December 5, 2007

Caribbean | Turks & Caicos | Providenciales

Turks & Caicos: Private Providenciales

By Nicole Cotroneo

To rent, or to own: two ways to splurge on Amanyara's new high-design villas.

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You won’t hear steel drums or jet skis tearing through the surf at Amanyara, an exclusive, Zen-like retreat in the Turks & Caicos. But you might hear clatter from the kitchen if you’re staying in one of the resort’s 20 new villas — because, in addition to a dedicated butler, each comes with a private 24-hour chef. Sure, you can drop $12 million to actually own a Jean-Michel Gathy-designed, four-bedroom pavilion, or you can rent one for just $5,000 per night. But however you cut it, the secluded villas all have their own 1,200-square-foot infinity pool peering out to the Caribbean Sea.

Amanyara isn’t the only property raising an already lofty bar on Providenciales, the archipelago’s most cosmopolitan island. The neighboring Regent Palms, a neo-colonial resort on the sugary shore of Provo’s Grace Bay, recently souped-up its award-winning spa (designed by Las Ventanas’ Angel Stewart). Six new treatment cottages nestle within a private garden, plus a “male-oriented” treatment room offers hot-towel, straightedge-razor shaves. A retailored spa menu is also standing by when you’re ready to detox from T&C’s first annual Gourmet Safari, December 12 and 13. The inaugural food and wine festival showcases Provo’s top resort restaurants — Regent Palms and Amanyara included, of course.