Exclusive, seclusive, natural, intimate, impeccable and exceptional are all words that describe the Singapore-based and Asian-influenced, haute luxe niche resort chain, Aman Resorts, which rosters 24 environmentally-friendly sanctuaries worldwide. Intentionally built in places that are “on the verge,” founder Adrian Zecha, promotes a cognizant focus on staying small because “less is more,” for this chain.
Located on the northwest point of Providenciales (a.k.a. “Provo” as the locals call it) in the Turks and Caicos Islands of the British West Indies, lies one of their newest properties—Amanyara or “Peaceful Place”—which opened as one of their largest resorts to date, back in 2006 after eight years in the making. Designed by architect, Jean-Michel Gathy, the property evokes utter tranquility from its structural symmetry and meticulous grounds right down to its color scheme.
With an international airport on the island, it is the idyllic getaway for jet-set honeymooners or a quick hour-and-a-quarter flight from Miami for those looking for an easy escape. The very
nature of the resort and its location on an 18,000-acre nature preserve—removed from the bustling eastern side of the island—attracts couples looking for unprecedented and unadulterated privacy where they can disconnect from their over-stimulated lives.
For years, Turks and Caicos has been the destination of choice for celebrities like Bruce Willis, Michael Douglas, Keith Richards, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal because of its anonymity and epicurean lifestyle. For these reasons couples like Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck (who married here in 2005) and Eva Longoria and Tony Parker (who honeymooned here in 2007) continue to flock here religiously. And Amanyara specifically, has attracted the likes of Tina Turner, Sienna Miller, Rihanna, Zac Efron and Will Smith, to name a few.
Upon entering the resort you walk into a large reception pavilion comprised of Indonesian woods, which opens to an expansive courtyard. Surrounded by mahogany trees, the library and boutique flank one side of the reflecting pool and the restaurant and bar the other. The circular bar offers a lofty roof and sea views fronted by a 50-meter, volcanic rock, infinity-edge swimming pool, complete with an ample terrace furnished with low-slung, lounging salas upholstered in rich silks. From there, 40 oceanfront and pond-view hotel pavilions and 20 fully-serviced, private, three-, four- and five-bedroom villas (which are available for rental, with a select number for sale) are disbursed amidst additional reflecting pools, vegetation and open grounds.
Nestled adjacent to the distinguished Malcolm’s Road Beach (reachable only via four-wheel drive or boat), Amanyara enclaves more than a half mile of white-sandy beaches. Moreover, it sits on the southern end of the Northwest Point Marine National Park, which affords guests with incredible views of the iron-shore waves (a mix of pitted limestone and lava), as well as some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving. The preserve houses a bounty of marine life in its pristine reef walls then drops a whopping 6,888 feet along the ocean floor.
Other amenities of Amanyara—which averages a comfortable 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit—include a beach club, screening room, fitness center, yoga and Pilates classes, tennis courts and a spa and wellness facility known as the Serenity Villa. Although the resort prides itself on feeling worlds apart from civilization, it remains close enough that you can take a short 35-minute drive to play 18 holes of golf at one of the top ten courses in the Caribbean. Other excursions include eco tours through Frenchman’s Creek Nature Preserve and then catching a glimpse of migrating humpback whales while they make their 25,000-mile journey to mate. With an array of choices, the hospitable staff at Amanyara will assist you with any of your needs and the experience will certainly make for a dream honeymoon.
> Written by Jessica Latimer
