The Aman Group broke ground on Friday on its more than $260 million Amancaya resort and branded residences project in the Exumas, marking the entry of the ultra-luxury hospitality brand Aman into The Bahamas, the company said in a press statement.
The developers said the project, which will be built on Williams Cay and Children’s Bay Cay, will comprise a 36-pavilion hotel and a limited collection of Aman-branded residences.
The development’s partners include OKO Group and Squircle Capital, along with Swiss investor and philanthropist Dona Bertarelli.
Amancaya is expected to feature a marina, beach club, spa and fitness facilities, dining venues, and nature-based amenities tailored to high-net-worth travelers and second-home buyers.
The project is being marketed on its natural surroundings, with developers emphasizing environmental considerations.
“The project’s environmental goals are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with plans to achieve LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification, a globally recognized standard for responsible design,” the statement said.
Aman Group Chairman and CEO Vlad Doronin said the project represents a strategic expansion of the brand’s Caribbean footprint.
“A private island in one of the most beautiful corners of the world, Amancaya represents a significant evolution for Aman in the Caribbean,” said Doronin.
“A project defined by its unique location and connection to nature, we are creating a destination that reflects Aman’s enduring philosophy of space and privacy while providing intuitive service, best-in-class amenities, and a first-of-its-kind design collaboration in The Bahamas.”
Bertarelli said the development approach was driven by preserving the natural environment.
“From the outset, it was important to create something that truly belongs to this extraordinary setting,” she said.
“Aman’s approach, where design is intentional, guided by the landscape rather than imposed on it, deeply resonates with me.”
The project’s architectural design is being led by Brazil-based Jacobsen Studio, with interiors by Yabu Pushelberg and landscape architecture by Raymond Jungles, Inc., “drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings in harmony with the brand’s contemporary and minimalist design language”.
The statement residences range from three to five bedrooms and will include private pools and indoor-outdoor living spaces that will have full access to resort amenities and services.
Amancaya joins Aman’s existing Caribbean properties in the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos.
The brand said it has plans to expand across North America.
Developers said the project will “provide unparalleled service and best-in-class amenities for residence owners and hotel guests”.
