Camp Sarika by Amangiri (Utah, USA)

April 3, 2024

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Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Today: Review of Camp Sarika by Amangiri (Utah, USA)

Camp Sarika by Amangiri is a serene and timeless retreat in the Utah desert, set against a backdrop of vermillion rock formations and boundless blue skies. Within this remote sanctuary, guests can experience solitude, privacy, escapism and adventure. Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for “open space” and “sky,” the camp enables a back-to-nature wilderness experience in consummate comfort, revealing Utah’s otherworldly landscapes and intriguing aspects of Native American culture at every turn. Overlooking striking flat-topped mesas, the camp comprises ten tented pavilions each with its own outdoor deck and private plunge pool. These are intuitively placed to provide the utmost seclusion and unimpeded views, while still allowing easy access to the camp’s main pavilion with its two spa suites, restaurant, sun deck, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Camp Sarika by Aman features in my top 10 list of the world’s most luxurious glamping retreats.

Have you ever stayed at Camp Sarika ? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Camp Sarika is set in 600 hectares of raw wilderness in the heart of the Utah desert, only a 15-minute hike or five-minute drive from its iconic sister resort, Amangiri (which I reviewed here). While guests of Camp Sarika enjoy full access to Amangiri’s main resort facilities whenever they wish (and vice versa), everything they need is conveniently located at Camp Sarika. The abundance of space surrounding the camp and the secluded location make it an ideal destination for groups or families looking for a special place to celebrate in undisturbed privacy. A 30-minute drive from the nearest town of Page and its international airport, Camp Sarika remains surprisingly accessible while it feels extremely remote.

Camp Sarika’s central pavilion was designed by New York-based Selldorf Architects, and the building seamlessly anchors to the environment. Paying homage to its neighboring sanctuary Amangiri, the main building is designed with minimalism in mind, where simple concrete blocks blend effortlessly into the rock. Upon entering, a breathtaking art installation, by internationally acclaimed artist Maya Lin titled Wahweap, welcomes guests. Inspired by tracing the shape of water as it travels from nearby Lake Powell to Lake Mead the piece is created in glass and marble, while open fireplaces and earthy materials further connect the building to its natural surroundings. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, surrounded by fire pits that add to the atmosphere

Right next to the dining room is an outdoor swimming pool with spa area. The large pool is flanked by shaded daybeds for escaping the midday sun and a heated jacuzzi for relaxing at dusk. The intimate wellness center is comprised of just two spa rooms, where treatment are administered by highly skilled therapist. Camp Sarika’s signature treatment is a special two-hour spa journey known as Desert Calm, designed to hydrate and soothe body, mind and spirit. Yoga and guided meditation are offered al fresco in multiple settings, allowing guests to reground themselves within the astounding natural beauty of the Utah desert. Tailor-made experiences include greeting the sunrise atop Tower Butte, 5,000 ft (,1500 m) above sea level. This journey begins with a scenic helicopter flight over Lake Powell and Glen Canyon, before an hour’s yoga and meditation session atop the butte.

Claiming unobstructed views of the mesas or facing west to catch the sunset every evening, the camp’s spacious ten tented pavilions feature either one or two bedrooms, as well as a living area, dining area, bar, and private terrace. The tented pavilions evoke the clean lines of the suites at Amangiri, where natural materials reflect the light transforming, undulating surface of the desert outside. Set in unparalleled proximity to nature, the interiors include soft decorative canvas ceilings, and wooden fittings, as opposed to Amangiri’s blackened steel and stone furnishings. Meanwhile outside – accessed via sliding doors – the architectural design continues to captivate; individual plunge pools, firepits with fireside furniture and telescopes further encourage an immersion in nature and the outdoors

Camp Sarika’s restaurant is open throughout the day, serving innovative, responsibly sourced dishes with a focus on Southwestern Native American cuisine. The restaurant’s menu changes daily, incorporating the freshest local produce while also catering for vegetarians and vegans. Situated in the main pavilion, with both indoor and outdoor seating and breathtaking views, the restaurant serves an a la carte breakfast ranging from kettle oats and house granola to Mequite eggs benedict and smoked Utah ruby trout toast. Culinary highlights for lunch and dinner include wild game chili, grilled Scottish salmon, duck confit and a black bean burger, while after dinner heralds the arrival of craft cocktails and the nightly chef’s appetizer. Afternoon tea is served daily.

Surrounded by numerous national monuments, the Navajo Nation Reservation, and five national parks including Zion, Grand Canyon and Bryce, Camp Sarika is well placed for exploring the natural and cultural attractions of the region. Serving as an idyllic escape and a springboard for exploration of the area, the camp has plenty of desert and mountain hiking with its own private trail system covering over ten miles of routes directly from its doorstep. The camp offers morning and afternoon wellness experiences indoors and out, canyoneering, its own Via Ferrata route and horseback riding, as well as many other activities. Adventure activities include hiking to Horseshoe Bend, Paria Overlook or Resurrection Canyon, touring Monument Valley, exploring the well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Navajo National Monument and kayaking, fishing, paddle-boarding or boating on Lake Powell.

Guests of Camp Sarika have full access to Amangiri (complimentary shuttle service is provided). Overlooking starkly beautiful desert scenery and the Southwest’s iconic flat-topped mesa rock formations, Amangiri is the most luxurious and exclusive hotel in the USA. Amangiri’s central pavilion, built around a dramatic swimming pool, houses the living room, gallery, library, and dining room/cellar. Amangiri’s 34 suites and 1 private four-bedroom home offer minimalist interiors that echo the area’s spectacular scenery; some provide private plunge pools and rooftop terraces. The property is also home to a spectacular Aman Spa, which comes with a water pavilion, Pilates studio, candlelit rooms, and outdoor treatment terraces. Complimentary shuttle service is provided between Camp Sarika and Amangiri.

Camp Sarika by Amangiri is managed by Aman, one of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands. The Aman Group manages a fabulous collection of intimate properties across the globe. The brand is known for the understated elegance of its resorts, exquisite attention to detail, minimalist design, heartfelt service, and otherworldly locations. Among Aman’s habitués is a group of passionate repeat customers who call themselves ‘Aman junkies’ (count me in) and whose travel plans are determined by Aman locations. It’s a misconception that Aman junkies are always incredibly wealthy people: I prefer to spend my money on two nights at an Aman resort than two weeks at any other resort, as you pay for a unique and life-long memory. In all honesty and without exaggeration, an Aman resort makes some Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton resorts look like a mediocre Holiday Inn hotel.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

IMHO, Camp Sarika lacks a WOW factor, which is a bit of a contrast compared to the feel you get at other Aman Resorts. The camp’s intimate design certainly doesn’t feel as grand and breathtaking as its sister resort Amangiri next door, although that may have been the purpose of the owners. The main pavilion, the pool area, and the small spa are convenient places for the camp’s guests to relax & chill, but they do feel a bit pared down compared to their counterparts at Amangiri. That said, guests of Camp Sarika have access to all facilities at nearby Amangiri, which is just a scenic five-minute drive away via one of the resort’s SUVs.

Located right next to a mesa, the pool area is a lovely place to relax after a morning hike in the desert. However, it doesn’t feel as iconic as Amangiri’s main pool, since it’s just a rectangular pool right next to a towering mesa while Amangiri’s pool is ingenuously built around a magnificent rock escarpment. Also, the pool area at Camp Sarika is surrounded by a rather cheap looking fence, which takes away any sense of being one with the surrounding desert landscape.

Camp Sarika’s ten tented pavilions – 2 two-bedroom pavilions and 8 one-bedroom pavilions – are nicely appointed but again, in my opinion, they lack a true WOW factor. But although the accommodations at Camp Sarika are far less showy than the suites at its sister resort Amangiri, they offer more in terms of space and in-room amenities (for example, all of the pavilions at Camp Sarika have private plunge pools, while only the more expensive suites at Amangiri have them). This probably explains why the nightly rates for a pavilion at Camp Sarika are more expensive than the rates for a suite at Amangiri. Also keep in mind that some pavilions are not completely private since their outdoor spaces are within sight from guests on the nearby hiking trails.

Because of the differences in ambience, design and amenities, I would recommend Camp Sarika to families, honeymooners and small groups of friends, while I would recommend Amangiri’s main resort to all other travelers.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 8/10
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Wow factor: 8/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall experience: very good (8/10)

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: get the following complimentary VIP perks at Camp Sarika by Amangiri when booking via Virtuoso:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
- $100 USD food & beverage credit
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at an Aman Hotel.

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Located in the high desert, Camp Sarika by Amangiri experiences the four seasons, each with their own charm. Spring and fall enjoy balmy temperatures during the day with cooler mornings and evenings; they are the ideal seasons for outdoor adventures. The dry heat in the summer is the perfect companion for a day lounging at the pool or exploring the picturesque Lake Powell. Winter is usually colder with clear blue skies and therefore the best time of the year to retreat to the Spa or go and discover the surrounding National Parks as these are much quieter and snakes are hibernating.

HOW TO GET THERE

Page Municipal Airport is located 25 minutes from Camp Sarika by Amangiri. From St. George or Flagstaff, it takes approximately 2.5 to reach the resort. From Phoenix or Las Vegas, it takes approximately 4.5 hours through beautiful scenery with various routes passing through national parks.