This clutch of white sand cays and islands is not a place where giant cruise ships queue up to unload their human cargo all day long. It’s not a place where sozzled spring breakers party till dawn. It’s not a place where hustlers and hawkers give you hassle every time you leave the hotel.
Instead, you’ll find peace and relaxation. Deserted beaches, lapped by unimaginably clear and calm waters. No crowds, no hassle, no worries. Nightlife is low-key, and the locals are friendly and approachable. But don’t be fooled into thinking that a holiday here means eschewing the discerning lifestyle. Turks & Caicos is home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the entire region.
For many visitors, the promise of privacy and seclusion is the main reason for coming here. But there is still plenty to do for those who wish to explore, with watersports galore and some of the best diving in the Caribbean. On land, you might encounter iguanas, flamingos and hummingbirds, while those crystal clear waters are home to a myriad of marine species, including stingrays, sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales.
Grace Bay
The multi-award-winning Grace Bay Club occupies a simply incredible beach, overlooked by a sleek glass-walled infinity pool. The hotel comprises of 82 oceanfront suites divided between three sitting areas: the Hotel is a tranquil adults-only space, the Villas are geared towards families, and the opulent Estate residences offer up to five bedrooms for larger groups. The Anani Spa, which takes its name from an ancient Lucayan word for ‘water flower’, includes two spa tents for open-air beachfront treatments, while the Kid’s Town programme for 5-12 yr keeps the youngsters occupied with eco-tours, cave safaris, scuba lessons and more.
Part of the Grace Bay Resorts group, the stylish Rock House opened in 2022, and will appeal to those looking for a truly exclusive escape. Set into limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the hotel has something of a Mediterranean feel, and was inspired by the Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc in Antibes. There are just 46 cliffside studios, suites and villas most with a private pool. The hotel is centred around a 100-foot infinity pool with daybeds and cabanas and wooden steps leading down to the beach below. Vits restaurant serves sublime Italian dishes with a Caribbean twist, and the Sunset Bar is the place to enjoy a clifftop cocktail at the end of the day. Massage treatments are available, and there’s a fitness centre with regular classes.
Although it might not have the name recognition of the Caribbean’s more famous celebrity haunts, COMO Parrot Cay is a popular private island retreat for A-listers in the know. There a 72 elegantly understated rooms, suits and islands set amongst 1,000 picture-perfect acres, many with their own plunge pool. The hotel has a deserved reputation as a wellness destination, with the Asian-inspired COMO Shambhala Spa and complimentary daily yoga and Pilates classes, plus occasional yoga retreats. Eastern influences can also be felt in the cuisine at the Lotus restaurant, which is next to the oceanfront infinity pool. Other facilities include tennis courts, non-motorised watersports and the Play by COMO space for children ages 4-12 years.
Ambergris Cay
At the furthest reaches of the Turks & Caicos chain, that feeling of blissful isolation is dialled up even further. Ambergris Cay is a 1,100-acre private island with its own airstrip,a 20-minute flight or two-hour boat ride from Providenciales just 17 bungalows and nine villas are scattered across the island, each with a private pool and you’ll be provided with a golf buggy to explore at your own pace. This is a true top-end all-include, and the ever-changing menus at the two exquisite beachfront restaurants will surprise and delight you. Bliss out at the Elevate Spa, enjoy guided nature walks and keep in shape at the fitness pavilion, equipped with Peloton bikes and a yoga deck. One of the highlights of the hotel is the Floating Hangover Bay experience at Little Ambergris Cay, which is offered to guests, three times a week on a complimentary basis.
Wymara Resort and Villas
A recent addition to our portfolio, Wymara Resort + Villas is a sleek and modern boutique resort on the iconic famed Grace Bay beach. The contemporary studios and suits invite the sunshine in, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a colour palette of whites and ocean tones. In-room amenities include Aesop bath products, a kitchenette and a bathroom with a separate spa tub and rain shower. Indigo restaurant is one of the best in the Turks & Caicos, there is an organic-certified spa, and you can launch into a host of different watersports straight from the beach. Nearby, the collection of one, four and five-bedroom private villas located with Wymara Villas + Beach Club feature private infinity pools and over-water swimming platforms. Some even have their own waterside that drops you straight into the Caribbean sea.
The Shore Club
With most of the resorts in Turks clusters around Grace Bay beach, The Shore Club has the unspoilt Longa Bay virtually to itself. Luxury Travel Advisor voted this the world’s most Instagrammable hotel for an unprecedented two years in a brown and no wonder, with a symphony of eye-catching design features, harmonious colour palettes and an incredible beachfront setting. There are 148 rooms and suites offering up to three bedrooms, plus six villas with a private pool, sauna and butler. There are four restaurants and five bars catering for all tastes, with everything from wood-fired pizza to Asian-Peruvian fusion cooking. Facilities include four pools, a fitness centre, a tennis court, non-motorised waterports and the lovely Dune Spa, with three sea-view treatment bungalows.
