Site Inspection at Amanyara in Turks and Caicos

Location

Amanyara is located in the northwest part of Turks and Caicos. There are plenty of non-stop flights from around the US to Providenciales year-round. The drive from the Providenciales (PLS) Airport is about 25 minutes, and about 10 minutes of that drive is on a long, bumpy road surrounded by tropical foliage. The hotel is on a quiet and isolated part of the island, so plan at least 20 minutes to get to town for dinners outside of the property.

Image 1: Amanyara Beach ; Image 2: Amanyara Beach Club Restaurant

The hotel is located on an 18,000-acre nature reserve, so it’s perfect for nature lovers and travelers who appreciate open space. The rooms, or “pavilions” to use the Aman term, are generously spaced apart with plenty of privacy between each unit. The entire property feels like a private tropical oasis with more staff than guests. While you won’t see wild land animals, the reserve is a haven for birds and birdwatching is excellent here.

First Impressions

On my bumpy drive to Amanyara, I was curious as to what I would find at the end of the road. The path to the hotel was unmarked, and I had questioned whether my driver knew where he was going. After about 10 minutes, we finally pulled up to the open lobby of Amanyara. The lobby, like the rest of the property, was Asian-inspired with timber-shingled slanted roofs and East Asian decor.

Image 1: Amanyara Tranquility Pavilion View ; Image 2: Amanyara Bar Nook

I was met promptly by the Guest Service Manager with a welcome drink in hand, a healthy fruity elixir of some sort, and escorted to the check-in area. Past the initial lobby area, the property opens up to a breathtaking sight: a large reflecting pool with the round open bar straight ahead, and the infinity pool overlooking the ocean in the distance. From this central area, I was escorted past the gift shop to a golf cart leading me toward my pavilion for the night.

• You can see my first-hand experience at Amanyara here.

Rooms

There are 36 rooms, or pavilions, in total at Amanyara. They are called pavilions because they are standalone units with ample privacy. It’s important to note that there are no connecting options for large families on this property for that reason, however families can stay in the multi-bedroom villa options. The Alcove Pavilions can accommodate a cot for a small child to make for a triple-occupancy option. There are 20 villas in total at Amanyara, each coming with a villa host and private chef for the 3+ bedroom accommodations.

Each pavilion or villa is contemporary in style with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking views of either a tranquil pond, your own private pool, or the ocean. There are pavilions with private beach access available, though that part of the resort can be rocky and definitely not for children. The pavilions and villas are widely spread out in this nature reserve, and each pavilion is provided with two cute bikes to ride to and from the beach or restaurants. The villas come equipped with a golf cart of their own, though any guest in any category can call the front desk for a golf cart pick-up.

• See my walkthrough of the entry-level Tranquility Pavilion here.

Style

Aman-lovers know the brand for their distinct contemporary style, incorporating natural elements from each destination, and emphasis on wellness. You’ll never find an Aman property with too much decor or “stuff” as the brand identity is founded on simplicity and elegance while retaining the original character. Amanyara is no different.

The style at Amanyara is similar to the flagship Amanpuri in Phuket, with Asian-inspired buildings and neutral colors mingling with natural elements of water, earth, and air. The grounds of the property evoke the peacefulness of a monastery. This is not a place where you see kids running wild and screaming, but instead couples or families with older, well-traveled teenagers who know how to keep to themselves. That said, there is a great kids club on property, and plenty of amenities for families.

Image 1: Amanyara Tranquility Pavilion View ; Image 2: Amanyara Welcome Drink

Service

I found the service excellent at Amanyara. This is the type of hotel in which staff lets you know they are available should you need anything, but they don’t follow you around. On my bike rides from my pavilion to the main areas, I would always pass by staff who would say hello and ask how everything was going. There is also plenty of staff scattered around the property who are more than happy to help with anything.

One evening at Amanyara, I had dinner with a colleague who worked at the hotel. We bonded over our shared love of India and Indian food and spoke about the Aman property there. We said our farewells after a while as I went to The Restaurant for dinner, and to my surprise she had the chef whip up a special menu of Indian cuisine from scratch. I was taken aback by the gesture! This is the kind of above-and-beyond service I look for when I send clients to properties.

Restaurants

There are three dining establishments on property: The Restaurant, The Bar, and The Beach Club. Each restaurant offers a different menu, so those staying on property will find varied options without getting bored for a few days. I mentioned previously that the hotel is about a 20-minute drive from the main town. While I love the restaurants at Amanyara, the foodie scene in Turks and Caicos is not to be missed and I would highly recommend going out for a night or two to enjoy some of the great restaurants the island has to offer!

Image 1: Amanyara Infinity Pool ; Image 2: Amanyara Pavilion View

Beach Club

Being on the northwest side of the island means that the beach is isolated from other properties and public beaches. The beach at Amanyara is private to guests and is great for swimming and snorkeling. The water is turquoise blue and warm-ish, and nonmotorized water sports can be done here.

As soon as you walk down the steps and onto the beach, an attendant comes to set up chairs, umbrellas, and a towel for you. You’ll also receive bottles of water and some fruit to snack on. The attendant's service level varies, but overall I had a great experience at the beach and was able to order a cocktail without issue.

Amenities

Given that Amanyara is on an isolated part of the island, there are plenty of amenities offered to keep guests entertained. Here is just a short list of some of the complimentary amenities included in every stay:

• Complimentary bikes to ride on the nature paths

• Complimentary snorkeling and nonmotorized watersports equipment

• Bottle of champagne in room on arrival

• Daily afternoon tea at The Bar

• Complimentary daily yoga class

• Kids club (The Nature Discovery Center)

• Sports equipment at The Club House (shuffleboard, billiards, ping-pong, a world-class soccer pitch)

• and more!

Spa

I would be remiss not to mention one of the biggest draws of Amanyara, and the Aman brand in general – their spa. The Aman Spa is well-known all over the world for their skincare line and spa treatment options. In addition to conventional spa treatments, like deep tissue massages, the Aman Spa trademark offering is their “rituals“.

Aman Spa offers three rituals: Grounding, Purifying, and Nourishing. Each ritual uses different skincare lines tailored to the specific ritual. Choice of massage, body wrap, facial, or journey (all three together) are given no matter which ritual is chosen, and each spa treatment starts with a relaxing foot-cleansing bath.

I recommend Amanyara to my clients looking for a honeymoon or a romantic couple's getaway. I would even recommend this property to families with well-traveled kids who are looking for an incredible luxury beach vacation not too far from the East Coast of the US. The gorgeous property would make a perfect backdrop for group events and weddings. Keep in mind that nightly rates typically start at $2k plus 27% tax, so it's a splurge but well worth it. Reach out and let me plan your perfect Caribbean vacation!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Turks and Caicos. In need of further inspiration? Check out Chelsea Colas’s guide, Adventure Travel to Turks and Caicos.