax, and Amankila is one of the largest payers, according to local lawmakers. Three months without it is a gap in the regency budget, which local officials say they will need to fill from other sources.
What it means for you
1. Resort owners adding residences: plan for noise early
Building next to a working resort is hard. Phase the work, use quieter methods, or plan a closure in the low season. Amankila’s choice to close over the holidays shows it put speed first.
2. Developers: price the closure into the model
If construction might force a closure, include the lost room revenue and staff costs in the residence budget. A short closure can be cheaper than months of discounts and complaints.
3. Operators: protect the team
A three-month closure risks losing trained staff. Moving them to sister hotels or using the time for training helps the reopening.
4. East Bali hotels: a short-term gain
With Amankila shut over the holidays, its guests will look elsewhere. Other luxury hotels in east Bali and Aman’s own Amandari can pick up some of that demand.
FAQ
Is Amankila closed?
Yes. It closed on 20 October 2026 and plans to reopen on 20 January 2027.
Why is Amankila closing?
To speed up construction of 11 private villas, sold as Aman Residences, Amankila, without disturbing guests with noise.
What are Aman Residences, Amankila?
Eleven hillside villas next to the resort, each with terraces, an infinity pool and pavilions, sold to private buyers with access to Aman services.
How does the closure affect Karangasem?
Local lawmakers estimate the regency could lose Rp5bn to Rp6bn in tax over the three months.
Are other Aman hotels in Bali open?
Yes. Aman’s other hotels in Indonesia, including Amandari in Ubud, are operating as usual.
