Aman Resort Cancels Reviewer's $6,000 Reservation, Bars Entry

A hotel reviewer's planned stay at Amanvari, the recently opened Aman property in Baja California Sur, Mexico, ended before it began when the luxury resort canceled his confirmed reservation and subsequently barred him from the premises.

According to a report, Ryan Walker had booked accommodations at the resort—where nightly rates approach $6,000—during its opening week. Walker had reportedly communicated with the property beforehand regarding plans to film his stay, meaning the resort was aware both of his reservation and his role as a reviewer.

Late the evening before his scheduled arrival, Amanvari sent an email canceling the reservation. The property cited its recent opening and stated it needed to reduce guest arrivals while continuing to settle into operations. Walker says he did not see the message before departing the following morning for the approximately two-hour drive to the resort.

Upon reaching the entrance, security personnel immediately identified Walker by name—indicating staff had been briefed on the situation. Despite this, employees told him no reservation existed in their system, with one suggesting he might have canceled it himself. When Walker presented email correspondence from Amanvari's reservations team confirming his expected arrival that morning, security continued denying entry. The reviewer reportedly asked to speak with management to understand why his confirmed booking had been abruptly canceled, but management declined to meet with him at the entrance. Security then contacted police.

Walker's videographer later reported that a Mexican military police vehicle stopped them as they departed the area. The resort's explanation for the cancellation has also drawn scrutiny, as questions have been raised about whether Amanvari was still accepting other reservations during the period when it claimed operational constraints required reducing arrivals.

The property has not issued a public statement addressing the incident. The situation highlights tensions that can arise when luxury hospitality brands intersect with independent hotel reviewers, particularly during critical soft-opening periods when properties are especially sensitive about public perception.