Two new hotels offer waterfront Zen in quiet pockets of Turks & Caicos.
Both Beach Enclave North Shore and The Shore Club opened in the last few months and are minutes-long cab rides away from Grace Bay — the No. 1 beach in the world, according to TripAdvisor. The opposite of crowded, though, these sweet stays flaunt the ideal chill factor.
Read on for the resort report you need to know this winter.
This gated enclave of nine beachfront and ocean-view four- and five-bedroom villas is set on 10 acres of lush tropical gardens on the north shore of Providenciales, the most-visited part of Turks & Caicos.
As of November 2016, the ultra-luxurious residences are available for nightly stays, courtesy of their owners. Hallelujah!
The newest offering from The Hartling Group — which developed The Sands (1998) and The Palms (2005) along Grace Bay Beach — is a 2-month-old, 106-suite resort that hugs serene Long Bay, on the south side of the island insiders call Provo.
The two-story villas are driftwood-toned palaces of contemporary design spanning 6,500 to 7,500 square feet. High-ceilinged, open-concept living spaces open onto outdoor dining areas and private infinity-edge pools. Master and guest suites have outdoor showers, plus multiple decks and terraces, furthering the sophisticated-yet-barefoot island vibe. It’s as if you had an airy, windowed city home airlifted to the tranquil Caribbean seashore.
The apartment-style accommodations are divided between two white-washed five-story buildings influenced by architecture of Barbados and ornamented with columns, arches and oversized windows. Interiors are appropriately nautical, with a blue-gray color palette and spacious marbled bathrooms.
Fully staffed so you won’t have to make your bed — or even a latte. The on-property concierge fields requests from in-home spa services to yoga instruction, and it’s a short walk to the fitness center and yoga decks. Beach amenities include loungers, umbrellas, towels and water, plus paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear. The island is home to the third-largest barrier reef system in the world; Big Blue leads weekly snorkeling outings on the villas’ beach as well as excursions farther afield for diving and fishing.
Three pools are better than one: A peaceful, infinity-edge adults-only retreat and a curved family pool face the beach, while a large pool with small waterfalls and plenty of cushy loungers is the property’s centerpiece. The 800-plus feet of sand is peppered with deck chairs and umbrellas, but never feels crowded. Breezy Long Bay is a favorite of kitesurfers, but they never impede the mellow swimming in the shallow clear waters of the Caribbean. Equipment for water sports, from stand-up paddleboards to kayaks to a Hobie Cat boat, is readily available.
Beach Enclave
Beach Enclave
Beach Enclave
The Shore Club, Turks and Caicos
The Shore Club, Turks and Caicos
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Guests arrive to find the fridge fully stocked and a butler at the ready. For local flavor, hit Da Conch Shack or weekly Island Fish Fry to dance off the seafood fritters.
A nicely curated buffet breakfast is available to all guests, as is unlimited water, sunblock and bug spray. At the family pool is a restaurant called Sea Grape (think pita and hummus for $9, fish tacos for $20); bordering the main pool is a casual evening restaurant Colonnade (a grilled fish entrée is about $40). The property also has Asian-inspired fine-dining at Sui-Ren.
Grocery shopping is on par with a corner bodega, and fine dining is limited to Thai. Better to opt for the five-star private chef for an extra $575 a day for six guests; $2,850 for the week. Hiring the chef for dinner only is $450 per night.
Standard resort food at high prices seems to be the norm on Provo, and despite its lovely grounds and friendly service, The Shore Club is no exception.
The hotel offers a free shuttle that is basically on-demand to its sister properties along Grace Bay, so take advantage and try some off-resort eateries.
You can’t beat that three-hour direct flight: breakfast in New York, lunch on a pristine private beach. It’s the perfect option for a small group weekend for family or friends. Everyone has a bedroom, the baby won’t wake the neighbors and midnight skinny dips can take place in privacy.
The brand-new hotel is filled with couples of all ages; many are New Yorkers bringing children under age 1 for their first overseas trip. The vibe, far enough from bustling Grace Bay to feel remote but close enough to shuttle over for eating and shipping, is beyond blissful for an easy long-weekend escape from the city.
Beach Enclave North Shore’s villas were ready to entertain owners in November 2015, and became available as short-term rentals a year later. Two more collections of villas are up for sale in other parts of the island: five on Long Bay and 10 on Grace Bay. Eventually, after these are complete and sold, they’ll also be available to rent on a nightly basis from their owners. Beach Enclave Long Bay beachfront villas start at $3.95 million. Beach Enclave Grace Bay beachfront villas start at $8.75 million, with ocean-view villas from $5.95 million.
Available condos start at $1.65 million. A half-dozed six-bedroom villas currently under construction along the beach next to the first phase of the resort start at $5.5 million.
From $3,000 for a four-bedroom villa; BeachEnclave.com.
From $700; TheShoreClubTC.com.
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