MY STAY
The Desert Pool Suite
At Amangiri, the sandstone is not scenery pasted behind the hotel; the main pool actually curves around a great outcrop. I slipped into the private pool of my Desert Pool Suite to cool off in July, then went back as the sun slipped behind the mesas instead of booking another activity.
Heat & distance
The journey through this part of Utah needs planning. Summer heat changed the time of day that a walk sounded appealing, while Camp Sarika's tented accommodations offered a different kind of privacy from a suite at the main resort. The two should not be chosen from the same pool photograph.
Service & dining
Remoteness made the small service misses more noticeable. A room left waiting for evening turndown, unanswered calls or a dinner that fell flat could not be solved by walking down the street. I kept the landscape outings early and left plenty of space to enjoy the suite after the hottest part of the day.
Would I return?
The quiet, night sky and architecture justified staying several nights. It would be a strange choice for someone after a social resort or an easy airport transfer. I wanted the desert to set the pace, with the arrival and dining details settled before getting there.