Unimpressed by Bill Gates’ private club: ‘Everyone has bitched about it’

A-list members at Manhattan’s members-only Aman Club include … shush! Last night at its jazz club, a certain thrice-married bank executive was seen at the table of a hot young … shush! For the $200,000 initiation fee you get … shush!

New York is awash with private clubs. Some, like the Union Club, date back nearly 200 years. Others like, Casa Cipriani, are nouveau riche newcomers.

While the Aman Club — an extension of the exclusive Aman resorts said be favored by Mark Zuckerberg, the Kardashians and the Beckhams — fits into that latter category, since opening last August it’s already one of this century’s most exclusive memberships.

It’s certainly the costliest.

But not everyone is impressed. 

“It’s a f–king flop,” said one Upper East Sider, who “loves” Aman resorts. “Members think it’s flat and boring.”

That didn’t stop Bill Gates and his new squeeze, Paula Hurd, last week from lunching at the club, perched high in the 26-story, gilt-facade Crown Building on Fifth Avenue, amidst engagement rumors.

“They were having lunch at the bar at the Aman private club,” a source told Page Six. “They deliberately sat outside, away from everyone, and faced the bar trying not to be noticed.”

It’s scuttlebutt like that which allegedly got three cellphone snappers booted from Casa Cirpriani for leaking photos of Taylor Swift.

But Aman sources in the know told The Post not to begrudge them a little gossip. Gates is a ring-a-ding endorsement for the club, which could stand a little good publicity right now, they say, since some members who joined prior to opening are displeased with everything from “the way it’s decorated” to the ambience.

“People who know and love Aman go there and are confused,” said one devotee of the brand, which reportedly also counts Angelina Jolie, George and Amal Clooney, and Tom Hanks as clients. “It’s not what ‘Aman junkies’ have come to expect. The Aman experience you get in Thailand or Bhutan is missing. Everyone has bitched about it.”

Founded by Adrian Zecha in Phuket, the Aman brand is synonymous with ultra-luxe, residential-style resort in stunning, often off-the-beaten path locations: Porto Heli, Greece; Moyo Island in Indonesia; Italy’s Dolomites. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, guests are chauffeured via vintage Mercedes to suites in the onetime guest house of King Sihanouk.

But back on 5th and 57th, even with Aman designer Jean-Michel Gathy’s careful renovation (glass soundproofing, a muted palette and subtle Japanese influences), it’s hard to make New Yorkers forget where they are.

“The resorts have a strong brand ethos, so when you arrive in New York there is a little disconnect,” one club member told The Post. “But it has to have a sense of place. You can’t have a club in Manhattan that feels like a resort in Utah.”

He admitted that there has been some confusion since opening, as many fans of the resort brand are less familiar with its urban incarnations, say in Tokyo, which are more similar to the New York property — but notably lack a private club. 

“It’s cold and corporate,” added society publicist R. Couri Hay, a friend of several members who he says share his feelings about the club. “Some people will go because Bill Gates went, but I think the whole $200,000 membership thing is a publicity stunt.”

The club confirmed that while a “founding member” must pony up the full 200 large, they can “add up to four additional family members as registered members to enjoy the Aman Club membership benefits.” So that comes out to $50,000 a head and one generous uncle to write the check. 

The club’s PR, while agreeing to fact checking, declined The Post’s request for an interview. “We take a very discreet approach in regards to our club,” they said. 

That’s certainly true. On a positive note, beyond Gates, no beans have been spilled in the year since the club opened — especially compared to the Leonardo DiCaprio sightings at Casa Cip or Mayor Adams’ frequent visits to Zero Bond. 

But even billionaires expect more than discretion for their 200 grams of lettuce, so the club heaps the perks on like croutons. 

Its mastermind is Vladislav Doronin, the Russia-born, Switzerland-based real estate tycoon.

In a hugely complex conversion of the former Playboy offices and a furrier’s penthouse atelier, he managed to bring New York not only its first 83-key Aman hotel but also 22 branded residence that have fetched stratospheric numerals like $75.8 million, $56.1 million and $53.3 million. Those gargantuan, mostly-full floor condos are now sold out. If an outpouring of fortunes isn’t a sign of success, what is? Naturally, for that kind of cash, you get automatic club membership.

Aman New York’s restaurants, CEO-and-socialite favorite Arva and swish sushi spot Nama, are also splashier — and more expensive — then your classic club canteen. However, sources did complain that the club shared these dining rooms with hotel guests. 

Club members also have access to a 14th-floor piano bar with a wrap-around terrace and a cigar lounge. A spa sprawls over three floors and 25,000 square feet, though part of that is shared with hotel guests as well. There is a Moroccan hammam and a Russian (oops, we mean Swedish) banya, as well as a 67-foot indoor swimming pool.

Underneath it all in the basement is a “wine library” and the jazz club dubbed Jazz Club (also open to the public).

One of the only true perks seems to be a 24/7 “private office,” which is basically a concierge that can handle private charters “by land, sea, and air,“ and, in a nice tie-in, will plan unique experiences “within the Aman constellation.” Members also have access to year-round events and experiences “centered on three pillars – culture, culinary and wellness.” Think sporting events, fashion weeks, chef dinners and artist studio visits.

All of this adds up pretty nicely. But it also begs the question: If most of the amenities are shared, is this truly a private club, or is it a hotel with an expensive concierge … or was it all a real estate branding exercise? More importantly, how much is it worth to dine next to Gates?

Said Hay: “I would personally never consider joining any club for $200,000 that didn’t have golf.”