MOTHER'S DAY The weather is finally cooperating, just in time to pay tribute to the most important person in a kid's life: mom. Check out some cool new threads and accessories in Get Dressed and head over to our Nesting section for pretty little gifts for mom and for the playroom. Looking for some new easy recipes for that weekend brunch? Take a look at our Food section where we feature a new Latin Grill book and recipe. Perfect for mother's day or a special getaway, we take a look at the recently opened Amangiri resort in Get Away. And last but not least, in Good, Better, Best we pick three stylish gliders for the ultimate nursery. ENTER TO WIN This month we're giving away a NeatDesk for Mac, a high-speed desktop scanner and digital filing system that will quickly turn all the paper on your desk into organized, digital files. Just sign up for our monthly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox, and you'll be automatically entered to win. About The Prize: NeatDeskfor Mac will do wonders for your workspace by providing a central “inbox” for all your papers—ready to scan and organize whenever you are. Featuring our award-winning ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) scanner, its patented input tray lets you scan receipts, business cards, and documents, all in a single batch. Powered by NeatWorks software, the NeatDesk scanner uses patented OCR and parsing technology to identify and capture key information from scanned documents, then populates that data automatically in a robust digital filing system. Learn more

Past Issues: Spring New Year Trick or Treat Water Summer Travel Food Sleep Sex&Love Winter '08 Holidays '08

Amangiri
1 Kayenta Road, Canyon Point, Utah, 435-675-3999; 877-695-3999
www.amanresorts.com

Finding the turn onto the mile-and-half long dirt road leading to the new Aman resort (this is only the second North American property from the luxury brand) is like trying to spot an un-credited extra in a blockbuster film: Blink and you miss it. But it’s precisely that exclusivity, as well as driving through a dazzling landscape of sweeping plateaus and towering stratified canyons, that helps enhance anticipation and excitement before arrival. Not that either is needed—this is an Aman property, after all.

Situated on 600 acres in an area called Four Corners—the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona converge here—Amangiri is poised to become the place for well-heeled outdoor enthusiasts to hike, hot air balloon and otherwise explore a handful of U.S. National Parks (Grand Staircase-Escalante, Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon range from a 90-minute to a four-hour drive away). And for those looking to do nothing at all, well, there’s plenty of that here too.

DESIGN Instead of trying to upstage it, the designers were wise to create a resort that fuses into what some consider to be the most dramatic landscape on Earth. Indeed, Amangiri is built right up against a dramatic stone escarpment and even constructed of concrete made with soil taken directly from the property. Upon arrival, guests are led to a main Pavilion where floor-to-ceiling windows look out to an expansive landscape on one side and a dreamy swimming pool on the other. Taking cues from the environs, the interior is peppered with lots of textural elements, like raw and polished woods, stone and leather. Even a graceful tumbleweed on the floor serves as a decorative statement. Though large, the Pavilion feels intimate thanks to unique areas—there’s the main dining room and a private one, a gallery, cellar and living room with six fireplaces—decorated in a soothing palette of creamy whites, mushroom grays and golden wheat hues. Everything at this resort has been custom made, from the plush sofas to the voluptuous floor lamps, the cowhide rugs and the hand soap in the bathrooms.

AMENITIES Guests pay top dollar to stay here but are rewarded with impeccable service (attentive but never intrusive) as well as some complimentary treats like Wi-Fi throughout the property, yoga classes on most mornings and “tasting” hikes. With so much land out the front door, you don’t ever need to leave the property to experience the landscape—but we recommend you do. Should you want to drive to Bryce or another park, you can do so behind the wheel of the resort’s zippy BMW Z4 (yes, you can borrow it sans charge). There’s also a fitness center, yoga pavilion and a stunning 25,000-square foot spa complete with steam room, sauna, water pavilion, watsu pool and outdoor treatment terraces. If you can think of it, Amangiri can arrange it: private slot canyon, off road tours and scenic flights are a few suggestions.

THE ROOM Entrance to each of the 34 suites is through a private courtyard outfitted for al fresco dining.Textural and cozy elements like wool throws, rawhide furniture and natural timber stand out against concrete floors and stone walls. A king-size bed set within a stone platform dominates the room and on either end is a writing desk and cozy sitting area. Extending the full length of the suite is a sky-lit dressing room with twin vanities, twin rain showers and a sunken tub with a view. Need another place from which to enjoy the scenery? An outdoor sitting area outfitted with plinth cushions and a gas fireplace look out to the imposing mesa or the ample desert.

SERVICE “No” is not a word in the Aman vocabulary. And the staff, which will address you by name and treat you as cordially as a long-lost friend, will accommodate any request. Want a horseback-riding excursion to commence precisely from your suite’s door? “Yes, of course.” Feel like visiting the Grand Canyon? A private driver and BMW are waiting.

FOOD The Dining Room’s open concept kitchen adds another layer of private residence ambiance. Delicious breads and pizzas come out of the wood-fired oven and dishes like corn-fed chicken or sea trout are paired with locally sourced ingredients with a Southwest slant (think sage onions, polenta, Arizona goat’s curd). The wine list highlights the best vintners of the Americas and particularly from the region, like a Viognier by Sutcliffe from Colorado. But those craving a classical bottle, like a 2001 Chateau Haut Brion, won’t be disappointed.

VERDICT The ultimate desert haven for mom.

{ the glider }

Decorate your baby's room with stylish pieces that will grow with your child. Forget the unappealing gliders of the past and welcome the glider of the 21st century into your home. Our picks for the modern home.

{ Hybrid }

HONDA INSIGHT

With gas prices more volatile than your child's mood, it's no surprise hybrids, their superior fuel economy, have become modern parents' prefered mode of transport. The 2010 Honda Insight LX is a vast improvement over its original design from a decade ago --sure it was remarkably fuel-efficient but it lacked the practicality found both in regular cars and Toyota's four-door Prius. This year, Honda revives the Insight name with a four-door hatchback design--a must-have for eco-conscious families--that offers decent cargo space and a tight but usable rear seat. Better yet, like its predecessor, the small gas engine with an electric motor powered by a battery pack still returns well over 40 mpg without breaking a sweat.

SAFETY: All Insights come standard with antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Unfortunately, the base Insight LX lacks stability control and traction control, which come standard on the EX.

PROS: Controls are logically placed and easy to use. Seamless hybrid powertrain. On the road, the Insight rides firmly but handles securely. Affordable price and excellent fuel economy.

CONS: The rear door windows dip downwards, making it hard to maneuver a kid in and out of a car seat. The backseat is also on the snug side. The car also makes excessive road noise at higher speeds.