Luxury All-Inclusive Spotlight: Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos

Let’s start at the beginning, because it sets the tone for everything.

When you land in Providenciales (the main airport in Turks& Caicos), Ambergris Cay has someone meet you before you even reach immigration. You’re whisked into a small VIP lounge, bags are taken care of for you, and after a quick refreshment (often a cold towel and tropical drink), you board a private 8-seat plane. And as of June 2025, Ambergris Cay welcomes its latest aircraft, a 19-seater Twin Otter, which will accommodate even larger groups for transfers from the two mainland routes.

The flight to the island takes just 20 minutes, and you’re greeted on the tarmac by your butler and your golf cart (each villa gets their own to explore the island at your leisure). No lobby. No wait. No key card. Just you, your sandals, and your first deep breath of “I’m really here.”

The Island Vibe: Secluded, Safe, and Surprisingly Wild

Ambergris Cay is over a thousand acres, but the guest footprint is small, think no more than 30–40 guests at a time. You can walk the beach for an hour and not see another soul. You’ll likely see more iguanas than humans, and you’ll sleep better than you have in months thanks to the absolute silence and zero light pollution.

There are no cars, only golf carts. The entire island is yours to explore, dotted with mangroves, hidden coves, and quiet beaches where your butler sets you up for the day (Want Champagne at sunrise on a deserted cay? Just ask.)

Forget hotel hallways and neighbors. Every guest stays in a standalone private villa or estate home, most of which are oceanfront. The smallest starts at 1,250 sq ft; others sprawl out to over 3,000. They have one and two bedroom bungalows (perfect for honeymooners, the one bedroom is directly in the sand), 3, 4, 6 and 10 bedroom villas (perfect for groups,families and multi-gen trips).

Each comes with:
• A private plunge pool that’s actually usable, not a cold plunge, but temperature-perfect and facing the ocean
• A fridge restocked daily with soft drinks, beer, and wine (plus spirits in the higher categories), and yes, they really read the notes, if you like oatmilk, you’ll find it in the fridge
• Nespresso machine, electric kettle, and snacks tailored to your preferences
• An outdoor shower and a soaking tub big enough for two
• Airy, high-ceiling interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows and blackout shades for sleeping in
• A private deck with two loungers, two chairs, and a shaded pergola for mid-day reading (without sunburn)
• Oversized bathrooms
• Binoculars for whale and bird watching, and a 300mm telescope for stargazing
• Daily housekeeping and turndown
• Your own golf cart and butler on call via WhatsApp
• VOYA bath products, robes, larger villas include board games, and a washer/dryer setup (a dream for families)
• A beach setup just for you (every morning, your butler sets up towels, an umbrella, a cooler with drinks, and even a Bluetooth speaker if you want it)

Guests often remark that it feels more like borrowing a friend’s AMAZING beach house than staying at a resort. It’s that private and personalized. Each villa also comes with a personal golf cart and WhatsApp access to your butler for anything: extra snacks, a dinner reservation, a sunset setup. You’ll use it more than you think.

Ambergris Cay operates on a chef-driven, made-to-order system. Meals are included (yes, even the rosé and the coconut mojitos), but the quality rivals what you’d find in a high-end à la carte restaurant. Menus change daily, and the culinary team takes your preferences seriously, many guests are contacted in advance about dietary needs or flavor preferences.

This is not the usual all-inclusive experience. There are no buffets. No upcharges for “premium” menu items.

Instead:

• Breakfast is served at the open-air Calico restaurant or in your villa on request. They’ll ask what time you want it and show up on the dot with Eggs Benedict and fresh fruit smoothies, or avocado toast and espresso-whatever you’re into. **

• Lunch ranges from grilled snapper tacos with mango slaw to wood-fired pizza and fresh ceviche.

• Dinner menus change nightly and are often tailored to your likes: grilled lobster, curry shrimp, wild mushroom risotto, sometimes island-inspired tasting menus.

• Have a craving? Mention it, they may be able to accommodate.

• There’s only one main restaurant, but you can dine literally anywhere. Want dinner on your deck under string lights? They’ll do it. Want lunch delivered to Little Ambergris Cay while you explore alone? Done.**

**(Note: in room or off-restaurant dining carries a surcharge)

Included in your stay:
• All Gourmet à la carte meals + snacks at any of the Cay’s restaurants.
• Premium spirits (Grey Goose, Tanqueray, Patron, etc.).
• House wines, beer, soft drinks, and espresso drinks.
• Daily stocked mini bar.

 This is the kind of place where doing “nothing” is highly encouraged. But if you want to explore or move your body, there’s plenty, and it’s all included unless noted.

Included Activities:

• Unguided Snorkeling happens just off the beach, no boat necessary.

• Paddleboarding Hobie Cats and kayaking: Best in the early morning when the water is glass. You can glide alongside nurse sharks in the shallows.

• Bonefishing and fly-fishing are huge here. The flats are pristine, and the guides are patient and know the spots.

• A trip to the Hangover Floating Tiki Bar.

• A fitness pavilion and open-air yoga deck.

• Nature walks and iguana spotting and e-bike exploration.

• Access to tennis and pickleball courts, and yes, 1 lesson with a pro is included.

• Stargazing with star maps and telescope setups.

• Nightly turndown.

• Evening bonfires are held weekly complete with s’mores and cocktails under the stars.

Want something extra? You can arrange for:

• Private yacht charter for a half or full day.

• Deep-sea fishing, sea bobbing.

• Sunset Cruises.

• Spa treatments at Elevate Spa (in-villa or at the overwater pavilion). Ask about the coconut oil scalp treatment, it’s heavenly.

• Babysitting services or private yoga instruction can be arranged on the sand, your deck, or a breezy pavilion over the water.

• SCUBA diving (even if not certified, they can arrange instruction).

•Tennis lessons or personal training sessions.

• Exclusive reserve wine list and in-villa private dining experiences with a chef.

• Sunset picnics on Little Ambergris Cay, a nearby deserted island they’ll drop you off at for the afternoon. You’ll be left alone with a beach blanket, a stocked cooler, and a walkie-talkie to call when you’re ready to be picked up.

One of the island’s most unexpected pleasures? The Hangover Floating Tiki Bar anchored off of Little Ambergris Cay (the smaller, nearby cay the resort has turned into a day-trip destination). Floating gently on turquoise water, this overwater bar is anchored just offshore and designed to sway slightly with the waves.

You’ll likely arrive by boat or paddleboard, greeted by bartenders who will mix a perfect rum punch. The backdrop? White-sand beaches, coral reefs, and open sky. It’s a perfect mid-afternoon stop during your time on Little Ambergris Cay, or just a unique cocktail break while you explore the island’s quieter corners.

Guests love it for Midday cocktails on the water and lounging between snorkeling or paddleboarding sessions.

It’s included in your stay and feels wonderfully informal, but with all the service you’d expect from a private island. It’s just one of those unexpected extras that makes Ambergris Cay so special.

Ambergris Cay isn’t loud or “kid-themed,” but it’s quietly lovely for families.. Instead, the kids’ activities are curated and nature-based.

Highlights:
• The Explorer’s Hut (ages 4–12): a creative arts & crafts hub that also hosts scavenger hunts, nature-based learning, and iguana-spotting walks.
• Island bikes sized for kids and trails for exploring.
• Board games delivered to the villa.
• Secure island = total freedom for kids to roam on bikes or golf carts.
• The staff sets up custom scavenger hunts and Junior marine biology activities tailored to your child’s interests.
• Private nature or reef walks tailored to your child’s age.
• Feeding wild iguanas.
• Treasure hunts with maps ending with beach bonfires and s’mores.
• Stargazing with telescopes.
• Custom sandcastle-building setups delivered to your villa.
• Kid-sized snorkel gear, and even floaties delivered to your villa without you asking.

Parents love that it’s peaceful, easy to navigate, and incredibly secure. Kids love the freedom to roam and the feeling of “owning” the island for a few days. Because the island is private and there’s no traffic (only golf carts), many families describe it as a place where their kids can have rare independence. It’s the kind of place where kids feel special, but also learn to appreciate quiet moments and wide open space. And parents? They get to relax.

Rates at Ambergris Cay start in the ballpark of $3,000 pernight for two guests in a one-bedroom in low season and increase from there depending on villa size, time of year, and occupancy. Larger estate homes are available for multigenerational families or friend groups, and buyouts of the entire island are possible.

But what’s included is pretty remarkable:
• Roundtrip private air transfers from Providenciales.
• All meals + snacks + premium drinks.
• Daily stocked in-room minibar.
• A full-day experience at Little Ambergris Cay.
• Golf cart and dedicated island host.
• Daily housekeeping + turndown.
• Wifi (actually reliable), binoculars, stargazing gear.
• All non-motorized water sports.
• Guided excursions on the island.
• Kids' Explorer’s Hut, pickleball, bikes, gym access.
• Gratuities (tipping is not expected) and taxes.
• Private beach setups and curated experiences.
• Spa credit for longer stays.

Extra charge:
• Spa services.
• Private chef dinners or in-room dining experiences.
• Boating, fishing, or motorized excursions.
• Babysitting.
• High-end reserve wines or spirits not on the house list.
• Grocery items outside standard all-inclusive offerings (i.e., Kosher or Halalon request).

Ambergris Cay is wonderful for:
• Honeymooners who want privacy without having to fly 20+ hours to the Maldives.
• Families who want space and service but without the chaos of big resorts.
• Couples who value service and peace more than trendy beach clubs.
• Travelers who want something special, not just expensive, but quietly exceptional.

Take a look at the pictures. Yes it really looks like this.The sand is that white and the water is that blue. It's a 20 minute plane ride from Turks and Caicos mainland so if you want to do a few days here and combine it with a stay in Providenciales, you can absolutely do that.

Ambergris Cay is intentional quiet. It’s service that feels intuitive. It’s space, calm, and authenticity in a region that often leans toward the overbuilt or overbranded.

Maybe you’ll find a kayak waiting for you before sunrise, your fridge refilled with your favorite drinks, or your child receiving a handmade map to their own island treasure hunt. If you're the kind of traveler who values privacy, personal service, incredible food, and the luxury of not being scheduled, this is your spot.

And if you’re curious about how to make it part of your next trip? That’s what I’m here for.

If you’re wondering whether Ambergris Cay is right foryou, reach out. I’ll help you decide whether it fits your travel style, budget, and what kind of magic you’re looking for in your next escape.

I’m Marisa, a luxury travel advisor with Evyssa Vacations, and I help travelers plan extraordinary escapes like this. Reach out anytime to start planning your next favorite trip.

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