Known for their open concept contemporary design, Aman hotels have paved the road for luxury travelers looking for a chic and tranquil experience with an emphasis on wellness no matter the destination. The Aman brand has such a following that many travelers will ONLY stay at their properties and refer to themselves at “Aman junkies“. It’s safe to say they’re a pioneer in luxury travel, and Amanyara is a perfect example of how far the brand has come.

I had the pleasure of staying at Amanyara in Turks and Caicos in July of 2022. This was my first Aman experience and I can safely say I became an Aman convert after my stay. I would highly recommend Amanyara to my clients who are looking for a trendy luxury beach experience not too far from NYC or the Eastern US.

Location

Amanyara is located on 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.

The hotel is located on a 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.

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.

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.

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.

I stayed in the entry-level accommodation, the Tranquility Pavilion. This pavilion is a spacious 700 sq ft. open layout king bedroom overlooking one of the serene ponds in the nature reserve. The pavilion is totally surrounded by lush foliage meaning I didn’t have to worry about anyone seeing me through the large windows. There is also a private terrace with seating which I found to be lovely for birdwatching and relaxing yoga sessions. The pavilion is dotted with the same Asian-inspired wood accents with modern amenities, such as a soaking tub, a Japanese toilet (with 3-ply toilet paper! Rare!), and a stone rain shower.

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 minimalistic design style reminds me of the Miami Beach EDITION with an emphasis on intentional space and mindful decoration.

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. More on that below!

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 is 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 3 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!

The Restaurant and The Bar are located in the main area of the property just past the lobby. The Bar is a unique round-shaped open building with tall ceilings and cozy padded nooks and pillows to set the tone. It’s staffed with creative mixologists who can craft anything you ask in addition to the Asian-inspired cocktails on their menu. This is a great place for a pre-dinner snack and drink as they serve up small Asian bites here. The Restaurant serves up Caribbean and East Asian fusion dishes in an open air environment. Sushi lovers rejoice as you can get your sashimi and maki fix here!

The Beach Club was one of my favorite dining experiences on property. Tucked away on the hillside just before the entrance to the beach, this restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine with views of the turquoise blue sea. The restaurant offers authentic Neapolitan-style pizza straight from their pizza oven, as well as light salads and pasta dishes. For a moment, dining at The Beach Club inspires a feeling of being in Italy.

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 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!

In addition, if you book a stay at Amanyara with me, I would be able to provide you with these additional perks for FREE!

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom
• $100USD Food & Beverage credit utilized during stay
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

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 are 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 3 together) are given no matter which ritual is chosen, and each spa treatment starts with a relaxing foot cleansing bath.

During my stay I had a Grounding massage which was surprisingly uplifting! This was my first Aman Spa treatment and I didn’t know what to expect. My massage started with a foot bath, followed by the burning of certain herbs in a bowl, I’m told to cleanse my mind of negativity and the chaos of every day life. The massage was essentially a Swedish massage with light techniques, and the lotion used from the Aman line smelled incredible. I was sad when the treatment came to an end, but a walk through the spa compound past the reflecting pools and wind chimes reminded me how fortunate I was to experience this property.

Activities

Though you’ll find most of what you need at Amanyara, the islands of Turks and Caicos are gorgeous and well worth getting out and exploring. I typically arrange at least one boat day for my clients in Turks and Caicos to go snorkeling and explore some of the nearby Cays. Here are a few MUST-DO activities for Turks and Caicos through Viator that I recommend:

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Recommended Clients

Overall, I had an incredible time at Amanyara and I would not hesitate to send clients here for a luxurious Caribbean stay. Typically, clients who love the contemporary yet luxurious decor at Amanyara also love the Cheval Blanc St. Barths, which I also had the pleasure of visiting. There are certain things to keep in mind as the hotel may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Here’s who I would send to Amanyara:

• Clients who appreciate spa, wellness, and fitness options.
• Travelers who prefer contemporary room design with minimal decor.
• Families with older kids, or young well-traveled kids.
• Couples who appreciate sprawling spacious grounds with privacy between rooms.
• Travelers who don’t mind being a bit of a drive from the main town.
• Clients who don’t mind paying the premium to stay at Amanyara (at least $1,200 minimum per night + 27% tax).

Have you even been to an Aman property before? Do you have a favorite hotel in Turks and Caicos? Comment down below and let me know!