Blaire's Been: Turks & Caicos
So the Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean is HOT right now! This island is such a buzz word in the Caribbean... I feel like people are FINALLY catching on to how absolutely gorgeous it is. The water in the Turks is the clearest blue I have ever seen, and the beaches were bright white with powder-y sand. Absolutely beautiful!
And so many people say the Turks and Caicos is sleepy. While it is a Caribbean island and not Vegas, there actually are plenty of things to do! The restaurant scene there is amazing. We ate at Coyaba which was delicious and one of MANY well known and beloved restaurants on the island. We also went to the Fish Fry which is a big event each Thursday in the Turks where different vendors set up tents to sell food and drinks, and there is music and dancing. We had an absolute blast! There are a few bars on the island, too, for you to enjoy for a night cap.
While in the Turks and Caicos, you HAVE TO take a boat out for the day. This is a great way to see more of the island, snorkel in the clear blue water and check out some deserted beaches. BPK knows the best companies, of course, and can set up this service for you.
While on this gorgeous island, I stayed at three hotels and toured four more. Here's the run-down of each!
COMO Parrot Cay
Pronounced "Parrot Key". this gorgeous resort isn't on the main island of Turks and Caicos. Once you get to the airport, you take a short car ride to the private COMO dock, and from there, you take a 20-30 minute scenic boat ride to the resort grounds. The COMO brand focuses on wellness and healthy food, and that is evident in the dining options. Everything was so fresh and light. This resort was very secluded and the perfect place to unwind and reconnect. You can stay in one of the entry level rooms (which is more of a hotel room), a beach cottage or a huge villa. There's something for everyone, but I do want you to know that it is VERY chill here and quiet. This is not the place for someone who needs a little more action.
Grace Bay Club
The beach at the Grace Bay Club is arguably one of the best in the world. Not only is this resort situated on Grace Bay, hence the name!, the resort is spread out long ways instead of back away from the beach which means its beach front area is the biggest on Grace Bay. This is important in peak season because you won't be fighting for a front row beach chair as badly as you would somewhere else. The décor at the Grace Bay Club is super playful - filled with tons of colors and patterns. This resort has many restaurant options and is the closest 5* resort to the main town in Grace Bay, You can walk or bike ride to the nightlife and restaurants and avoid the hefty taxi charge!
I also saw some of the Grace Bay Club villas. These are an extension of Grace Bay Club. You can have breakfast delivered and the villa prestocked by the same staff who works at Grace Bay Club. Another big perk is that these villas are all highly secured. You don't want to rent a villa in the Turks that doesn't have restricted access and a gate, and the Grace Bay Club villas provide tons of security!
West Bay Club
The West Bay Club is Grace Bay Club's sister property. This is a great alternative for a client who's a bit more budget friendly. The West Bay Club is a smaller property that felt a bit more boutique. It's towards the end of the hotel zone, so you don't feel as crowded but still have access to a great beach.
Gansevoort Turks and Caicos
If you're looking for a sexy resort with a great vibe, the Gansevoort is the place. The entire resort is decorated in white, and the rooms are ultra modern. I felt like I was in Miami or some place similar when I was walking through this resort. The Gansevoort is definitely the place to see and be seen and is likely best for a younger or trendier clientele.
The Palms
I had the absolute pleasure of staying at The Palms for two nights and loved it. From the second you approach the hotel, the grounds are meticulously groomed with the most gorgeous greenery and flowers. As you keep walking towards the beach, you pass the gorgeous fine dining restaurant and bar and then the cute breakfast area that is shaded by trees. The rooms are in 5 buildings all surrounding the main pool. I stayed in a one bedroom suite that was sooo big! And yall - the bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept in!!
I love all of my meals here. My most favorite was the beautiful beach sunset dining experience on our last night. The staff at The Palms transformed the space with colorful seashells and lanterns and candles. It was so special!
I also had a great spa experience! The spa at The Palms was absolutely stunning. Each treatment room was in a stand alone building surrounding the relaxation pool. A stop here is definitely a must during your stay!
I think The Palms is great for so many people because there are many room configurations. You could easily enjoy it as a couple but also as a large, multi-generational family.
The Shore Club
Yall, The Shore Club is cool! This newly opened resort in Turks and Caicos is not on Grace Bay beach but rather Long Bay beach. The difference is that the beach is a bit less deep and the water is very shallow for miles! You can literally walk out 2 miles during low tide!! This is very great for parents who are worried about a child's safety. It's very shallow, so kids can play for hours on end and be ok. And plus, there aren't any other resorts on Long Bay, so you essentially have the entire beach to yourself!
The décor at The Shore Club was the nicest I saw. It was modern, coastal, trendy and sexy. The rooms were comfortable and light & bright, and the common spaces each had their own identity but were all just COOL.
One misconception is that The Shore Club is far from the main town... it's not. It may be a couple of minutes farther than The Palms, but it's relatively similar. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone... couples, family, honeymooners, mulit-gen trips. It was great!
Amanyara
Before my flight home, I knew I HAD TO stop at Amanyara, and it certainly lived up to the hype. This gorgeous Aman property was suuuuper sleek and sexy. The décor was darker wood with light tans and whites on the upholstery. I thought the resort would be way more quiet than it was... it was buzzing with people enjoying the workout areas, the beautiful beach front and the amazing restaurants. The rooms at the resort were expansive yet minimal with all different types of room categories to choose from.
One thing to note it that Amanyara is about 30 minutes from the main part of town, and transfers to get in to town are EXPENSIVE. If you go to Amanyara, you will likely stay put!