HotelChatter

Okay, that gorgeous website. We weren't sure where to find individual resorts. To do that, click on "explore aman's world" on the right-hand upper corner, then click on the country you'd like. (Remember to click. Mere highlighting won't do it.) When you click on a country, up come the properties. Next, click on the property you want to view.

You can also click on the hyperlinked map of the world to get to individual properties. It's a great way to brush up on your geography, especially of Asia, where most of Aman Resorts' 18 properties are located.

As for the 50% rates, sure enough, both Amanwella and Amangalla have published rates that are half the regular rack rate. (Amanwella's are here, Amangalla's here.) At Amanwella, suites are $325 instead of $650; ocean suites are $400 instead of $800. Please note: the reservationist said that availability might be limited, due to renovations. He would not elaborate. So, book at Amanwella with caution.

Amangalla has discounted rates are for its bedrooms, chamber and suites ($250, $200 and $350, respectively). Only the Garden House, with butler service, is not discounted. For both properties, there are block dates of December 15, 2007 through January 20, 2008.

In other news, we learned that Aman Resorts will be expanding internationally over the next five years. They've entered a joint venture with Urban Asset Management, a Tokyo-based fund manager. According to a press release, 17% of Amanresorts' repeat customers, 150,000 strong, are Japanese. The two partners will "identify and develop" resorts, primarily in Europe and the Americas.

We just hope they don't depart from their philosophical roots, like keeping resorts on the small side, that kind of oh-so-essential thing.