FANTASY DESERT

MORE THAN DREAMY INSTAGRAM FODDER, AMANGIRI IS THE PINNACLE OF ULTRA-LUXURY IN THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN WEST

BY PAUL RUBIO

It’s no secret that social media has fostered an alternate reality enhanced through stateof-the-art filters, artistic apps, and savvy influencers crafting aspirational content. Nothing is spared from excessive revision nowadays, including travel destinations and resorts. Yet among the virtual noise, it’s still possible to discover raw beauty in its purest form, something that equally wows on screen and off.

Such is the case at Amangiri, a remote retreat that’s set Instagram ablaze as a veritable architectural dreamscape ensconced among the red-rock bluffs, high-rising mesas, and striking canyons of the Utah-Arizona border. Using the 165-million-year-old Colorado Plateau—a weathered land painted by geology—as a blank canvas, Amangiri designers created an extraordinary space for appreciating the magic of the American West while becoming a part of it. At the same time, the property delivers on all the ultra-luxe hallmarks synonymous with Aman Resorts—exclusivity, privacy, serenity, and excellence in gastronomy, wellness, and service—culminating in quite possibly the top resort in the United States and a spot every bit worth the online hype.

After snaking through the desolate desert roads of northern Arizona to reach Canyon Point, Utah, a mirage of Amangiri begins to take shape. At closer approach, it’s clear this is no optical illusion: A 34-suite modernist resort is at once delicately etched into the sandstone itself and thoughtfully strewn across vast acreage.

At Amangiri’s core lies a sprawling living and dining space, dotted with crackling fireplaces, edged by double-story windows, and linked to a heated swimming pool hewn into the rugged terrain. With its one-ofa-kind design, the pool surfaces as a peninsula framed by umbrella-capped daybeds on one side, chaise lounges and towering raw earth on the others. A series of suites can be found past both ends of the main pavilion, accessible through open-air concrete corridors embellished with almond trees, hydrotherapy features that mimic the erosion process, and seating nooks for taking in the ethereal scene. Each outward-facing suite is a study in understated elegance, where clean lines cross over natural timbers, white stone floors, and oversize glass panes, channeling attention to the desert panoramas that surround. A private outdoor lounge and fireplace heightens the red rock immersion.

Amenities and programming capitalize on Amangiri’s location within the Navajo nation. The Aman Spa offers therapies rooted in the Navajo concept of hózhó , a state of being in tune with oneself and in balance with the world. Each evening, local artisan gifts are placed bedside, from dream catchers to handcrafted oakmoss and sage candles. Daily cultural encounters on-site may include Navajo storytelling, Native American hoop dancing, and dream catcher workshops, while seasonal menus at Amangiri Restaurant feature selections inspired by traditional dishes from the regional Native American communities. A recent Spirit of the Journey tasting menu included a Navajo blue corn fry bread popover, a mesquitesmoked duck salad, and a chili-rubbed crusted elk loin, complementing the greater menu’s pan-Asian and Southwestern fare.

Another highlight of Amangiri’s tribal association is exclusive access to select picturesque slot canyons within northern Arizona. Thanks to Peter Lik’s mind-blowing screensaver photos, the voluptuous and striated Antelope Canyon is now a bucket-list destination. But inch over to Rattlesnake Canyon and Owl Canyon and it’s possible to revel in the red rock glory without the crowds.

These neighboring labyrinths are reserved for Aman guests only, translating to deep thoughts, endless photo shoots, and ambles at your leisure.

Back on property, other activities speak to Amangiri’s extra-special experiences. A Via Ferrata course—one of just a handful in the United States— means scaling mountainsides via cables and ladder rungs and crossing mountaintops over suspension bridges under the tutelage of a skilled mountain guru. A hot-air balloon ride provides a bird’seye view of the undulating, multihued desert backdrops, while horseback rides and designated foot trails offer closer looks on firm ground.

Throughout an Amangiri stay, the service feels elevated without being in- trusive or dizzying. This extends to the guides, waitstaff, and an entire team dedicated to making your visit one for the books. The off-the-charts eclectic cuisine is bundled into the rate, meaning there’s no reason to head elsewhere for meals. And given the experiential nature of the activities and unparalleled location of the property, there’s every reason to leave the outside world behind and venture off-site only for guided encounters. Spend a few days at Amangiri, and it’s hard to believe the concept was envisioned and executed in a time before social media. The backdrops are some of America’s finest, the architecture skews modern minimalist, and the experience is exactly what desert dreams—and top Instagram content—are made of. The pictures, videos, and curated content may dominate social media, but that doesn’t mean Amangiri is a contrived online fantasy. Rather, it’s a singular resort that has the goods and excellence to back up its high profile and deliver an American West adventure filled with defining moments in real time and in real life. (aman.com)