You rarely find such a combination of spectacular elements. The cliff overlooks the Playa Grande beach. Lush jungle with ancient trees and royal palms set against the green Northern Cordillera mountain range. The whole region, an unspoilt, sparsely populated expanse, offers a variety of landscapes that include fascinating desert areas, scenic waterfalls and quiet towns.
On the wild coast in the north of the Dominican Republic, the Amanera resort, the crown jewel of the Aman brand, renowned for its “special refuges”, extends over 2000 acres of land and encompasses a golf course, a spa, a fitness centre, a beach club and paradise-like housing solutions. The project was entrusted to the expertise of John Heah, who dealt with every aspect, promoting the extraordinary view of the landscape, minimizing environmental impact and integrating the buildings in an almost virgin context.
The 25 casitas and the rest of the complex are perfectly camouflaged with the green summits, jagged coasts and undulating slopes. Water is the dominant visual and auditory element. The ocean, which is captivating from every angle, was enhanced by Heah with liquid mirrors along the access paths that cross the private gardens and the lobby. 13 residences have private swimming pools and the main swimming pool in the common area features artificial waterfalls. Architecturally, the design attempts to maintain the essence of the place, starting with the roofs, whose slim concrete slabs enable the creation of hanging gardens and allow rainwater to easily drain.
Inside the residences, false ceilings have been removed, exposing the finely worked, multi-faceted concrete, supported by slender concrete columns that are softened by the use of wood. This skeleton creates imposing structures and large outdoor loggias for enjoying the landscape while staying protected. The structure is deliberately minimal and light so that it does not impinge on the surrounding environment, which can be appreciated from inside thanks to the choice of aesthetically simple materials: Asian teak wood, stone from the local quarries, Greek marble, ceramic coatings hand-made by Aguayo natives mixed with Dominican art objects to evoke the spirit of the country. Everything is especially custom-designed by the designer, who took tireless and meticulous care over every detail, from the carpentry finishes to all the various furniture, lighting, wash basins, rugs, special water containers, biscuit box, espresso spoons, candles and soap.
The only exceptions are the outdoor elements in the main lodge, restaurant, beach club, bar and library, along with indoor pieces in a few suites, which were designed by B&B Italia. The same attention to detail is also evident in the large Bay View Casa, which contains two bedrooms, a 20-m infinity pool that extends alongside a large terrace, a lounge area and places to dine on overhanging cliffs. The house has the best location on the resort’s cliffs, offering panoramic views over the ocean and Playa Grande beach.
However, Amanera’s true pride and joy is the Playa Grande Golf Course, which has the highest number of ocean-side holes in the western hemisphere. Spread over 370 acres and originally designed by renowned architect Sir Robert Trent Jones, the course was later completed by his son Rees Jones who, following his father’s footsteps, totally renovated it.
There are 10 holes distributed along the coast and numerous bays formed by jagged cliffs, accompanied by unique views of precipitous clusters and windy plateaus that will thrill any golf addict. The resort also features a spa, with personalized programmes, a fitness centre, a public area – the Casa Grande, which also contains a library and a cigar bar – and a private event venue – Club de Playa – hidden in a sandy creek. The name Amanera is a combination of aman, “peace” in Sanskrit, and era, which means “water” in Taíno, the extinct language of the Caribbean’s indigenous people. A name that encapsulates the resort’s philosophy.
Client/Owner: Aman
Architectural and interior design: Heah &Co.
Golf Course Design: Rees Jones
Interior design: Heah & Co
Furnishings: all custom-made by Heah & Co, B&B Italia
Photo credits: courtesy of Aman Resorts, Hotels, Residences
