Aman’s Caribbean story has, until now, been told through two addresses, Amanyara in Turks and Caicos and Amanera in the Dominican Republic, with Amancaya on its way in The Bahamas. Amantaru makes it four, bringing the brand to Puerto Rico for the first time with a resort and a small collection of branded residences on a hillside above a secluded beach in Cabo Rojo, on the island’s southwest coast.
The name comes from the Sanskrit for “peaceful tree”, a quiet echo of Amanpuri, the “place of peace” in Phuket that launched the brand in 1988. Close to four decades and 36 hotels, resorts and branded residences later, spread across 21 destinations, Aman has kept faith with the idea that the setting should do most of the talking, and Amantaru’s has plenty to say.
Amantaru’s setting in Cabo Rojo
The resort will rise from a hillside within Esencia, a new private community covering more than 2,000 acres and over three miles of Caribbean coast, where the masterplan has been shaped by the land rather than the other way round. Its grounds sit alongside a protected wildlife refuge and nature reserve and look out over a long stretch of open shoreline, while Cabo Rojo itself is known for white sand beaches, salt flats and nature preserves, and for a sea you can swim in all year round.
Esencia is being built as a destination in its own right. Golfers will have two championship courses to choose from and riders an equestrian club, with beach and field clubs, boating on the Caribbean and miles of trails through the surrounding countryside completing the picture. Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental are also part of the plan, and the developers, Three Rules Capital and Reuben Brothers, have Audubon International’s approval to work towards Signature Platinum Certification, the highest environmental standard it awards, across the whole community. For those flying privately, an airport with its own hangars sits close by.
A design rooted in Puerto Rico’s past
For Amantaru, Aman has returned to the architect behind its celebrated Amangiri in Utah, in only their second collaboration. This time the reference points are Puerto Rico’s old forts and its coastline, interpreted through natural materials sourced on the island, wide open spaces and views composed to hold the sea and the sunset in sight.
The resort will have its own Aman Spa and Wellness Centre, a Beach Club and racquet sports courts, along with several restaurants, so guests can stay entirely within Amantaru or head out to Esencia’s courses, clubs and trails as the mood takes them.
Aman Residences at Amantaru
Alongside the resort, a collection of fully serviced Aman Residences will offer a more lasting connection to the coast. Ranging from three to eight bedrooms and sharing the resort’s design, the homes are planned with plenty of space and an easy flow between inside and out, turned towards the wild landscape and the sunsets that light up the southwest coast, and owners will share access to the resort’s facilities.
“We are looking forward to expanding our Caribbean presence with a destination that embodies Aman’s core values of seclusion, serenity and sensitive integration with the environment,” said Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group. “The success of our existing and renowned properties in the region has proven that there is a growing demand for a new level of exclusivity and I’m excited to bring the coveted Aman lifestyle to Puerto Rico for the first time through our exclusive collection of branded residences alongside a resort.”
Aman’s momentum across the Americas
Puerto Rico is the latest stop in a busy run for Aman across the Americas. Amanvari has recently opened in Los Cabos, Aman Miami Beach, Aman Beverly Hills and Amancaya in Exuma are all on the way, and Amansanu, the brand’s first ranch-inspired retreat in Texas Hill Country, was unveiled earlier this year.
An opening date is still to be confirmed, but Amantaru already makes a persuasive case for Puerto Rico’s southwest coast, pairing the privacy Aman is known for with protected land, open sea and a community built around golf, riding and life outdoors.
Quick summary – Amantaru
- Location: Esencia, Cabo Rojo, on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast
- Opening: To be announced
- Stay: Resort and fully serviced Aman Residences of three to eight bedrooms
- Wellness: Aman Spa and Wellness Centre
- Leisure: Beach Club, racquet sports courts and access to Esencia’s two championship golf courses, equestrian club and trails
- Ideal for: Travellers and buyers seeking Caribbean seclusion with golf, riding and the sea close at hand
