Hotels, Resorts & Villas Where to Stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Where When How Turks & Caicos Islands Summer 2009
Check–Out the Options... Before You Check–In!
To many, the island of Providenciales is affectionately known as ‘The Rock’. Unlike her more verdant easterly neighbours of the Lesser Antilles, Provo’s claim to fame is her seemingly infinite compilation of flawless, pure–white sand beaches and her dazzling, variegated, turquoise seas. This dramatic and striking combination of pristine beaches, a rough and rugged iron shore with fascinating stone jetties, rock formations and a rare ‘Savanna–like’ tropical vegetation proffers very little rainfall and a near perfect climate of about 350 sunshiny days a year. Singularly unique and distinctive, this island creation seems to radiate what I can best express as an ostensible and somewhat perceptible magnetic pull, mesmerizing and captivating a compelling and ever–growing number of new visitors to her shores (in excess of 200,000 visitors each year), while alluring and tempting your inevitable and predictable return. A world–class diving, fishing and wedding destination and home to one of the top 10 golf courses in the Caribbean have all contributed to make Provo the tourist hub of the Turks & Caicos archipelago, easily and frequently accessible from many North American and European destinations.
Nikki Beach Resort, stay where amazing surrounds you!
Contrary to popular belief and often misleading media–hype, these idyllic shores are not just playgrounds for the rich and famous. An out–and–out bevy of accommodation choices in all of the sought–after locations each with their own desirable and individual set of indulgences cater to singles, couples and families – be they barefoot, bourgeois and unpretentious to over–the–top opulence, luxury and extravagance.
Grace Bay Beach is the main attraction here – consistently voted one of the top beaches in the world... one ephemeral glance will save me the challenge of trying to put ‘beyond description’ into an adequate literary narrative. Even today, amidst all the far–reaching and extensive resort and condominium development, you can still take a long and languorous walk for miles on end where close encounters with throngs of holiday–makers are rare and guests ‘stacked’ among rows upon rows of chaise–lounges are non–existent. What’s more, many of Grace Bay’s vacation properties are recipients of numerous esteemed travel awards.
The upshot of being on this tiny, thirty–eight square mile island paradise is that virtually every accommodation alternative be it hotel, condominium resort, all–inclusive resort or private vacation villa falls into the category of being either on the beach, just off the beach or within very close proximity to the beach! Thanks to some very thoughtful and strategically placed public beach access points throughout the island of Providenciales, you are never far from discovering another nautical ‘nirvana’ by foot, by car... or even by boat.
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos a Wymara Resort
And, if you think you have to pay a fortune to stay on one of the world’s most famous beaches... think again! While Grace Bay Beach certainly has its prolific and impressive share of high–end, 5–star first–class luxury resorts – some reaching up to an arresting seven stories high, (now that’s a room with a view!) there are still some surprising and unexpected treasures to be found. Intimate and charming and in the thick of large–scale development you can still experience a Grace Bay Beach hotel as it was years ago, but with many of today’s essential amenities, and at a very reasonable price.
The condominium resorts of today are your home away from home... and much, much more. Depending on the boundaries of your pocketbook – from intimate studios to expansive five–bedroom units, on average, every conceivable convenience and amenity has been considered – with many featuring full gourmet kitchens, top–of–the–line appliances, luxurious bed and baths and state of the art audio and visual technology, all with their own exclusive design features, furnishings, accoutrements, facilities and services. A conscientious and diligent undertaking to maintain low–density as much as possible throughout Grace Bay Beach developments has translated into less people and more individual space.
It is without a doubt a completely impossible and unreasonable task to even attempt to group these varied and widespread accommodations under any one particular umbrella... understated and intimate coexist with unsurpassed opulence and grandeur. A Grace Bay Beach classic is blissfully poised next to the newest in innovative and avant garde construction. Each and every development is truly unparalleled and one–of–a–kind in appearance and ambiance.
The Somerset on Grace Bay Beach
So... what are you in the mood for? The swank, cosmopolitan and ‘playful’ atmosphere of Nikki Beach; the uncomplicated simplicity and modern style of the West Bay Club or the cutting–edge, ultra–modern architectural style of Le Vele? Perhaps the Italian–inspired elegance of The Regent Grand, Villa Renaissance; or the Tuscany; or the quintessence of old–world style and grace at Point Grace. Experience British–Colonial extravagance complete with a manicured croquet lawn at The Somerset; the sumptuous opulence of The Regent Palms or luxuriate in the absolute in sophistication at The Grace Bay Club, The Villas at Grace Bay Club and The Estates at Grace Bay Club. More recently added to the stunning Grace Bay line–up – Windsong is contemporary, chic and beautifully–appointed; and having just celebrated its opening in March of this year – the Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, a Wymara Resort under the famed Gansevoort Hotel Group has raised the bar combining a new and refreshing sense of ‘luxury without formality’. A continuously developing island infrastructure augments Provo’s ongoing proliferation of condominium and resort development with frequent additions to this already dynamic portfolio. Slated to open this fall, the Veranda Resort and Residences flaunt a truly unique and original architectural style reminiscent of Nantucket and Key West. Touted as ‘the Caribbean’s only beachfront residential resort community of its kind’ this development boasts the irrefutable bonus of the renowned expertise and outstanding management skills of Grace Bay Resorts.
Family–friendly, roomy suites with an abundance of space can be found at Ocean Club Resorts, The Sands, The Royal West Indies Resort and Coral Gardens.
The Alexandra Resort is the only beachfront resort that also offers time share vacation ownership, so you can experience living in the lap of Caribbean luxury for this vacation, and many more to come.
West Bay Club at the pristine Grace Bay Beach
Today’s developers are recognizing the ever–increasing benefits and sales opportunities in developing properties with many of the attributes and amenities typically expected at a beachfront property... one space back from the beach. It means a significant savings for travellers, with the added bonus of still being located in the ‘hub’ of Grace Bay. Case in point – Villa Del Mar’s upscale and contemporary luxury suites.
It’s also well–worth checking into Reef Residences two–level Bermuda–style suites or the Trade Winds Condotel – self–catering condominiums with a fully–equipped kitchen in each sizeable open–concept suite. Brand spanking new – Grace Bay Suites offers the basics including a microwave and bar fridge and is only a three minute walk to Utopia.
While condominium resorts undoubtedly make–up the leading faction of vacation accommodation, there exists a noteworthy segment of ‘true hotel’ options. Sibonne is one of those Grace Bay treasures I mentioned before – oozing with charm it is the first hotel built on Grace Bay Beach, and also the last and only small hotel left on Grace Bay Beach and closer to the beach than any of your pricier neighbours.
Royal West Indies, affordable luxury
Since Provo’s early beginnings, Turtle Cove has long been a bustling island hotspot and the other island ‘hub’ – its marina, a popular haunt for divers, fishing boats and tour excursions is also home to a casino, several ‘island favourite’ bars, restaurants and... a very ‘comfortable, convenient and affordable’ location for your island slumber, Turtle Cove Inn.
Two all–inclusive resorts cater to two very different audiences. Consistently voted ‘World’s Best Family All–Inclusive Resort’ Beaches Resort & Spa lives up to the hype with six pools, sixteen specialty restaurants and Pirates Island featuring the recently completed Italian Village. At the opposite end of the spectrum – and at the opposite end of the beach, Club Med, Grace Bay’s first resort, caters to the adult crowd – with both resorts offering day and evening passes. Be sure to call ahead for details and restrictions.
So relax, get comfy and flip to page 26 ‘Where to Stay’ for a listing of properties and links to their websites to choose your idyllic place to stay. There’s a myriad of alternatives designed to appease and complement any one of your mood swings!
The Regent Grand is Centrally Located
Every year more and more holiday–makers dispel the ‘vacation villa myth’ that seems to purport the suggestion that private vacation villas are a prerogative reserved only for the affluent and the well–heeled. Celebrities and high–powered executives all desire the same fundamental vacation elements you do... and while this is not only the ideal choice for those who have a preference for infinite latitude far from the confines of hotels, condominiums and resorts, it is indeed an affordable, viable and increasingly popular option. Free from virtually every plausible distraction with no schedules, routines or dress–codes, vacation villas are gaining huge momentum for the most simplistic of reasons... freedom and spontaneity. And... just like their resort, condominium and hotel counterparts, vacation villas are scattered throughout the island in practically every nook and cranny – on the beach, just off the beach, or within very close proximity to the beach – in the company of all the same offerings from an informal cottage by the sea to a large, fully staffed luxury villa and everything in–between. Your kitchen never closes and your pool is always open. A completely extensive and comprehensive range of vacation villas means you’re certain to find the vacation villa that’s right for you, your family or an extended group. A significant percentage of guests return year after year, with many re–booking before they’ve even left to secure their private island getaway again. On–island owners or villa management companies are there to assist, offering a varying range of services.
It’s also worth mentioning that private vacation villas are exempt from the 10% service charge that is attributed to all other types of tourist accommodation. Therefore, the only additional charge is the 10% government tax, which can translate into significant savings when tallying your vacation bill. Flip to page 42 Vacation Villas for a Guide to Villas and Villa Management Companies.
Crystal Sands Villa overlooking Sapodilla Bay
The island of Providenciales certainly cannot take all the glory for all of the stunning beaches and exceptional accommodations – just beyond Provo’s shores discover her neighbouring islands and cays, many attracting attention for their own diverse cache of outstanding vacation properties. Less than thirty minutes by boat or a short inter–island flight, The Meridian Club on Pine Cay is hardly distant but it is quite simply, “worlds apart” from the shores of Grace Bay, the absolute in “barefoot informality” on an 800–acre, privately owned, environmentally sensitive island. The fundamental idea here is “old–style Caribbean” with a list of amenities that may best be expressed as what you don’t get! No telephones, no television, no radios, no A/C, no cars, no crowds, no jet–skis, no infinity pools, no noise... get the picture?
So now you’ve found a place to get a good night’s sleep, consider Provo’s other claim to fame – the dining scene. Exciting and charismatic chefs gravitate here from around the world, (there’s that magnetic pull again) enticed by the consummate climate and the exceptional Caribbean lifestyle. Here you will experience a profusion of international culinary creations and a mélange of uniquely tropical ambiences, prepared by the Great Chefs of Provo. A virtual melting pot of cultures, styles, influences and techniques that result in the epitome of gastronomic pleasure with authentic and distinctive tastes of the Caribbean infused into all island menus producing some of the most innovative and artistic culinary treasures in the world. Many resorts and condominium developments boast these fabulous restaurants right on site while a palatable profusion of other dining choices are all within reach.
Prepare your own gourmet delights in your condo or villa from our supermarkets and specialty stores with their impressive selections including fresh baked goods; fresh meat, poultry and fish; dairy products featuring gourmet cheeses, meats and pates; fruits and vegetables plus imported and specialty items. Beer, liquor and wines to appease the most ardent aficionados are also available in several retail locations. Or, if your idea of a vacation is to get out of the kitchen, many of our dining establishments offer excellent catering or take–out services; or for the ultimate culinary indulgence, a private chef can be arranged.
Villas at Ocean Point overlooking Sapodilla Bay
Casino’s, nightlife, shopping – the lion’s share is either in the Grace Bay hub, close to the hub, or within very close proximity to the hub with many notable and commendable hotspots worth the trip to the other island hub, Turtle Cove.
With a definitive increase in today’s holidaymakers wishing to travel ‘closer to home’ the popularity of a Caribbean vacation has undeniably been on the rise – with the attractiveness and convenience of uncomplicated and frequent access, countless vacationers can indulge and take pleasure in a tropical escape without the need to venture too far from home.
And even while the effects of the economic downturn of the past year have been felt worldwide – with many habitual travellers considering their vacations a superfluous extravagance... something to put on the back burner until a better economy returns, scores of vacation destinations, the Turks and Caicos Islands included, empathize and have addressed this current global cost–cutting crisis. Many resorts and the like have reacted with an understanding and optimistic approach by offering incentives to prospective guests including reduced rates and special deals on accommodations – so, check–out the options... then do the math... then get ready to check–in to paradise! This getaway may not cost as much as you think!
Care was taken to ensure correctness of information at press time. Information is subject to change without notice. Ad Vantage Ltd. accepts no responsibility for such alterations or for typographical errors or omissions. Entire contents of this page may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission of Ad Vantage Ltd. © Summer 2009 Where When How - Turks & Caicos Islands.
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