

Luxury tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands has reached a new milestone. Wymara Villas Earns First Forbes Five-Star For Turks and Caicos, marking a historic achievement for the destination. Wymara Villas at Sunset Cove is now the first property in the country’s history to receive a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award.
The recognition, announced on February 11 during the 68th Annual Star Awards, places Wymara Villas among a small group of elite properties across the Caribbean. It is also the only private villa resort in the region to hold this distinction.
According to Premier Charles Washington Misick, the award strengthens the country’s global tourism positioning. He said the recognition highlights Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s leading luxury destinations.
Similarly, Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly noted that the designation reflects years of deliberate investment in quality and service. He explained that a Forbes Five-Star rating signals the destination’s ability to compete at the highest level of global travel.
The achievement stands out because Wymara Villas operates as a private villa resort. Typically, this category does not meet the strict hotel-style service benchmarks required by Forbes inspectors. However, the property’s model demonstrates that residential-style luxury can match the world’s most celebrated hotels.
Forbes Travel Guide evaluates properties through anonymous on-site inspections. Inspectors assess hundreds of service and guest experience standards before awarding a rating.
Amanda Frasier, President of Standards and Ratings at Forbes Travel Guide, said Wymara Villas sets a new benchmark through thoughtful design, seamless service and highly personalised guest experiences.
Owner and developer Bruce Maclaren described the recognition as validation of a long-term vision. He said the award proves that a villa resort can deliver world-class hospitality at the highest level.
Ultimately, the announcement marks a defining moment for the destination. Turks and Caicos has long attracted visitors for its natural beauty. Now, it also carries one of the most respected global stamps of luxury excellence.






