Set on 243 hectares (600 acres) in a protected valley, Amangiri, meaning ‘peaceful mountain’, claims sweeping views over stratified rock and towering mesas towards Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A private oasis, the resort has long provided an idyllic base for exploration of the untamed wilderness and desert landscapes that surround.
New for 2021, the resort introduces the Cave Peak Stairway; a unique installation raising some 400 feet (122 metres) above the ground, offering mesmerizing vistas of the property and beyond. In a momentous unveiling, the installation marks a continuation of Aman’s mission to provide transformative experiences, exclusive to its guests.
Well suited to thrill-seekers, the Cave Peak Stairway has 120 steps and is accessible from the resort’s existing Cave Peak Via Ferrata Trail. Guests will now be invited to take to the stairs after completing the Via Ferrata and will be rewarded with an incredible panorama from the top. With an unmatched vertical route of ascent, a spectacular position, and a summit visible from the resort, the Cave Peak Via Ferrata – now with the addition of the stairway – is destined to be an iconic and exhilarating adventure.
Engineered by Adventure Partners Attractions, LLC – a firm responsible for installing Via Ferrata routes and installations for many of North America’s leading recreational destinations – the building process required a helicopter to deliver components to the challenging site, with highly-advanced technical rigging systems used to provide access and to install anchors. The aerial stairway is 200 feet (61 metres) in length, making it the longest of its kind in the northern hemisphere.
The incredible installation joins an extensive selection of activities on offer at Amangiri, with the resort’s exclusive acreage providing the base for carefully curated Aman experiences, including several additional Via Ferratas led by expert guides. Invented centuries ago in the Italian Alps, a Via Ferrata (‘iron road’) is a series of cables and ladder rungs, fixed to the rock face to enable the ascent of steep mountain routes.
For guests of varying experience, the routes surrounding the resort each provide a unique adventure. The Canyon Crossing Via Ferrata has been designed to challenge and inspire the whole family and is a fun way to introduce children to the skills needed for travel in mixed terrain on the Colorado Plateau. Children aged six and older will learn the basic technique required for a full-scale Via Ferrata as well as rope climbing.
The site also includes a replica dinosaur dig, created using castings from real fossils, that references the paleontology site at nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Additional routes include the Hoodoo Via Ferrata which includes a narrow suspension bridge spanning a deep gorge; the Vertigo route, sure to challenge even the most experienced Via Ferrata enthusiasts; and the Red Line Ridge route which rises to the summit of Stud Horse Mesa, offering an intense climb.
For those who seek to explore at their own pace, Amangiri’s property boundary encompasses 243 hectares (600-acres) on the Colorado Plateau, with miles of designated hiking trails differing in length and difficulty.
Simple yet poignant moments can be spent strolling at sunset, for example, where the long shadows foster a feeling of comfort and peace. Alternatively, reconnect with loved ones and Mother Nature with daily group hikes offering astonishing archeological, geological and natural encounters.
Varying modes of transport can also be used to traverse the vast terrain. Amangiri’s Ultimate Terrain Vehicle (UTV) is a safe yet exciting way to explore, allowing passengers to access harder-to-reach hiking trails and viewpoints for an adventure in itself. On two wheels, e-bike tours are well-suited to families wishing to ride together, taking in the scenery and fresh air and enabling guests of mixed ability to uncover the secrets of the desert together.
Alternatively, for an iconic Western experience, join Amangiri’s wranglers on horseback, with riding trails available both in the area immediately around the resort and challenging rides including ridge-top hacks high above the maze of ridges and canyons. Finally, the vastness of Amangiri is showcased from a new perspective at sunrise, where hot-air balloon flights offer a unique point of view and an unforgettable evening.
Built around a central swimming pool with elegant dining areas, indoor and outdoor lounges and an extensive spa serving just 34 spacious suites, the resort is a desert solace, yet it’s what can be discovered across the surrounding planes of the southwest, that make Amangiri adventures so life-affirming.
ABOUT AMAN
Aman was founded in 1988 with the vision of building a collection of intimate retreats with the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private home. The first, Amanpuri (place of peace) in Phuket, Thailand, introduced the concept and, since then, Aman has grown to encompass 33 exquisitely serene hotels and resorts in 20 destinations across the world, with a further eight under construction.
The next Aman to open will be Aman New York. The introduction of Aman Skincare in 2018 and SVA in 2020 has continued the holistic journey beyond the perimeters of Aman’s havens. Offering a soothing journey to a place of beautifully scented repose and respite, Aman Skincare represents the spirit of Aman in a bottle. Meanwhile, SVA’s range of all- natural food supplements allow Aman guests to maintain optimum health, supporting one’s wellness journey from the comfort of their own home.
In 2020, Aman not only welcomed Aman Fine Fragrance, a sophisticated collection of scents echoing Aman destinations but also a new hotel brand, Janu – meaning ‘soul’ in Sanskrit. Janu offers a unique take on hospitality where genuine human interaction, playful expression and social wellness are at the core of the experience. Janu aims to bring balance to the head and heart and rekindle the soul.
Janu launches with three forthcoming hotels which are already under construction: Montenegro (2022), Al Ula in Saudi Arabia (2022) and Tokyo (2022), as well as a robust pipeline of future hotels. Janu Montenegro will be the first hotel to incorporate the brands serviced residence concept, enabling guests to wholly embrace the Janu lifestyle.
