When you arrive at Amangiri, you probably won’t even realize you're there. Tucked within 600 privately-owned acres in some of Southern Utah’s most striking terrain, the luxury resort is nearly hidden in plain sight, with guests driving through stretches of desert landscape before encountering its concrete façade. An oasis amongst rust-colored cliffs, winding canyons, and towering mesas, the resort almost fades into its surroundings—by design.
A short drive from Lake Tahoe, Zion National Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Amangiri is the shining star in the Aman hotel group’s constellation of properties. Its seclusion, paired with world-class wellness offerings and a wealth of outdoor activities set against one of the country’s most breathtaking backdrops, has made it a favorite of celebrities including Hailey and Justin Bieber, Kylie Jenner, and Angelina Jolie.
At the heart of the resort is a sparkling blue pool that hugs a natural rock formation. During cooler months, like when I visited, ribbons of steam dance atop its surface and make for a bewitching show while enjoying your morning coffee. Encircling the pool are 34 suites, a serene spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an airy common room and restaurant offering seasonal dishes inspired by the American Southwest. One of my favorite things I ate there was a velvety carrot bisque, although their perfectly roasted chicken with a tangy yet spicy green sauce also lives in my head rent free. The resort’s architecture, which is brutalist in style, enhances the beauty of its surroundings instead of competing with them. I personally found its austerity to be calming; indoors, the decor radiates warmth. My favorite design aspect is that no matter where in the resort you are, a floor-to-ceiling window is likely in view, framing a panoramic vista so pristine that it almost feels like simulation.
About a mile from the main resort lies Camp Sarika, where I stayed during my visit. The satellite property consists of 10 pavilions where larger groups and families can stay, each with a private plunge pool and a golf cart for getting around the grounds. Inside of the pavilions, each bathroom is outfitted with both an indoor and outdoor shower as well as a deep soaking tub with sweeping views.
During my stay, one of the pavilions in Camp Sarika had been transformed into Aman Cabana, an exclusive luxury pop-up retail concept offering an array of clothing, accessories, and design items inspired by Amangiri’s stunning desert surroundings. “The whole theme of the collection is hiking and activewear; we’re inviting you on a journey, on an adventure, and thinking about the pieces you might need,” explains Kristina Romanova, CEO of Aman Essentials, the Aman group’s luxury fashion and lifestyle brand. The curated collection featured everything from burnt orange bodysuits to windbreakers, baseball caps to bucket hats, water bottles to sport sunglasses, as well as athleisure sets perfect for exploring or relaxing at Amangiri.
Launched in 2023 at Amanpuri, Aman’s Thailand outpost, Aman Cabana is a traveling, temporary pop-up that sells pieces exclusive to and influenced by whatever location it’s housed in. While the Camp Sarika pop-up will only be around for a number of weeks, the Amangiri-inspired collection will then permanently move to the property’s on-site boutique, the sole location where guests can shop it. “We like to keep the collections exclusive because that’s the charm of Aman, is getting the unique opportunity to go somewhere and collect these pieces,” says Romanova. Of the next Aman Cabana pop-up, which is still very much under wraps, she says, “All of our properties are so different; they blend into the landscape and speak to the local culture and nature. So it will be a different moment, different merchandise, and different interior design.”
The Amangiri collection is a natural extension of the resort and its offerings, which center on rejuvenation, outdoor adventure, and wellness. My stay began with a calming yoga session (one fitness class per day is included in every guest’s stay), followed by a float in the serene outdoor plunge pool located within the property’s Water Pavilion. It also featured a sauna and hot and cold plunges, and I could have stayed in there all day if it weren’t for my massage (one of the best I’ve had). In the afternoon, I went for a hike on a section of Amangiri's 12 miles of designated trails and soon found myself surrounded by wavy, psychedelic rock formations—an experience and view I will never forget.
On my second and final day, I embraced a more adventurous side of Amangiri with a Via Ferrata, or “iron road,” experience, which involves scaling slot canyons and cliffs with the help of a series of cables and ladder rungs that are fixed to the rock faces. The vertical ascent might be intense for those with a fear of heights, but the reward at the top is nothing short of spectacular: a 360-degree view of the surrounding desert, which you have the option to enjoy while crossing an 18-inch-wide suspension bridge spanning a 600-foot gorge.
This is just one of the many excellent adventures Amangiri arranges for guests, with others including a hot air balloon ride, horseback ride, backcountry hiking, slot canyon tours, helicopter tours, stargazing sessions, and visits to the areas national parks. It seems to me like if a guest can dream it, Amangiri can organize it. And considering it’s the most expensive hotel per night in the United States, I can only imagine its well-heeled clientele have made some extravagant requests.
It was without a doubt the most stunning place I have ever stayed. But during my trip, I realized that at Amangiri, luxury isn't just about opulence (although there’s no shortage of that); it’s about creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences in a one-in-a-million locale.
