We just returned from the Turks & Caicos. We stayed at the newly opened Amanyara. It was absolutely amazing. I have zero complaints. Please let me know if you have specific questions about it.

I'd love to hear about just about everything

The rooms, the beach, the staff and of course the dining.

Take your time with re-entry and then post as many details as possible !

Thanks !

Marion

hi shari, as marion said... we want to know everything.

Malcolm's Beach is stunning isn't it?
It's one of my favorite beaches in the world.
I actually "toured" Amanyara and ate lunch there.

Sigh...I keep dreaming that I am still there. The property is absolutley breathtaking. Everything has a very zen/organic feel to it. For example, there are frames around the property that actually frame the sunsets. Our room was fantastic. Everything was clean and the products were just what you needed to sooth your hair and body after fun in the sun. Your bed overlooks a cliff and your own private beach.

Malcolm Beach (the main beach) was stunning. We snorkled daily right in front of our lounge chairs. The staff waited for us to return to our chairs and then they would bring us bottled water and anything else that we desired. The water was warm and calm and beautiful. I think one of my favorite things was how isolated we were. You really are at the end of a bumpy road. Not too many people are staying at the resort yet, so you can be the only person in the ocean. On Sunday, we came out from snorkeling and there wasn't one person on the beach except for the staff waiting to pamper us.

It is the first Caribbean trip I have taken where I wasn't distracted by a jet ski or a banana boat cruising by. (We have been to Pink Sands, Elbow Beach, Sandy Lane and Maroma.) It was just you and the beach and the birds. The food and wine was quite enjoyable as well. The menu changes daily and it is a variety of meats, fresh/local seafood and wonderful salads and soups.

On a couple of evenings, we met people who ventured to the resort because there were documentary filmmakers on the island doing a short on this luxury resort. The curious travelers came to Amanyara and were stunned. They kept asking how we heard of the place and said it was by far the nicest place they had ever seen.

Believe me and believe them.

Shari, I posted some pics of Amanyara and Malcolm's Beach on my trip report. The pics where actually taken on an overcast hazy day, at 4pm! So imagine how the water glows at 1 when the sun shines on it!
Unfortunately, I didn't like my lunch there, could be I had an "off" time,(and I felt I had to be honest) but the resort was really neat!

Blamona,

We'll welcome your impressions/observations of your tour

And you should also tell us what you had for lunch.

Speaking for myself and other vicarious travelers, of course ;-)

Marion

It must have been an off day because I thought the lunches were great. The chef is the former chef from Lizard Island in Australia. We were at Lizard Island in November and their standards are high.

Tell me more (please). Did the resort have a spa. How big were the rooms? Set up nicely? How about the other staff (besides the beach)?

Were the other public areas nice? Most of all price. Luxury or superior priced (cause it doesnt' sound moderate). Did you have a meal plan?

Resort sounds beautiful, please share more, maybe I'll give it a spin.

They are building their spa right now. It won't be finished until early 2007. It looks like it will be amazing. They do offer spa services right now in your room. The rooms are enormous. They are individual huts. The main room has a bed that is surrounded by glass. Outside are sitting areas. You have a full shower and a separate soaking tub. You have twin sinks. You also have free telephone service in your room. You can call anywhere in the world for free. This helps if you (sadly) have to conduct business or if you are checking up on loved ones at home. Every staff person was impeccable. You really could not have asked for better service. Everyone was full of energy, happiness and a serene spirituality that was infectious. We loved it. The common areas were breathtaking. You could get lost in every corner. The place is perfect. I fear what might happen to it in a couple of years once the golf course is built, etc. For now, it is perfect and it works. No, they do not have meal plans. You pay for everything on your own. The meal prices were similar to other high-end resorts in the Caribbean.

We will be going next week and we were thrilled to read your detailed and positive reviews. Just what we wanted to hear!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a inspiring report.
I'm in a dilemma though, we do not arrive PLS until 8:30 pm, so in reality we won't arrive the hotel until 10 pm, but we still have to pay the full price for the room. Gosh, I probably sound cheap, but would this bother you? Or, am I out of line for thinking like this?

Don't worry about things like that. You are going to have an amazing time, and you will have plenty to do at 10pm. Unpack and be pampered!

katie, at the price of rooms i understand your concern about late arrival. but in this case, the drive out to aman is not spectacular and waking up there for your first morning will be a visual stunner, so i say go for it.

Thank you everyone for your reassurance... You are absolutely right; go for it and enjoy this spectacular place!!
I should of thought this out a little longer. My husband didn't even know I was worring about it, he wouldn't of wanted to delay our trip even by 12 hrs. for any reason. He absolutely hates to change hotels. (me, too)
Guess I was just being silly and frugal at the last minute. Ha!

Katiekate:

http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...amp;interval=3

right click, copy, right click paste, then enter.

click on resume, there are a couple of pictures of Amanyara, just to get you more excited. The beach in the pics are at Amanyara, at 4 pm on a cloudy day, imagine the water when sun is shinning at noon!!!
have a great trip!

Go here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...nd_Caicos.html

And click "view candid traveler photos"
Those are some of my pictures from Amanyara.

Thank you both for sending the photos. I am so excited I can hardly wait. I'll write as soon as I return. How did you like The Palms, Blamoma?

Shari- I hope you read this b/4 I leave but I have a couple questions:
--which room did you have and is there a better location over another?

--did you get to snorkel? if so, can you right from the beach? or, actually take any boat trips?

--did you ever venture off property to dine? shop?

Thanks so much. We are leaving early Sunday (June 11) I am so excited, I can hardly stand it!!!

katie, i think you should take part of a day and see some of the island. grace bay beach is the reason the island became popular and for good reason, it is very beautiful.
there are a few good restaurants (anacona, coyaba, aqua bar, etc).
you really should see chalk sound and a drive out to the end of chalk sound road is fun if you like to look at beautiful villas.
get a feel for what provo is like and meet some of the "belongers" as they are very nice and soft spoken in conversation. i love seeing the island children all dressed in their school uniforms.
there is snorkeling at the coral gardens resort and near turtle cove marina but i've heard the snorkeling at malcolm is wonderful.
can't wait for your trip report...
on yes - shopping - not much. 2 small malls. saltmills and ports of call. each with group of small shops. there are some roadside art mini-malls. some local paintings, if you like that style, the prices are still pretty good.

Thanks for the tips Virginia. I havent heard of Chalk sound, would love to check it out.

What is the weather like at this time? My husband said he'd heard the hurricane season had started in the Cuba area??? I know that isn't near T&C, just wondering if anything is brewing??