Luxury hotel group Aman Resorts is launching a sister-brand, Janu, focused on social connection, equilibrium and human interaction.

Translated as ‘soul’ from Sanskrit, Janu has been two years in the making and is billed to create environments that nurture a connection to ‘bring balance to the head and heart and rekindle the soul’.

“We wanted to create a new hotel brand with a soul and with the aim of kickstarting human interaction again,” said Aman Chair and CEO Vladislav Doronin.

The sister-brand launches with three forthcoming hotels in Montenegro, Saudi Arabia and Tokyo respectively which are under construction and due to open in 2022. The Montenegro destination will be the first hotel to incorporate the brand’s serviced residence concept.

In contrast to Aman’s sanctuary philosophy, Janu will offer guests the ‘best of both worlds’ and promote social interaction as well as mindful seclusion under one roof.

Guests will be able to access group and solo wellness experiences with a range of spa treatments activities and facilities available at each property. Activities include Budo classes (modern Japanese martial arts), group and private meditation sessions, breathwork sessions, discovery and sensory centres for younger guests and holistic experiences that focus on the training of both body and mind.

Spas will be designed to facilitate social connection and equilibrium through extensive hydro and thermal offerings intended to be used as social spaces, while Janu hotel’s design will focus on space and light, give an ambience that enhances mood and encourage guests to reconnect with themselves and others.

Doronin said: “The overlap between Aman and its sibling Janu is mutually beneficial; together they offer a total solution for the fluctuating needs and desires of today’s global travel cognoscenti.

“We saw a white space in the market and wanted to push the hotel industry into a new sphere, what with today’s modern fast-paced society, which has seen human connection and communication redefined by the digital world”.

The brand’s ethos will be underpinned by a sustainable approach, from the development and operation of the resorts to the dining offerings.

Aman was founded in 1988 with the vision of building a collection of intimate retreats. The first, Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand, introduced the concept which has since grown to encompass 32 hotels and resorts in 20 global destinations, with a further nine under construction. The brand also launched Aman Skincare in 2018.