Sun, Sand & Spa
Written by Bridget Williams
If venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Rick Langley has his way, the cerulean waters lapping the soft sands at Grace Bay won't be the only blue hue drawing tourists to the Turks & Caicos. While creepie crawlies get under the skin of many figuratively, the drops of potent venom, humanely harvested from blue scorpion without harm, has a more literal subdermal mission. So, when Langley was asked to evaluate a research venture that involved milking "Rhopalurus junceus," an endemic blue scorpion species from Cuba, whose venom has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and potentially cancer-fighting properties, he was intrigued. He tasked a group of scientists from around the globe to investigate the complex compounds found within this venom, one of the world's most expensive liquids, resulting in the development of Blue Scorpion Peptide (BSP).
MRVL Skin Solutions is the only skincare company to incorporate BSP, a combination of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and antioxidants. Delivered through a process called hyaluronidase, which Langley describes as "a rocket ship delivering MRVL's ingredients to the skin," the proprietary peptide has been clinically proven to help stimulate natural collagen production, fight free radicals, help regenerate symptoms of damaged skin and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
An indulgent spa day at MRVL's recently opened flagship in the heart of Grace Bay served as the impetus for a girl's trip organized by the effervescent dynamo Karen Loftus, founder of Women's Adventure Travel (WAT; womensadventuretravels.com). Founded in 2018, this unique travel company specializes in small, well-curated trips for women to destinations all over the world. Aside from adventure and empowerment, storytelling and community are two other threads meticulously woven into each WAT trip and experience, with Loftus making a concerted effort to support women-owned businesses. Loftus is also a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and crafts bespoke trips for individuals of all sizes and genders, be it for personal or professional reasons.
Wymara Resort & Villas served as home base for our sunny stay (wymararesortandvillas.com). The resort is located directly on the private western edge of Grace Bay, a dream location for those who love long toes-in-the-sand strolls. The tame and turquoise waters along this three-mile stretch of beach, consistently ranked among the world's best, are protected from the swells of the Atlantic by a barrier reef. Wymara’s 91 spacious, ethereal-inspired rooms are oriented to view either the ocean or a long palm-tree-lined infinity resort pool bisecting the two wings.
Notable amenities include a well-appointed spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a signature restaurant Indigo, where Executive Chef Andrew Mirosch melds flavors of his native Australian with tropical touches. Not to be missed is their bi-weekly beach BBQ, where Mirosch's 24-hour smoked brisket has become a local legend.
For the most indulgent experience, book a stay at one of Wymara's seven stunning new four- and five-bedroom villas on Turtle Tail Bay, located just 2.5 miles away from the resort. Each villa is located on about half an acre of elevated hillside overlooking the Caribbean Sea and features a pair of private pools, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, a sunken outdoor fire pit lounge area, over-the-water swimming platforms with direct ocean access, and incredible services and amenities, including access to the resort's beach, restaurants, bars, and spa.
Loftus kicked off our trip in the most local way possible, with lunch at Omar's Beach Hut. Removed from the bustling Grace Bay, this humble al fresco outlet includes picnic tables anchored into shallow Five Cays, where groups on horseback occasionally amble by. Omar, a native of Jamaica, serves up some seriously good Jamaican jerk dishes and fish procured from the dock next door. Outgoing and braggadocious in the most endearing way, he says his lobster roll can stand toe-to-toe with one from New England. If you want to see the island off the beaten path, he's your go-to guy, remarking that locals call cliff-lined Mudjin Harbor Beach and its open-faced caves way more picturesque than Grace Bay.
The highlight of our trip was a takeover of the MRVL Spa (mrvlspa.com), where we sipped champagne while master medical aesthetician Renee Talley guided each of us through a menu of customized treatments, running the gamut from body wraps and scrubs to micro-needling, anti-aging facials, and infrared sauna therapy.
Post-treatment we indulged in a little retail therapy at MRVL's boutique. It's chock-full of beach chic apparel, accessories, and beautifully-packaged blue scorpion skin care, spurred on by the knowledge that MRVL donates 5% of all purchases to support the children of Today's Promises, a nonprofit that aids impoverished children in the Caribbean.
In addition to ample free time, Loftus programmed a sunset cocktail and al fresco dinner at Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar (gracebayresorts.com), a mid-day pick-me-up at woman-owned Tribe bakery and deli, a "Fish Hook" cocktail and country music singalong with Garth at Just Tacos at Grace Bay Club, and a lingering lunch at Rock House, Grace Bay's latest hotel and hotspot (rockhouseresort.com). The rooms and restaurant of this super chic Mediterranean-inspired boutique property, situated on 14 acres on the north coast of Providenciales, rest atop rocky outcroppings up to 95 feet above sea level. "Rock House is the Caribbean Capri, rivaling a trip to the Mediterranean without the transcontinental trip," said Grace Bay Resorts chief executive officer and principal Mark Durliat.
As we departed for the airport, Loftus presented us with a goody bag of signature souvenirs from her Women's Adventure Travel line. However, returning home sun kissed and still sore from laughing too much were the best takeaways from a successful sojourn.
