The Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies, is geographically part of the Bahamas Bank and lies just outside the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. The resort derives its name from aman, the Sanskrit word for peace, and yara the word for place in the language of the Arawak Amerindians, one of the region’s indigenous people. It enjoys a pristine location well removed from much of the development on the eastern part of the island. Transfer from the international airport on Providenciales is 25 minutes along a coastal road that rises to a hill and then falls away into a flat plain covered with native bush. This road passes through the picturesque fishing village of Blue Hills with its brightly coloured Caribbean houses and beachside cafés. Entry to the resort is through a large reception pavilion that opens onto a central reflecting pond, landscaped with mahogany trees and framed on one side by the Library and Boutique, and opposite, by the Restaurant and Bar. The circular Bar offers a dramatic soaring roof and sea views, fronted by the 164ft (50m) swimming pool and sun deck.