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Picture this: rolling out of a Frette cloud, making sandal prints on white-sand beaches, then anointing in luminous turquoise water; all multiplied by two. When it comes to romance, Turks and Caicos Islands know exactly how to service bodies with love. The destination is nature’s jewel, a hideaway with rare ease (TCI is well connected to major airport hubs like Miami, New York and London) where hymns of paradise are generously sung. And specifically, paradise lies on Grace Bay Beach, upon the grounds of Wymara Resort & Villas. The recently renovated oceanfront property sets sparks at first check-in. 91 rooms and suites, 7 grand villas, and an exclusive collection of one-bedroom villas en route June 1, Upscale Living joins its discerning guests to discover the romance that ensues in a Wymara haven.
Prime address
When it comes to setting, parties of two will want no more. Grace Bay Beach is one of the most coveted addresses in the Caribbean, thanks to unfathomable water hues and sands so smooth they melt rather than scatter. There are two parts to the Haus of Wymara; the resort, and mere six minutes away, the villas. The former boasts bright bougainvillea-covered grounds that beautifully contrast an elegant, whitewashed structure, and the latter a gated A-List community tiered directly down to the ocean. They hold one of the most prized currencies of today: space. Even at full capacity, Wymara elicits privacy. “We’ve been social-distancing way before it was even a thing,” explains General Manager, Jorge Collazo, of the property’s design and natural surroundings. Whilst villas currently allow for group occupancy, he reveals that plans to launch all-new one-bedroom villas are well underway. As close as the forthcoming summer, in fact. “Our new one-bedroom villas will be the ultimate couple’s getaway. One that’s cocooned in limestone, with the most incredible sunset views over the bay area, and of course, their own private plunge pools”.
The suite life
For now, lovers can make do with One Bedroom Oceanfront Suites resort side, though hardly a consolation considering golden getaway status in its own right. Here, they’ll unlock a harmonious dance of whites, oaks, and beige in minimalist design alongside carefully placed color accents. In the bedroom, they can canoodle in a King Sterling Hospitality Sleep System bed with 400 thread count Frette bedding, a soothing box from which to indulge in rest or passion. What’s unusual is the open-plan corridor to a bathroom, guarded by a deep soak bathtub at its entrance. “The bathtub was strategically placed within the sleep quarters because confining it away to the bathroom demotes the romance of bath time” points, Jorge. “What’s also special about the tubs is that the water drops from the ceiling, giving sharing couples more headspace than with traditional faucets”. Nevertheless, the bathroom allows for washing rituals; it holds a glass-encased Kohler Water tile rain shower, double sink tops, walk-in wardrobe, plush Frette towels, and two robes, as well as delicious Aesop, pamper products. Only the tub’s been permitted to wander for comfort.
As for the social spaces, expect beach apartment chic, lit through floor-to-ceiling glass. It’s a versatile area no matter what the couple deems a romantic day or evening in. Perhaps room service is a love song to their ears and so, the team can efficiently layout room service selections in the dining area. Or maybe cooking a meal is the way to the heart, if so, then a full kitchen awaits with state-of-the-art Liebherr, Gaggenau + Bosch appliances. The balcony even has an outside dining set and day beds which are ideal for breakfast or mimosas. “We can Rosé The Stay for any of our guests, whereby a bottle of rosé is on hand throughout your time with us. Whether that’s upon arrival, at the cabanas or on the beach,” reveals Jorge. “We’re happy to tailor our services to individual tastes too, so perhaps you’d like to switch rose out for bubbles or add flowers to the mix…the Wymara team can make any such adjustments.”
Wellness and recreation
Though resort amenities are vast, the lovers’ journey, in particular, sees wellness at the core. The Spa, an obvious starting point, offers couples massages that infuse organic and holistic signature treatments using Éminence Organic Skin Care products. “These products are not only luxurious and feel amazing, but for every one sold, Éminence plants a tree”. Jorge states proudly in line with the hotel’s eco-ethos (see below).
With sea views to infinity, it comes as no surprise that many an on-site activity flows around water. The property envelopes a stunning 7,000 square-foot mosaic-tiled infinity-edge pool with island pods and chaise lounges, and a few steps to beach, cabanas point to turquoise waters. Guests dare resist a morning of meditation, an afternoon of ocean-breezed sun basking, or stroll along Grace Bay come dusk. The water here provides for cleansing, for rejuvenation, for a peaceful state of mind. Likewise, on the other end of the spectrum, water at Wymara serves as energy and recreation. Guests looking to exert may take advantage of complimentary clear bottom kayaks or snorkeling equipment on loan, or perhaps opt-in for an afternoon of jet-skiing, scuba, and other water frolics. Whatever their endeavors, one thing’s for certain. The waters induce a state of flow, eradicating messes modern-day bestows, and it’s these disconnects that allow partners to truly reconnect at Wymara.
Savoring fine cuisine
Island cuisine often denotes mixed opinion, but thankfully Wymara’s excellence is undivided. The property has two key dining destinations: Zest and Indigo. Zest is the most casual select of the two. A beach shack with tropical vibes that’ll transport you both a world away (despite only actually an hour’s flight from MIA). A number of Zest’s items appear on the in-room dining menu, so in-season local lobster tacos, jerked fillet of red snapper, and the local fish burger can be enjoyed equally from the comfort of the beach or in the privacy of your suite. Indigo is the upscale dining destination for the magic to brew. Helmed by Chef Andrew Mirosch, the Caribbean-inspired menu centers around fresh, seasonal ingredients, sustainable seafood, and local produce. Standouts at the time of publishing include the Caribbean Mahi Mahi and Roasted Cauliflower Steak, best enjoyed with their Sommelier’s fine wine recommendation. If sweetheart has a sweet tooth; the Lava Cake with homemade ice cream will not disappoint.
Finally, as a beachfront resort, the opportunity for romance under starlight is not passed up. Beach barbecue events are held frequently during the week, taking full advantage of the whimsical outdoor space in the company of island acoustics, a crackling fire pit, and meticulous service. In terms of dining, Jorge simply states “The possibilities here for romantic gestures like proposals, are endless.”
Setting the bar for eco-luxury
As travelers become more and more conscious of the environmental impact of their globe-trotting habits, we shed light on the growing eco-tourism trend of today. Wymara made speedy a reaction to the calls of the modern traveler, and we applaud not only for them taking action but also set the bar for other resorts to follow. The most significant change has been the resort’s elimination of single-use plastic. Purified water refilling stations now dot the property and have been a resounding success with their conscious guests. But that’s only the tip. Wymara has a key-less entry system in place (i.e., mobile as an alternative to plastic); toiletries come in refillable bottles in order to abolish miniatures, menus are all either reusable or electronic, and they have even gone as far as to redesign their water system to allow for repurposing, recover and reuse of water for landscaping. Sustainability is Wymara’s way of loving the planet, and that surely is the greatest base for love to blossom on the Caribbean’s most romantic resort.
Getting there
Flight options to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands include American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines. Air Canada and WestJet offer service from Canada, while British Airways has twice-weekly service from London. A taxi or private SUV can be arranged from the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) to Wymara Resort & Villas. For private charters, Providenciales features two state-of-the-art FBOs, Blue Heron Aviation by Signature Flight Support and Provo Air Center. The resort is located approximately 10-14 minutes from the airport.
