Aman Resorts

The story of Aman Resorts begins not with a grand business plan, but with Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha's desire to build a holiday home in Phuket, Thailand. In 1988, this personal project evolved into Amanpuri, the first resort, which established a new blueprint for luxury hospitality: minimalist design, a small number of rooms, and locations set in remote, natural beauty. Zecha financed the initial venture with his own money alongside a few friends, as banks were hesitant to fund a project with so few rooms. The brand's unique approach led to expansion, but its ownership structure underwent significant changes. After a series of stakeholder shifts, a pivotal moment occurred in 2014 when the resort group was acquired by a company led by Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin for $358 million. This acquisition led to a legal dispute over control, which was ultimately resolved in 2015, confirming Doronin's full ownership of the company. Under Doronin's leadership as Chairman and CEO, Aman has accelerated its expansion. The company secured major funding, including a $900 million investment in 2022 from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Cain International, valuing the group at $3 billion. This was followed by a $360 million investment in 2023 from Mubadala Capital and others, aimed at funding the development of new hotels and branded residences worldwide.