Canadian-owned resort becomes first to earn Forbes five-star rating in Turks & Caicos

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, announced Wednesday (Feb. 11), “underscores the exceptional standard required to achieve a Five-Star distinction and represents the highest honour in luxury hospitality,” the property wrote in a press release.

The achievement was announced at 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.

“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, in a statement.

“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,” added 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 at Forbes Travel Guide, in a statement. “The Villas set a new benchmark for residential-style luxury through thoughtful design, seamless service, and experiences tailored to each guest.”

The full list of 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award Winners is here.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.