Canadian-Owned Wymara Villas Becomes The First Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Resort In Turks and Caicos
February 13, 2026 Team Contibutor
Wymara Villas, Sunset Cove has made history as the first property in Turks and Caicos to earn a Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star award. The recognition underscores the exceptional standard required to achieve a Five-Star distinction and represents the highest honour in luxury hospitality. The achievement was announced today as part of the 68th Annual Star Awards.
Wymara is the only private villa resort in the Caribbean to achieve this honour and one of just 10 properties across the region to hold a Five-Star designation, reinforcing its position among the most exclusive luxury experiences in the market.
“Congratulations to Wymara Villas on achieving the first-ever Forbes Five-Star designation in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands—a landmark accomplishment reflecting world-class excellence and impeccable service,” said The Honourable Charles Washington Misick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands. “This prestigious recognition elevates our national tourism profile and affirms that Turks and Caicos stands among the world’s finest luxury destinations. By setting a new benchmark for quality, Wymara Villas has brought immense pride to our islands and strengthened our global reputation.”
“With my Canadian roots and the deep ties between Canada and Turks and Caicos, we like to say this makes us the islands’ first and Canada’s ‘sixth’ Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort,” said Bruce Maclaren, Owner and Developer of Wymara Resort + Villas. “Earning this distinction is an incredible honour and speaks to the world-class experience we deliver every day.”
Wymara joins Canada’s Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Four Season Hotel Toronto, The Hazelton Hotel Toronto, Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, and The St.Regis Toronto in achieving Five-Star status.
Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Stars are reserved for properties that deliver exceptional service and extraordinary guest experiences, evaluated through anonymous inspections against hundreds of exacting standards.
“With Wymara Villas, Sunset Cove earning a prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel award, Turks and Caicos now firmly positions itself to travellers seeking the upper echelon of modern luxury,” said Amanda Frasier, President, Standards and Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide. “The Villas set a new benchmark for residential-style luxury through thoughtful design, seamless service, and experiences tailored to each guest.”
Privately situated on the ultra-exclusive sanctuary of Sunset Cove, Wymara Villas comprises 15 one- to six-bedroom oceanfront villas. Each villa blends clean-lined architecture with sweeping ocean views. Select properties feature infinity-edge pools, Wymara’s signature over-water swim decks and waterslides, creating a unique connection to the ocean.
Wymara’s award-winning culinary program is led by Executive Chef and Culinary Director Andrew Mirosch. His new Land + Sea restaurant at Sunset Cove is already a top destination restaurant, acclaimed for its spectacular oceanside setting and elevated take on surf and turf. At the Beach Club, guests enjoy exclusive access to the Caribbean’s only ocean pool, sports and leisure facilities, as well as the new 111SKIN Spa at Wymara Villas.
Milestone Moment
In addition to Wymara Villas’ Five-Star accolade, Wymara Resort, located a short drive away on iconic Grace Bay Beach, has once again earned Forbes Travel Guide’s Four-Star award. The 97-room resort is one of only three properties on the island to receive this distinction.
“This is an incredibly proud milestone for the entire Wymara team,” said Shelley Rincon, Chief Executive Officer of Wymara Resort + Villas. “It reflects the passion, care, and uncompromising standards we bring to every guest experience, and it reinforces our mission to elevate and redefine luxury in Turks and Caicos.”
These acknowledgements reinforce Wymara’s reputation as a premier destination where luxury and world-class hospitality converge. The full list of 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award Winners is here.
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