$4,600 Amanvari Stay Cancelled Hours Before Reviewer Arrived
A luxury hotel reviewer says he was turned away from Amanvari, Aman Resorts’ newly opened property on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, despite having a confirmed reservation. Ryan Walker, whose YouTube channel focuses on high-end hotels, filmed the encounter outside the resort after his driver was refused entry. Walker says the situation escalated when staff mentioned police, while Aman had not publicly responded at the time of the original report.
Key Details of the Amanvari Dispute
- Resort: Amanvari by Aman Resorts
- Location: East Cape, Baja California Sur, around two hours from San José del Cabo
- Opened: 1 August 2026
- Incident: Monday, 3 August
- Walker’s booking: $4,662.86
- Rate later shown online: More than $6,000 per night for 6 August
- Cancellation notice: Sent by email the night before his arrival
- Hotel’s explanation: Amanvari said it was reducing arrivals while completing work during its first days of operation
- What happened afterwards: Walker says police were called; he later said Aman offered a refund and reimbursement of travel costs
Walker later found an email sent the night before his arrival saying Amanvari was still settling into full operation and would reduce arrivals over the following days. The message cancelled his stay and apologised for the short notice. Walker says he had received no phone call beforehand. He also claims that, after leaving the resort, his vehicle was stopped by an armed patrol, although officers did not speak to him.
A last-minute cancellation is particularly difficult at a remote resort such as Amanvari, around a two-hour drive from San José del Cabo. Walker had already arranged transport and travelled to the property before learning he would not be admitted. The case shows how costly an opening-week cancellation can become when a hotel is far from alternative accommodation and guests have already committed time and money to reaching it.
"It's one of the most disappointing and embarrassing hotel experiences you could possibly have."
The case is a warning for anyone booking a hotel during its opening weeks, when operations may still be changing. Guests with expensive or remote stays should check email shortly before travelling, reconfirm the reservation directly and keep copies of confirmations and payments. If a hotel cancels at short notice, requesting the reason in writing and clarifying refund or travel-cost arrangements can make any later dispute easier to handle.
