AMANGIRI

As vacationers seek out their summer pursuits, discovering a destination that guarantees plenty of sunshine, open-air environments, and endless opportunities for adventure—and wellness-focused experiences is paramount.

Amangiri … mic-drop.

After being greeted by our driver from Amangiri at the small discreet airport in Page, we traveled in style (an immaculate Mercedes) to the resort. The ride was practically silent as our jaws were on the floor taking in the breathtaking desertscape of red and beige ridges, mesas, and gorges. We had talked about the prospect of visiting Amangiri, the celebrity-visited minimalist resort, for the past few years and finally made it.

Climbing the steps up to what is not your typical resort registration, we were struck by the clean-lined architecture paired with the beauty that Mother Nature created. We couldn’t hold in our excitement blurting out, “oh wow, that’s amazing” comments at every turn.

Greeted as if we had just arrived home, we felt completely welcomed and knew this was going to be an experience hard to forget. After the brief registration, we were on our way. Passing by the pool, which happened to be engrossed by a giant rock, our host said, “If you want to take a dip at midnight, feel free to do so. Think of this as home.” OK, that’s on the list of must-do’s!

Amangiri, at every angle, uses the landscape to its advantage as art. In every room throughout the resort, including the guest suites, you need no reminder that you are amidst gorgeous nature. The open-air spaces, large picture windows, and passageways are mesmerizing.

If it’s thrills you are seeking, you have come to the right place. Offering an opportunity to get close and cozy with the terrain is a Via Ferrata experience, which was invented centuries ago in the Italian Alps. Amangiri’s “Cave Peak Stairway,” affixed to rock face, is a series of cables and ladder rungs allowing you to climb across 120 steps that span 200 feet in length and hover 400 feet above the rugged desert. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is for you!

We decided to explore the property at our own pace along the 12 miles of trails, offering the opportunity to work up our appetite for dinner while enjoying the archaeological and natural wonders.

Along our hiking journey we came upon the tented retreat of Camp Sarika, the sister property to Amangiri. The camp’s cluster of 10 canvas-topped pavilions, each with their own private plunge pool, is an enclave of meditative seclusion. We made a reservation at the restaurant there where the chef prepared a special dinner tailored to our personal tastes and preferences.

Food is paramount for both me and my guest and we were left with nothing to desire. For lunch we enjoyed our personal wood-fired pizzas which were outstanding, but pizza was just the beginning. The use of the wood burning stove was part of many our dining experiences, including the mesquite-smoked duck, a fire roasted pancake (more like a giant doughnut) and a 21-day-aged duroc pork chop, We ate whatever we wanted when we wanted which just made the experience continue that at-home touch. This included late night in-room s’mores which we cooked over a personal open-fire grill while star gazing.

This experience wouldn’t be complete without multiple visits to the Amangiri Spa. A short distance from the world’s most incredible pool is this incredible labyrinth of water and concrete. We both agreed we needed this to replenish ourselves and thus signed up for a couples massage with seaweed wraps, concluding with a sage burning chakra cleansing. This was followed by a sound bath in the yoga room where we were both transported to what felt like another world. We felt like a combination of putty and revitalized when we were finished. The following day we returned close to sunset to enjoy the water pavilion with a sauna, steam room, a cold plunge pool, and an intimate jacuzzi set against sandstone cliffs to enjoy the sun falling behind the most incredible redrock mountains.

Amangiri, set in the true Wild West, with its near mythical attributes is the ideal destination for those looking to push the boundaries of adventure while engrossed in the most peaceful and intimate of settings.

It was easy to recenter and to find serenity. It’s not a mistake then, that in Sanskrit aman means “peace” and giri translates to “mountain.”

As we walked away from the resort towards our vehicle taking us back to Page airport there was just one way to describe the experience: “That was at a whole new level.”