Mr. Doronin - you once revealed, "In 1990 I stayed at the 'Amanpuri Resort' - this is where I became an 'Aman junkie'. Whenever I was on vacation or on a business trip, I looked in advance to see if there was an 'Aman' nearby." What exactly got you excited in 1990?

Visiting "Amanpuri" in 1990 completely changed my attitude towards traveling - I had never felt so relaxed before, neither at home nor in a hotel. I was also immediately impressed by the tranquility, privacy and service - not to speak of the stunning architecture and surroundings on the private peninsula. It felt like a very exclusive and personal experience, as if no one else was at the resort. It is a very special feeling to stay at an Aman resort, it conveys a deep connection to the place and a spirit that is second to none. This is what I discovered at "Amanpuri."

Meanwhile, there are certainly many more "Aman junkies" around the world. Do you see it that way too? Are there many regular customers who spend their vacations at Aman resorts again and again?

Yes, we have one of the highest rates of repeat guests in the industry. We are proud to welcome many "returners" to our 33 locations. The staff-to-guest ratio of seven to one allows us to offer a very personal and unparalleled level of service. Our statistics also show that we have more and more new and younger guests - now over 55 percent of our guests are younger than 44. In order to meet the needs and demands of the younger generations, we are focusing even more on the "Aman lifestyle" and unique experiences. Part of this lifestyle is our uncompromising focus on wellness. Many of our guests are hard-working entrepreneurs who need to take a break and recharge their batteries. Aman takes wellness to a higher level. Combined with Aman's core philosophy of making memories and connecting with the spirit of the place, this touches our guests and convinces them to visit us again and again.

Can you tell us something about your career before you bought Aman? Did you ever plan to own a hotel group?

I started my career as a commodities trader in Switzerland and Hong Kong and then began investing in commercial real estate. In 2015, I founded the international real estate development company OKO Group with development projects worldwide - here I was able to live out my passion for extraordinary architecture. When Aman came on the market, I was already a big fan of the brand - it was the right time to expand my portfolio. I knew that the buildings I developed would benefit from hotel infrastructure and related services, so I had already toyed with the idea of acquiring a hotel brand to offer these services to apartment owners. The prerequisite was to find the right brand that would guarantee the level of luxury.

How would you define Aman in a few words? What is Aman's unique selling proposition?

Private retreats, design, connection to place and unparalleled service. For me, this is the essence of Aman.

You have spent many years learning or training in the ancient practices of martial arts, yoga, qigong and Tibetan Buddhism. You said you perceived these disciplines as a flow of energy. Is this an important part of your Aman philosophy?

Well-being is an important part of the Aman philosophy. The travel and wellness industries are merging more and more as well-being and longevity become something everyone seeks, regardless of their personality or profession. For me personally, my daily qigong, yoga and meditation practices are central to my well-being, and whenever I come across something in my training that excites me, I try to bring it to Aman and share it with our guests. I have introduced personal friends who are Buddhist spiritual masters and scholars to our Aman teams, and together we have developed our Journey to Peace retreats." Four different retreats will be offered at six resorts later this year, including "Amankora" in Bhutan, "Amansara" in Cambodia, "Amanoi" in Vietnam, and "Amankila" in Bali.

©Miles & Miles LLC, Antal Gabelics

 

How do you make the atmosphere at Aman fit each location - relaxed and luxurious in equal parts?

At Aman, our guests have always looked for a connection to our destinations, and from the beginning we have considered the culture, history and geography of each place. We work with visionary architects to create a dialogue between the hotel and its surroundings. Even in our hotels in city locations, we have managed to capture the spirit of Aman, to create urban refuges where our guests can relax. I believe that a sense of luxury is created through excellent service and privacy. It's about human touch, interaction and personalization. Each of our guests is greeted by name upon arrival and our teams, most of whom are local, deliver customized services without compromise. This unique formula, coupled with our location in the most outstanding places in the world, creates an irresistible atmosphere. Our homes are grounded in the place they are located, grown from and inspired by the local environment, culture and materials. We have our principles of modern design and spaciousness, but each Aman should feel unique to its location. The experiences offered at each Aman hotel also reflect the local culture, heritage and landscape. At "Amanjiwo" in Java, Indonesia, for example, you can visit the breathtaking Borobudur Buddhist temple and do a meditation in the temple. It is a very special experience that resonates for a long time.

What are the most important success factors for you?

The most important indicator of success for me is balance. I work hard, but I have also realized the importance of balance in my life. I do this through my daily rituals: meditation and taking care of my body and health. But the best way for me to relax is with my family at an Aman resort.

Health is also an important aspect at the Aman resorts. Is traditional Chinese medicine used everywhere? And what is so special about it?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is very important to me and has long been part of my wellness routine. I firmly believe that TCM treats the cause and not the symptoms, looking for patterns of disharmony and trying to achieve - and then maintain - balance in the body. Our wellness services have increasingly focused on health, taking a holistic and preventative approach.

Experiences are offered at all of your resorts. How would you describe the ultimate Aman experiences?

Experiences are an essential part of Aman, regardless of the destination. It is crucial for us that the program we develop for each of our hotels and resorts is authentic, fits the destination and brings back unforgettable memories for our guests. The ultimate Aman experience will be different for everyone, but I myself am excited about the unique range of experiences we have created with the "Aman Private Jet," which combines the pleasure of staying at multiple Aman properties with extraordinary excursions. At some of our hotels, we have also created "Extreme Sports Retreats," a program of exciting outdoor activities that challenge mental and physical stamina. As a big fan of water sports, I'm particularly excited about our "Extreme Water Sports Retreat" at "Aman pulo," which offers some exciting challenges, such as swimming from island to island in the open sea for 3.5 miles, a freediving excursion and a kitesurfing session.

Do you have a favorite resort at Aman?

I am often asked this question and to be honest it is too difficult for me to define an Aman resort as my favorite. It depends on what you want to experience. I love "Aman Tokyo" for its energy and hustle and bustle in the heart of the city, "Amanpuri" in Thailand continues to be a very special place for me with incredible energy, "Amanpulo" in the Philippines is a place where I can relax and kitesurf, and "Amanjiwo" in Java, Indonesia, is a very spiritual experience for me that has stayed with me long after my visit. If you ask me tomorrow, I will probably name completely different hotels, because every Aman resort has something special.

©Aman Hotels

 

How do you define sustainability at Aman?

Aman has always cared about the environment, local communities and cultural heritage - it's the foundation of our business model and it's why 14 of our homes are located in or near Unesco World Heritage Sites. "Amanyangyun" in China is an exceptional example of ecological and architectural interplay combined with cultural preservation - and it took over 16 years to implement. Historic houses were rebuilt from scratch and an endangered forest with 10,000 trees was saved from extinction.

One last question, about the future: How will Aman develop in future years?

We have a strong pipeline of new openings that I am very excited about, but we are very selective about which opportunities we pursue. At Aman, we've always focused on the location of our properties,which means we only expand when we know we can offer guests transformative experiences and a location that is uniquely ours - we also say no to many opportunities. Now we are opening in New York, which will be a milestone for the brand and will bring Aman's Eastern-inspired philosophy and unparalleled service to Manhattan.

Vladislav Doronin

• 1962
  Vladislav Doronin was born in Saint Petersburg on November 7, 1962. He graduated from Moscow Lomonosov State University.

• 250 Dollar
  In a "Forbes" interview, Doronin recounted leaving Russia in the 1980s with only $250.

• 75 million square meters
  Capital Group, which he founded in 1993, is a leading real estate development company that has developed over 71 projects totaling over 75 million square feet on behalf of world-class architects.

• 28 years
  That's how long Vladislav Doronin has had experience in real estate. As Chairman and CEO of OKO Group, he not only works on Aman, but is also currently developing its little sister hotel brand Janu. vladislavdoronin.com

Aman Hotel Group

• Name meaning
  Aman means peace in Sanskrit. Few other resorts embody peace and serenity like Aman - which now has 32 resorts worldwide, all in exclusive locations.

• The scent of Aman
  A proprietary Skincare line, Spa Candles and Fine Fragrances are a continuation of the Aman lifestyle and can be purchased online.

• New openings
  Numerous new openings are in the pipeline - "Aman New York" will open this year. Resorts in Miami, Mexico and Saudi Arabia will follow.

• Exclusive residences
  Residences have been part of Aman since its inception in 1988. Only twelve of the resorts have them, including the "Aman New York," "Aman Nai Lert Bangkok" (2023), "Aman Residences Tokyo" (2023), and "Aman Miami" (2024) in the near future. aman.com

©John W. McDermott