Serenity. Sheer, uninterrupted, blissful serenity. Not freedom from, but peace amid, the storms of this world. They say it’s found somewhere between the skies and the sand. And they weren’t far off. We think we’ve found it here; in this unexpected pocket of luxury in the heart of Navajo country; in this wild and rock-carved Utah landscape; in this isolated yet miraculous natural arena of the Colorado Plateau, where only few lucky souls have ventured before; in this unique desert landscape radiating untold beauty to the mind and to the spirit.
For it is here that one takes front seat to a vast theatre of plateaus and gorges, canyons and valleys, desert and lake; it is here that one truly escapes, disappears almost, into the ironically empty crowd of a 600-acre protective valley; it is here that one is truly transported from the real world and immersed into a seeming impossible expanse of geological novel and majesty, at one with the soundtrack of a whole new wonderland. Surrounded by the backdrop of gentle hues of browns, beiges, sands and creams, watch this theatrical marvel from the early morning magic of the sun as it paints anew the colourful canyons, until the night sky is lit by thousands of clear stars, the spotlight falls and the curtains close on this southwestern terrain, casting dramatic shadows on the mountains. And as the mind falls into a slumber once more, the promise of tomorrow’s showing, the possibility of endless exploration, awaits. Antelope, Zebra Slot, Peekaboo, and Rattlesnake Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Reflection Canyon, to name but a few of the characters, greet you at every twist and turn, every tight squeeze; or the extraordinary expanse of Lake Powell summons you with open vistas unrivalled elsewhere. So prepare to step into a dramatic realm of extraordinary like no other for this week’s #blackbooktravels. While the world slowly opens up once more, yet the spirit still craves the immersion of absolute solitude, it seems the only place in the world right for us to show off. The last promise, almost, of a place with no sign of man that still truly exists. See it to believe it.
Where to stay? 🛏
Tucked into this vast valley is an unexpected modernist hotel meaning ‘peaceful mountain’ in Sanskrit. Wrapped beautifully into the mountainous desert backdrop, it is a mere continuation, an effortless partnership of absolute tranquillity with mother nature, and it goes by the name of @amangiri. With only 34 exclusive suites, you can’t help but feel the continuation of sheer serenity and impossible isolation.
Guests are invited further into dreamy disconnect, with the juxtaposition of architecture that stands out precisely because it disappears. Although pools take centre stage in an otherwise arid desert, the rooms are no less than stunning. Each has its own collapsing wall cleverly facing only the most immaculate of mountainous views. Every nook and every cranny is designed to luxurious perfection, with an aesthetic that delights every single eye for design. Here, never mind the theatre, for it’s its still-life imagery that’s got us lusting. We’d say it might just be the most photogenic resort on earth.
