Amanjiwo Resort Magelang

Amanjiwo, enveloped by the rainforest of central Java, is set within a natural amphitheatre – where the Menoreh Hills rise up nearby and the farmlands of the Kedu Plain spread below steep volcanoes on the horizon. Amanjiwo overlooks the world’s largest Buddhist monument. At dawn and dusk the jungle surrounding this majestic 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage site is bathed in ethereal light and birdsong – perfect for personal reflection.

Set in two graceful crescents, the 36 Suites feature sunken bathtubs and thatched-roof bale pavilions, and open onto private gardens. Inspired by the 9th-century Buddhist sanctuary of Borobudur, Amanjiwo’s Suites feature four-pillar king-size beds on raised terrazzo platforms, spacious garden terraces, some with private swimming pools, and lounging pavilions. Views include terraced farmland and the Menoreh Hills, or the valley and Borobodur itself. Other amenities including Wi-Fi, personal bar, safe deposit box, audio system, and TV.

The hypnotic sounds of gamelan resonate through the colonnaded Restaurant, with views over rice fields to Borobudur and the volcano-fringed horizon. Amanjiwo’s garden and nearby farms supply most of the ingredients used by the chef in a range of Javanese and Indonesian specialities – including a Makan Malam degustation dinner menu, updated daily.

The Spa, with its outdoor relaxation bale, is home to treatments informed by Javanese healing and beauty rituals handed down through generations. Tennis courts overlook the Menoreh Hills, and yoga is practised both at the gym and outdoors. The 40-metre swimming pool, surrounded by loungers and parasols, offers respite amid rice paddies and banyan trees.