Amanyara

Providenciales

The Turks and Caicos Islands, known for their kilometers of white sand beaches and stunning marine depths and which were once a hideout for pirates and other outlaws, has become a Garden of Eden for celebrities. In the heart of the Caribbean, surrounded by the Bahamas, Cuba and Haiti, the archipelago is divided between the Turks and the Caicos islands. The Turks islands consist of uninhabited coral reefs, two inhabited islands, Grand Turk and Salt Cay and a few rocky islets. The Caicos archipelago’s main islands are North, East, South, West and Middle Caicos and Providenciales, in addition to about thirty islets.

Providenciales, commonly known as Provo, and the archipelago’s most well known tourist center, has nevertheless preserved its coasts and its back country from mass tourism. This paradise for divers is surrounded by coral reefs containing an enormous variety of fish. Grace Bay, which stretches over 20 kilometers, is the longest on the island, and was voted the world’s most beautiful beach by Condé Nast magazine. Providenciales also has the only conch-breeding farm in the world, the Caicos Conch Farm. This delicious shellfish is bred here in massive quantities in order to protect it from extinction. Like its neighbors, Providenciales has a number of natural lakes, which after being transformed into salt water lakes by the 17th century colonists, are now a refuge for a great many bird species like the white heron and the pink flamingo. Providenciales offers its visitors a calm and sunny vacation in perfect harmony with nature.

A haven of peace

It’s in this well-preserved natural setting that we find the Amanyara, a member of the Aman hotel group. Its architect, Jean-Michel Gathy, the creator of a number of luxury hotels, always takes his inspiration from the environment in which he designs his buildings. Here, Gathy put the accent on the site’s natural elements like the light which enters brilliantly into the glass encircled pavilions. The ventilation is natural as well thanks to the gentle ocean breeze. The water in the numerous infinity pools scintillates in the sun, while the sound of the undertow is a constant reminder of the proximity of the ocean. Wood and stone make up the basic decor. The bathroom floors are in sisal, and the living room and bedroom are in sand “terrazzo” with teak incrustations. Some of the buildings have a view of the lakes while others, on stilts, are built on the beach facing the turquoise water. The atmosphere is one of sensuality, peace and serenity. Aman in Sanskrit means peace and Yara in the Arawak Indian language means place or site, and the Amanyara is truly a peaceful place in total symbiosis with nature.

The entrance to the hotel is through a reception area which opens onto a mahogany covered basin. Not far away, we find a library, an immense swimming pool, a home cinema salon and the Serenity Villa Spa all of which are surrounded by lush vegetation.

Early birds here can be initiated into the joys of deep sea fishing, and divers can explore the 1,600 hectares of marine depths at the Northwest Point Marine National Park. The less adventurous but no less athletic can enjoy a round of golf or a game of tennis. During the late afternoon, after having had tea on the dune of the Beach Club, a massage at the spa is strongly advised before a dinner of shellfish and local products on the tree lined terrace or an impromptu barbecue on the beach.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a regular vacation destination for a number of celebrities including Donna Karan, Bruce Willis and the Rolling Stones.