Amanresorts

For those of us who have lived in the high desert and camped in the red rock country of Southern Utah, we understand its magic. We understand why many of the great belief systems of both the cultures of East and West were borne in the desert, as you can almost hear whispers of Deity, punctured through the sanctified silence. We also understand, when spending time at the Escalante Staircase, or the Vermilion Cliffs, our miniscule place in the trajectory of history, resting amid billion year old sculpted rocks, along paths trod first by dinosaurs. We never thought that this land could be used for anything commercial. And yet, on a rock escarpment, under the the spangled scarf of the Milky Way, lies Amangiri.

The name, Amangiri, is derived from Sanskrit, meaning 'peaceful mountain.' It is the latest offering from Aman Resorts, and is located in a very unusual place -- in the center of the Grand Circle, surrounded by the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Staircase – Escalante, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. It is in the Red Rock country of Southern Utah, and has one of the most dramatic, colorful, yet mysterious and isolated topographies anywhere. This ancient part of the world encompasses and projects the natural (versus cultural) meaning of luxury – involving time's irrelevance, desert peace, and needful human anonymity gratefully experienced under the cliffs and stars.

High in the hills of Bhutan, the Himalayan landscape is pristine and life is guided by simple Buddhist principles. When organizing a trek through this unspoiled swath of the world, look no farther than Amankora's network of lodges, a Luxist Awards' nominee in the Best Adventure Getaway category.

Amankora's name is derived from the Sanskrit word aman, meaning peace, and the Bhutanese Dzongha word kora, meaning circular pilgrimage. Appropriately, the tailor-made journeys-which vary from 7 to 12 nights-wend their way in a circle through each of Amankora's five lodges. A one-week trek starts in the bustling Bhutanese capital Thimpu, where you can visit attractions including the National Library and National Textile Museum. Head to Trashi Chhoe Dzong on your second day and view 16th Century buildings now home to an astrology school before hiking to Cheri Goemba monastery.

The next phase of your trip takes you on a drive through the treacherous alpine passes between Thimpu and Punakha. Continue along to the pine forests of Paro, where hikes take you across suspension bridges, lush forests and terraced farmland. On the last day, you'll hike to Taktshang Goemba, better known as "Tiger's Nest," a mountainside monastery perched nearly a kilometer above the valley floor.

Amankora's seven-night journeys start at $9,100 per person and include road permits, all meals, driver service and a 60-minute massage to be enjoyed at any of the five lodges. For folks who'd like a smaller dose of the trekking lifestyle, rooms at any of Amankora's lodges can be rented starting at $1,300 per night.

Vote for the Best Adventure Getaway that you think is the best of breed. The winner will be announced on September 1st.

The Connaught is one of London's most historic hotels, owned by the Maybourne Hotel Group which also runs Claridge's and The Berkeley. Located in the always fashionable Mayfair district, the hotel experienced a $140 million dollar renovation and officially reopened in April of 2008. The concept then was to preserve the authentic elegance of the renowned hotel, considered one of the crown jewels of London's luxury hotels, and to also bring the property into the 21rst century. It seems that the opening of the new Aman Spa is the final step to rejuvenating this grande dame and keeping the historic hotel relevant.

It was a clever choice for the Maybourne Group to open the first ever Aman stand-alone spa at their property as the Amanresorts are famous for their luxury spas in many exotic locations, especially in Asia. Built in the newly constructed west wing the modern Asian influenced design is an interesting contrast to the more traditional Edwardian feel of the Connaught. The treatments offered are inspired by the various traditional renewal traditions of China, Thailand, India and even The Americas. Examples include: a red clay body wrap with Navajo herbs, Thai herbal compress, or Chakra balancing treatment with essential oils and a Samadara facial technique. This makes sense as no one has ever raved about the fabulous traditional British spa treatments!

One particularly interesting aspect of the spa appointments is that guests are asked to book a specific amount of time at the spa rather than an individual treatment. This allows for a more bespoke approach as each guest confers with a trained holistic therapist to create a plan that meets their individual wellness goals. After a long day spent in what can often be a city enveloped in bone chilling dampness, a couple of hours spent in one of the five available treatment rooms (each with its own steam room, treatment area and music system) sounds like just the right antidote to what might ail you.

Situated some 2,135 meters (7,000 feet) above sea level and high above the town of Jackson, Wyoming is Amangani, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Ski Hotel.

If it is action-packed days on the slopes and a convivial après-ski atmosphere you are in search of, look no further than this 40-suite resort. Amangani, which translates to "Peaceful Home", is the first Aman resort in the United States. Opened in October, 1998, Amangani is near the southern boundary of Grand Teton National Park.

Constructed with soft-hued Oklahoma sandstone, Douglas fir, cedar and Pacific redwood, the three-story resort is cut into the hillside on the western edge of the East Gros Ventre Butte. The area is encircled by elevated peaks and buttes, hence the world "hole" is used to describe this extensive alpine valley. It is a peaceful location at the southern end of the Greater Yellowstone Area, a vast expanse of mountain and meadow, sage flats, river bottoms, national forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

Amangani is a short ride away from some of the North America's most acclaimed ski runs at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where ski and snowboarding enthusiasts enjoy 1,000 hectares of high-thrill skiing and snowboarding terrain featuring a lift-serviced vertical drop at 1,260 meters (4,139 feet). As Jackson Hole averages 1,016 cm (400 inches) of snow a year, it offers some of the best skiing conditions in the world. During winter months, snow piles up to four meters (10 feet) in the mountains. The entire valley turns white after mid-November and winter can stretch past early April.

In Teton Village, at the base of Rendezvous Mountain, the resort has a private ski lounge where guests will find snacks, hot beverages and a concierge service (which organizes ski equipment rentals and lessons). The resort offers a complimentary shuttle service as well as private transfers to and from the resort and the ski lounge, which is 20 minutes away. After a day on the slopes, guests unwind before the large wood-burning fireplaces of Amangani's Lounge with the two-story window wall offering beautiful views of the Snake River Range.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, other winter activities enjoyed by the guests include snowmobiling, snowshoeing and half-to-full day dog-sledding. Amangani also offers horse-drawn sleigh rides which take guests up to the ridge of the butte where they will see panoramic views of the valley. Guests can also spend a day visiting nearby Yellowstone National Park, which is America's first national park and its largest outside Alaska. Yellowstone boasts its own Grand Canyon, plentiful geysers and Yellowstone Lake, the largest mountain lake in America.

While the resort has been nominated for best ski hotel, Amangani is also a great option for spring and summer vacations. During the warmer months, wildlife safaris led by biologist guides enable guests to view a wide variety of wildlife including black bears, grizzly bears, elk, bison, moose, pronghorn, bald eagles and golden eagles. Fly fishing enthusiasts enjoy the Snake River, which is a haven for local cutthroat trout as well as rainbow, lake and brown trout. Canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hot-air ballooning are other activities offered to guests.

The Health Center features treatment rooms, exercise studios, steam rooms and individualized yoga programs. The resort offers a 30 meter outdoor pool and whirlpool with magnificent mountain views; both are opened year-round.

Each of the resort's 40 suites have spectacular mountain and valley views. Rates start at $565 for April to mid-June and mid-October to mid-December; $725 from early January to early April (excluding Presidents' Day weekend when the entry rate jumps to $875); and $857 from mid-June to mid-October. A four-bedroom home with full hotel amenities is also available for $3,400 to $4,800 per night, depending on the time of year. The resort is a 20 minute drive from the Jackson Hole Airport.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Le Mélézin, in the fashionable Alpine village of Courchevel 1850, is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Ski Hotel.

The intimate alpine retreat lies in the heart of the world's largest ski area, the Trois Vallées in the French Alps. Ideally situated on the Bellecôte piste, the four-story lodge provides easy ski-in and ski-out access to Courchevel 1850, one of one of Europe's most fashionable and exclusive resorts. Le Mélézin is a short stroll from the epicenter of the resort which offers superb restaurants and shopping.

Le Mélézin opened in the heart of the Trois Vallées region as an Aman resort in 1992, offering 31 luxurious guest rooms and suites. The four-storey resort combines a ski experience with the classic traditions of the finest French Chateaux with its classic design. Its patterned parquet flooring and panelling and spectacular 200 year old oak beams, add a weathered touch to the updated surroundings. Most of the rooms throughout the property offer spectacular views of the ski slopes and surrounding peaks.

The resort , which is an Aman Resort, offers the ultimate après-ski experience with guests relaxing in the spacious hammam (steam room) or the white capri stone pool with a jacuzzi on either side. The resort also offers a spa with three treatment/massage rooms and a Thai/Shiatsu room.

The Trois Vallées region that embraces Courchevel is acknowledged for its beautifully groomed slopes, superb infrastructure and some of the consistently best skiing conditions in the world. Guests at Le Mélézin enjoy 600 km of groomed slopes, some with gradients of 38 degrees that are among the most taxing black runs in the world. There are also more than a dozen cross-country routes in the area, most of them created especially for the 1992 French Winter Olympics. A two-kilometre toboggan run, lit for night use, links the village of Courchevel 1850 with Courchevel 1550. There is a range of sports and other activities for children both indoors and outdoors during the day and a mix of day nursery and introduction to skiing pending on age.

Rates at Le Mélézin through April 7, 2010 start at 730 Euros per night, net of taxes and service. The winter ski season runs from mid-December to mid-April.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

If the gray days of a far-too-slowly emerging spring are getting you down check out this article from Travel and Leisure (I read it out loud to my boyfriend while we were stuck in traffic on on L.A. freeway under cloudy skies).  Travel and Leisure is the first to check out the latest Aman resort, Amanyara in the Turks and Caicos.  As we've seen by the rash of developments being announced in the Turks and Caicos, the relatively unspoiled Caribbean islands are getting ready for their big moment. Amanyara represents the beginning of the trajectory from elite getaway to potential tropical saturation. But for now, the lucky few can enjoy the spectacular new hotel. The article lovingly details the unspoiled views, the lush vegetation and the decor which is minimalist and yet luxtacular, featuring materials from 39 countries.  The resort offers 40 shingled pavilions which are designed to offer ample outdoor as well as indoor space. The Amanyara experience is all about tranquility, from the reflecting pool to the non-check-in (you check in officially from the comfort of your own room) and the views of the unspoiled shoreline. There are also villas which will be for sale.

Could there be a complaint with such a gorgeous place? The author of the article, Peter Jon Lindberg, does say that this Aman, like the others in the chain, have a more Asian than traditionally Western tropical flair.  But if you wanted umbrella drinks and a water slide you'd be somewhere else.  From now until Halloween, pavilions cost $1,350 and villas cost $5,250. Rates include round-trip transportation to and from Providenciales International Airport, non-motorized water sports, tennis courts,  laundry, mini bar (except spirits) and all telephone calls.