Checking In: Amanyara, Turks and Caicos

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Wellness is woven into every detail at this ultra-luxe West Indies resort.

A winding, limestone-paved road leads to Amanyara, the most exclusive resort on Providenciales Island. It’s about a 25-minute drive from the airport, through a nature preserve, and the secluded scene that awaits is truly otherworldly: a serene pool surrounded by intricate wooden, open-air structures, which act as a frame for the ultimate work of art – the azure-blue ocean. By now, most people know that simply being in nature can do wonders for one’s mental health, and this first taste of Aman Resorts’ signature mix of thoughtful design and wild beauty hints at a property optimized for reflection (in every sense of the word).

Aerial view of one of the villas off of the beach at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Aerial view of the coves and ocean that connect to the lodgings at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Ocean Cove and Ocean Pavilions.    
Ocean Cove and Ocean Pavilions.    

Accommodations at Amanyara are like little ecosystems in and of themselves, making it easy for guests to choose when and whether they mingle with others – or to make their whole vacation resemble a stay at a private home. The recently refurbished Pavilions are stand-alone, glass-walled suites ideal for couples or solo travellers, many with white-sandbeach access or infinity pools, while Villas comprise two to six bedrooms and include a dedicated host and personal chef service.

A woman lounging by the infinity pool of the Tranquility Villa at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
A serene private villa pool.    

Amanyara’s Wellness Immersion program isn’t a cookie-cutter boot camp, it’s a personalized program that incorporates body and mind, with regular visiting specialists like celebrity trainers, naturopaths and clinical psychologists. A guest’s experience might include gentle suggestions or concrete action – like swapping out candy and beer in the minibar for chia bowls and kombucha – depending on their goals. “We don’t want to do everything for people, it’s about education and what they can reflect on and take home with them,” says resident wellness manager Toby Maguire, whose background includes studying in Buddhist monasteries as well as traditional Chinese medicine and hypnotherapy training. Maguire uses an AcuGraph tool to measure the energy levels of our acupuncture meridians for our complimentary health assessments. Afterward, he leads us on a guided meditation outside a beachfront villa, waves crashing in the background like nature’s white noise.

A woman swimming underwater with a board at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Swimming with a “Seabob” underwater scooter.    
Kids on a sailboat excursion at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Catamaran tours.    

Health isn’t all meditation and reflection – sometimes you want to sweat a little. The Amanyara Legends Program showcases a jaw-droppingly star-studded lineup of athletes who regularly come to the property to give training clinics, including tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Leylah Fernandez, NBA star Kevin Love, and other all-stars from the worlds of soccer, football, basketball and even surfing. The property boasts clay tennis courts and sports fields to host lessons (or train on your own), as well as a dedicated Pilates studio and high-tech gym. Kids can get active too, with the SEEK (Science Explorers and Environmental Keepers) camp, which has them doing everything from stargazing to studying nearby coral reefs.

A chef making a pizza in front of a wood burning oven at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Wood-fired pizza prep.    

The best test of a wellness program’s commitment to balancing nutrition and indulgence: mealtime. Find a mix of both at the property’s two restaurants, with healthy options highlighted on menus, as well as cooking classes led by chef Piero. Try your hand at making sushi, wood-fired pizza or ceviche (Piero’s tip: Serve ceviche on chilled plates.) Look for guest chefs and themed “pop-ups,” like Asian dining night complete with noodles served in classic takeout boxes.

A woman doing yoga under a gazebo at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Window view of the pool from the massage beds at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Outdoor yoga; open-air massage rooms.    
Outdoor yoga; open-air massage rooms.    

When the whole resort feels like a spa, it’s noteworthy that the actual spa still commands a moment of awe (and a snap or two for Instagram). Complimentary yoga takes place under a small pagoda-style structure, where the teacher adjusts the class to each student’s needs.  After a blissful session, we retire to our private stand-alone treatment rooms for massage, then regroup to shop for tastefully branded leisurewear, leather goods, health supplements and fragrances inspired by the resort’s global properties. All the better to take a little piece of vacation with us – and help extend the healing long after we’ve flown home.