Photographs by Thomas J. Story

The best pool in the West isn’t tucked into the glamor of L.A. or Palm Springs. No, head to southern Utah’s Amangiri to find the ultimate in poolside bliss. Out here, you’ll forget the ocean even exists. Wrapped around Utah stone, this lagoon takes the Western ethos of local, artisanal to a whole new realm. Will the hot new question to hoteliers be: “Is your pool sourced locally?”

However, we’ll be putting it on our special occasion bucket list, since it starts at $1,050/night. Yeah, it’s steep. But its cult of of well-heeled travelers (known as Amanjunkies) come for perks like flotation therapy at the spa, a star lounge, and, yes, that fantastic pool. Plus it’s set on 600 acres of buttes and mesas and surrounded by some big-deal national parks: Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon.

Until that special occasion, some armchair travel:

The 34-room resort took 10 years and $100 million to complete.

The pool was built beneath white sandstone cliffs

Almost paradise.

Hmm, where to lounge?

Maybe here.

Nah, here.

The restaurant (Yes, produce is sourced locally. No, it’s not just cactus pads.)

That gorgeous pool, under Utah night sky