AMANGIRI, A LUXURIOUS WILDERNESS ESCAPE IN THE HEART OF THE COLORADO DESERT (United States)
In this article, Kerry Hing, General Manager of the Amangiri, tells us about the soul of this extraordinary hotel, where minimalist luxury and cultural immersion come together in an exceptional setting in the heart of the Utah desert. |
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AMANGIRI, A LUXURIOUS WILDERNESS ESCAPE IN THE HEART OF THE COLORADO DESERT (United States)
In this article, Kerry Hing, General Manager of the Amangiri, tells us about the soul of this extraordinary hotel, where minimalist luxury and cultural immersion come together in an exceptional setting in the heart of the Utah desert. |
Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Exclusive experiences
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Article written by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on 2024-10-18
 The Amangiri blends skillfully with the rock formations of the Colorado Plateau
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present. All Rights Reserved
Amid one of the last sanctuaries of raw nature in the United States, the Amangiri stands as a haven of peace for travellers in search of total disconnection. The hotel combines modern architecture and natural materials to offer guests a complete immersion in the breathtaking setting of the Utah desert. In an interview with Journal des Palaces, Kerry Hing, General Manager of the Amangiri since last April, reveals the recipe that makes this jewel in the Aman collection so unique.
Isolation as a promise of escape
After miles of deserted roads, a discreet lane leads to the hotel, hidden in the meandering mesas and fossilized dunes that dot the region. This isolation is an essential part of the Amangiri experience.
A sense of infinity embraces guests from the moment they enter the hotel grounds, which stretch over 370 hectares of protected wilderness. The view of the rock formations, sculpted by erosion and the winds, seems straight out of another world. “The resort was built using minerals in the building materials – mixed with recycled fly ash – which reflect light to capture the dynamic interplay between architecture and the ever-shifting natural light, so that the resort blends seamlessly and considerately into the environment.” says the director.
Here, the 34 suites are designed in a contemporary style, supported by raw materials such as solid wood and stone. The choice of minimalist luxury joins that of exclusivity, illustrated by the presence of private terraces with outdoor fireplaces, or the addition of private pools in certain suites. The spectacular main pool, shaped like a horseshoe out of the rock, is one of Amangiri's most iconic features.
Total immersion in culture and nature
A deep connection with the region's history and culture is one of the ingredients of the property's success. Located on the border of ancestral Navajo lands, the hotel strives to help preserve and share local traditions with its guests. “The entire resort and guest experience is linked to the surrounding environment and local culture of the Native Americans and the Navajo Nation,” confides Kerry Hing.
Among these experiences, the discovery of the slot canyons, those narrow fissures in the rock where the play of light creates surreal landscapes, is a must. Visitors can discover Navajo culture through traditional weaving workshops or excursions guided by local experts. “Amangiri is the guardian of these ancestral treasures, and we have a responsibility to share them with guests to educate and preserve the culture” adds the director.
Adventures and Wellness in the heart of the desert
If Amangiri attracts travellers in search of calm and serenity, adventure-seekers are not to be outdone. From sunset horseback rides to helicopter or hot-air balloon flights over the canyons or water adventures on Lake Powell, every stay can be customized to provide visitors with memorable souvenirs. Via Ferrata remains one of Amangiri's signature experiences. This safe climbing course, which traverses bridges suspended over 100 meters above the ground, offers breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding desert. “We offer tailormade adventures which allow our guests to leave with very special memories,” insists Kerry Hing.
In contrast to these intense adventures, the Amangiri also offers wellness retreats deeply rooted in local traditions. The hotel's Spa, a 2,300 m² sanctuary, offers treatments inspired by the natural elements of the desert, combining water, earth, wind and fire to restore balance to body and mind. “Guests can also enjoy a menu of treatments inspired by local healing traditions and indigenous ingredients,” explains Kerry Hing. “We have holistic and integrative wellness treatments such as fire pit aromatherapy and yoga on the rocks, as well as multi-day wellness journeys, which offer the chance to renew body, mind and soul.”
Locally inspired food experience
Amangiri also stands out for its culinary offering inspired by the American Southwest, which, like the rest of the experience, is thought out in perfect harmony with its surroundings. “Our location in the middle of the desert means that we offer full board to our guests, with an array of culinary and dining options available to cater to all tastes and preferences” says Kerry Hing. “We source our food locally and sustainably to ensure our dishes are fresh and authentic,” he adds.
The wood-fired oven, the kitchen's centrepiece, is used to prepare rustic, gourmet dishes reminiscent of the simplicity of the desert. “One of my favourite views is from the restaurant at sunrise or sunset – it’s particularly breathtaking,” confides the manager. Guests are then surrounded by spectacular rock formations, as the sky blazes with reds and oranges. Private dinners, organized in remote desert locations, are particularly popular with guests.
Camp Sarika, in the heart of the desert
Just a few minutes' drive from the main hotel, Camp Sarika is made up of ten tented pavilions. “Camp Sarika was also designed to minimise any impact to the natural environment, with the surrounding rock formations remaining completely untouched and the tented pavilions being created from recycled plastic bottles,” describes the manager.
Each pavilion features a living and dining room, one or two bedrooms, a private pool and an outdoor terrace, where guests can combine a day of adventure with evenings out of time. “During the day, our guests enjoy the unbridled adventures available such as UTV off-roading and horseback riding, then at dusk, they like to settle around a campfire under the stars to share stories. It’s the perfect way to end a very memorable day in the desert,” says Kerry Hing.
Wild, sustainable luxury
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Amangiri is its commitment to sustainability. Built with local materials and eco-friendly techniques, the hotel has been designed to minimize its impact on the desert's fragile ecosystem. “We are committed to preserving the environment we call home. We take a minimal waste approach on property and encourage guests to travel quietly and lightly on the land to protect the landscape and wildlife, ensuring they ‘leave no trace’. In addition to investing in our local community by supporting the education system and partnering with Native American partners to offer cultural experiences. As designated dark sky area, we are also protective of the cosmos and adhere to International Dark-Sky Association's (IDA) guidelines, while also educating guests on the wonders of the universe with stargazing sessions with a local observatory,” concludes the general manager.
In the heart of this desert vastness, Amangiri is not simply a place to stay, it's a transformative experience, where the raw beauty of nature, subtle architecture and unrivalled service come together to create a timeless and unforgettable escape.
 The hotel looks like confetti on the scale of the surrounding desert
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present All Rights Reserve
 The brutality of Amangiri's architecture echoes the arid landscapes of the Utah desert
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present. All Rights Reserved
 The full-board formula allows Amangiri to emphasize exceptional gastronomic experiences
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present. All Rights Reserved
 From every angle, including the bedrooms, the views are spectacular
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-pres All Rights Reserved
 The comfort, elegance and modernity of Aman hotels can be found everywhere here, even in the tents of Camp Sarika
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present. All Rights Reserved
 Above all, Camp Sarika promises a timeless experience
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present. All Rights Reserved
 Via Ferrata, with its spectacular suspension bridges, is one of Amangiri's most popular activities
Photo credit © Amangiri
 Camp Sarika combines luxury with total desert immersion
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996- present. All Rights Reserved
 Wellness is in the spotlight, and natural spaces are the ideal playground
Photo credit © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present. All Rights Reserved
 Kerry Hing took charge of Amangiri last April
Photo credit © NANCY HING PHOTOGRAPHY
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