While motels can be good options when traveling, it’s nice to change things up! I dare anyone planning to go on a road trip in the Southwest to tell me that they would not want to spend at least one night in a luxurious suite at the Amangiri Resort.
In this article, I want to help you dream with your eyes wide open by giving you a broad overview of what this exceptional luxury hotel located in the natural setting of southern Utah has to offer. Amangiri is one of three resorts (at the time this article was written) built in the United States by the well-known luxury hotel chain, Aman. The others are the Amangani Resort in Jackson Hole (Wyoming) and the Aman New York. In addition to the exclusive quality of the experiences and services they offer, the main characteristic of these resorts is precisely having an architectural design that closely matches its surroundings (natural or urban).
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Where is Amangiri Resort?
The Amangiri Resort is located at Canyon Point in Big Water, Utah, just 2 miles from the border with Arizona. We have mentioned it before in our article about the Skylight Arch, a scenic arch that sits right on top of Studhorse Mesa. Below the arch, the Amangiri Resort is out of sight and cannot be seen by travelers along US-89 between Page and Kanab. Amangiri’s location is definitely its key strength.
It is on the Colorado Plateau, in the desert west of Lake Powell, in a valley adjacent to Ferry Swale. The resort is surrounded by buttes, mesas, and imposing monoliths. The intention of the architect of the Amangiri Resort was to create harmony between the resort and the landscape while representing. The minimalist design was meant to capture the deepest spirituality, and can be reminiscent – to me, a layman – of the organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. As architect Adrian Zecha explains:
“Our goal was to build something that was a contemporary interpretation of Native American architecture. Not a perfect adaptation but something that we hoped would recreate the spirit of it. Also, we wanted the natural surroundings to be respected. That was the most important aspect of the whole project.”
How to Get to Amangiri Resort
The address of the main facility at Amangiri Resort is 1 Kayenta Rd, Canyon Point (Big Water). To reach it you will have to take Larkspur Road by exiting from US-89 at this point. After about 1 mile, you will have to turn left onto Kayenta Road, a private road that will lead you to the resort. Stay on Kayenta Road for 2 miles.
Amangiri Resort: Rooms, Suites and Pavillions
The resort offers 34 elegant accommodations with exceptional scenic views, in rooms, suites, luxury pavilions, and desert homes. Most of the accommodations are located in the resort’s main building, where you will find everything you need to enjoy a relaxing stay. In this space that is in harmony with the surrounding landscape, not only will you find a restaurant with a wine cellar, but also an art gallery, a library, a spa, and most importantly, a stunning U-shaped swimming pool carved around a magnificent boulder.
The suites in this section of the resort are located in the two wings of the main building, and feature natural stone floors, understated, minimalist decor with desert themes and tones, and a rooftop terrace. The beds in the suites face a large window, so you can wake up in the morning on a comfortable king-size mattress to a view of the desert. Some suites have a private swimming pool.
Camp Sarika
However, not all of the suites, however, are located at the main resort site. Camp Sarika, about half a mile further into the Amangiri Resort property, just below the mesa on which the Skylight Arch rises, has some charming and spacious luxury pavilions nestled in the wilderness, equipped with all amenities including a living room, kitchen, a rooftop terrace with fire pit, and a swimming pool. Some pavilions have two bedrooms, an ideal option for families or groups of friends. Finally, also a short distance from the main property is the Mesa Home, a secluded house with four rooms, a private pool, bar, kitchen, terrace, and a large living room
Excursions and Activities at Amangiri
In its informational brochures, the property encourages to explore not only the area’s national parks and monuments (Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon) and Navajo reservations near Page, but also the property’s outstanding surroundings.
Amangiri Hiking Trails
There are about 12 miles of marked trails to choose from:
- Hoodoo Trail (2 hours): The longest trail on the property is a loop about 3.4 miles long. It is actually made of three trails, should you want to complete just a portion of the Hoodoo Trail. The trail allows you to observe the area’s many hoodoos, petrified dunes, and other curious geological formations.
- Cave Trail (1-2 hours): The trail that is part of the Hoodoo Trail that is closest to the resort leads toward a huge cave called Broken Arrow Cave, an archaeological site made famous by the movie Code Name: Broken Arrow, starring John Travolta and Christian Slater. The archaeological site can only be visited with a guide from the resort.
- Coyote Trail (1 hour): There is a metal staircase that allows you to access a desert area with exceptional 170-million-year-old Entrada Sandstone (sandstone) formations that offer unforgettable views, especially at sunset.
- Studhorse Trail (2 hours): As I mentioned earlier, the resort is located below Stud Horse Point, which is part of Glen Canyon and offers beautiful views of Ferry Swale. We have discussed the trail outside the Amangiri property here, but a trail is also available starting from the southwest area of the resort (1,5 miles).
- Sunrise Trail (30 min.): For those who may have little experience hiking, this short trail less than a mile long may be right for you. It takes in two short sections of the Studhorse Trail and the Cabin Trail.
- Cabin Trail (30 min.): Another short trail that starts directly from the resort. As you walk, you will observe the area’s grand sandstone towers and Studhorse Mesa towering above the resort.
Cave Peak Via Ferrata
Those who have some hiking experience and want to take in the view of the valley from above at the end of a strong-hearted hike have the opportunity to go on the Via Ferrata among the rocks at the base of Cave Peak. The hike also includes a passage over a suspension bridge! Those brave enough to climb and walk across the bridge will be able to reach the top of Cave Peak and enjoy the view.
Other Tours Available
Upon request, resort staff can arrange many different activities, such as water excursions on Lake Powell (boat, jet-ski kayak, or paddleboarding), private helicopter flights over the Colorado Plateau, horseback riding in the desert, and guided tours to canyons in Page, and cultural experiences with the Navajo.
The Wellness Trail
At Amangiri Resort, not only can you hike to reach exceptional views. There is another alternative to connect with nature and seek (or rebuild) one’s well-being. In addition to a complete holistic journey called Hózhó (a Navajo term meaning beauty, balance) in the resort’s spas, it is possible to have specific treatments and yoga experiences in nature.
Amangiri’s Restaurants
There are two restaurants, one at the resort headquarters and another at Camp Sarika in the main pavilion.
- The first restaurant offers traditional Navajo cuisine reinterpreted with a modern twist, in a completely scenic setting. The walls, ceiling, and floor of the main dining room are floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the surrounding panorama, which is wonderful to watch at sunset while tasting local dishes. You can also eat by the pool.
- Camp Sarika’s restaurant is open from breakfast to dinner and prepares traditional Southwest cuisine using local Utah produce and meats. In addition to grilled preparations, there are vegetarian options and more refined menus.
For a total nature immersion experience, you can book dinner at the Chinle Site, a gazebo set up in the middle of the desert where you can eat in complete silence, or while listening to ancient Native American songs.
How to Make a Reservation
If this description was enough to convince you to want to spend one or more nights at this resort, you can book your unforgettable stay by clicking on the link below.
