Arrival at Amanpulo in the Philippines actually starts before you ever get there!!

You are taken on arrival at Manila airport to the private Aman lounge prior to boarding the hotels own private twin prop aircraft which flies you directly to the resort.  That is some style!!

The first thing that happens on arrival is that you are given the grand tour of the resort, before being taken to your ‘casitta’/banda/villa.

We were lucky enough to have a beach casitta, which stood only a short path away from what was almost our own private beach, and what a beach. Imagine white talcum powder as far as the eye can sea, backed by the most beautiful shades of turquoise and pale blue and green sea. I thought I’d seen the finest beaches in the world in the Seychelles – not so!!

The casita has wall to wall windows, so the views of the water are absolutely spectacular.

There is a king sized bed, a huge bathroom with dressing area, separate shower and tub, all just A1.

Outside there is a large sun deck with two day beds and a hammock, and all totally private.

You can add to this the most exquisite cotton robe for lying around in, wonderful fluffy towels, toilet products, and fresh fruit every day.

After all that it comes as no surprise to discover that the food was another feature of Ananpulo. There is an a la carte menu, daily specials, and in fact whatever you want the chef will cook, and you can eat anywhere virtually at any time. A gastronomic paradise!!

Especially notable was the beach club paella, and the barbecues

This isn’t a resort for people who need to be entertained, with most activity being on or under the water, and then of course there is the beach!!

Probably the outstanding thing of all, was the unbelievable subtle and sophisticated level of service, rendering Amanpulo as one of the finest resorts anywhere