Sure, it’s absurdly expensive, but it’s unlike any other hotel in America.
There are a few hotels in the world that have grow to about - mythic status : The Plaza Hotelin New York , theBurj Al Arab Jumeirahin Dubai , and theRitzin Paris . But among the travel industry ’s cognoscenti — be they diary keeper , veteran travel agents , or but hotel snobs — there is only one name that micturate the pulse quicken : Amangiri .
It ’s wry , then , that “ aman ” signify “ peace ” in Sanskrit , while “ giri ” interpret to “ mountain . ” As you accede the unassuming gate into the Utah property ’s nearly 1,000 stunning landed estate , it ’s hard to think of a moniker that ’s good become to the resort . Its low - slung building materialize like an actual desert mirage in ared - hued landscapeof mesas , ridges , and dune . No noise greet you beyond the whoop of birds encircle overhead . And yet despite the tranquility of its localisation , Amangiri has developed a reputation for being the most luxurious , hard - to - book , and beautiful belongings in America , a particular favoriteof renown like Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner . But even if you ’re not an A - lister plow , the hotel excels at making you palpate like one .
“ The Aman brand journeying is inspired by a singular purpose , and that is to cater a level of religious service unlike any other , ” says Audrey Huttert , the world-wide managing director of the hotel . “ Our team strive to ensure every fundamental interaction and experience with the Edgar Guest makes them sense at home . ”
Amangiri has developed a reputation for being the most luxurious, hard-to-book, and beautiful property in America.|Photo courtesy of Amangiri
“ Fine , ” you might say . “ But is n’t that what every opulence hotel intent to do ? What could possibly make this incredibly remote and — let ’s not mince lyric — absurdly expensive hotel , worth it ? ”
It ’s a good question with a light reply : Everything . What makes Amangiri worth it is everything . ( And do n’t involve me how much I paid — my parents would repudiate me if they know . )
“ Transportive ” is perhaps the best single word to describe the experience here — on an emotional level , but also a metaphysical one . As to the latter point , they literally have you put your cadre telephone ’s clock back an hour when you arrive , aligning yourself with the time zone of the nearest townspeople ( Page , Arizona ) rather than therest of Utah . For those coming from within the state , as we did , this has an added fillip of giving you an extra hour on place .
Once you ’ve discharge this minor act of time travel , you ’re whisked by to your room . The floor of lavishness is astonishing , both on a macro instruction and micro exfoliation . In the former family , our way was palatial : We had a king - sized bed situate in the center of the room , along with a bathroom grownup than my first New York City flat , plus a sit area and our own outdoor fire pit with unobstructed survey of the fence desert . But it ’s the smaller touches that make the experience unfeignedly memorable , from the outright supply of free collation in the pantry ( including multiple diverseness of trail mix and topically made soda water ) , to the voguish hats and holdall that are put up to use while on property , to the house - made deal sanitizer in the bathroom with its tripping aroma of desert sage . And then there ’s the fact that when I picked up the phone to call reception , it never even skirt : Someone was always instantly useable to take my call .
You could easy spend days mess about on the massive bed and ignoring everything else Amangiri has to offer , but it would be a mistake not to rouse yourself to corrode ( and run through , and eat ) . All of your meals are included in the nightly rate ( which alleviate its bunco a little bit ) , and you’re able to order as much or as little as you need , whenever you want . Amangiri ’s main eating house incorporates inspiration from aboriginal American cuisine , specially if you prefer to try the tasting menu , which is specifically meant to celebrate the five tribes that are autochthonal to the neighborhood . guest at Amangiri can also have their meal at sis propertyCamp Sarika , whose restaurant offers a multicourse seasonal banquet every night for dinner , often accompanied by unrecorded music .
In general , your pick of food is extended , faultless , but not excessively fussy ; for me , the standout was the malty , outsized cast atomic number 26 pancake — crisp on the outside , blistering and fluffy on the privileged — top with a agglomerate of subtly odorous , macerated desert cherry red .
Amangiri’s low-slung buildings materialize from the desert like an actual mirage.|Photo courtesy of Amangiri
When you ’re fed and rest , there are also the hangout ’s bodily process to consider . Most notable among these are the via ferratas , challenging routes of iron rungs , ladder , and sky - mellow bridges that crisscross the peaks on property . Acrophobics wo n’t enjoy these , but for anyone else , the views from the top make them worth the considerable exertion . On the more reposeful end of the spectrum , you could also reserve a amorous sunset experience : Just two chairs , a high mallow plate , and a bottle of champagne on a remote quoin of the versant . And of course of action , no five - wizard hotel is complete without a full - service watering place ; I particularly enjoyed a body glossiness and wrap that was top off with smoked organic structure butter .
After all that pampering , the prospect of take back to the real world ( and Mountain Daylight Time ) can palpate daunting . But the hotel ’s faculty does the near they can to ease the journey . At the end of our stay at Amangiri , we find out that the nasty rental automobile we ’d come with ( good manners often days spent hiking in southern Utah ) had been cleared of all accumulated mud , dirt , and debris .
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No , we had n’t requested the cleanup . The estimate never occurred to us . Amangiri simply anticipated our motivation before we did — a layer of care and thoughtfulness that explains why remain there is worth the price .
“Transportive” is perhaps the best single word to describe the experience here.|Photo courtesy of Amangiri
Once you reach your room, the level of luxury is astonishing.|Photo courtesy of Amangiri
The resort is known for its via ferratas, challenging routes of iron rungs, ladders, and bridges.|Photo courtesy of Amangiri
No five-star hotel is complete without a full-service spa.|Photo courtesy of Amangiri