Retreat to a new luxury camp in the Utah desert

Whether you're looking for a luxury vacation – or just dreaming of one – a new luxury camp in the heart of the Utah desert will provide some inspiration. 

Surrounded by 600 hectares of towering mesas, slot canyons and rust-colored sand, Camp Sarika consists of ten tented pavilions. Each tent is covered in canvas that is woven from recycled plastic bottles and features either one or two bedrooms. They have a living area, dining area, bar, private terrace and heated plunge pool, and fire pits and telescopes further encourage the visitor to immerse themselves in nature and the outdoors.

The camp offers unobstructed views of the mesas © Aman

Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for “open space” and “sky,” the camp can be reached via a 30-minute hike or five-minute drive from its sister resort, Amangiri, and offers unobstructed views of the mesas. The camp is surrounded by numerous national monuments, 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.

Each pavilion has a plunge pool © Aman

Camp Sarika’s central pavilion has two spa suites, a sun deck, swimming pool and jacuzzi. With chef Anthony Marazita at the helm, the camp’s restaurant is open throughout the day and has a focus on southwestern Native American cuisine. 

Camp Sarika is a luxury encampment surrounded by 600 hectares of wilderness © Aman

For guests who want to explore, there is desert and mountain hiking with its own private trail system covering over ten miles of routes directly from its doorstep. Adventure activities include hiking to Horseshoe Bend, Paria View, 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.

Rates begin at US$1700 (€1505) and go to $4700 (€4161) per night for a one-bedroom pavilion, excluding tax and fees, depending on the time of year. Further information can be found on the Camp Sarika website.

Naturally, a luxury experience might be out of reach, but travelers in Utah can still visit iconic parks like Zion or Bryce Canyon.