Grace Bay is the kind of place that doesn’t need to announce itself. Its water holds that impossible shade of turquoise usually reserved for screensavers – only here, it’s real. On its beach is the sort of sand that squeaks underfoot, the horizon hums with heat, and even the air feels faintly decadent. Yet among the line-up of polished beachfront resorts, Wymara Resort + Villas manages to stand apart. It doesn’t rely on flash or fanfare. Its brand of luxury feels quieter and far more deliberate, a place where design, detail and a growing sense of environmental awareness come together with rare ease.
Arriving at the open-air lobby, our first impressions of Wymara Resort + Villas were cinematic. The turquoise horizon stretched uninterrupted beyond gauzy white billowing curtains and a 7,000-foot infinity pool that appeared to dissolve into the sea. A chilled mocktail appeared in hand before we had even reached check-in, its gradient blues mirroring the view. There was no blaring soundtrack, no performative ‘island vibe’, just the sound of waves and the soft hum of ceiling fans. This was a place that knew how to breathe.
Our oceanfront suite proved a masterclass in considered design. Every element, from the teak floors to the Frette linens, had been chosen with calm precision. Sunlight flooded through floor-to-ceiling windows, catching the gleam of a deep soaking tub positioned almost theatrically beside the bed. It was the kind of detail that could easily tip into gimmickry elsewhere, but here it felt perfectly natural.
For travellers accustomed to a degree of independence, the in-room amenities are unexpectedly practical. A Dyson hairdryer, a full kitchen, and a washer-dryer make longer stays not just possible but appealing. Meanwhile, an espresso machine, a well-stocked minibar and a spacious private terrace complete the tableau. The space, to us, felt less like a hotel room and more like a polished beachside apartment, one that happened to open onto the Caribbean’s most iconic view.
Wymara’s culinary offering is small but deliberate. Indigo, the resort’s signature restaurant, focuses on regional ingredients. Local snapper arrives perfectly charred, its sweetness offset by citrus and herbs, while the plant-based tasting options avoid the usual clichés. Roasted breadfruit with tamarind glaze and pickled okra was our firm favourite, and as for the coconut ceviche brightened with lime and chilli? A must-taste menu item. Each plate feels vibrant and genuinely inventive.
For lighter moments, Zest on the beach serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Our favourites were the fresh salads and grilled octopus (accompanied, of course, by a crisp rosé). There’s a rhythm to the day here that encourages lingering – a late breakfast that becomes a swim or a long lunch that drifts into a nap. And service remains sharp throughout, but never feels intrusive.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | PLS | GMT -4 |
| While you’re Out There |
| For guests keen to experience the Turks and Caicos beyond its glassy shallows, open water diving is one of the most rewarding ways to do so while staying at Wymara Resort + Villas. The hotel makes access effortless – a quiet word with the concierge arranges introductions to reputable local operators such as Dive Provo, with transfers departing directly from Grace Bay. Beneath the surface, the island reveals itself as something far more complex than a postcard: coral walls alive with colour, moments of fragile beauty and a firsthand understanding of why conservation here matters. Diving feels less like an add-on excursion and more like an extension of Wymara’s understated ethos… immersive, thoughtful and humbling. |
A short five-minute shuttle drive from the main resort, Wymara’s Villas on Turtle Tail offer a more secluded interpretation of island life. These multi-bedroom homes unfold across a private peninsula, each with its own infinity pool and direct ocean access. It’s easy to see the appeal for groups or longer-stay guests: there’s space, privacy and the freedom to live barefoot while remaining enveloped in five-star service here.
Six of the villas feature slides descending straight into the sea, a playful touch that underscores Wymara’s ability to balance sophistication with fun. More impressive still is the Caribbean’s first in-ocean pool, carved directly from natural limestone. At high tide, it blurs seamlessly with the sea, a quiet feat of engineering that captures the essence of the resort’s ethos – minimal interference, maximum harmony.
The surrounding Beach Club includes a Tiki bar and shaded deck chairs, but even here the tone remains unhurried and understated. Think luxury that isn’t loud or lavish, but deeply comfortable instead.
Upscale hotels are quick to advertise their eco-credentials, but to us, Wymara’s approach felt unscripted. The absence of single-use plastics isn’t trumpeted; it’s simply integrated. Water stations are discreetly positioned throughout the property, in corridors, poolside and even on the beachfront. Energy-efficient systems operate behind the scenes, while the resort’s partnership with the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund supports coral restoration and community education – an example of a resort linking its luxury directly to the protection of what made it possible. Certified by Green Globe, the property demonstrates a genuine commitment to sustainable practices with a clear openness to doing even more in the future.
Wymara attracts an audience that skews international, affluent and design-literate. Solo travellers find it tranquil rather than lonely, while couples relish the privacy of its terraces and villas. Families are welcome, though this isn’t a resort designed around children. Instead, it suits those who appreciate silence as much as service and minimalism as much as comfort.
The property has all the polish expected of a five-star resort – attentive service, thoughtful design and excellent, locally sourced food – yet it balances this with a clear environmental conscience and a strong sense of place. Here, elegance is in restraint. For travellers attuned to sustainability and design, the hotel hints at the future of Caribbean luxury.
Photography courtesy of Wymara Resort + Villas
