Luxury resort to open in October

Click photo to enlarge

Amangiri Resort in southern Utah near Lake Powell. The luxury resort opens in October.

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Developers have snatched up three liquor licenses from Utah's dwindling supply so that alcohol can be served at a southern Utah luxury resort scheduled to open in October.

The Amangiri Resort, nestled near the Utah-Arizona state line between a sandstone bluff and an ancient dune, offers panoramic views of desert vistas for well-heeled visitors. The spectacular location is why developers opted to ask for four Utah liquor permits; if it had been built in nearby Arizona, only one license would have been required.

"Arizona's liquor laws are less complicated, but we wanted a Utah presence. It's a beautiful state, and we've got a beautiful location," said David Philip, chief operating officer for the California-based Canyon

In Utah, developers applied for three separate liquor permits: A package-agency license to allow guests to purchase a bottle of wine or spirits, a club license so guests can sip cocktails without ordering food and a full-service restaurant license that allows for drinks with meals.

Developers were lucky to get the last two licenses.

The state has only four restaurant licenses and 14 club permits left. And no matter how pricey a development, owners will go away empty-handed when licenses run out.

In fact, six applicants will be vying for the remaining four restaurant licenses at the Aug. 20 meeting.

"The Legislature should do away with population quotas on restaurant licenses," said Commission Chairman Sam Granato, who is a Democratic candidate for U.S. senator. "It's also time to consider having a single license for resorts. That would free up some licenses so the scenario of running out of them wouldn't pop up so often."

Developers for the Amangiri Resort also are involved with the Amangani Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo. -- which, like Arizona, requires one resort license. They also applied for a single liquor permit for the Encantado Resort and Spa in New Mexico.

The Utah resort still wants one more permit -- this one allowing for drinks at private dinners and banquets. That could come during the August meeting.

The southern Utah resort will be managed by the Amanresorts, a selection praised by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. when the deal was announced in 2005. Huntsman became familiar with Amanresorts when he was ambassador to Singapore, the company's home base.

The Amangiri Resort is built around a 34-room hotel --a night's lodging will cost from $850 to $3,500 -- and a 12,000-square-foot spa. Its centerpiece is a sprawling pavilion of lounging areas, dozens of fireplaces, a library, dining rooms and an open kitchen.

Amangiri -- Sanskrit for peaceful mountain or rock formations -- is on the western flank of Lake Powell between Big Water, Utah, and Page, Ariz. It cannot be seen from U.S. Highway 89. Guests would drive a mile before arriving at the main gate and another mile to the resort.

dawn@sltrib.com