vlad doronin yacht

• Cars, Jets & Yachts

Introducing Project Sama: The First Aman Superyacht

The 600-ft superyacht will be an Aman hotel on the water.

By Kim Ayling

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With a global network of hotels offering unbridled levels of luxury, any news from Aman will have the attention of avid travelers. The announcement of an all-new Aman-branded superyacht – currently under the name of Project Sama – is lavish even by the highest of standards.

Set for completion in 2025, the 600-ft motor-powered vessel will be as close to an Aman hotel on the sea as possible, with 50 exclusive guest suites – each of which has its own balcony – an array of dining outlets, including an all-day restaurant and a more casual bar and lounge; a serene Aman spa; and an expansive beach club area for ocean access.

While Project Sama is being developed in a joint venture between Aman and Cruise Saudi, design, execution and management are falling very much on the hotel group’s shoulders, ensuring that the impeccable standards of Aman hospitality are upheld.To ensure the signature Aman style, which is distinguishable by its clean lines, minimal finishes and clear Japanese influence, shines through, SINOT Architecture and Design has been enlisted to oversee the design of this momentous yacht project.

[See also: The Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2022]

“The announcement of Project Sama marks an exciting moment in Aman’s growth and evolution, as we not only continue to diversify our geographical portfolio on land but also at sea, creating sanctuaries in unfrequented locations and continuing to reframe the concept of luxury hospitality,” says Aman CEO Vlad Doronin. “Project Sama will provide transformative experiences within the revered Aman setting and service, which is unlike any other yacht experience, ultimately creating a whole new category in on-the-water discovery.”

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With the launch of Project Sama still a way in the future, Aman has not yet announced the measures it is taking to limit her environmental impact. However, with the wider group having long been committed to sustainability and forging a meaningful and measurable relationship with the planet, there are plenty of assurances that its latest project will be equally as responsible.

The Aman superyacht is but the latest in a host of significant developments for the group, which first launched in 1988 with the opening of Thailand’s Amanpuri. Other new openings on the horizon include Aman New York and Aman Miami, both of which continue the group’s gentle expansion into the urban hotel market following the opening of Aman Tokyo in 2014.

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Aman to Launch Luxury Yacht in 2025

• December 17, 2021

Aman has announced Project Sama, a first-of-its-kind luxury motor yacht, developed through a joint venture between Aman and Cruise Saudi, of which Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a shareholder. The 183 metres (600ft) vessel will feature just 50 spacious luxury suites, each with a private balcony. An architectural vision that will set a new standard in waterborne voyages, Project Sama, meaning tranquillity in Sanskrit, will bring the cherished spirit of Aman to the world’s seas and oceans, set to launch in 2025.

True to the pioneering ethos of the brand, Aman will direct the entire development process of the project – from design and build to operations and management – ensuring that guests enjoy the Aman way of life onboard, in every sense. Project Sama will champion privacy, space, and gracious hospitality, and most importantly, the Aman experience; exceptional, unique, and restorative.

Designed in partnership with SINOT Yacht Architecture & Design, one of the world’s finest yacht design firms, the vessel will see Aman’s eastern heritage and design philosophy integrated seamlessly with the architectural vision to create the brand’s expression of a superyacht experience in a timeless yet contemporary vessel, which has a harmonious balance between the exterior and interior spaces.

In addition to the 50-suites, the vessel will be home to an array of dining options, including an informal all-day restaurant, plus international dining options and a relaxed club and lounge, a serene and spacious Aman Spa, complete with a Japanese garden, two helipads, plus the expansive Beach Club, which will offer guests direct access to the water at the stern of the yacht.

Since the successful opening of Aman Tokyo in 2014, Aman’s first city hotel, Aman has committed to its ongoing gentle evolution, with further urban destinations in the pipeline, including Aman New York and Aman Miami, as well as otherworldly resort locations including Riyadh, AlUla and the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Project Sama continues this ambition to offer pioneering travel experiences with Aman’s core values of privacy, peace, generosity of space, and unparalleled service.

The joint venture between Aman and Cruise Saudi has been signed by Cruise Saudi’s Managing Director, Mr. Fawaz Farooqui, and Chairman and CEO of Aman, Mr. Vlad Doronin, marking an ongoing collaboration and partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Chairman and CEO of Aman, Vlad Doronin, welcomed the pioneering new project for the brand, commenting: “The announcement of Project Sama marks an exciting moment in Aman’s growth and evolution, as we not only continue to diversify our geographical portfolio on land but also at sea, creating sanctuaries in unfrequented locations and continuing to reframe the concept of luxury hospitality. Project Sama will provide transformative experiences within the revered Aman setting and service, which is unlike any other yacht experience, ultimately creating a whole new category in on the water discovery.”

Commenting on the partnership and project, Mr. Fawaz Farooqui, MD of Cruise Saudi, said: “The signing of this partnership adds a new layer to Cruise Saudi’s offering and is a testament to the unique tourism experience that is exploring Saudi by sea, as well as demonstrating Cruise Saudi’s commitment to growing and expanding the cruise industry in Saudi. We aspire to further collaboration with Aman that will bring additional ultra-luxury experiences at sea.

We look forward to working with Aman in reaching our vision of Saudi becoming a premier global destination and immersing our guests in diverse nature, rich culture and heritage through an unforgettable journey that is truly unique to Saudi.”

Project Sama will offer a pioneering superyacht travel experience with Aman’s core values of privacy, peace, generosity of space and unparalleled service at its heart. Its official name will be announced in due course.

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Aman Group CEO Talks Ultra-Luxury Hotel Strategy

Sean O'Neill , Skift

February 22nd, 2024 at 7:00 AM EST

Since Vlad Doronin took the helm of Aman Group, he's scaled up the ultra-luxury hotel group. Here's what's next.

Sean O'Neill

Leaders of Travel: Skift C-Suite Series

What are the top trends impacting hotels, airlines, and online bookings? Hear directly from the executives shaping the future of travel.

Aman , the ultra-luxury hotel and resort group, has been growing fast since Vlad Doronin became chairman and CEO in 2014.

Back then, Aman had 26 hotels and resorts — it now has 35. Its soon-to-debut spin-off brand, Janu , has 11 properties in the works. And Aman has just launched a line of interior goods and services and a member’s club.

Outside capital has helped lift the group’s metabolism. In August 2022, Aman Group received a $900 million investment from  Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund  and  Cain International,  a real estate investment firm. In September 2023, Aman said it would receive $360 million from primarily United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based investors .

To learn about Aman Group’s strategy, Skift had an exclusive interview with Doronin. The exchange has been edited for length and clarity.

Financial Wherewithal

Skift: How does the financing Aman has raised give it an edge? 

Vlad Doronin : Aman has considerable financial strength — something I have been focused on since acquiring the business in 2014. We have improved our processes, increased occupancy, and seen unparalleled ADR [average daily rate] growth across the entire constellation of destinations over the course of the last 10 years.

The investment and support from partners who understand our vision and strategic mission further bolsters this and gives us the ability to act with agility and focus to move quickly on opportunities which are best suited to the brand. 

New Brand Janu

Skift : Vlad, you will open your first property under the new Janu brand shortly. You have 10 more in the works. What’s the purpose of Janu?

Doronin: In March 2024, we will open our first Janu destination, Janu Tokyo , which has been developed with great thought and a deep appreciation for cuisine, art, and design to reflect the city’s rich cultural fabric and create a program of diverse experiences for guests. 

When we announced the creation of Janu in 2020, it was because we had identified a new generation of travelers and felt there was a gap in the market for a luxury proposition speaking to this group, which has a different mindset. I believe the new generation of travelers seeks connection, inspiration, and exploration. 

We look to appeal to this demographic by connecting guests through a more playful, effortlessly social, and energetic environment.

Skift: How will Janu stand out? Depending on how you count, there are already between a dozen and a few dozen ultra-luxury brands.

Doronin: We consider Janu to be Aman’s sibling. There are synergies and similarities, which we have celebrated. In Janu, for example, we have an ongoing focus on exceptional design and warm and personal service.

That said, I felt strongly there was nobody in the market that could deliver these elements alongside a more soulful experience, which was created to bring people together through moments of connection. This was a demand we were seeing coming from the younger generations of travelers. 

Middle East Expansion

Skift: Aman Group has just raised more money, having previously raised a lot. Can you give any color on your plans, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council states area, in the coming year?

Doronin: We have announced five projects in Saudi Arabia — two Janu destinations and three Aman locations — which are all under development currently. We have further projects across the Middle East, which we are excited to announce shortly. 

I saw the opportunity to create journeys for our guests throughout the Kingdom, much like we have in Japan.

I see Japan as a model. We offer both dynamic cultural or business experience, such as Aman Tokyo, as well as remote destinations with hot spring experiences in Ise-Shima National Park, such as Amanemu, plus historic destinations: for example, Aman Kyoto. We’re also building a ski hotel in Niseko, Japan, which will build upon this journey further. 

Adopting this approach, we will create journeys in Saudi Arabia with an experience in Riyadh, which celebrates its urban culture, as well as our project in Aman Hegra [42 hotel and villa keys and 30 branded private residences], which is alongside the UNESCO Heritage Site of Hegra, plus a tented camp in AlUla , providing a variety of experiences of our guests across Saudi Arabia.

The Perils of Scaling up

Skift: Some people argue that luxury brands often decline in average quality as their footprint expands. The average number of hotels in an ultra-luxury brand is estimated at only 25 . How do you think of this issue, given that it seems like Aman is making a play for scale?

Doronin: Aman is a very boutique proposition — our resort destinations average 35 room keys and our urban destinations have fewer than 90 keys, which is still considered very small in the segment.

While our global footprint is increasing to ensure we can continue to offer our guests new and pioneering experiences in exceptional places across the globe, we always do so with our core values and the heritage of the Aman experience at the heart of our offering.

Personalised service, peace, privacy and connection to the heritage and culture of the local destination remains integral to the offering in every destination: both existing and in our future pipeline.  

The Aman service is completely unparalleled and has personal touches which elevate the guest’s stay to another level, such as placing a bookmark in the book they have left in their suite, or arranging an experience which is entirely bespoke to their needs.

This approach is integral to leaving the guest feeling they have had excellent value and that their every need has been taken care of while they are staying with us.

Aman New York

Skift: How has Aman New York gone, given that there were some doubters when it opened in August 2022 about how your team would translate the typical hideaway experience of an Aman resort into a major city?

Doronin: Aman New York has had a hugely successful opening, further demonstrating that the Aman proposition and experience are something guests are seeking in city environments.

We saw this in 2014 with the incredibly successful opening of Aman Tokyo.

Aman New York builds upon this further by taking the tenants of our resort experience and applying this vertically rather than horizontally. Aman New York, in its position on the finest corner in the city on Fifth Avenue and 57 th Street, enables guests to be fully immersed in the pace and buzz of the city, yet the moment they step into our doors, they experience utmost sanctuary and peace. 

Branded Residential

Skift: What will be distinctive and Aman-like about the branded luxury apartments you’ve begun to sell?

Doronin: Our first standalone residential tower is Aman Residences Tokyo , which started welcoming its owners in November 2023. It’s not adjacent to the Aman Tokyo hotel, but it’s entirely independent with dedicated services and amenities, which are for the sole use of the owners.

This project has been a huge success. It sets a  completely new standard for branded residences, not only in Japan but globally, with its exceptional design, created by Yabu Pushelberg , which reflects Aman’s ethos of celebrating the heritage of its locations.

In this location, we see a combination of heritage and craft which references Japanese design, alongside a contemporary European approach that is very chic and timeless.

Brand Extensions for Aman

Skift: You’ve just debuted Aman Interiors , which offers “bespoke furniture designs, limited-edition architect collaborations, and an unparalleled interior design service.” Yet some brand extensions by other companies have stumbled in the past. What is it about your approach that sets Aman up for success?

Doronin: The development of Aman Interiors has long been something I have wanted to create and felt was essential for further developing the lifestyle concept which is our strategic approach for Aman Group. 

There are countless instances where guests have wanted to purchase the furniture and homeware in our hotels, so this was created in part owing to the customer demand to bring our revered design  aesthetic into their homes.  

As with everything we develop at Aman, it must be delivered in line with our strategy and this is to  deliver the finest quality in limited numbers, always tailoring the experience to the client.

With Aman Interiors, this translates to a “by enquiry” approach to ensure we can discuss the needs of each client in detail, provide a bespoke service, and only produce each piece once its ordered so it can be tailored to the specific desires of each client. 

The Member’s Club Trend

Skift: Tell us about your membership club.

Doronin: Aman Club was launched alongside Aman New York. We will have dedicated Aman Club spaces in future urban Aman destinations.

The global club membership affords Founding Members priority access to our properties across the globe, as well as a deeper connection to a like-minded community. 

More context

• Aman Resorts’ New Funding Set to Boost Its Niche Status in Luxury Travel
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Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: alula , aman , amanresorts , branded residences , branded residential , leaders of travel , luxury , luxury hotels , saudi , saudi arabia , ultra-luxury

Photo credit: A view of the pool and fire pit at the garden terrace of the Aman New York, which opened in 2023. Source: Aman Group.

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A strong and aligned force, Aman’s leadership team is a group of devoted individuals with the common goal of maintaining the brand’s inimitable space in the world of hospitality and beyond. For three decades they have worked as custodians of Aman’s ever-present pathfinder spirit, providing platforms from which to discover the world through a unique lens. 

Vlad Doronin - Owner, Chairman and CEO

Vlad Doronin acquired Aman in 2014 with the desire to uphold the brand’s unique vision and experience, while also expanding its offering to guarantee its longevity and success. He is focused on protecting the pillars that define Aman – from consummate privacy to exceptional service, sensitive architecture, and pioneering locations - while also constantly working to meet the changing needs of the Aman guest. This has resulted in a focus upon urban properties – Aman Tokyo, Aman New York, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok (2024), Aman Beverly Hills (2026) and Aman Miami Beach (2026) – as well as new resort locations – Amanvari in Mexico (2025), Niseko in Japan (2027) and AlUla (2025) and Wadi Safar (2026) in Saudi Arabia - and pioneering projects such as Aman at Sea. 

He also has a deep commitment to the development of the Aman lifestyle and transformational experiences for guests. This gentle evolution of Aman has seen an elevated approach to holistic wellbeing, the launch of several culinary concepts, including Nama and Arva, plus the development of Aman Spa Candles, Aman Fine Fragrance, Aman Skincare and most recently Sva, a range of herbal supplements.

Mr Doronin’s international real estate development firm, OKO Group, based in Miami and New York, also supports the growth and development of the Aman brand, and is currently working on the construction of new hotels and resorts, including Aman Miami Beach (2026). Under the leadership of Mr Doronin, Aman continues to raise the bar for luxury hospitality with its uncompromisingly bespoke approach to service, attention to detail and exceptional locations.   

Executive team members

Supporting Mr Doronin, Aman’s senior leadership team operates across corporate offices in London, Switzerland, New York, Bangkok, Singapore and Dubai. Their combined experience spans some of the world’s finest hotel groups and luxury brands, which is cumulated at Aman with a joint goal of driving performance and growth across the portfolio.

Ben Trodd – Chief Operating Officer Anna Nash – Chief Commercial Officer Shan Tjio – Chief Development Officer  David Lurie - Chief Financial Officer Stewart Dearden - Chief Legal Officer Nadine Yetisener – Chief Human Resources Officer Nicolas Ilickovic - Managing Director APAC Sven Van Den Broeck - Managing Director EMEA Olivier Lordonnois - Managing Director Americas

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By Dario Schiavo 14 Dec 2023

Building on the luxury yacht liner trend

T. mariotti and aman group have embarked on a joint venture into luxury yacht liners with cruise saudi for the aman at sea brand….

Genoese shipyard  T. Mariotti   and the luxury hotel and lifestyle brand Aman Group recently announced a joint venture with Cruise Saudi for the Aman at Sea brand, building on the new trend of luxury yacht liners.   Some 150 professionals are already involved in the project, which offers services to 20 countries, with plans to increase this number to around 650 people until delivery in spring 2027.   “Today we celebrate another milestone for T. Mariotti and the Genova Industrie Navali Group,” says Marco Ghiglione, CEO of T. Mariotti. “We are proud that Aman Group has trusted and selected our shipyard for this pioneering project representing the first and true convergence between an ultra-luxury ship and a private yacht, undoubtedly creating a new category of vessel and the first with dual-fuel technology [marine gas-oil and green methanol].”   Chairman and CEO of Aman Group, Vlad Doronin comments: “We take pride in working with those who are best in class for their industry and in partnering with T. Mariotti, it enables us to fulfil our strategic vision of bringing the spirit of Aman to the world’s oceans, reframing luxury hospitality and creating a whole new category in on the water discovery. The signing of the shipbuilding contract is a significant milestone for Aman Group and an exciting moment in our esteemed partnership with T. Mariotti.”   As Chief Executive Officer of Aman at Sea, Jonathan Wilson will lead the development and implementation of Aman’s first luxury superyacht, working closely with Doronin to deliver the brand’s vision.   This new venture builds on the emerging landscape of yacht liners already undertaken by brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and the Accor Group. Economics and UBS Investor Watch , which surveyed more than 1,300 high-net-worth collectors from seven different markets, reports that millennials (those born between 1981 and 1995), are the highest spenders: outlaying an average of $3 million over two years on rare pieces and works of art often signed by the very young.   The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection draws inspiration from the benefits offered by private yachting and the freedom with the luxury of its hotels and calls the ships of its nascent fleet superyachts: Evrima , active from 2022 with itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and Ilma and Luminara built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, which will debut in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Following in the footsteps of Ritz-Carlton, Canada’s Four Seasons is launching its Four Seasons Yachts division, unveiled last September in Monte Carlo. “This is a new phase of growth for our company which continues to capitalise on opportunities to differentiate the brand through immersive luxury experiences, of which the first yacht will be the expression,” says Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of the hotel group.

Built by Fincantieri, the yacht’s maiden voyage will be at the end of 2025 and the second will be delivered in November 2026, an order worth more than €400 million, confirming confidence in developments in the industry.

Being over 140 years after the launch of its first luxury trains, the Orient Express brand continues with the unveiling of the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas . A project created with the assistance of Hetland Maritime and 80-70 per cent financed by commercial banks, it will be built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Due to launch in 2026, it will be the longest sailing ship in the world, with 54 suites of approximately 70 sq m each, as well as a special 1,415 sq m suite with a 530 sq m private terrace.

The convergence of luxury cruise liners into yacht liners is seen by some as beneficial for the industry in the long term, allowing prospective owners or charter guests to dip their toes in the water before taking the plunge. This growing trend provides an entry point into yachting for those looking for greater autonomy and privacy on board their own yacht.

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Are Vladislav Doronin’s plans for the Aman hotel chain in keeping with its low-key luxury origins?

The chain has been patronised by privacy-loving celebs from Leonardo DiCaprio to Apple’s Tim Cook, but many are asking what CEO Vladislav Doronin has planned

By John Arlidge

Is Vladislav Doronin the right man to own the Aman hotel chain? That was the question Wallpaper magazine posed in 2015 when it published an article with the headline ‘The Man for Aman?’

The introduction read: ‘From his Zaha Hadid -designed dacha, Vladislav Doronin exclusively reveals plans to transform the underperforming luxury hotel group.’ Doronin agreed to be interviewed by Wallpaper because he wanted to demonstrate he would be a worthy custodian of the quietly luxurious brand established by Adrian Zecha, which he snapped up for $358 million in 2013. I know this because I was the journalist he invited to Moscow to talk to him.

As we toured the Russian capital and Barvikha, where he built his Hadid-designed spaceship in the woods, he assured me at every turn: ‘Everybody thinks I’m going to go massive and destroy the brand. Not true. I understand that I bought a unique brand, not a financial instrument. We’re going to be very careful as we expand.’ Only once was there cause for doubt: when he described his Hadid home as ‘Russian scale!’, adding: ‘I don’t do anything small!’

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Opening successes and challenges of Vladislav Doronin’s ownership

Doronin, now 60, seemed to have done enough in that interview to see off anyone tempted to dismiss him as a noviy russkii who would overexpand and damage the low-key luxe brand. As he opened hotels and branded apartments in Tokyo and the Dominican Republic, he was on a roll.

Each followed the Aman formula: unique location; small scale; authentic, often minimalist, design using local materials; the best spas; unsurpassed service (with up to a 7:1 ratio of staff to guests); guests known by name; no formal check-in and no bills to sign – ‘all of which creates a feeling that you are at home, not in a hotel ’, as Doronin likes to say. Even with prices of up to $20,000 per night for a suite, it was an easy enough ride – until he went for the big one: New York.

In the summer of 2022, Doronin opened an Aman in Manhattan . Although the rooms were quickly booked up months in advance, the hotel’s launch did not go as smoothly as he might have hoped. Construction was so far behind schedule that the first journalists he had invited to review the property had to stay elsewhere. I know this because I was one of them .

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Among those who managed to stay at the property itself, the Sunday Times reviewer noted that Trump Tower was visible from his tenth-floor room, just across Fifth Avenue. The Financial Times questioned whether it was strictly necessary to keep the gas fires burning and the underfloor heating in the bathrooms on with the air conditioning at full blast – in August. (An Aman representative told Spear’s by email that the fireplaces ‘are to create ambience and add to the overarching design of the property, not as a heat source’ and that they were not permanently switched on.)

When I was finally welcomed to the property, I was surprised by Doronin’s decision to deny hotel guests the right to smoke a cigar on the terrace as Zecha used to – unless, that is, they joined the Aman Club. That will set you back $200,000, plus the cost of the cigar . Yes, you read that right; if you want to enjoy a crafty Cuban, you’ll have to part with the price of a studio apartment in the suburbs – even if you have no desire for any of the other benefits offered by Aman’s global membership programme. No walk-ins are allowed, either, not even for a quick coffee, unless they join the Club, too.

Controversy surrounding alleged Russian financial links

Then things got complicated. The Aspen Times reported that Doronin had retained Russian assets after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. (Doronin has publicly condemned the Russian invasion.) The newspaper had been looking into his finances and background after it emerged that his Miami-based company OKO Group had paid $76.5 million for a single acre of land in Aspen, to begin the process of creating a luxury development. It reported that Russian and US documents showed that until 14 April 2022 he had retained a one third stake in Capital Group Development, a multimillion-dollar Russian company which the newspaper said was described in tax records held by the Federal Tax Service of Russia as involved in ‘business and management advice’. Capital Group Development was formed in 2014. 

Doronin transferred ownership of the stake to his mother, Zinaida Doronina, a Russian citizen, the newspaper reported.

The Aspen Times report might not have garnered much attention. Lots of investors were wrongfooted by Vladimir Putin’s war. But Doronin, who was born in St Petersburg (then Leningrad), had claimed that he had ‘not conducted business in Russia for many years’. Indeed, in an email to the Aspen Times sent in March 2022 his representatives stated: ‘FYI he has no involvement in Capital Group anymore (he sold it in 2013), and has not conducted any business in Russia for many years.’

Doronin repeated this when I interviewed him in New York in August 2022 – shortly before the Aspen Times revelations were published. I asked: are you still involved with Capital Group at all or not? He replied. ‘No, I sold.’ When did you sell your interests in the firm, I asked. He replied: ‘December ’13 I agree [sic] the deal and the deal closed in ’14.’

In response to questions from the Aspen Times, Doronin lawyer Juan Morillo wrote to the newspaper on 8 April 2022 to say his client ‘has no interest in Capital Group or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and has no ongoing businesses in Russia’. The next day, another Doronin lawyer, Nicholas Inns, added: ‘We can confirm that Mr Doronin has no present interest in any Capital Group entity.’ The paper noted that ‘none of those emails mentioned Capital Group Development’, the Russian entity in which Doronin would hold a stake until April 2022.

When Doronin and I spoke in New York last year, he was at pains to distance himself from the land of his birth. He told me he renounced his citizenship of the Soviet Union in 1986 before moving to Hong Kong , and became a Swedish citizen four years later. ‘I’ve never held a Russian passport. I live in the West,’ he said. He also told me he had sold his Hadid home just outside Moscow, one of the world’s most extravagant private residences, to ‘a Russian individual’, although he wouldn’t reveal who this was.

Then, last month it emerged that Aman Group received a $900 million investment from, among others, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a move that may draw further attention.

Aman’s expansion into luxury retail

All these developments may again prompt observers to ask – as Wallpaper magazine did in 2015 – is Doronin ‘the man for Aman?’, a brand started as a small 40-room hotel in Phuket called Amanpuri and celebrated for its understated, intelligent luxury. Might it now be sacrificed on the altar of commerce?

There may be clues in New York. When Zecha launched Aman it didn’t reach for low-hanging fruit by selling branded goods, but in Aman New York there is an Aman Essentials store with Aman clothing and accessories to buy. The Kendall Roy-style caps come with an Aman ‘A’ logo, and some bags come with a giant embossed ‘AMAN’ logo.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aman (@aman)

Ready-to-wear clothes are part of the next bold phase of product development, says Kristina Romanova, chief executive of Aman Essentials. ‘It is our ambition to go beyond the hotel doors and be a standalone luxury retail business,’ Romanova recently told Vogue Business. She described the enterprise’s competitive set as ‘Hermès – classic, timeless design’. Romanova also told Vogue she is plotting aggressive growth – forecasting 162 per cent revenue growth for 2022, following a 200 per cent surge in 2021.

London-based Aman Essentials is 50 per cent owned by Aman and 50 per cent by Romanova. The former model is also Doronin’s girlfriend, 31 years his junior and the mother of their two children.

Doronin, who was born and raised in the Soviet Union, later making his fortune in commodities and real estate in Russia in the 2000s, has engaged lawyers in the past when he has been the subject of press attention. So Spear’s asked Aman directly (see below)…

We asked Aman…

Why did Mr Doronin claim he had not conducted business in Russia for many years, when documents show he had retained a one third stake in Capital Group Development until it was subsequently sold in April 2022?

Aman replied: ‘Mr Doronin made the decision to exit Capital Group in late 2013 and negotiated the terms of the sale with his partners in 2014. He has done no business in Russia since. Capital Group Development LLC was an entity established in 2014 to hold and divest the low-value legacy assets. He exercised no control nor management, nor undertook any active investment or action related to that entity.’

Why did Mr Doronin decide to transfer ownership of his stake in Capital Group Development to his mother?

Aman replied: ‘He transferred his minority stake to his mother in 2022 because of the recent changes in Russian laws that prohibited non-Russian citizens, like Mr Doronin, from owning certain assets in that country.’

Did Mr Doronin retain any Russian business interests or holdings following the transfer of ownership of his stake in Capital Group Development to his mother?

Aman replied: ‘No.’

What experience and qualifications does Ms Romanova have that make her the right person for the role with Aman Essentials?

Aman replied: ‘Ms Romanova joined Aman in 2020, bringing over a decade of expertise within the fashion and beauty industries to drive forward Aman’s brand extensions. These include Aman Skincare, Aman Fine Fragrance, and most recently, the launch of the brand’s first ready-to-wear and leather goods collections.’

Is Mr Doronin still the right man to run Aman?

Aman replied: ‘Mr Doronin’s leadership and vision continues to take the Aman brand from strength to strength, visible through the company’s performance and client feedback. The latest evaluation [sic] of Aman Group is $3 billion.’ 

This piece first appeared in issue 88 of Spear’s, available now.  Click here to buy a copy and subscribe

John Arlidge

John Arlidge has interviewed and profiled some of the world’s most prominent business leaders, mainly for the Sunday Times Magazine .

Developer Vlad Doronin distances himself from Russia’s war on Ukraine

Russian-born Doronin began real estate career building office, retail properties in Moscow

Russian-born developer Vladislav Doronin denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, distancing himself from Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

Doronin, owner of OKO Group and the high-end hotel group Aman Resorts, was born in St. Petersburg when it was part of the former U.S.S.R. and started his real estate career developing properties in Moscow. Doronin has repeatedly rejected descriptions of himself as being Russian or an oligarch.

Over the weekend, protestors of the Russian invasion of Ukraine gathered outside of the Aman New York resort in Manhattan. In response to demands for Doronin’s stance on Russia’s attacks — and as he faced similar planned protests in Miami, where Doronin has projects — the developer issued a statement calling for peace. His attorney also told The Real Deal that neither Doronin nor his company in any way support Putin’s regime or the invasion of Ukraine.

Doronin said in his statement that he left the U.S.S.R. in 1986 before its dissolution “and [has] therefore never been a Russian national.” He added that he has “not conducted business in Russia for many years.”

Still, Doronin has ties to Russia. He owns a massive estate outside of Moscow that the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid designed for him. The property, called Capital Hill Residence, is the only private home Hadid designed.

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Doronin developed projects in Russia via Capital Group, the company he founded after he left the U.S.S.R., and worked under the late commodities trader Marc Rich. (Rich, who was pardoned by former President Bill Clinton, was charged with dozens of crimes, including racketeering, tax evasion and trading with Iran.)

Doronin currently has luxury residential, office and hotel developments in Miami and Miami Beach. They include Una Residences , a condo project in Brickell, and the WeWork-anchored 830 Brickell office tower, both of which are under construction. He also plans an Aman-branded and OKO-developed luxury condo and hotel project in Miami Beach. The latter development is backed by Ukrainian-born American billionaire Len Blavatnik.

In his statement, which he posted on Twitter , Doronin said he has “always embraced a culture of inclusion and peace.”

“I denounce the aggression of Russia on Ukraine and fervently wish for peace.”