Amangiri, Singapore-based Amanresorts’ second property in the United States, is set to open in the early fall in the “canyon country” of southern Utah. Located near the Utah-Arizona border, Amangiri (Sanskrit for ‘peaceful mountain’) is adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, encompassing Lake Powell and the Colorado River, and ideally placed for day trips to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Bryce and Zion National Parks.
The setting is breathtaking. Amangiri is cradled by massive 200-million-year-old mesas and rock formations that present extraordinary desert vistas whose colors change from amber to gold to pink as the sun makes its daily circuit. Located some 4,000 feet above sea level, spring and fall temperatures are in the 70’s Fahrenheit, with winter highs in the 40’s and summer highs rarely exceeding 95 degrees. The region is home to a variety of endangered species, including the California condor, and a bevy of dinosaur fossils, some dating back more than 160 million years.
Set on a 600-acre expanse of wilderness that has been home for centuries to the indigenous Navajo and Hopi tribes, Amangiri’s creation was made possible by a 2005 Act of Congress that permitted a swap of private and Federal land. Amangiri has 34 guest suites with white stone floors and tinted concrete walls that reflect the colors of the American Southwest. Each suite has uninterrupted panoramic views of the desert and mesas and is endowed with all the luxuries and comfort expected of an Amanresort — from day-beds for relaxing, to roomy bathing areas, to the unobtrusively personalized service that has been the hallmark of Amanresorts since its first resort, Amanpuri, opened 21 years ago in Phuket, Thailand. Pool suites and the Girijaala and Amangiri Suites have private pools and secluded outdoor sky terraces that are ideal both for daytime relaxation and nighttime stargazing.
The centerpiece of Amangiri is a sprawling modernist Pavilion reached by flights of wide, gentle steps. Its desert-colored stone and concrete is contrasted by splashes of scarlet tenting: the shade of red is one of the sacred colors of the Navajo. The Pavilion is an open-plan arrangement of lounging areas, library, dining room and open kitchen — all with floor-to-ceiling glass that frames panoramas of the desert, the rock formations and the mesas. The restaurant terrace leads onto the pool terrace; the swimming pool wraps around a central slick rock that thrusts upward from the desert floor.
Amangiri’s 25,000-foot spa is a destination in itself. A giant complex of stone, water features and streams of light, it offers a number of unique treatment venues. The Water Pavilion offers hydrotherapy treatments, while the Floatation Pavilion offers color therapy-enhanced floatation treatment. The Aman Spa also provides both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, step pool, cold plunge and generous spaces for exercise, yoga and Amanresorts’ unique Pilates assessment.
The cuisine at Amangiri reflects the resort’s residential nature. The kitchen is open-plan, and guests are invited to interact and watch the chefs at work. The menus change regularly based on available ingredients from local farmers, and emphasize organic and specialty products. The open-to-browse wine room has state-of-the-art climate control, space for 900 bottles and the technology to serve even the finest vintages by the glass. The private dining room seats 10; its large wooden doors can be closed for privacy or open to the kitchen.
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The design of Amangiri is inspired by the natural elements of wind, water, earth and fire. Shafts of sunlight stream into the resort’s interiors through panoramic windows and strategically placed skylights. The sound of water is a soothing constant in the Pavilion, as in the surrounding slot canyons. The resort features more than 50 indoor and outdoor fireplaces — throughout the Pavilion and the Aman Spa, in every suite, around the pool and in outdoor entertainment areas. At night, Amangiri’s exteriors are subtly lit so as not to compromise the vast star-filled night sky as nature intended. The Desert Lounge beyond the Pavilion is an open-air living room and the ideal venue for stargazing.
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Because of its location, Amangiri guests are able to take advantage of opportunities to discover some of America’s most magnificent scenic locations. A comprehensive program of tours, desert activities, boating, fly-fishing, hiking and cultural explorations has been developed exclusively for Aman guests.
In addition to the resort, the Amangiri master-plan features 28 dramatically designed four- or five-bedroom private villas, each with large pools, wine rooms, fireplaces, optional media rooms and staff quarters.
www.amanresorts.com
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