Ambergris Cay, a private island in Turks and Caicos, is surrounded by the azure blue- and lapis-colored waters of the Atlantic Ocean and aquamarine and turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean. Following a quick 20-minute plane ride (the island can be reached both by one of the island’s private aircraft) from Providenciales, the third largest island in the Turks and Caicos, you are greeted on Ambergris Cay by the general manager and introduced to your island host. You are provided with a cell phone that you can use to call your island valet for another bottle of wine, a ride anywhere on the island, a meal delivered to your villa or to plan an excursion.
The lush island is home Ambergris Cay, a private island resort in Turks and Caicos, which is comprised of 32 villas and more in the process of being built. This all-inclusive resort features villas which are available for rent (as are many of the privately owned villas each for various lengths of time) with some located right on the beach while the others are located around the island with breathtaking views. Each villa (ranging from 3 to 6 bedrooms) has a unique style, size, an outdoor shower and a private swimming pool. Guests can make use of their own golf cart (to get around the island), a full kitchen with a refrigerator fully stocked with water, soda and beer and a bottle of white and red wine is supplied daily. You can also work with your travel consultant prior to your trip to arrange any special requests upon your arrival or throughout your stay.
The Dream Pavilion is an oceanfront six bedroom/seven bath privately owned villa is the perfect venue for a birthday party with friends, a family reunion, and a bachelor/bachelorette party. Available for rent, this villa is the “jewel” of the island with its fulltime gourmet private chef and butler. The villa accommodates 12 adults and two children and encompasses 3,900 sq. ft. of indoor space and 6,450 sq. ft. of outdoor space. The largest and most luxurious residence on the island offers a lush private garden, two swimming pools and is 10 minutes by golf cart from Columbus Beach.
Calico Jack is the outdoor main dining room, surrounded by natural vegetation, the Caribbean Ocean, Mahoney’s Bar and a community pool. It is a wonderful place to savor the incredible meals prepared by an international culinary staff. You can also have a private dining experience on the beach, or at the various sites adjacent to the outdoor cocktail lounge and bar area. If a quiet dinner in your villa or by your private pool (following a day of tennis, sun, fishing, kayaking and various water sports) is to your liking, simply use the resort’s cell phone and place your order. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated by their chefs.
A wonderful way to spend a leisurely day is to take a boat from the marina to Little Ambergris Cay, the uninhabited nature reserve. You can spend the day snorkeling, bird watching and relaxing on the beach enjoying a prepacked picnic lunch. If you would like a more pampered experience, the culinary staff can barbecue island delicacies such as conch, grouper, chicken and lobster. Another fun activity is just a ten-minute boat ride away where you make it out to the Hangover, a floating bar, where you can spend the day swimming, snorkeling and enjoying tropical drinks made by master mixologist Jose. If it is shallow, you can walk off the floating bar into the beautiful sea and at times to the uninhabited island.
During the months of February to April, the Atlantic side of Ambergris Cay becomes a spectacular venue where you can witness and experience the annual migration of humpback whales. A beautiful villa designed as a light house is a tribute to this historical pilgrimage of these enormous mammals, sits on the tip of the Atlantic side of the island. This unique experience is one that visitors remember and many return to visit annually.
The new Fitness Pavilion, which opened in January, provides the guests and residents with a state-of-the-art gym, Pilates studio and wellness center offering massages and facials and a yoga studio on the rooftop with the best view on the island. While visiting the island, you can join daily classes and arrange private sessions with the trainers or the Pilates and Yoga instructors.
Guests and residents can also enjoy the newly renovated Club House which houses Salt Rakers restaurant and provides an ideal venue for weddings. Following the ceremony, you can entertain your guests in the glass enclosed banquet room or the outdoor terrace. This part of the island will also be home to a unique dining experience with tapas, pizza oven and a veteran mixologist with wine and beers from all over the world.
Sitting just 600 miles south of Miami, Ambergris Cay offers guestsaccess to over 1,100-acres of mostly untouched land and a professionally trained staff, where their goal is to ensure you feel welcome, cared for and pampered in paradise.
Image Source: Amber Griscay