Envision your own personal Caribbean paradise, and there is no doubt that Grace Bay Club embodies that fantasy. Opened in 1993 as the first luxury hotel in Turks and Caicos with all-oceanfront-suites, and with the latest addition of an exclusive resort-within-a-resort, The Estate, this idyllic Providenciales retreat continues to set the standard for an exclusive, plush Caribbean getaway. Everyone can find the vacation of their dreams in this stunning locale, whether you are starry-eyed honeymooners looking to relax on the beach or a rambunctious family discovering new underwater adventures.
The hotel’s stated goal of delivering world-class personalized service through “handmade experiences” sets the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime escape. And here you can find everything you need to know before you book your trip.
Accommodation type: 5-star resort
Number of rooms & suites: 82
Pricing (depending on peak, off, or festive season): Luxury 1 BR Suites start at $1,580; Villas Junior Suites start at $1,120; Estate Jr. Residences start at $1,680; Estate Penthouse starts at $11,600;
High season: December – April
Nearest airport: Providenciales International Airport (PSL)
Suitable for: Couples, honeymooners, families, weddings, events, corporate meetings, and conferences
Awards: 2015 Family Vacation Critic Favorite
Conde Nast Johansen’s Best for Weddings, Parties
Island Destination Ultimate Culinary Innovator Award
Communicators Award 2015 Silver “Award of Distinction”
Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2015: The Caribbean, Bermuda, and The Bahamas
Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2015: Family Caribbean Resorts
Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Winner Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean
Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Winner Top 25 Beaches in the World
Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame
Accommodation
Situated on 1100 feet of pristine beach at Grace Bay and encompassing 11 acres, Grace Bay Club offers three levels of accommodation. The adults-only Hotel is located in the original resort building. The 1-2 bedroom rooms and suites available range in size from 1,080 – 2,200 square feet and each boasts an ocean view from its own private patio or balcony.
The spacious and family-friendly Villas Suites are found on five stories in four separate buildings with two suites per floor. Options run the gamut from cozy 600 square feet one-bedroom suites, to two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites, to the spectacular 6,340 square foot Grace Bay Penthouse Suite.
For the ultimate in elite vacation living, The Estate comprises 22 custom-designed three- to four-bedroom residences, in various layouts and sizes, and exclusive facilities for Estate guests.
Regardless of where you stay within the resort, each suite has an ocean view, free Wi-Fi, refrigerators, maid service, and access to the resort’s Personal Concierge service. Prior to arrival, fill out a personal preference form provided by the resort which includes provision lists for shopping to fill each room’s fridge and a menu of activities for the concierge to arrange. At check-in, you will be greeted by your Personal Concierge and receive a cell phone that connects you directly to them. For the duration of your stay, your Personal Concierge is available to make your vacation experience unique and rejuvenating.
Facilities
Where to eat
- Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar, an open-air Euro-Caribbean fusion gourmet restaurant
- The Grill, a kid-friendly casual bistro for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Infiniti Bar, serving tapas at cocktails at the Caribbean’s longest bar
- Stix, an insouciant beachfront “pop-up” restaurant
- The Lounge, a sunset beach-chic tapas bar
Where to play
- Canopied daybeds on the beach
- Adults-only Hotel pool
- Family-friendly Villa pool
- Estate pool (exclusive to Estate guests)
- Estate children’s splash pool
- Two outdoor jacuzzis
- Kids Town Clubhouse and Playground
- Fitness center
- Tennis courts
Where to relax
At Anani Spa guests can find respite in six treatment rooms, a beachfront massage tent, and an extensive and exotic treatment menu featuring:
- Traditional Balinese coconut rub and milk wrap
- Massages and spa therapies
- Over 20 skin therapies and facials
- Manicures and pedicures
- Spa packages for brides, teens, and girls
Complimentary Activities
Outdoor and water sports enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities. Since it has a family-friendly aspect, children will have plenty of activities themselves.
- Non-motorized water sports equipment such as snorkels and flippers and paddleboards can be rented free of charge.
- Enjoy poolside yoga on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
- The Teen X-treme Program for guests aged 9 – 15 schedules complimentary water sports lessons and activities, as well as bonfire socials with “mocktails.”
- Children aged 5-12 are welcome at the Kids Town On-Site Program for supervised crafts, field trips, and nighttime activities.
The resort also offers a slew of different excursion and adventure packages so guests can make the most of their time in Turks and Caicos. Most of these activities come at an extra charge.
Travel Options
Providenciales International Airport (PLS) is the international gateway to Turks and Caicos, and many major airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, United, and JetBlue serve “Provo,” as it is known locally.
PLS is less than 7.5 miles from Grace Bay Club. Taxis are available for approximately $30. Car rentals are also available, and tourists are encouraged to rent their own transportation if they plan to explore the island as taxis can get quite expensive.
Main Attractions Around Grace Bay Club
1. Princess Alexandra National Park and Nature Reserve
Protected lands in this large (6,532 acres) coastal and marine park include several beaches and reefs off the north coast of Providenciales, an iguana sanctuary at Little Water Cay (Iguana Island), wetland islands of Mangrove and Donna Cays, and several tiny rock cays. Most of Providenciales’ resorts are located in this area, including Grace Bay Club, and much of the island’s outdoor water sports tourism makes the most of this treasured park.
2. Cheshire Hall Plantation
Walk the ruins of Providenciales’ best-preserved plantation. Built in the late 1700s by Loyalist Thomas Stubb, in its heyday Cheshire Hall Plantation was over 5,000 acres and employed hundreds of slaves as a cotton plantation. Follow the winding trails and find points of interest around the ruined buildings.
Address: Leeward Highway, Wheeland Settlement TKCA 1ZZ, Providenciales
3. Caicos Conch Farm
Caicos Conch Farm, the world’s only conch farm, gives you a hands-on look at the biology and technology of cultivating Queen Caribbean Conch. Though the facility was much damaged and commercial production significantly reduced after Hurricane Ike in 2008, the farm remains open to the public for education and as a tourist attraction.
Address: Leeward Settlement TKCA 1ZZ, Providenciales +1 (649) 946-5330
4. Private Excursions and Adventures
Tourists and visitors can discover a wide array of guided outdoor activities and excursions on Providenciales. Cruise around the island on a boat, explore the brilliant teeming reefs, lope along the shore on horseback, or catch a big one from the deep. Provo is home to many reputable local businesses who can foster you on your next island adventure, and your Personal Concierge at the resort can help connect you with trusted and knowledgeable guides.
Final Words
You want your trip to be relaxing, unique, and memorable, and the vision offered by Grace Bay Club is one with both luxe, high-end service and distinctive, authentic Caribbean experience. The club brings boutique hotel hospitality to a larger audience with elegance and style, letting no detail go overlooked, all to ensure your stay is restful, rejuvenating, and truly exceptional. If you want to get the Caribbean experience and enjoy the turquoise waters, you can also check out the Fairmont Mayakoba, situated along the gorgeous coastline.