Turks and Caicos early November 22: where to stay?

[Anonymous]

I could write a novel on this (my family has lived there part-time for 60 years). Since you knew the island 20 years ago you'll be astonished at the development! There is an IGA near the resorts on Grace Bay so it's easy to get groceries (which are more condo-like) for breakfast and such.

Re: all-inclusives since you asked about that specifically, there are still less than a handful on Provo. Club Med is out (adults only) so there is Beaches and the T&C collection, which includes the Alexandra, Blue Haven, and Beach House. (I'm ignoring another that isn't on any beach). Blue Haven has a nice property but is in Leeward so it's hard to get to anything. The Alexandra is a mid-level resort on Grace Bay that may be what you are looking for in terms of family friendly and not as expensive as some regular resorts. Beaches is the most crowded area of the beach, which we always laugh at when walking by (since they're packed in whereas everyone else can spread out). The downside of course is that there are many great restaurants on Provo that you won't experience with an all-inclusive, plus most resorts are condo style with a kitchen for quick breakfasts or lunch to save money.

The top end resorts are generally Amanyara (Wheeland), Shore Club (Long Bay), Seven Stars (Grace bay), The Palms (Grace Bay), Grace Bay Club (Grace Bay), and maybe the Somerset (Grace Bay). You are going to pay a LOT at these places. SS is on Grace Bay so IMO it's more convenient. Amanyara and Shore Club are the most exclusive but also the most isolated so it'll be more challenging to explore the island and restaurants. Not a problem if you never want to leave. The mid-priced resorts are places like the Tuscany, Villa Renaissance, Le Vele, and the Windsong. More budget friendly are Coral Gardens, Royal West Indies, Aquamarine, Ocean Club (West or East), and The Sands. All of those are on Grace Bay with the same beach as everyone else. Price point is really a driving factor as you can find good family friendly options in any of these brackets.

Since someone recommended Seven Stars, I'll note that it's a beautiful property with a nice beachside deck/bar and onsite restaurant (Seven). Other than a new Marriott brand build, it is the tallest building on Grace Bay (thanks to governmental corruption and bribery) so it stands out compared to the others. High level of service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I could write a novel on this (my family has lived there part-time for 60 years). Since you knew the island 20 years ago you'll be astonished at the development! There is an IGA near the resorts on Grace Bay so it's easy to get groceries (which are more condo-like) for breakfast and such.

Re: all-inclusives since you asked about that specifically, there are still less than a handful on Provo. Club Med is out (adults only) so there is Beaches and the T&C collection, which includes the Alexandra, Blue Haven, and Beach House. (I'm ignoring another that isn't on any beach). Blue Haven has a nice property but is in Leeward so it's hard to get to anything. The Alexandra is a mid-level resort on Grace Bay that may be what you are looking for in terms of family friendly and not as expensive as some regular resorts. Beaches is the most crowded area of the beach, which we always laugh at when walking by (since they're packed in whereas everyone else can spread out). The downside of course is that there are many great restaurants on Provo that you won't experience with an all-inclusive, plus most resorts are condo style with a kitchen for quick breakfasts or lunch to save money.

The top end resorts are generally Amanyara (Wheeland), Shore Club (Long Bay), Seven Stars (Grace bay), The Palms (Grace Bay), Grace Bay Club (Grace Bay), and maybe the Somerset (Grace Bay). You are going to pay a LOT at these places. SS is on Grace Bay so IMO it's more convenient. Amanyara and Shore Club are the most exclusive but also the most isolated so it'll be more challenging to explore the island and restaurants. Not a problem if you never want to leave. The mid-priced resorts are places like the Tuscany, Villa Renaissance, Le Vele, and the Windsong. More budget friendly are Coral Gardens, Royal West Indies, Aquamarine, Ocean Club (West or East), and The Sands. All of those are on Grace Bay with the same beach as everyone else. Price point is really a driving factor as you can find good family friendly options in any of these brackets.

Since someone recommended Seven Stars, I'll note that it's a beautiful property with a nice beachside deck/bar and onsite restaurant (Seven). Other than a new Marriott brand build, it is the tallest building on Grace Bay (thanks to governmental corruption and bribery) so it stands out compared to the others. High level of service.

OP here: thank you for this comprehensive response! Quick question on the bolded; how easy is it to get around the island? Do people typically rent a car? If so, is driving on the left side of the road, given this was/is a British territory?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could write a novel on this (my family has lived there part-time for 60 years). Since you knew the island 20 years ago you'll be astonished at the development! There is an IGA near the resorts on Grace Bay so it's easy to get groceries (which are more condo-like) for breakfast and such.

Re: all-inclusives since you asked about that specifically, there are still less than a handful on Provo. Club Med is out (adults only) so there is Beaches and the T&C collection, which includes the Alexandra, Blue Haven, and Beach House. (I'm ignoring another that isn't on any beach). Blue Haven has a nice property but is in Leeward so it's hard to get to anything. The Alexandra is a mid-level resort on Grace Bay that may be what you are looking for in terms of family friendly and not as expensive as some regular resorts. Beaches is the most crowded area of the beach, which we always laugh at when walking by (since they're packed in whereas everyone else can spread out). The downside of course is that there are many great restaurants on Provo that you won't experience with an all-inclusive, plus most resorts are condo style with a kitchen for quick breakfasts or lunch to save money.

The top end resorts are generally Amanyara (Wheeland), Shore Club (Long Bay), Seven Stars (Grace bay), The Palms (Grace Bay), Grace Bay Club (Grace Bay), and maybe the Somerset (Grace Bay). You are going to pay a LOT at these places. SS is on Grace Bay so IMO it's more convenient. Amanyara and Shore Club are the most exclusive but also the most isolated so it'll be more challenging to explore the island and restaurants. Not a problem if you never want to leave. The mid-priced resorts are places like the Tuscany, Villa Renaissance, Le Vele, and the Windsong. More budget friendly are Coral Gardens, Royal West Indies, Aquamarine, Ocean Club (West or East), and The Sands. All of those are on Grace Bay with the same beach as everyone else. Price point is really a driving factor as you can find good family friendly options in any of these brackets.

Since someone recommended Seven Stars, I'll note that it's a beautiful property with a nice beachside deck/bar and onsite restaurant (Seven). Other than a new Marriott brand build, it is the tallest building on Grace Bay (thanks to governmental corruption and bribery) so it stands out compared to the others. High level of service.

OP here: thank you for this comprehensive response! Quick question on the bolded; how easy is it to get around the island? Do people typically rent a car? If so, is driving on the left side of the road, given this was/is a British territory?

It's easy to get around with a car. You'd definitely need to rent a car when not staying on Grace Bay if you want the flexibility to get around when somewhere like Amanyara, Shore Club, Neptune Villas, an AirB&B, etc. Driving is on the left side (British) but VERY easy. If you're used to DMV traffic, driving there is a breeze even on the other side. It's basically all roundabouts with no stop lights. If you're on Grace Bay, restaurants are a little easier to get to via walking or a cab, but having a car gives the most flexibility. Some prefer not to rent which is fine too. You could go to Turtle Cove one night (Baci or Mango Reef), Cocovan/Coco Bistro another, check out Da Conch Shack (slightly overrated but a fun novelty), or the marinas for excursions (snorkeling/diving, SUP, kayaking, cruises) like Leeward or South dock.

[Anonymous]

NP. To PP who has lived there (or others)... this may be a sort of rude question but is T&C worth seeing, outside of a resort? When younger, I avoided AIs. We went to Jamaica, DR, PR at small hotels with a car/travelled around and they were really just ok.

Now that I have kids and am more open to AIs (have done now in DR, Cancun), I want to know if T&C a place worth seeing or we aren't missing anything by staying in an AI.

[Anonymous]

Make sure all your things are refundable--I doubt international flights will happen with the Delta variant on the rise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. To PP who has lived there (or others)... this may be a sort of rude question but is T&C worth seeing, outside of a resort? When younger, I avoided AIs. We went to Jamaica, DR, PR at small hotels with a car/travelled around and they were really just ok.

Now that I have kids and am more open to AIs (have done now in DR, Cancun), I want to know if T&C a place worth seeing or we aren't missing anything by staying in an AI.

Very fair question. Undoubtedly one of the biggest appeals is the beach and beautiful water, which you obviously get at an AI. TCI has the third largest barrier reef system in the world so a huge attraction is the diving. You can get some of that experience by snorkeling as well. Personally I don't like AIs because you don't get to go with the (IMO) best dive operators, excursion operators, and you miss on all the restaurant experiences on the island (to name a few, Coco Bistro, Le Bouchon, Seven, Baci, Magnolia, Mango Reef). That said, it is not a volcanic island so it's not lush like St. Lucia with a ton of wildlife. Very "bush" and dry coral. The appeal is more so exploring beautiful beaches (i.e., Chalk Sound, Sappodilla/Taylor bay, Long beach, northwest point, etc.) and water sports. For example, kayaking through the mangroves and to Little Water Cay with Big Blue is awesome because they have a green sustainability focus and teach their clients about the history of the island and conservation. Can Beaches provide excursions? Yes, they absolutely do, I just personally like the flexibility of, for example, being on a Flamingo Divers boat with a max of 6 other people vs. a huge cattle call from a crowded Grace Bay beach area in front of Beaches.- Some people would gladly sacrifice that in exchange for the ease of eating food that's "fine" enough when you have young kids to avoid the hassle. It just depends on your priorities.