AMANFAYUN

Everyone strives for excellence. For The Maker this means delivering interesting and informative articles about a range of topics. For those in the resort industry, it means providing a luxury experience for their guests. For the hotel group Aman, excellence is perhaps best illustrated by its luxury resort Amanfayun, modelled on the traditional Chinese village that used to nestle in the valley where it is now located. Some of the buildings are over a century old and restored using traditional techniques whilst taking inspiration from the quieter aspects of Chinese culture. With tree lined avenues and the old stream where locals once met to exchange news making their way through it, Amanfayun offers a relaxing, cultural break from busy city life.

In the distance one can see spectacular views of thirteenth century Buddhas and Bodhisattvas etched into cliff faces. The mark of this ancient religion is felt all over the resort. Within the bamboo forests that surround the area, ornate temples stand which are walking distance from the villas. In fact it is not uncommon to see monks walking the cobblestone paths of the resort to travel from one to another. What would perhaps seem cliché anywhere else

comes off here with an air of unstudied authenticity; you will find no Chinese lanterns of silk fans hanging from the trees here. Instead the magnolias, Chinese ashes, tea bushes and common fig trees are left to look as natural as possible, in some parts giving the resort and almost wild look.

The Aman Group, founded in the eighties, opened their first resort in a coconut plantation in Phuket, Thailand. Amongst the first to realize the potentially wide appeal that boutique villas would later have, they focused on delivering a resort where patrons would be able to feel like they were living in their own private residence. Quiet, peaceful and tranquil, they now have resorts all over the world including Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Bali and the Caribbean’s Turks and Caicos Islands.Amanfayun in Hangzhou is their second resort in China; the first is near the summer palace in Beijing.

As one of China’s ancient cities, Hangzhou has withstood war, Mongol sieges and the inevitable passing of time whilst remaining true to its historical heritage and going to great efforts to preserve its cultural inheritance. Several times in its history it has been the most populated city on Earth and was called the “city of heaven” by the famed explorer Marco Polo. Chief among its attraction is the ethereal West Lake, the inspiration for a thousand poems, where today you can hire small boats in order to visit the various islands, bridges and pagodas that encompass it.

Although only a short twenty minutes’ drive from Hangzhou’s downtown and shopping districts, Amanfayun luxury resort is well equipped to handle the needs of its guests. Despite its charming emphasis on the traditional, which includes no TVs in the rooms and well as no electronic locks, it provides an extensive library where regular lectures on a variety of subjects are hosted. In addition the spa features a heated swimming pool, a state of the art gym, a reflexology centre, a bath house, a treatment centre and a finishing centre. The nearby conference hall is also available to fulfill all your business needs. Local eateries, including a place that caters specifically to vegetarians, and tea houses are close by, supplying a wide choice of Western and International food.

Stylish, luxurious and conscious of its heritage, Amanfayun upholds its company’s reputation of offering sanctuary to those seeking relaxation. Taking the time out of a busy life essential for excellence – whether it is done by visiting a SPA, taking a show or reading The Maker – and it is only through reflection and contemplation that we can work out our next steps.

每个人都力臻完美。对于TheMaker，这意味着推送涉猎广泛、有趣翔实的文章；对于度假产业，这意味着给客人提供豪华的体验。对于安缦酒店集团，它的豪华度假酒店安缦法云也许是对精益求精的最好诠释，它仿照中国传统村落，坐落在山谷里。其中一些建筑有百年历史，采用传统工艺，同时从中国的禅文化中吸收灵感。穿过林荫道，跨过小溪，偶遇闲谈的当地居民，安缦法云提供的是一种远离都市喧嚣、感受人文关怀的休憩。

在远处可以看到悬崖上几百年前雕刻的佛像。这个古老的宗教标志似乎随处可见。别墅周围竹林环绕，华丽的庙宇近在咫尺。事实上，你还能常常看到僧人信步在鹅卵石小道上。在这儿你看不到挂在树上的中国传统灯笼，你感受到的会是更自然真实的空气。没有木兰，但是有原生态的白蜡树、茶树、无花果树，给这儿增添了几分狂野。

安缦集团，成立于八十年代，在普吉岛的一个椰子种植园开了他们的第一家度假酒店。也是首批意识到精品别墅的潜在吸引力的酒店之一，他们专注于带给顾客家的感觉。宁静、和谐、安稳，他们的度假酒店遍布世界各地，包括法属波利尼西亚的波拉波拉、巴厘岛和加勒比海的特克斯和凯科斯群岛。杭州的安缦法云是他们在中国的第二个度假酒店;第一个在北京颐和园附近。

作为中国古城之一，杭州经受了战争、蒙古围攻和时间的历练，仍保留了丰富的历史底蕴，并努力保持其文化传承。历史上，它多次被评为最受欢迎的城市，被著名探险家马可·波罗称为“天堂之城”。杭州最迷人的当属空灵的西湖，千百首诗歌的灵感来源；今天你可以租艘小船，去逛逛西湖的各个岛屿、桥梁和宝塔。

虽然距杭州市区和购物区只有20分钟车程，安缦法云度假酒店仍然一应俱全，满足客人的各种需求。尽管它的特色之处在于传统，比如房间内没有电视和电子密码锁，它也提供了一个藏书丰富的图书馆，定期会举办讲座。此外，水疗中心设有温水游泳池、最先进的健身房、按摩中心、浴室、理疗中心和休息厅。附近的会议厅也可满足您的一切商务需求。酒店的餐厅有丰富的中西美食可供选择，还有专门的素食餐厅，不远处还有茶馆。

时尚、豪华、有格调，安缦法云坚持为人们提供一个放松休闲的休憩地，在全球享有盛名。成功的必要条件之一是学会劳逸结合、懂得享受生活——可以是去做个SPA，也可以是看场秀或阅读The Maker——而且只有停下来反思和思考，我们才能继续向前。