QUICK TAKE
When travelers think of Turks & Caicos, Grace Bay’s turquoise water and powder-soft beaches often come to mind. But for those looking for a more private and elevated experience, two resorts stand apart: COMO Parrot Cay and Amanyara.
COMO Parrot Cay is a true private-island escape centered around wellness, villas, and complete relaxation. Amanyara delivers the signature tranquility of Aman with striking design, personalized service, and a more active approach to wellness and adventure.
Having visited both properties, KJ Travel advisor Kate has a clear sense of how different they feel, and which type of traveler is best suited to each.
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE: PRIVATE ISLAND VS. SECLUDED RETREAT
The most important distinction between COMO Parrot Cay and Amanyara is the setting.
COMO Parrot Cay requires a boat transfer from Providenciales, and that sense of leaving the main island behind is part of the appeal. Once guests arrive, the resort becomes the destination. It is best suited for travelers who want a slower pace, wellness-focused days, and the feeling of being completely removed from everyday life.
Amanyara offers a different kind of privacy. Located on Providenciales, the resort feels secluded and peaceful while still providing a more convenient arrival. This makes it a strong choice for travelers who want the Aman experience without a boat transfer.
Advisor Insight: COMO Parrot Cay is better for travelers who want to fully disconnect on a private island. Amanyara is better for travelers who want Aman-level seclusion while staying on Providenciales.
COMO PARROT CAY
The Setting
COMO Parrot Cay is one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable private-island resorts, defined by wide beaches, low-density accommodations, and a natural sense of calm. Guests come here for space, privacy, and the feeling of being removed from the busier side of Turks & Caicos.
The Vibe
The resort leans into wellness, privacy, and ease. The luxury is not about being seen. It is about waking up slowly, walking straight onto the sand, spending the day between the beach and the spa, and letting the island do most of the work.
This is the better choice for travelers who want a Caribbean trip that feels healing without feeling overly programmed.
The Rooms, Villas, and Residences
Accommodations include rooms, suites, beachfront houses, villas, and multi-villa private residences. The strongest categories are the beach houses, villas, and residences because they bring the full COMO Parrot Cay experience to life: private pools, direct beach access, and COMO butler service.
For couples, a beach house or beachfront suite creates a beautiful sense of privacy. For families and multi-generational groups, the villas and residences are the categories to watch.
The room category matters here. What are you really looking for: direct beach access, the right pool setup, and enough space for the trip’s right rhythm and pace.
Wellness and Dining
Wellness is one of COMO Parrot Cay’s greatest strengths.
COMO Shambhala Parrot Cay sits on the opposite side of the island from the villas and suites, with treatment pavilions overlooking the North Caicos Channel, a yoga pavilion, Pilates studio, Jacuzzi garden, daily wellness activities, and holistic therapies.
The wellness facilities include nine treatment rooms, an infinity pool and sundeck, a private yoga studio, yoga pavilion, gym, Pilates studio, steam, sauna, and outdoor Jacuzzis.
Dining is relaxed and fresh. Lotus serves light Caribbean fare during the day and contemporary Asian cuisine in the evening. Terrace is more formal and focuses on modern Italian cuisine. COMO Beach Club adds a casual beachfront option, while COMO Shambhala Kitchen brings the brand’s wellness cuisine into the dining experience.
This Property Is Best For
• Couples seeking a quiet private-island escape
• Honeymooners, anniversary or traveler looking to celebrate a big milestone but want privacy without formality
• Wellness-focused travelers looking for a true reset
• Families who want villas, beach space, and a slower pace
• Multi-generational groups looking for private residences with resort services
• Travelers who prefer barefoot luxury over a lively resort scene
• Guests who like the idea of arriving by boat and fully leaving the main island behind
AMANYARA
The Setting
Amanyara sits at Northwest Point on Providenciales, surrounded by natural beauty and close to North West Point Marine National Park. It feels remote, even though it is only a short drive (25 minute drive approx.) from the airport.
The arrival is easier than COMO Parrot Cay because there is no boat transfer. But the mood is still private and secluded.
The Vibe
Amanyara is calm, minimalist, and discreet. The resort is all about architecture, space, nature, and silence.
For Aman loyalists, this is the draw. The experience feels composed and highly private, with the resort’s pavilions and villas tucked into the landscape.
The Pavilions and Villas
Amanyara’s accommodations include standalone Pavilions, a Two-Bedroom Pool Pavilion Suite, and three- to six-bedroom Villas. The Pavilions sit within coastal vegetation, overlooking ponds or the beaches of Northwest Point Marine Reserve. The Villas are arranged around infinity pools and offer views over ponds, gardens, or the ocean, with dedicated Villa hosts.
Couples can choose a Pavilion for privacy and simplicity. Families and groups can move into a Villa for a full residential experience with more space, more privacy, and a stronger sense of retreat.
Many accommodations include private pools, reflective ponds, ocean views, or pathways to white sandy beaches.
Wellness, Dining, and Activities
Amanyara’s wellness offering is polished and active.
The Spa includes four treatment pavilions and a yoga sala, while the broader wellness facilities include a fitness center, Pilates studio, boxing studio, four clay Har-Tru tennis courts, three floodlit Mondo padel courts, and multi-sport fields.
Dining centers around The Restaurant, The Beach Club, and The Bar. The menus draw from Caribbean flavors, refined Asian cuisine, and Mediterranean cooking. Private dining can be arranged in-pavilion, on the beach, or elsewhere on the property.
Amanyara is also a strong fit for ocean-focused travelers. The resort offers complimentary non-motorized water sports from the beach, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and Hobie Cats. Reefs are about five minutes away by boat, making snorkeling and diving easy to build into the stay.
This Property Is Best For
• Aman loyalists
• Couples seeking ultra-private, design-led luxury
• Honeymooners who want calm, architecture, and a strong sense of place
• Families who want villas with dedicated service and more built-in activities
• Active travelers who want tennis, padel, wellness, snorkeling, and diving
• Privacy-sensitive clients who prefer a remote-feeling resort without a boat transfer
• Travelers who want a quieter alternative to the Grace Bay resort scene
WHICH RESORT IS BETTER FOR WELLNESS?
COMO Parrot Cay is the stronger choice for travelers who want wellness to shape the entire stay. COMO Shambhala gives the resort a deeply restorative feel, with wellness woven into the spa, dining, movement, and overall pace of the island.
Amanyara also has an excellent wellness offering, but it leans more active. This is the better fit for travelers who want to pair spa time with tennis, padel, fitness, snorkeling, diving, and ocean adventure.
Choose COMO for a slower, more restorative reset.
Choose Amanyara for active wellness, sport, and Aman’s signature spa experience.
WHICH RESORT IS BETTER FOR FAMILIES?
Both can work beautifully for families, but the right fit depends on the family’s style.
COMO Parrot Cay is strong for families who want villa privacy, direct beach access, space to spread out, and a slower rhythm. Play by COMO is designed for children ages four to 12, with programming centered around creative play, nature, friendship, and fun. Babysitting services can also be arranged upon request.
Amanyara is strong for active families and older children. The Nature Discovery Centre is designed for families with children ages five and up, with activities ranging from sports and science-based exploration to junior chef classes and habitat discovery. From November through May, the resort partners with The Laurel Camps for youth programming.
Amanyara also offers a Clubhouse, sports courts, cinema, family-friendly films, and supervised activities, making it especially appealing for families with school-age children and teens.
Choose COMO for younger families, villa privacy, softer beach days, wellness, and a slower pace.
Choose Amanyara for active families, older kids, sports, nature programming, and a more structured activity offering.
FINAL THOUGHTS
COMO Parrot Cay and Amanyara are both exceptional, but they serve different versions of a Turks & Caicos escape.
COMO Parrot Cay is for travelers who want the trip to feel soft, slow, and fully removed from the main island. Amanyara is for travelers who want Aman’s signature privacy, design, and sense of place, with easier access from Providenciales and more built-in activity.
Neither resort is trying to be everything to everyone, and that is exactly what makes the choice meaningful.
KJ Travel advisors help match travelers with the resort that best fits their vision, from selecting the ideal villa or room category to arranging seamless transfers and securing any available preferred partner benefits at the time of booking.
Connect with a KJ Travel advisor today to start planning your Turks & Caicos escape.
FAQ's About COMO Parrot Cay and Amanyara
What is the main difference between COMO Parrot Cay and Amanyara?
COMO Parrot Cay is a private-island resort with a strong wellness identity and a softer barefoot-luxury feel. Amanyara is an Aman resort on Providenciales with a design-led, ultra-private, nature-focused atmosphere. COMO requires a car and boat transfer, while Amanyara is about a 25-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport.
Which resort is more private?
Both are extremely private, but in different ways. COMO Parrot Cay feels private because it is on its own island. Amanyara feels private because of its remote Northwest Point setting and Aman’s low-density, discreet style. Travelers who want the emotional experience of leaving the main island behind often prefer COMO. Travelers who want privacy without a boat transfer often prefer Amanyara.
Which resort is better for families?
COMO Parrot Cay is excellent for families who want villas, beach access, and a slower pace. Play by COMO is designed for children ages four to 12. Amanyara is a strong fit for active families with children ages five and up, especially those who want sports, nature discovery, cinema, and structured programming.
Which resort is easier to reach?
Amanyara is easier to reach because it is about a 25-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport. COMO Parrot Cay requires a 15-minute drive to Leeward Marina followed by a 35-minute boat transfer.
Which resort is better for a honeymoon?
Both work beautifully for a honeymoon. COMO Parrot Cay is better for honeymooners who want wellness, privacy, beach time, and a private-island feeling. Amanyara is better for honeymooners who want Aman design, privacy, striking architecture, and a quiet sense of occasion.
What is the best time to visit Turks & Caicos?
For most first-time visitors, February, March, and April are among the best months to visit Turks & Caicos. The islands are in the tropical Atlantic, so hurricane and tropical cyclone risk is part of the June 1 to November 30 Atlantic hurricane season, with mid-August through September historically the most likely period for hurricane impact.