Amanpuri vs The Balmoral
Aman vs Rocco Forte Hotels — side-by-side hotel comparison
The Hotel Flock Verdict
Amanpuri scores 9.4 overall; The Balmoral scores 9.3. Amanpuri scores higher on our rubric.
Scores & Facts
| Metric | Amanpuri | The Balmoral |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Flock Score | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Location | 9.9 | 9.6 |
| Service | 9.5 | 9.7 |
| Design | 9.5 | 9.4 |
| Dining | 8.9 | 9.4 |
| Value | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Category | Beach | City |
| Tier | Ultra-Luxury | Ultra-Luxury |
| Opened | 1988 | See property |
| From | $1,400/night | $600/night |
| Rooms | 84 (40 pavilions, 44 villas) | 187 rooms and suites |
| Architect | Ed Tuttle | Historic building / Olga Polizzi design direction |
Dining
| Metric | Amanpuri | The Balmoral |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Venues | 2 | 2 |
Rooms
| Metric | Amanpuri | The Balmoral |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 3 |
| Suite / Villa Types | 3 | 2 |
Spa
| Metric | Amanpuri | The Balmoral |
|---|---|---|
| Spa Programme | Yes | Yes |
| Spa Facilities Listed | 4 | 4 |
Good to Know
Amanpuri
- As the original Aman, this is the property most "Aman Junkies" cite as their favourite — worth booking even if you've stayed at newer, flashier Aman resorts.
- Pansea Beach is genuinely quiet compared to the rest of Phuket — the resort's position and private access keep it that way.
- About 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport.
The Balmoral
- Rocco Forte has no mass-market points currency; advisor value-added rates are usually worth comparing.
- Room configuration matters particularly at the historic Italian, London, Brussels, and Madrid hotels.
- Book spa treatments and destination dining before arrival in high season.
Summary
Amanpuri scores higher on our rubric.