How to Get Upgraded at Aman Hotels
How to Get Upgraded at Aman Hotels (Realistic Expectations)
Insider Strategies from an Aman Preferred Partner (Stars Desk)
Aman is not just a hotel brand—it’s a universe of profound calm, intuitive service, and ultra-luxury spaces where every detail is intentionally designed. With fewer than 40 properties globally, each with exceptionally high staff-to-guest ratios, Aman delivers one of the most exclusive hospitality experiences in the world. And naturally, one of the most common questions from luxury travelers is:
“How do I get upgraded at Aman?”
As an Aman Preferred Partner (Stars Desk) who books Aman properties daily and works directly with onsite sales teams, reservations, and GMs, I’ll give you a realistic, insider-level answer. Not hype. Not myths. Just how upgrades actually work at Aman—and what you can do to maximize your chances.
This guide covers:
How Aman views upgrades (and why they’re different from Four Seasons or Rosewood)
Realistic expectations based on occupancy patterns
The role of the Aman Preferred Partner program
Which room categories tend to get upgraded
The best booking strategies to improve your odds
Myths vs. reality about elite status and special treatment
Seasonal, regional, and property-specific tips
The single biggest mistake guests make (and why it hurts upgrade chances)
Let’s dive in.
Why Aman Upgrades Are Different from Other Luxury Brands
At a typical luxury hotel—say a large Four Seasons with 250–300 rooms—upgrades are relatively common because the property has inventory to play with.
Aman is the opposite.
Most Amans have 25–55 rooms
Many suites and villas have unique layouts, not cookie-cutter categories
Occupancy is extremely high, especially during peak season
Privacy is a core part of the brand identity
This means upgrades are possible, but they are:
Less frequent
More selective
Highly dependent on occupancy
In other words: Aman upgrades are highly valued because they are not guaranteed—ever.
Even at the Preferred Partner level, upgrades are always “subject to availability at check-in”.
What an Aman Preferred Partner (Stars Desk) Can Actually Do
Booking through an Aman Preferred Partner is the single strongest lever you have if you want a better chance at an upgrade.
Here’s why.
Aman Preferred Partners receive:
✔ Priority waitlist handling
✔ Priority room assignment monitoring
✔ Dedicated contacts at each property
✔ Ability to flag VIP and repeat-guest profiles
✔ Access to exclusive offers not publicly available
But most importantly:
✔ Preferred Partners can advocate for upgrade priority.
Does that guarantee anything?
No. And any advisor promising guaranteed upgrades at Aman is not reputable.
But can we flag your file, communicate preferences early, speak directly with reservations, and give you the highest possible positioning in the upgrade queue?
Absolutely. And that matters.
What Aman GMs Look At When Deciding Upgrades
Through dozens of direct property-level conversations with Aman GMs, here are the actual factors that matter most.
1. Length of Stay
Longer stays often receive priority because they reduce room-move complications.
2. Flexibility in Room Categories
Guests who book mid-tier categories have the most to gain.
For example:
Terra to Ocean Pavilion at Amanpuri
Courtyard Suite to Garden Suite at Amangalla
Valley Pavilion to Desert Pavilion with Pool at Amangiri
Entry-level upgrades are more feasible.
3. Guest History
Repeat Aman guests—especially at the same resort—have stronger chances.
4. Booking Channel
Aman loves guests who book through Preferred Partners because:
Agents help reduce friction
Agents communicate preferences clearly
Agents send pre-arrival notes in the exact format staff use
It essentially creates a “low-maintenance” guest profile—very appreciated in ultra-luxury operations.
5. Occupancy and Suite Inventory
This is the biggest constraint.
During peak holiday periods or resort buyouts, upgrades are almost nonexistent.
The Best Strategy: Book a Category That Is Realistically Upgradable
This is the #1 secret most guests don’t know.
You’re more likely to be upgraded if you book a category with many rooms above it.
For example:
Aman Tokyo
Entry Category: Deluxe Room
Next Steps: Premier Room → Corner Suite → Aman Suite
If you book Deluxe, there are several realistic paths upward.
Amanpulo
Casitas → Treetop → Hillside → Beach → Pool Villas
Casitas to Treetop: very possible.
Casitas to Beach Villa: not realistic.
Amanjena
Pavilion → Pavilion Bassin → Maison → Maison Piscine
Pavilion to Pavilion Bassin: possible.
Pavilion to Maison: rare.
Amanfayun
Village Room → Deluxe Village Room → Suite → Deluxe Suite
Village to Deluxe Village: possible.
The One Category That Rarely Upgrades: Top Suites
Nearly every Aman property has 1–4 master-level suites or signature villas—each one uniquely designed, often with private pools, pavilions, or multi-bedroom layouts.
Examples:
Amanpuri’s Ocean Pool Villa 3–6 Bedrooms
Amangiri’s Mesa Home
Amanjena’s Al Hamra Maison
Aman Tokyo’s Aman Suite
These are almost never upgraded, because:
They’re highly requested
They’re unique
They have extremely high occupancy
They can’t be replicated with another room
If you want a signature suite at Aman, always book it directly.
The Best Seasons and Dates for Aman Upgrades
A general rule:
Low occupancy = higher upgrade chances.
The best times:
1. Shoulder Season
Late April to early June (varies by region)
September to early November
2. Weekdays Over Weekends
Especially at iconic properties like Aman Tokyo, Amangiri, Amanpuri.
3. Immediately after major holidays
Demand dips right after Christmas/New Year peak.
4. Green or monsoon season in Asia
Amanpuri, Amanoi, Amanwana often have more availability.
What You Get When You Book Through an Aman Preferred Partner
Aman does not have a points program, elite status, or publicly promoted loyalty benefits.
Your advisor is your loyalty program.
When booking through a Preferred Partner such as Stars Desk, you receive:
✔ Complimentary breakfast for two
✔ $100+ experience credit per stay
Often used for:
spa
dining
private experiences
✔ VIP status & priority room assignment
✔ Upgrade priority at check-in (when available)
✔ Access to exclusive partner-only offers
Examples include:
3rd night free / 5th night free
Upgrade at time of booking promos
Enhanced inclusions during off-peak periods
✔ Direct pre-arrival coordination with Aman teams
We handle:
transfers
spa bookings
dining times
special celebrations
It makes the experience smoother and gives the property more time to consider special gestures.
Realistic Examples of Upgrades That Actually Happen
Amanpuri (Phuket)
Garden Pavilion → Partial Ocean Pavilion
Partial Ocean → Ocean Pavilion
Amangiri (Utah)
Desert View Suite → Desert View Suite with Pool
(when temperatures are lower and fewer pools are occupied)
Aman Tokyo (Japan)
Deluxe Room → Premier Room
Premier → Corner Suite
Amanjiwo (Borobudur)
Garden Suite → Borobudur Pool Suite
Amanbagh (Rajasthan)
Courtyard Haveli → Garden Haveli
These are realistic, not guaranteed, and always occupancy-driven.
Myths About Aman Upgrades (Debunked)
Myth 1: “If I book early, I’ll get upgraded.”
Not true.
The hotel does not assign upgrades until closer to arrival.
Myth 2: “If I book directly, Aman will upgrade me automatically.”
False.
Direct booking does not create any upgrade priority.
Myth 3: “I stay with Aman often, so I get guaranteed upgrades.”
Untrue.
Even VIP repeat guests are subject to occupancy.
Myth 4: “If I ask for a complimentary upgrade, they will give it.”
This actually reduces your chances.
Aman GMs strongly prefer subtlety and discretion.
Pushiness works against you.
Myth 5: “The more expensive my room, the better my upgrade chances.”
Not always.
The most upgradable categories are middle tiers—not top tier.
The Mistake Most Guests Make: Booking the Wrong Category
Here’s the candid truth:
If you book the lowest possible category during peak season, your upgrade odds are near zero.
Examples:
December holiday season at Amanpuri
Cherry blossom season at Aman Tokyo
Sundance & holiday weeks at Amangiri
Easter or festive weeks in Southeast Asia
During these periods, even Preferred Partner VIPs rarely see upgrades.
The Best Strategy to Maximize Your Upgrade Chances (What We Recommend)
As an Aman Preferred Partner, these are the strategies that consistently work best.
1. Book a Mid-Tier Category
This gives you the widest possible jump potential.
2. Travel in Shoulder Season
Not only cheaper—vastly better upgrade odds.
3. Avoid Friday–Sunday Arrivals
Mid-week check-ins have far more room movement flexibility.
4. Let Your Advisor Handle Pre-Arrival Communication
We position your profile the right way.
Aman teams appreciate concise, respectful communication.
5. Celebrate Something (Authentically)
Aman pays special attention to milestone travel:
anniversaries
honeymoons
major birthdays
But only if it’s genuine.
Aman senses authenticity very well.
6. Book Early—but Don’t Expect Early Assignment
Early booking helps the hotel forecast occupancy, which can indirectly help your case.
7. Use a Preferred Partner for Every Aman Stay
Hotels notice consistency.
Aman reservations teams remember which advisors book VIP guests regularly.
The Honest Bottom Line: Upgrades at Aman Are a Privilege, Not a Promise
Aman hotels operate with a different ethos:
discretion, respect, and genuine hospitality.
Upgrades do happen—beautiful, meaningful upgrades that elevate the entire stay—but they should be seen as an unexpected delight, not an entitlement.
Booking through an Aman Preferred Partner (Stars Desk) gives you the strongest possible position in the upgrade hierarchy. But what matters most is:
realistic expectations
flexible travel dates
strategic room selection
and trust in the Aman way of service
When upgrades do happen, they're unforgettable.
