As we wind down a six week cross-country (and back) road trip, our reward is two magical nights at a quite astonishing luxury resort in Navajo country near Lake Powell in southern Utah.
Amangiri is Sanskrit for “peaceful mountain.”
One is greeted with “Welcome home” (and of course it is, since we’re otherwise officially homeless).
There is no standing at a registration desk—and certainly not in a queue. As you enjoy sage lemonade in the lounge, your bags are taken to a contemporary casita with a view and expertly organized, after which you are issued a leather key fob on a cedar “ghost” bead bracelet.
The theme is privacy. Acoustics disallow clatter, thereby creating a soothing, oh so quiet vibe. Books set into shelving units promote a subliminal library feel, which contributes to the overall hush—a monastery for multi-millionaires who don’t need to ask, “Do you know who I am?”
You are in the TV series Fantasy Island. Or maybe the movie Made in Heaven: You can order and eat anything you want anytime you want, as much as you want (including bison spring rolls, elk loin, Colorado river trout, add panna cotta made from coconut cream and fresh berries…).
Oh, and for breakfast?
Lobster & Caviar Benedict.
The staff glide around, ever present but never intrusive, cheery smiles, forever asking what more they can do for you.
There are no rules. Use cellphones if you want. Dress up in a tux or saunter around in a bathrobe. DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.
Come sunrise next morning…
…after peaceful slumber in high count Frette threads, a double trifecta at the sensational spa, the finest in which I’ve ever lounged.
What is a double trifecta?
First: a steam room, cold plunge and sauna.
Then: After getting smudged and smoked with sage and commanded to bid negative baggage farewell forever, 30 minutes of a “purifying massage ritual,” followed by a 30 minute facial, followed by 30 minutes of reflexology.
(I can hear my old spymaster mentor, Clair George, whispering in the wind from wherever he transcended to, “Are you ashamed of yourself yet?”
No worries, no hassles; blissfully blessed in this eudaemonic environment.
The only real next question: Hot tub, lounge in the sun—or just retreat to private bathing room with large tub and double shower, breathe in billions of negative ions?
In the afternoon, a tour of the property, which includes a cave where the movie Broken Arrow was filmed…
…and a camp with luxury glamping, “with a capital G says our guide.”
(“No,” I reply, “all caps.”)