Camp Sarika by Amangiri (Utah, USA)

April 4, 2024

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Wednesday newsletters at all times function a lodge or flight evaluation.

At this time: Assessment of Camp Sarika by Amangiri (Utah, USA)

Camp Sarika by Amangiri is a serene and timeless retreat within the Utah desert, set in opposition to a backdrop of vermillion rock formations and boundless blue skies. Inside this distant sanctuary, visitors can expertise solitude, privateness, escapism and journey. Deriving its title from the Sanskrit phrase for “open house” and “sky,” the camp allows a back-to-nature wilderness expertise in consummate consolation, revealing Utah’s otherworldly landscapes and intriguing features of Native American tradition at each flip. Overlooking placing flat-topped mesas, the camp contains ten tented pavilions every with its personal outside deck and personal plunge pool. These are intuitively positioned to offer the utmost seclusion and unimpeded views, whereas nonetheless permitting easy accessibility to the camp’s foremost pavilion with its two spa suites, restaurant, solar deck, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Camp Sarika by Aman options in my high 10 listing of the world’s most luxurious glamping retreats.

Have you ever ever stayed at Camp Sarika ? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluation (extra information and pictures beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Camp Sarika is about in 600 hectares of uncooked wilderness within the coronary heart of the Utah desert, solely a 15-minute hike or five-minute drive from its iconic sister resort, Amangiri (which I reviewed right here). Whereas visitors of Camp Sarika take pleasure in full entry to Amangiri’s foremost resort amenities at any time when they want (and vice versa), every little thing they want is conveniently positioned at Camp Sarika. The abundance of house surrounding the camp and the secluded location make it a perfect vacation spot for teams or households searching for a particular place to rejoice in undisturbed privateness. A 30-minute drive from the closest city of Web page and its worldwide airport, Camp Sarika stays surprisingly accessible whereas it feels extraordinarily distant.

Camp Sarika’s central pavilion was designed by New York-based Selldorf Architects, and the constructing seamlessly anchors to the atmosphere. Paying homage to its neighboring sanctuary Amangiri, the principle constructing is designed with minimalism in thoughts, the place easy concrete blocks mix effortlessly into the rock. Upon coming into, a panoramic artwork set up, by internationally acclaimed artist Maya Lin titled Wahweap, welcomes visitors. Impressed by tracing the form of water because it travels from close by Lake Powell to Lake Mead the piece is created in glass and marble, whereas open fireplaces and earthy supplies additional join the constructing to its pure environment. The restaurant provides each indoor and outside seating, surrounded by fireplace pits that add to the environment

Proper subsequent to the eating room is an outside swimming pool with spa space. The big pool is flanked by shaded daybeds for escaping the noon solar and a heated jacuzzi for enjoyable at nightfall. The intimate wellness heart is comprised of simply two spa rooms, the place therapy are administered by extremely expert therapist. Camp Sarika’s signature therapy is a particular two-hour spa journey often known as Desert Calm, designed to hydrate and soothe physique, thoughts and spirit. Yoga and guided meditation are provided al fresco in a number of settings, permitting visitors to reground themselves inside the astounding pure fantastic thing about the Utah desert. Tailored experiences embrace greeting the dawn atop Tower Butte, 5,000 ft (,1500 m) above sea degree. This journey begins with a scenic helicopter flight over Lake Powell and Glen Canyon, earlier than an hour’s yoga and meditation session atop the butte.

Claiming unobstructed views of the mesas or dealing with west to catch the sundown each night, the camp’s spacious ten tented pavilions function both one or two bedrooms, in addition to a residing space, eating space, bar, and personal terrace. The tented pavilions evoke the clear traces of the suites at Amangiri, the place pure supplies mirror the sunshine remodeling, undulating floor of the desert exterior. Set in unparalleled proximity to nature, the interiors embrace smooth ornamental canvas ceilings, and picket fittings, versus Amangiri’s blackened metal and stone furnishings. In the meantime exterior – accessed by way of sliding doorways – the architectural design continues to captivate; particular person plunge swimming pools, firepits with fireplace furnishings and telescopes additional encourage an immersion in nature and the outside

Camp Sarika’s restaurant is open all through the day, serving progressive, responsibly sourced dishes with a give attention to Southwestern Native American delicacies. The restaurant’s menu modifications every day, incorporating the freshest native produce whereas additionally catering for vegetarians and vegans. Located in the principle pavilion, with each indoor and outside seating and breathtaking views, the restaurant serves an a la carte breakfast starting from kettle oats and home granola to Mequite eggs benedict and smoked Utah ruby trout toast. Culinary highlights for lunch and dinner embrace wild sport chili, grilled Scottish salmon, duck confit and a black bean burger, whereas after dinner heralds the arrival of craft cocktails and the nightly chef’s appetizer. Afternoon tea is served every day.

Surrounded by quite a few nationwide monuments, the Navajo Nation Reservation, and 5 nationwide parks together with Zion, Grand Canyon and Bryce, Camp Sarika is properly positioned for exploring the pure and cultural points of interest of the area. Serving as an idyllic escape and a springboard for exploration of the realm, the camp has loads of desert and mountain mountaineering with its personal non-public path system protecting over ten miles of routes instantly from its doorstep. The camp provides morning and afternoon wellness experiences indoors and out, canyoneering, its personal Through Ferrata route and horseback using, in addition to many different actions. Journey actions embrace mountaineering to Horseshoe Bend, Paria Overlook or Resurrection Canyon, touring Monument Valley, exploring the well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Navajo Nationwide Monument and kayaking, fishing, paddle-boarding or boating on Lake Powell.

Friends of Camp Sarika have full entry to Amangiri (complimentary shuttle service is supplied). Overlooking starkly stunning desert surroundings and the Southwest’s iconic flat-topped mesa rock formations, Amangiri is essentially the most luxurious and unique lodge within the USA. Amangiri’s central pavilion, constructed round a dramatic swimming pool, homes the lounge, gallery, library, and eating room/cellar. Amangiri’s 34 suites and 1 non-public four-bedroom residence provide minimalist interiors that echo the realm’s spectacular surroundings; some present non-public plunge swimming pools and rooftop terraces. The property can also be residence to a spectacular Aman Spa, which comes with a water pavilion, Pilates studio, candlelit rooms, and outside therapy terraces. Complimentary shuttle service is supplied between Camp Sarika and Amangiri.

Camp Sarika by Amangiri is managed by Aman, one of many world’s most unique lodge manufacturers. The Aman Group manages a superb assortment of intimate properties throughout the globe. The model is thought for the understated magnificence of its resorts, beautiful consideration to element, minimalist design, heartfelt service, and otherworldly areas. Amongst Aman’s habitués is a gaggle of passionate repeat clients who name themselves ‘Aman junkies’ (rely me in) and whose journey plans are decided by Aman areas. It’s a false impression that Aman junkies are at all times extremely rich folks: I choose to spend my cash on two nights at an Aman resort than two weeks at every other resort, as you pay for a singular and life-long reminiscence. In all honesty and with out exaggeration, an Aman resort makes some 4 Seasons or Ritz-Carlton resorts appear to be a mediocre Vacation Inn lodge.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

IMHO, Camp Sarika lacks a WOW issue, which is a little bit of a distinction in comparison with the texture you get at different Aman Resorts. The camp’s intimate design definitely doesn’t really feel as grand and breathtaking as its sister resort Amangiri subsequent door, though which will have been the aim of the house owners. The primary pavilion, the pool space, and the small spa are handy locations for the camp’s visitors to chill out & chill, however they do really feel a bit pared down in comparison with their counterparts at Amangiri. That stated, visitors of Camp Sarika have entry to all amenities at close by Amangiri, which is only a scenic five-minute drive away by way of one of many resort’s SUVs.

Situated proper subsequent to a mesa, the pool space is a stunning place to chill out after a morning hike within the desert. Nevertheless, it doesn’t really feel as iconic as Amangiri’s foremost pool, because it’s only a rectangular pool proper subsequent to a towering mesa whereas Amangiri’s pool is ingenuously constructed round a powerful rock escarpment. Additionally, the pool space at Camp Sarika is surrounded by a fairly low cost wanting fence, which takes away any sense of being one with the encompassing desert panorama.

Camp Sarika’s ten tented pavilions – 2 two-bedroom pavilions and eight one-bedroom pavilions – are properly appointed however once more, for my part, they lack a real WOW issue. However though the lodging at Camp Sarika are far much less showy than the suites at its sister resort Amangiri, they provide extra when it comes to house and in-room facilities (for instance, all the pavilions at Camp Sarika have non-public plunge swimming pools, whereas solely the dearer suites at Amangiri have them). This in all probability explains why the nightly charges for a pavilion at Camp Sarika are dearer than the charges for a collection at Amangiri. Additionally remember that some pavilions are usually not utterly non-public since their outside areas are within reach from visitors on the close by mountaineering trails.

Due to the variations in atmosphere, design and facilities, I might suggest Camp Sarika to households, honeymooners and small teams of buddies, whereas I might suggest Amangiri’s foremost resort to all different vacationers.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 8/10
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 9/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Wow issue: 8/10
Worth for cash: 7/10
Total expertise: excellent (8/10)

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: get the next complimentary VIP perks at Camp Sarika by Amangiri when reserving by way of Virtuoso:
- Improve on arrival, topic to availability
- Every day breakfast for as much as two visitors per bed room
- $100 USD meals & beverage credit score
- Early Test-In / Late Test-Out, topic to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi

Lower your expenses: learn right here my ideas for getting the very best deal at an Aman Resort.

Learn my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Situated within the excessive desert, Camp Sarika by Amangiri experiences the 4 seasons, every with their very own allure. Spring and fall take pleasure in balmy temperatures throughout the day with cooler mornings and evenings; they’re the best seasons for outside adventures. The dry warmth in the summertime is the right companion for a day lounging on the pool or exploring the picturesque Lake Powell. Winter is normally colder with clear blue skies and subsequently the very best time of the 12 months to retreat to the Spa or go and uncover the encompassing Nationwide Parks as these are a lot quieter and snakes are hibernating.

HOW TO GET THERE

Web page Municipal Airport is positioned 25 minutes from Camp Sarika by Amangiri. From St. George or Flagstaff, it takes roughly 2.5 to achieve the resort. From Phoenix or Las Vegas, it takes roughly 4.5 hours via stunning surroundings with numerous routes passing via nationwide parks.