Amangiri Features Serene Luxury Near Page

Amangiri: Desert Decompression for Those Seeking Uncomplicated Elegance

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Secluded among petrified sandstone monuments in the Southern Utah desert, about a 25-minute drive from Page, is a wealthy minimalist’s dream. Amangiri, a Sanskrit word for “peaceful mountain,” is a starkly serene luxury resort situated on 600 acres in the Grand Circle region, an area exhibiting unparalleled raw beauty, famous for its national parks like the Grand Canyon, national monuments including Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Navajo Nation, whose culture is intricately woven into the Southwest.

Those who aren’t looking for it wouldn’t know it’s here, which is part of Amangiri’s worldwide appeal to a very exclusive clientele – from A-list celebrities to software geniuses. “We try to connect guests to the spirit of the place, this sanctuary for people in an extraordinary location,” said General Manager Julien Surget.

Visitors may feel like they are sitting in a sculpture or living in a modern art gallery that flows, like the gentle fountains found throughout the property, from inside the clean lines of the concrete walls to the outdoor simplicity of stone terraces. Design elements frame expansive views with changing pastel palettes through secret windows and unpretentious hallways. Even, the human-made artwork is a reflection of the timeless landscape. Large paintings, brushed with grains of sand forgotten by an ancient shallow sea, adorn the walls of the dining room.

The centerpiece is a 160-millionyear-old giant boulder, said to be the inspiration for the entire resort, showcased and wrapped by a yearround 86-degree pool. The private property, acquired in the early 2000s, is the result of a land swap with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which took three years, an act of Congress and the signature of President George W. Bush.

“We’ve learned millionaires and billionaires aren’t really looking for that world of chandeliers and pillars. Those are things of the past,” said Amangiri Executive Chef Anthony Marazita. “Simplicity is what they are after. Uncomplicated luxury.”

The array of sparkling stretch

Left: General Manager Julien Surget, shown here in front of artwork sculpted from sand on the property, says guests seek adventure and a connection with nature. Photo by Bonnie Stevens Right: A giant boulder, edged on three sides by a spacious pool kept at 86 degrees year round, is said to have been the inspiration for Amangiri. Courtesy photo

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