Amangiri (Utah)
Oct 31, 2009, 2:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
Amangiri Trip Report
I was at Amangiri last weekend. A four and a half hour self drive from Las Vegas was enjoyable and easy on the eyes. One of the few times I have arrived at an Amanresort with out being greeted at an airport. The entrance was unmarked but we found the gate at the end of Larkspur Road, buzzed in and drove another ten minutes till we reached the resort. The arrival courtyard has comfortable couches, a water fall cascading down from a reflecting pool, and a dozen Aspen trees planted in the turn around. We handed over the keys, were offered cold towels, lemonade, and a warm welcome. Amangiri was wonderful with very few problems.
To enter you climb the stairs and are your eyes are drawn to a classical framed view of the dessert southwest. All the views at Amangiri seemed to be framed by the walls of the resort (your suite even has drapes that make the view feel very cinematic). The main room has six fireplaces, scented woods burning every evening, comfortable seating on leather couches, horse hair rugs, walls of glass, amazing views. The Library is elevated in the middle of this building with nice sitting areas, good books and magazines, board games, and a laptop. The kitchen sits at the far end with lots of options for dinning both inside and out on the terrace over looking the swimming pool. As you pass the kitchen area and its wood burning ovens you can walk into the wine cellar that offers tastings. There is also a side terrace that is great at any time. It’s position looks out over the mesa’s with big comfortable white couches to hang out on.
The Suites: Both the dessert view rooms and mesa view rooms are the same design and the view, from both are wonderful. The mesa view rooms are located at the back of the resort and have up close views of the rocks and look amazing when you look out from your suite. The suite has a wall of glass doors that fold back and disappear expanding the room to the outdoor terrace. This is a great place to hang out but we could look see other guest on their terraces and I am sure they could see us. At night with the gas fire on you can push a button that lowers a screen so you can sleep with the doors open and still see the fire and view in the morning. We spent a lot of time lounging on this terrace and had the fire going every night. You can light it your self or have someone come and light it. I suggest you tell them at dinner that you want the turn down staff to light it so it’s going when you come back to the room. A large LCD TV, music system, and mini bar are hidden behind large doors. The bathroom is well designed with twin rainfall shower heads, two hand held wands, and a bath tub in a separate room. A large window is centered with a view when you shower or take a bath. Four huge white bath towels, two nice candles, great soaps, shower gel and bath salts make getting clean very nice. The toilet room on the opposite end was huge, with a sliding barn door to close when in use. The tile work was top notch! Closet space was more then ample so that everything could be put away and out of sight. The pool suites I did not love as the pool is in the back (similar to Amanwella) with a view of the room and the mesa in the distance. The upstairs sundeck or star gazing deck is very nice, no one can see you up there. I did not see the other suites.
The main pool is vast and curved around a large rock formation. 8 double sun beds are built to look like they are floating on the water. A large tray is placed in the middle for drinks and food. There are other lounge chairs around the pool on an elevated platform. There is a large " hot tub” that spills over into the heated pool at one end. Next to that is a outdoor lounge are with a fireplace that is blazing at night, you can also have dinner out there. Towels where thick and plentiful but no one to lay them out for you. You must ask for water. They bring you a menu for food and drinks, which can be ordered but staff was in short supply and the set up for a meal needs more practice. To be fair the staff were very nice they just need more experience with what guest’s are used to when staying at an Amanresort.
The Spa is remarkable and we spent a lot of time in the water pavilion. We had this to ourselves one day. There is no charge to use this. It has its own heated step well (pool), lots of cushions, pillows and towels, it was very indulgent. The spa staff even served drinks to us there. This pavilion has dry sauna, steam room, showers that are the size of the suites entire bathroom, cold plunge pool, and a fireplace. I think this spa is larger then Amanpuri's and it had wonderful inward facing views. There are many fireplaces in the spa, great water features, and interesting natural lighting similar to the slot canyons that are in the area.
A few adventures we did were a drive to Lake Powell (ten minutes away). We enjoyed them but got stuck in the sand at the lake, be careful! Glen Canyon Dam, and a Hummer tour to see a slot canyon was phenomenal. The weather was great in October, strong sun and the lake still warm enough for a swim. We hiked around the property twice and had some great views of the resort from atop the rocks just beyond the swimming pool. The landscape really does look Martian or Lunar, depending on the light.
I think this is a great resort only to get better as time goes by. The staff was lead by a few really strong and capable employees and the rest will get better as they gain more exp.
Extra things.
1. For lunch steak sandwich is the best option followed by the mussels, and then the swordfish plates.
2. Prickly pear margaritas are delicious and not listed on the menu make sure you ask for them they are great.
3. If you are planning on having more than one glass of wine it is a better deal to order a whole bottle. Utah has really strict alcohol laws and pours are measured precisely.
4. I highly recommend a bike ride while there. This is a very good way to capture the landscape and fill your day up with activities. ( downhill is the best!)
5. Climb the rocks behind the hotel, this is a really good way to see the resort from a different angle.
6. Sleep with the doors open.
7. Walk into the desert at night and star gaze. On a clear night this is an incredible experience. Management should seriously consider adding telescopes and binoculars to each suite.
8. The gym is full of great equipment for all levels of fitness and weightlifting.
9. Great bath robes.
10. Great staff leadership.
11. Wine tasting in the wine cellar.
12. There is no ipod docking station which they should have!
13. Entrance to the suite has a nice water feature and a dining table with two chairs.
To enter you climb the stairs and are your eyes are drawn to a classical framed view of the dessert southwest. All the views at Amangiri seemed to be framed by the walls of the resort (your suite even has drapes that make the view feel very cinematic). The main room has six fireplaces, scented woods burning every evening, comfortable seating on leather couches, horse hair rugs, walls of glass, amazing views. The Library is elevated in the middle of this building with nice sitting areas, good books and magazines, board games, and a laptop. The kitchen sits at the far end with lots of options for dinning both inside and out on the terrace over looking the swimming pool. As you pass the kitchen area and its wood burning ovens you can walk into the wine cellar that offers tastings. There is also a side terrace that is great at any time. It’s position looks out over the mesa’s with big comfortable white couches to hang out on.
The Suites: Both the dessert view rooms and mesa view rooms are the same design and the view, from both are wonderful. The mesa view rooms are located at the back of the resort and have up close views of the rocks and look amazing when you look out from your suite. The suite has a wall of glass doors that fold back and disappear expanding the room to the outdoor terrace. This is a great place to hang out but we could look see other guest on their terraces and I am sure they could see us. At night with the gas fire on you can push a button that lowers a screen so you can sleep with the doors open and still see the fire and view in the morning. We spent a lot of time lounging on this terrace and had the fire going every night. You can light it your self or have someone come and light it. I suggest you tell them at dinner that you want the turn down staff to light it so it’s going when you come back to the room. A large LCD TV, music system, and mini bar are hidden behind large doors. The bathroom is well designed with twin rainfall shower heads, two hand held wands, and a bath tub in a separate room. A large window is centered with a view when you shower or take a bath. Four huge white bath towels, two nice candles, great soaps, shower gel and bath salts make getting clean very nice. The toilet room on the opposite end was huge, with a sliding barn door to close when in use. The tile work was top notch! Closet space was more then ample so that everything could be put away and out of sight. The pool suites I did not love as the pool is in the back (similar to Amanwella) with a view of the room and the mesa in the distance. The upstairs sundeck or star gazing deck is very nice, no one can see you up there. I did not see the other suites.
The main pool is vast and curved around a large rock formation. 8 double sun beds are built to look like they are floating on the water. A large tray is placed in the middle for drinks and food. There are other lounge chairs around the pool on an elevated platform. There is a large " hot tub” that spills over into the heated pool at one end. Next to that is a outdoor lounge are with a fireplace that is blazing at night, you can also have dinner out there. Towels where thick and plentiful but no one to lay them out for you. You must ask for water. They bring you a menu for food and drinks, which can be ordered but staff was in short supply and the set up for a meal needs more practice. To be fair the staff were very nice they just need more experience with what guest’s are used to when staying at an Amanresort.
The Spa is remarkable and we spent a lot of time in the water pavilion. We had this to ourselves one day. There is no charge to use this. It has its own heated step well (pool), lots of cushions, pillows and towels, it was very indulgent. The spa staff even served drinks to us there. This pavilion has dry sauna, steam room, showers that are the size of the suites entire bathroom, cold plunge pool, and a fireplace. I think this spa is larger then Amanpuri's and it had wonderful inward facing views. There are many fireplaces in the spa, great water features, and interesting natural lighting similar to the slot canyons that are in the area.
A few adventures we did were a drive to Lake Powell (ten minutes away). We enjoyed them but got stuck in the sand at the lake, be careful! Glen Canyon Dam, and a Hummer tour to see a slot canyon was phenomenal. The weather was great in October, strong sun and the lake still warm enough for a swim. We hiked around the property twice and had some great views of the resort from atop the rocks just beyond the swimming pool. The landscape really does look Martian or Lunar, depending on the light.
I think this is a great resort only to get better as time goes by. The staff was lead by a few really strong and capable employees and the rest will get better as they gain more exp.
Extra things.
1. For lunch steak sandwich is the best option followed by the mussels, and then the swordfish plates.
2. Prickly pear margaritas are delicious and not listed on the menu make sure you ask for them they are great.
3. If you are planning on having more than one glass of wine it is a better deal to order a whole bottle. Utah has really strict alcohol laws and pours are measured precisely.
4. I highly recommend a bike ride while there. This is a very good way to capture the landscape and fill your day up with activities. ( downhill is the best!)
5. Climb the rocks behind the hotel, this is a really good way to see the resort from a different angle.
6. Sleep with the doors open.
7. Walk into the desert at night and star gaze. On a clear night this is an incredible experience. Management should seriously consider adding telescopes and binoculars to each suite.
8. The gym is full of great equipment for all levels of fitness and weightlifting.
9. Great bath robes.
10. Great staff leadership.
11. Wine tasting in the wine cellar.
12. There is no ipod docking station which they should have!
13. Entrance to the suite has a nice water feature and a dining table with two chairs.
Oct 31, 2009, 2:24 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
zigzag, fantastic details/suggestions ^
TrophyCollector >
http://www.amanresorts.com/amangiri/rates.aspx
from $600 / pool from $1050
2010 rates arent done yet (jun 15 > dec 14)
top 2 suites seem like they are 2BR.. ah, maybe they connect?
TrophyCollector >
http://www.amanresorts.com/amangiri/rates.aspx
from $600 / pool from $1050
2010 rates arent done yet (jun 15 > dec 14)
top 2 suites seem like they are 2BR.. ah, maybe they connect?
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 31, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Oct 31, 2009, 2:57 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 142
Thanks so much!
How many days were you there (it sounds like three?) Did you feel like you were starting to get bored or were there still things to do? What do you think the ideal trip length would be?
How many days were you there (it sounds like three?) Did you feel like you were starting to get bored or were there still things to do? What do you think the ideal trip length would be?
Oct 31, 2009, 2:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
Stayed three nights and four full days. On our last day we were busy on the slot canyon tour and then came back to the resort and had lunch. We took a swim and showers in our suite and headed back to Vegas at 7PM, a very generous late check out. They did make up the suite on our last day with fresh linen on the bed and towels in the bath.Very nice!
I think three days is minimum and you could spend a week with all there is to see in the area. The resort loaned one of the BMW's to a guest we met to drive down to the Grand Canyon, they were not sure if there would be a charge for it. I'm sure in the summer more time would be spent on the Lake and all it has to offer.
Last edited by zigzag; Oct 31, 2009 at 7:05 pm Reason: additional information
^
Oct 31, 2009, 11:25 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
http://www.canyonequity.com/canyon_villas.html
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 1, 2009 at 9:23 am
Nov 1, 2009, 12:43 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NCE - GVA - MUC
Programs: mosttraveledpeople.com
Posts: 492
Thanks Kage and zigzag.
US$ 600 ... Aman are becoming more accessible.
I get the feeling that entry prices are dropping at most Aman properties (even more so on a € basis). Is that correct?
Although I personally appreciate that development, I wonder if the lower prices are not negatively affecting the brand image.
US$ 600 ... Aman are becoming more accessible.
I get the feeling that entry prices are dropping at most Aman properties (even more so on a € basis). Is that correct?
Although I personally appreciate that development, I wonder if the lower prices are not negatively affecting the brand image.
Nov 1, 2009, 12:52 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i dont recall price drops for new or existing properties. just not the same increases at existing properties.
there were promos, including a couple full board, amex plat/cent 4th nt free, amanyara 7th nt free, and carrier.co.uk had amanyara 5th nt free, and has aman summer palace 3rd nt free right now.
at least 2 people have said aman has done unpublished opening specials in the past. published amantaka rates were definitely a special compared to the following year. we have to wait for amangiri's other 2010 rates to compare there.
there were promos, including a couple full board, amex plat/cent 4th nt free, amanyara 7th nt free, and carrier.co.uk had amanyara 5th nt free, and has aman summer palace 3rd nt free right now.
at least 2 people have said aman has done unpublished opening specials in the past. published amantaka rates were definitely a special compared to the following year. we have to wait for amangiri's other 2010 rates to compare there.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 1, 2009 at 8:18 am
Nov 1, 2009, 8:40 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
The resort is fully opened. The only things not open were the gallery and boutique. No, the villas are not even started but all the electric and sewers have been run to the home sites. Right now just a platform sits on the home site so the buyer can check out the views.
The slot canyon tour was great as only one company can take you on this land, no one else is out there! Go in the morning for the best light.
The slot canyon tour was great as only one company can take you on this land, no one else is out there! Go in the morning for the best light.
Nov 1, 2009, 1:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 264
Zigzag,
Thanks for the excellent trip report. Can you be more clear why you didn't like the pool suites? Do you know if the pool suite pools are heated like the other resort pools? How close are the other guests when out on the terrace?
Can anyone recommend the best time to visit the area? I prefer hot over cold.
Thanks again
Thanks for the excellent trip report. Can you be more clear why you didn't like the pool suites? Do you know if the pool suite pools are heated like the other resort pools? How close are the other guests when out on the terrace?
Can anyone recommend the best time to visit the area? I prefer hot over cold.
Thanks again
Nov 1, 2009, 7:35 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
I don't like the pool in the front of the suite, to me the view is out back and were we spent most of our time. The pools are all heated and cooled in the hot summer months. You only see other guests if you venture off your terrace or really try to look.One of the other guests walked out into the dessert and when they turned to come back they could look right into our suite. This should really not be an issue after a few more snake bits. If you like it hot then end of June - August. October we had strong sun and blue skies and spent lots of time out in the sun and and swimming in many of the pools.