Highlights: Amangani

•Guest rooms offer incredible views of the entire Teton Range, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and on clear days, Yellowstone National Park

•Public and private spaces are a testament to western Zen, with natural stone, textured fabrics, and an abundance of wood

•Elegant, attentive service guarantees a relaxing, peaceful stay

•Spa treatments take into account the effects of high altitude and physical activity

•The dining areas have a wide selection of food and stunning mountain views

Amenities: Amangani

• 40 rooms, 2 story. Check-in 2 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Amangani

Perched above the valley of Jackson Hole in Wyoming and within easy distance of two national parks and millions of acres of national forestland, the Amangani truly spoils its guests. This temple to understated western elegance provides a serene escape from the frenzy of daily life, while allowing easy access to a variety of outdoor pursuits, such as skiing and wildlife watching.

Inside and out, Amangani lives up to its name, which means “peaceful home” in the Shoshone language. The resort is surrounded by some of the most rugged country in the Lower 48 states, which most guests opt to explore in some form or another. Once you enter the soaring, Pacific redwood-paneled lobby, you’ll quickly forget how tired your feet are from hiking or skiing. Public spaces to relax abound, whether it’s in front of a roaring fire or tucked away in a cozy nook. With a mere 40 rooms, even when the resort is full, you’ll often feel like you have the place all to yourself. Serenity reigns here.

Surrounded by such an awe-inspiring backdrop, Amangani smartly opted to blend in rather than stand out. The Oklahoma sandstone building is barely visible from the road below, and the Amangani Lounge’s two-story windows -- in the form of sharply cut mountains, working cattle ranches, and vast swaths of open space -- let the magnificent exterior in. Because nothing really can compete with Mother Nature here, artwork inside is minimal, although there’s a smattering of contemporary western and wildlife pieces, and the furniture is upholstered in a variety of natural materials.

While business travelers certainly are welcome at Amangani, it offers little to accommodate their specific needs. There’s no business center, although rooms do have wireless Internet connections. On the other hand, couples seeking a romantic refuge, adventurers to whom fine wine is as important as fitness, and families with children are best served in this rustic chic resort.

The restaurant doesn’t offer a children’s menu, but the library is filled with board games and videos that could occupy kids for hours. For adults, the concierge is equally able to schedule a rock climbing class as show you constellations through your in-room telescope.

The cowboy cosmopolitan town of Jackson Hole, just 10 minutes away, offers surprisingly chic boutiques and design shops, art galleries to satisfy every taste, restaurants ranging from basic to bistro, and a wonderfully kitschy Old West downtown. The National Museum of Wildlife Art, which takes a broad enough interpretation of the genre that artists from John James Audubon to Andy Warhol are shown, is a short drive away. The nearby Grand Teton Music Festival takes care of summertime symphony lovers. Amangani is also a convenient base from which to launch day excursions into Yellowstone National Park or fish a variety of blue-ribbon rivers and lakes.

(+) Serene oasis ready to pamper couples, families, and getaway travelers
(-) Limited amenities for business travelers

Guest Services: Amangani

Aman Resorts are known for their high staff-to-guest ratio, and Amangani is no exception. The first, and still the only, Aman Resort in North America, Amangani offers the same standard-setting and gracious level of service that has made Aman properties around the world legendary.

From the time I made my initial reservation to my arrival at the Jackson Hole Airport -- where an Amangani driver and car met me -- service was warm and informed.

Once at the resort, staff members worked together seamlessly and were genuine in their interest in my satisfaction. At check-in, I was given a short tour of the property and presented with a confirmation of my spa treatments as my bags were taken to my room. Later, having difficulty connecting to the Internet, the resort operator, whom my computer inadvertently kept calling, requested a computer technician for me before I had a chance to ask. Departure was largely effortless with staff as warm and gracious as they had been throughout my stay. Staff helped me feel welcome at all times.

(+) Seamless, proactive service creates a perfectly serene atmosphere

Guest Rooms: Amangani

Amangani has 29 Superior Suites, six Deluxe Suites, four Amangani Suites, and one Grand Teton Suite. All rooms are soundproof, have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Tetons, and are equipped with wireless Internet, sunken baths, generously sized showers, and Molton Brown bath amenities. Around-the-clock room service and nightly turndown are offered.

Keeping with the Zen aesthetic throughout the rest of the resort, guest rooms are simple and soothing yet sophisticated. Soft lighting, warm woods, perfect silence, and matte slate create rooms that tempt guests to laze about for hours. The clean, unfussy furniture is a testament to the “less is more” philosophy, and although the linens aren’t especially luxurious, their natural look and feel make up for it.

An electric fireplace can be enjoyed from the worktable, lounge chairs, or the exceedingly comfortable bed. Proving the point that comfort is a hallmark of this property are multiple spacious closets, bath amenities of the highest standard, and dual sinks. The entire bath area -- the water closet, the sunken tub, and the shower -- is standout, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Tetons. As there are no structures between Amangani and the mountains, privacy isn’t a concern.

From my arrival, where I was greeted with a fruit basket and a note from the general manager, to my departure, my time in the room was comfortable and soothing. Two slight maintenance issues were fixed promptly and courteously.

(+) Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows throughout and a private outdoor sundeck

Facilities & Activities: Amangani

Some of America’s greatest wilderness awaits you right outside Amangani. Staff happily makes recommendations for, as well as reservations at, everything from whitewater rafting to horseback riding to snowshoeing. During ski season there’s complimentary transportation to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and a private ski lounge at the resort’s base is reserved for Amangani guests.

For those wanting to work off some steam inside, Amangani offers a small but well-equipped fitness center with weights and a variety of cardio equipment, and classes and yoga are available by appointment. Adjacent to the fitness center is the resort’s four-treatment-room spa. While the spa rooms can be noisy, treatments such as a seaweed wrap, botanical polish or Aromarine Mud Body Mask are the perfect antidotes to stress and sore muscles. Since the spa is small, there aren’t gender-specific lounges, but there are steam rooms for both men and women. A fabulous, heated eternity pool is on the terrace just outside the spa.

(+) Nearly every imaginable outdoor sport is available within 20 minutes
(+) Well-equipped fitness center caters to gym buffs
(-) Outside noise filters into most of the spa areas

Dining & Lounge: Amangani

In addition to offering room service, Amangani has one full-service restaurant, The Grill, a small bar area, and an expansive lounge equipped with a baby grand piano. Like the rest of the resort, all of these areas demonstrate why Teddy Roosevelt once remarked about the Tetons: “That is the way mountains are supposed to look.”

The outstanding food in The Grill actually competes with these views, however, making it a favorite of both guests and locals alike. The menu is varied and extensive, appealing both to traditionalists looking for standards like Grilled Prime N.Y. Steak or pasta, to more adventurous palates wanting to try western cuisine like venison or buffalo.

Room service was the one weak area during my stay. The menu offered limited choices and service was uninspired. A beverage bottle required an opener, yet no effort was made to open it for me. Fortunately, the room was equipped with an opener.

(+) Restaurant setting is breathtaking, the food interesting, and the presentation elegant
(-) Room service menu was limited

Business Services: Amangani

Amangani does not have a business center or meeting rooms, although a library is equipped with computers and printers. Wireless Internet is available throughout the resort. If necessary, the library could be closed off for meeting purposes and the space would comfortably hold 10 to 15 people.

(+) Computer in library, which could be used as a very small meeting place
(-) Limited amenities for those who need to conduct business while traveling