With the growing inclination among travellers to find and explore places lesser traipsed and certainly lesser shared, it’s no wonder is so coveted, not least of all by us here at est.
You only have to feast your eyes on this remote canyon hideaway in Southern Utah, North America, to find yourself overcome with all sorts of feelings. The kind that propel you to pick up a fistful of dry earth and feel it between your fingers, or sink into that crystal clear pool before you’ve even put your swimwear on. And we don’t blame you, because Amangiri is a very unique place. With its name derived from the Sanskrit words for peace – ‘aman’, and mountain – ‘giri’, the a one-of-a-kind resort will pull you firmly into nature and invite you to embrace its raw beauty a lot quicker than your average sand and palm tree-studded holiday resort.
DESIGN Marwan Al-Sayed, Wendell Burnette and Rick Joy
Amangiri offers a peaceful retreat tucked into nature with breathtaking views of undulating dunes and serene mesas. It has been deluged by trophies and awards as long as it’s been open, and with its magic combination of a reclusive position in a protected valley in Canyon Point to its impeccable, premium design, we’re tempted to give it another right here, right now.
Amangiri is a lesson in modern design ever-so-gently rubbing shoulders with the natural environment, making it known that the rugged and beautiful landscape is the real star of the show. The resort is set in the heart of the Grand Circle, which is the largest concentration of national parks in the United States, and it seems to know its place, its geometric buildings ingeniously hued with ochre, yellow and pink to blend into the cliff curve Amangiri nestles into.
The resort manages to create a palpable sense of calm, respite and the kind of peace and equilibrium that can only come from the natural environment, within a contemporary, man-made structure where sharp lines and 90-degree angles abound.
Every suite at the resort has been designed to showcase the unique, 328-hectare estate, with strategically placed windows, terraces, concrete cut-outs and indoor sky lights welcoming the panorama – a chameleon that seems to change every hour with the shifting light.
The interior speaks to an upscale simplicity that mirrors the natural environment in both aesthetic and feeling, with an oversized living area, more of those clean lines and an abundance of natural materials like stone floors, natural timbers, and the regular appearance of water. Concrete walls and blackened steel fittings add a sturdy edge fit for a landscape that withstands both blistering heat in summer and light snow in winter.
But let’s not forget the luxury: The 348-square-metre Amangiri Suite is where to stay for a serious upscale fix. With a large private lap pool with floating steps, an expansive sun deck with outdoor dining areas and a sky terrace, all with magnificent Utah desert views, this is the ultimate escape for when you want to get away from it all, without sacrificing any of those holiday frills. As for the inner awakening? Let’s call that an optional extra.
Amangiri is a lesson in modern design ever-so-gently rubbing shoulders with the natural environment, making it known that the rugged and beautiful landscape is the real star of the show.
The post appeared first on .
