Best Amangiri Wedding Venue Alternatives | Affordable Luxury Desert Resorts
The Top 5 Best Amangiri Alternatives For Your Micro Wedding or Elopement
I get it. You are IN LOVE with the desert minimalism of Amangiri’s resort. The views that are like paintings. The secluded, intimate location. The quiet of the desert. Desert and architectural harmony, a pairing of structure woven into nature. The clean lines of Amangiri as a modern desert escape, with the blue hues of the reflection pool—they cannot be more perfectly woven together. The only problem? It’s just a touch out of your price range. :)
I have gotten onto reddit multiple time to try to find resorts that are like Amangiri, that are more affordable, that look and feel similar, and I have found the hidden gems of the internet for you. Some of these locations are not easy to find on the internet, even with a google search, and the reddit crowd that usually shows up, is missing several of these. Actually, most of them weren’t on any reddit threads or google searches.
I have made a list of the 5 best places to stay that have so much in common with Amangiri that you can feel like you can have a similar experience, but one that is more in your budget.
Many, if not all of these locations, have wedding options, and if it’s not listed on their website, I highly recommend reaching out to them about celebrating an intimate wedding or wedding weekend with just the two of you, and some close family and friends.
Like I said, I can vouch for the look and feel of each of these locations. I have photographed several couples, and even some families at Amangiri in Utah, near the Utah/Arizona border, and they each offer a similar aesthetic, and landscapes so you don’t have to miss out on the type of luxury experience, with the modern, minimalist feel that you could get at Amangiri.
SHOP MY AMANGIRI AESTHETIC AT HOME AMAZON STORE
1 | Le Chacuel in Joshua Tree, CA
This is my absolute number one top pick of where I would have my wedding if I were to be planning an Amangiri aesthetic. It’s secluded, has wide open desert landscapes, white walls with clean lines, and GORGEOUS architecture that intertwines with the natural surroundings. It even has an area that looks SO similar to one of the areas at Amangiri where couples get married. And the pool—are you kidding me?!?! I can’t give this place enough stars for how beautiful it looks!
This new luxury property in Joshua Tree, California, features modernist architecture with expansive glass walls and a focus on indoor-outdoor living. The resort offers panoramic views of the Joshua Tree desert landscape and national park. Its location provides easy access to Joshua Tree National Park's iconic rock formations, hiking trails, and the artistic communities of Joshua Tree and Pioneertown.
Like Amangiri, Le Chacuel emphasizes architectural drama and desert integration, but with a more contemporary California modernist approach compared to Amangiri's ancient-meets-modern aesthetic. While both properties offer high-end desert experiences, Le Chacuel has a more intimate scale and embraces the Joshua Tree area's artistic spirit, versus Amangiri's grander, more formal luxury approach
2 | Willow House in Terlingua, Texas
The outside area of this location has SO much in common with Amangiri, but on a much more simplistic scale. It has some of the elements that bring nature and architecture together, one of the best of them being the concrete walls that become a frame to the desert views. There are some areas here that it would be hard to tell that you weren’t actually at Amangiri.
There is a little more warmth in the overall look, but it actually reminds me of some of the interior elements inside Camp Sarika’s tented pavilion. The magic kind of comes in with the casita’s. They each have their own architectural elements that all remind me of certain vignettes at Amangiri, so you would want to look through each option to see which had the visual look you were most drawn to. Oh, and the heated pool is very similar to the private ones at the Amangiri pavillions.
Located in Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, Willow House is a boutique desert retreat featuring individual concrete casitas with floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the Chisos Mountains. The property sits on 287 acres of dramatic Chihuahuan Desert landscape, offering access to Big Bend National Park's hiking trails, the Rio Grande River, and the historic Terlingua Ghost Town.
Where Amangiri is grand and resort-like, Willow House offers a more intimate, design-forward experience. Both properties embrace minimalist desert architecture, but Willow House has a younger, more bohemian spirit. While Amangiri is about luxury service and amenities, Willow House focuses on solitude and connection with the raw Texan desert landscape, though both share a deep respect for their natural settings.
3 | Under Canvas, Lake Powell, UT - Grand Staircase
I love this location for multiple reasons. One—it’s literally 20 minutes away from Amangiri, which means similar landscapes. If what you are loving about Amangiri is that particular rock features and colors, then you will find all of that here since they are located in the same region. Both of them also have tented pavillions for where you stay. Amangiri’s are different as far as having more of an indoor feel and are more spacious, whereas Under Canvas feels a little bit more like glamping, which is what they advertise.
This luxury glamping resort sits at the gateway to both Lake Powell and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The property features upscale canvas tents with proper furniture and en-suite bathrooms, offering a refined camping experience with dramatic desert views. Located near Page, Arizona, guests have easy access to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and boating on Lake Powell.
Like Amangiri, Under Canvas embraces the raw beauty of the Colorado Plateau but takes a more adventure-focused approach. While Amangiri offers concrete and steel minimalism with premium luxury, Under Canvas provides a more intimate connection with nature while maintaining comfort. Both properties share the same stunning vermillion cliffs and desert landscape, though Under Canvas comes at a significantly lower price point and with a more casual, outdoor-oriented atmosphere.
4 | The Joshua Tree House in Tucson
While this isn’t an exact dupe to Amangiri, it offers similar things for someone who love the desert, and who likes a little bit of modern architecture. The Joshua Tree House in Tucson (NOT actually in Joshua Tree—that one’s just The Joshua Tree House), puts an eclectic spin on what Amangiri has to offer with more warmth and color in the surroundings and decor, but still integrates the indoor and outdoor desert vibes.
This property (unrelated to Joshua Tree, California) is a beautifully restored 1920s hacienda inn located in the Sonoran Desert near Saguaro National Park. The historic property features five suites with a mix of traditional Southwest architecture and modern desert design. Its location offers easy access to Saguaro National Park's giant cacti forests, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Tucson's vibrant food scene.
While Amangiri represents ultra-modern desert luxury, The Joshua Tree House celebrates historic desert architecture with a contemporary refresh. Both properties honor their desert settings, but where Amangiri is about spectacular modern architecture and premium amenities, The Joshua Tree House offers a more intimate, residential feel with a focus on traditional desert living reimagined for modern travelers.
5 | Paradero Todos Santos, Mexico
This might actually be the closest overall resort alternative to Amangiri. It includes a little bit of everything that Aman does—one of the major ones being the luxury aspect. I don’t know if there is anything that it doesn’t have that Amangiri does. It’s secluded, has a beautiful poolside area, roof top loungin, clean modern concrete lines, but with a little bit more of a tropical accent. If you are loving the overall feel, and enjoy traveling outside the US, get your passport!
Located on the Baja California Peninsula, this luxury desert-meets-ocean resort sits between the Sierra de la Laguna mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The property features minimalist architecture that blends into the landscape, with a focus on outdoor experiences. Nearby attractions include the artist haven of Todos Santos, world-class surfing beaches, whale watching opportunities, and desert hiking trails.
While Amangiri focuses on the dramatic red rock landscape of Utah, Paradero combines desert and coastal experiences. Both properties share an architectural approach that respects and frames their natural settings, but Paradero adds ocean views and activities to the desert experience. Where Amangiri is about canyon country solitude, Paradero balances desert tranquility with beach culture and the artistic energy of Todos Santos.
BONUS | YURT 1 at Goblin Valley State Park in Utah
I feel like this one should maybe be at the top of the list, not because of the luxury, not because of the yurt (definitely not up the Amangiri’s standards), but because of the absolute perfection of the tiny little canyon that this yurt is in. It’s not a heavily manufactured area of the desert, and the surrounding rock is as gorgeous as the rock in the desert where Amangiri resides. If you want a simple, beautiful, intimate, quiet, outdoor wedding surrounded by desert rock and sand, you will 100% get that here, and it will be your most cost effective way to do it. Use your budget for a rad florist, and a photographer that will capture your vision, and you can have your dream desert wedding that is budget friendly, and more affordable that Amangiri. Your memories matter no matter what you spend, and you get you curate your day the way that feels true to you, and that embodies the connection you have, and the union you are forming.
This simple but perfectly placed yurt sits within the otherworldly landscape of Goblin Valley State Park in central Utah, surrounded by thousands of unique rock formations locally known as "goblins." The heated and air-conditioned yurt features basic amenities including bunk beds, a futon, and a small deck, offering a comfortable base for exploring the park's bizarre hoodoo-filled valleys. Located about four hours southeast of Salt Lake City, the yurt provides easy access to slot canyon hikes, mountain biking on the Wild Horse Trail system, and some of the darkest night skies in the United States for stargazing.
While Amangiri represents the pinnacle of desert luxury with its sophisticated architecture and premium services, Yurt 1 offers a more rustic, immersive experience at a fraction of the cost. Both properties provide access to southern Utah's spectacular geology, but where Amangiri shields guests from the elements in concrete and glass sophistication, the yurt creates a cozy shelter that helps visitors feel more connected to the natural environment. The contrast between these accommodations highlights different approaches to experiencing Utah's desert landscape - one emphasizing luxury and comfort, the other focusing on simplicity and direct engagement with nature.
Another BONUS | The Green O
As I was looking for places that were like Amangiri, this location came up. While it doesn’t have the desert vibes, or the simplistic architecture and surroundings, it just made me think, “Amangiri, but make it the mountains.” It’s almost like an inverse of Amangiri with the maximalism of the forest, surrounding trees, moody forest lighting, and rich, earthy elements. If you love unique places in nature, and that the way you want to celebrate your wedding, you might want to check this place out.
This intimate adults-only woodland retreat, nestled in the forests of western Montana's Blackfoot Valley, represents a revolutionary take on luxury wilderness accommodations. The property features 12 striking glass-walled "hauses" elevated among the pines, each architecturally distinct and designed to blur the boundaries between interior and forest. Located on the larger Paws Up Ranch property, guests have access to 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness, including the iconic Blackfoot River of "A River Runs Through It" fame, miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, and excellent fly fishing waters.
In many ways, The Green O could be considered "Amangiri, but make it mountains" - it shares the same dedication to architectural drama and seamless integration with the natural environment, but swaps Amangiri's desert minimalism for forest modernism. Both properties emphasize privacy and exclusivity while celebrating their distinct landscapes through design. Where Amangiri frames the stark beauty of Utah's canyon country, The Green O showcases Montana's dense forests and big sky through its elevated tree-house-like structures. Both represent the pinnacle of their respective environments' luxury experiences, though The Green O trades Amangiri's earthy tones and horizontal lines for vertical architecture that reaches into the forest canopy.