In the state of Utah, almost on the border with Arizona, amid the desert rocks, stands the hotel Amangiri. It is located at the very heart of the greatest concentration of national parks in the United States.
Like all desert architecture, this hotel merges with its surrounding landscape. Only its form gives it away: the angular, geometrically precise building stands out against the wind-worn rocks. Everything else — the single-storey wings, the sandy colour of the walls, the complete absence of exterior ornamentation — continues the ascetic character of the desert.
Amangiri resort rooms come in several types, and almost every one has its own private open-air pool and terrace. The desert and its rock formations are visible from every room. The interiors, like everything around them, are restrained and free of vivid colour. The floors are stone, the walls are concrete, and the furniture is crafted from natural wood.
The resort offers guests a variety of activities, from adventurous to more leisurely. Visitors can raft the Colorado River, go on a horseback ride or take a private plane over the surrounding landscape. The area is also home to many of America's great natural landmarks: the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion and Monument Valley. On the nearby cliffs there is a via ferrata, a climbing route equipped with metal fixtures for faster and safer ascents.
For a more unhurried experience, guests can choose from spa treatments, yoga and Pilates. Yoga sessions are held both indoors and outside at night, beneath a rising moon. It is also possible to set off directly from the hotel on a hot-air balloon journey, drifting over Lake Powell, Navajo Mountain, the Vermilion Cliffs and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. From August to October, the artist Ulrike Arnold works near the resort, and guests have the opportunity to watch her create her abstract paintings.
In crafting Amangiri's distinctive atmosphere, its creators were careful not to overlook the kitchen. Inspired by the American Southwest, the menu is built largely around local ingredients — and to keep the wild surroundings firmly in mind, dishes are served on hot or cold stones.
Photographer: Rich Stapleton
If you enjoy discovering unusual destinations, we invite you to explore our other articles on the subject — for instance, we have written about 10 hotels with mountain views and about an underwater suite in the Indian Ocean. The Amangiri Hotel is part of the Aman hotel group, whose signature visual identity we have written about before.
