Review
Amangiri in Utah, USA
A unique visual experience in a stunning desert location.
What to expect
As a kaleidoscope of orange, amber and pinks danced around the retreating shadows of the surrounding rocks as tall as skyscrapers, we could hear only the whistling of the wind and the gentle rumble of our car, as we made our way up the isolated winding road leading to Amangiri. Flawlessly sympathising with its surroundings, the neutral-coloured, angular concrete architecture just barely makes itself visible, creating one of the most stunning hotels in the world.
You could be forgiven for thinking you are on another planet or a world away from civilisation as you enter the incredible natural world of Amangiri. This celebrity-favoured 5-star property sits on a jaw-dropping 600-acre stretch of Utah desert. The stark, concrete structure of the hotel blends harmoniously with the rocks, mesas and dunes of the surrounding desert landscape.
History
Aman resorts are notable for designing luxurious bespoke interiors, in perfect equilibrium with the natural surroundings. Their guests experience unique destinations, evolved from the beautiful environments where the landscape itself is the star of the show.
The name Aman means peace in Sanskrit. This hotel group prides itself on offering guests unparalleled space and privacy, accentuated with premium service.
The Aman group was founded in 1988 by Adrian Zecha and will soon feature 40 luxury resorts around the world. A stay at an Aman property is a transformative experience, making it not just a place to sleep but an experience to remember. Amangiri in Utah is no exception.
Best for
Couples and families who are looking for a memorable aesthetic experience and a peaceful retreat.
Excited to arrive!
Location
The winding road to Amangiri.
To get here is an expedition in itself but perhaps that’s the point. The almost secret location of Amangiri is a challenge to navigate but you will be rewarded with views that take your breath away. Located near Lake Powell and the famous Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument, Amangiri is a 5 hour drive from Las Vegas, nestled between Kanab and Page, Arizona. Other national parks within reach are Bryce, Grand Canyon and Zion.
The road itself is difficult to locate. However, once you do, the panoramic drive to the hotel is an incredible experience in itself, which in our case prompted thoughts about life on Mars! As you drive through the barren stretches of the 180 million year old desert, you would perhaps expect some grand entrance but a simple unassuming sign and a small gate with an intercom is all that greets guests. Don’t be surprised if it takes a few tries to gain access to this impossibly exotic mirage.
Rooms
Suites
The 34 rooms are divided into two sections of the resort. The Mesa View and Desert View wings both surround the reception area. These beautiful suites are designed to juxtapose concrete walls with natural timbers and fittings in blackened steel, evoking a minimalist and contemporary feel to Native American shelters from which these rooms are inspired. Everything in these rooms is designed to link with the surrounding desert. Large glass doors can be folded back to let the outside in, and the terrace features a romantic outdoor gas fireplace, and even the beds face the stunning desert landscape. Our Desert View Suite offered 1,000 square feet of space with views over the desert even from the bath tub!
Pool Suites
The next category of rooms is the Desert Pool Suite or Mesa Pool Suite. These are similar in size and layout to the standard suites. The benefit of these rooms is that they boast their own pools and outdoor beds, giving guests the opportunity to do a bit of stargazing from the privacy of their room. The largest room is the Amangiri Suite at 3,472 square feet which comes with a sky terrace and gorgeous lap pool.
The layout of the rooms is similar throughout based on an open-plan layout. This can make it challenging if you are travelling as a family. Those with slightly older children may have to reserve two suites. However, this will hike up the rates dramatically in an already costly hotel. We stayed at Amangiri with two children but one was in a cot and the other one slept on the sofa in front of the bed. Whilst it was workable, it wasn’t the most comfortable, but then it is a small price to pay for staying in such an incredible place.
Camp Sarika
A recent introduction in 2020 is glamping-style Camp Sarika. These 10 stunning tented pavilions are dotted around the imposing landscape. A private pool and fireplace are common features amongst the one and two bedroom tented accommodation. Offering the utmost in privacy, these unique tents provide a special environment in which to relax and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings.
Service
Our booking was direct with Amangiri and we found the process to be straightforward. We had a variety of questions and the responses were quick, informative and very accommodating.
During our stay at the hotel, the service in all areas was courteous. Staff were very accommodating at the restaurant when dealing with requests for our son. The service in general at the restaurant was relaxed and we never felt rushed.
Overall, service was much as you would expect in a hotel of this standard. For the icing on the cake, the staff could have been a little more personable to bring Amangiri more in line with the rest of the hotels in the Aman group.
Restaurants and bars
Amangiri in Utah is an all inclusive resort. The rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner with all non-alcoholic drinks , pickup service from Page Municipal Airport (PGA), WIFI, guided hikes, fitness classes, gym, pool, steam room, sauna and plunge and step pools at no extra cost.
Dining takes place in the spacious and chic open-plan restaurant. Guests are never far from the outdoors as this restaurant prides itself on the panoramic windows overlooking the desert landscape. Food is light but hearty offering a Mexico meets Native America cuisine. A good variety is available for children, from the wood-fired pizzas to grilled local meats. Breakfast is from a largely American menu and lunch is à la carte combined with a small buffet.
There is no bar at this hotel. With views like these, it would be a sacrilege to sit indoors to enjoy your drink. Thankfully, pre-dinner drinks can be served on the sunset lounge terrace and then brought to your dining table.
Family
Children of all ages are welcome. There are many activities that families can enjoy together while staying at Amangiri in Utah. These include various desert hikes, Navajo-guided tours, powerful story telling sessions and ritual dances by the fire, horseback riding, palaeontology excursions, challenging via ferrata, exploring ridges and canyons where outlaws once hid, hot air ballooning, and discovering slot canyons. There is no shortage of activities to keep children occupied.
We took our son on a hike to the Broken Arrow cave which was inhabited from 6300BC. Besides seeing petroglyphs inside the cave itself, to his delight he was able to see remains of coprolite (otherwise known as poop!). If that isn’t a highlight for any boy, I don’t know what is!
Amangiri’s resident artist, Ulrike Arnold, was on site. She gave our son an incredible lesson on collecting and using natural minerals extracted from the earth to use as paints. As he is interested in art, Ulrike showed him how to extract dust, sand, shale, clay, coal and volcanic ash and apply it to canvas to reflect impressions of the location, making for a memorable experience.
Many guests stay here to relax by the spectacular pool. However, to miss out on the array of incredible activities would be an injustice. A stay at this property may suit slightly older children so they can participate in all the activities, however, the staff at Amangiri can provide tailor-made programmes to suit younger guests as well.
Facilities
The resort Spa at Amangiri in Utah is well known to be the finest among the Aman resorts. Boasting a beautiful location as well as the range of treatments and facilities on offer, guests will emerge feeling a sense of re-birth. The spa building, also housing the gym, is vast – the spa area alone is the size of a small boutique hotel. This is an exhausted parent’s playground with steam room, sauna, plunge and step pools, yoga room with underfloor heating, flotation room and just about everything else you could wish for. The best bit? Most of this is included in the rate and guests are able to use the facilities freely during their stay. The treatments are all Navajo-inspired and the massages are epic so don’t hold back!
Parking facilities are limited at the main building. If arriving at the hotel by car as we did, the car will be taken by the valet service and parked a few minutes away. You will need to give notice well in advance when you need the car back.
What made it special
The pool, the pool, the pool! Gently curving around an impressive rock formation, this pool is a regular feature on the world’s best hotel pool lists. As a matter of fact, this rock formation is so impressive that the entire hotel was built around it. And with good reason. It is truly stunning. Luckily for the guests, it is open 24 hours so a dip under the twinkling carpet of stars is an unforgettable experience. An inviting heated jacuzzi hovers above the pool area adjacent to the rock face which we could have easily spent all day in.
Jacuzzi bliss!
There is a good selection of lounge chairs, well spaced out for privacy, as befitting an Aman property. Even with young children, we didn’t feel like we were disturbing other people’s space. If the resort is at full capacity, guests are unlikely to feel crowded here.
The real star of the show, however, is the stunning natural rocky landscape surrounding the hotel at every angle. Sunsets are simply epic. Sit in the bath surrounded by candles, looking out of your floor-to-ceiling windows. This is an unforgettable experience rarely found in any hotel around the world.
And for an other-worldly experience at Amangiri in Utah, make sure to be outdoors once the sun dips below the horizon. With plenty of outdoor seating, and zero light pollution, the sky comes alive in a way that can only be witnessed in the remotest of areas. Children will have a field day identifying the Milky Way, stars and planets, their astronomical knowledge growing tenfold in the space of one evening.
What we think
Amangiri in Utah is a phenomenal experience rather than just a place to lay your head. It is a destination in its own right and a real gem of a property. It may be costly and challenging to reach, but this immersive experience is hard to beat, as you leave feeling like you have undergone some kind of spiritual transformation. Expect to be blown away with a multitude of OMG moments and a new-found appreciation for Mother Nature.
The setting and surroundings are outstanding but is it worth bringing children here for the experience considering the cost? If you can get away as a couple, go for it. But if you have a family and wish to have a ridiculously gorgeous experience then don’t hesitate.… they will thank you for it later!
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our experience at Amangiri in Utah!
1 Kayenta Road,
Canyon Point,
UT 84741