Turks And Caicos

Beach House Revival

Sandy Retreat: Beach House

The former Turks and Caicos Club makes its post-renovation debut.

The Turks & Caicos islands recently welcomed Beach House, a 21-suite property that is located directly on the white sands of Grace Bay and where the only rule is “No Socks Allowed.” The full renovation of the two-acre property and plantation-style structure—formerly known as The Turks and Caicos Club—began in May 2012. During the closure of the hotel, exterior and interior elements were transformed to accentuate

its prime location overlooking Grace Bay Beach. The suites, each of which comprises at least 1,150 square feet, include beachfront “Pampering Pods,” where guests can relax or enjoy beachfront dining. The food and beverage operation was also greatly expanded during the renovation with the build-out of a 1,500-square-foot kitchen, wine cellar, and bar area that supports full-scale special events for up to 200 people. The poolside restaurant includes sea-to-table and garden-to-table cuisine, wine tastings, and tapas primers. Nightly rates at Beach House Turks & Caicos are from $532 to $1,038 on weekends and holidays, with special rates available during the off seasons. beachhousetci.com.

Provo Paradise, Turks & Caicos

La Percha is the newest luxury living experience in Turks & Caicos.

The allure of the British West Indies has entertained the fantasies of royalty, aristocrats, and celebrities for centuries. Now, Providenciales (or Provo, as it’s called by locals) in the Turks & Caicos Islands welcomes La Percha, a new luxury villa, to the prestigious Ocean Point Drive.

Villa La Percha, a shared-ownership, resort-style home that sleeps eight guests, boasts four large bedrooms with patio or balcony access and awe-inspiring views, plus indoor and outdoor living space. On-site amenities include access to tennis courts and kayaks, a private dock, an ocean-facing hot tub and fire pit, a private pool, a screened porch, an outdoor kitchen with a grill, and a gazebo. Steps from the villa, guests can wade in the shallow waters of Taylor Bay.

La Percha’s concierge is available at any time to arrange for restaurant reservations, in-villa spa treatments, or for activities like boating excursions and horseback riding. For a one-of-a-kind experience, take a trip to the only conch farm in the world, located right on Providenciales.

Though the island has numerous restaurants nearby, dining at La Percha is a customized culinary treat. We recommend flagging down the lobster boat from the villa’s private dock, picking out some choice crustaceans, and utilizing the concierge’s connections to bring a personal chef to the villa. Abundant outdoor dining options range from beachside to cliffside to poolside.

Ownership of La Percha, which is part of the Elite Destination Homes network, includes access to Elite’s global exchange program. Villa La Percha is also available for rent from $8,500 per week. elitedestinationhomes.com. —Melissa C. Gillespie

Seven Stars Grace Bay is the Ultimate Retreat

Whether you are looking for a short getaway or a long, much needed retreat, Seven Stars Resort on Grace Bay is your go-to resort. Not because it is located in the infamous luxury spot of Turks and Caicos, or because you can be waited on hand and foot like many other resorts, but because Seven Stars was just named The World’s Most Romantic Resort or Hotel in About.com’s 2011 Readers Choice Awards and the new TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards stated that the resort’s location of Providenciales presided over the world’s best beaches.

There are 107 guest accomodations, which range in size from junior suites to two, three and four bedroom suites. Not what you’re looking for? Maybe the 7,000 square foot penthouse, which is fully equipped with a kitchen with granite counters, GE Monogram appliances and Nespresso machines and marble bathrooms that are stocked with L’Occitaine bath products is more your style. The fitness center, aquatic and land activities, spa and gourmet dining wont make for rough living either.

For a few days or a few weeks, with family, by yourself or with a loved one, Seven Stars is the ultimate luxury. Need more convincing? Just look at their awards.

The Élan Collection

Turks and Caicos might be home to one of the world’s best beaches, but it’s also home to
The Élan Collection, a private residence club that offers a 12,000-square-foot fractional
beachfront estate called “The Coral House” on Grace Bay Beach. The Coral House offers a rare opportunity to own a private villa on nearly an acre of soft powder white sand beach…for a fraction of the cost of whole ownership.

Situated on Grace Bay Beach (voted among the top 10 beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine), The Coral House estate spans approximately 12,000 square feet and features five bedrooms, a library, office, two living rooms, breakfast room, family room, formal dining room, an outdoor covered breakfast nook, outdoor beachfront dining pergola and an expansive outdoor beach area for a table setting of 30. The property also boasts a one-bedroom guest cottage with its own private pool and garden; separate staff quarters with two bedrooms and a living area; and a stunning central courtyard filled with mature giant frangipani trees, bougainvillea, ferns and other lush landscaping.

With 1/13th ownership interests, The Coral House provides Élan owners with four weeks of exclusive use per year. The Coral House includes a variety of A-list appointments and personal touches, such as a personally dedicated 24-hour concierge staff, travel accommodations, daily housekeeping, limousine services, luxury vehicle to use when in residence, personal watercraft, personal item placement inside the home and more. And since The Élan Collection combines the benefits of shared vacation home ownership with the advantages of a network of destination properties, owners of The Coral House will also have the option of exchanging guaranteed use rights for other Élan properties of their choice.

The Élan Collection – www.elanPRC.com

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Pine Cay Island

A Private Island Hideaway

Pine Cay is a private rustic island community of over 800 acres that remains a refuge of natural beauty in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The homeowners on Pine Cay have, since the early 1970′s, set and retained high standards to protect the indigenous flora & fauna, to limit the size & site of all buildings, and to contribute to the development of the Turks & Caicos Islands in a responsible manner. From the onset, a strong and proactive environmental ethic has been in place among Pine Cay members to preserve the island’s natural splendor and indigenous vegetation. The limited total membership ensures that the island will forever be uncrowded, with privacy protected for all.

The members own the entire 800 acre island of Pine Cay, including the hotel, 2,800 ft airstrip, staff village, covered boat storage and marina. Becoming an owner of property on Pine Cay is much more than buying a Caribbean retreat – it is joining a very exclusive group of like minded families who treasure their natural hideaway.

Buying a property on Pine Cay is a very special privilege, and an exciting dream come true. The privacy is unrivalled as you walk the beaches or cycle the trails. Here indeed is a Caribbean delight, peaceful, beautiful and tranquil. The 800 acres of this private island offer four distinct property zones – north shore beachfront, east end on the channel, southern bank waterfront and interior wooded lots.

The security of your property investment on Pine Cay is grounded in the limited membership, thus assuring long term protection of this pristine natural island, for the property is worth vastly more than the homes. When you walk the sparkling beach along the turquoise shoreline in quiet seclusion, you will realize the true value of this investment. It is important to come and experience Pine Cay for yourself – its charm will astound you.

Homes and lots for sale start at $1,500,000+. Contact Forbes, Forbes & Forbes Ltd. at info@pinecayrealty.com for limited appointments to tour this exclusive Caribbean island. http://www.pinecayrealty.com

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Emerald Cay

ohnd09_openhouse_4 No, this isn’t Disney World, although, at first glance, it’s easy to mistake this Caribbean hideaway as a new installment at the Magic Kingdom. Located just offshore from Providenciales Island, Emerald Cay in Turks and Caicos is 2.5 acres of pure fantasy. More...

Once you pass over the 40-foot remote-controlled swing bridge onto this private island, a Turkish marble driveway leads you to the 30,000-square-foot, Mediterranean-style villa. From there, amenities read like a billionaire’s wish list: 45-foot great room ceiling, three-story library, 6,000-bottle wine cellar, separate villas for guests and staff, two boat slips, multiple pools, waterfalls, lagoons and, of course, a swim-up bar.

The Details: $48,500,000; Lyle Schmidek, Grace Bay Realty; 602-324-9400; info@gracebayrealty.com; gracebayrealty.com.

The Caribbean’s last frontier, Turks and Caicos, remains an undiscovered gem.

Though close to “civilization,” the islands of Turks and Caicos are overlooked by vacationers heading farther into the Caribbean without ever knowing that they are a nearby paradise for skin diving and snorkeling, that there are untold miles of flawless beaches, and that some of the finest resorts have been built to take advantage of these delights. Although the islands lie at the end of the Bahamas, just 90 minutes from Miami, those oblivious tourists have no idea they are missing 200 miles of sugar-soft beaches often selected as the “world’s best,” that the nearby waters hold everything from humpback whales to fleets of colorful tropical fish, or that there are many spas with world-class reputations.

Don’t be surprised if you bump into Hollywood celebrities as you browse the street markets: Bruce Willis and Dick Clark own homes here, and Ben Affleck was married here, as was Eva Longoria. Recording artists Lionel Ritchie, LL Cool J, and Kenny Rogers are regulars at the annual music festival.

ohnd09_destinations_4 You can tackle the challenging and beautiful Provo golf course, explore the nature preserves on rented scooters, or stalk trophy-sized gamefish offshore. Most visitors, however, are content to float in the gin-clear waters, lounge with a trashy novel in a hammock, or wiggle their toes in the sand. —Chris Caswell

The Essentials

1 Where to Stay Amanyara is the Aman Resorts’ ode to quiet beauty with superb views, gorgeous infinity pools, and Serenity Villa, an international spa. 866-941-8133, amanresorts.com. Located on renowned Grace Bay Beach, the Regent Palms is a $95 million, 72-suite boutique resort with a 15,000-square-foot spa. 800-967-9044, regenthotels.com.

2 Where to Eat Want local? Try Da Conch Shack for fresh conch fritters washed down with local Turks Head beer. 649-946-8877, conchshack.tc.

3 What To Do Visit Little Water Cay, an islet populated by iguanas, and then go snorkeling in a three-hour sailing package from Sail Provo. 649-946-4783, sailprovo.com.

The 10 Top Summer Rentals

While visions of sugarplums might be dancing in your head, now is the perfect time to start planning for next summer’s beach retreat.
By Lindsay Lambert Continue reading The 10 Top Summer Rentals

Turks and Caicos Islands Bajacu

Special: Stay 7 nights for the price of 6 for all new bookings and travel through April 15, 2009.

Bajacu is located on the beautiful island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The interesting name means rising sun in the language of the natives of the Caribbean. Bajacu is situated on a south shore hilltop with a breathtaking 270 degree view of the sea. It sits in the middle of a private 11 acres estate and is surrounded by a lush tropical garden with over 100 trees planted (coconut, royal palm, fruit trees, etc.) and a myriad of bushes and flowers (bougainvilleas, jasmine, frangipani, etc.) A natural stone path provides direct access to the sea.

The house was designed by Marco Aldaco, the world famous Mexican Architect featured many time in Architectural Digest and many other publications and art books. Completed in April 2004, the house has 9,500 sq. ft. under roof and 3,500 sq.ft. of open deck. It has 5 air-conditioned bedrooms (3 Bedrooms with king size beds, 2 bedrooms with two double beds) each with a private terrace with stunning views of the sea, shower and bath, walk-in closet, flat screen TV, internet access, safe and telephone.

Bajacu has two dramatic infinity pools, cascading into each other. The largest has 170 feet of infinity edge (about 3,500 sq.ft.) and is 8.5 feet deep at its deepest end. The smallest is 4 feet deep.

Preceded by a sculpted volcanic stone fountain, the house has an open living room under a gigantic palapa (= tatch roof). A spectacular pergola links the Palapa to an inside living room surrounded by the pool. Antiques from China, Indonesia and Africa together with unique artwork create an elegant though relaxed atmosphere. Among the many pleasures of Bajacu is the encounter of many beautiful private areas where one can sit or relax in total privacy.

The house includes a formal inside dining room that can sit 16, together with a protected and peaceful outside dining area. It has an office, with computer (internet access) and fax. Both the living room and the office have their own bathroom (for a total of 7 bathrooms). The entire house enjoys very high ceilings (ex: Master Bedroom 15′; Palapa 33′; Dining room 22′). Everyday, Bajacu’s guests can enjoy the fresh fruits and herbs harvested on the estate.

Staff: House Manager, Chef, Gardner, Handyman, 1 to 3 maids. (Staff of two lives on site in a separate staff house).

Finally, Bajacu has its own fresh water making plant and is equipped with wireless internet.

Amenities:
* 5 bedrooms (3 with kings, 2 with 2 double beds) sleeping a mamimum of 10
* 7 bath
* 2 living rooms
* 1 office
* 2 dining area (inside & outside)
* Gourmet kitchen
* Laundry room with 2 dryers and 2 washers

Bedroom Amenities:
* Cable TVs (all bedrooms flat screen)
* DVD (all bedrooms)
* AC & fan (all bedrooms)
* Hair dryer & safe(all bedrooms)
* Walk-in closet(all bedrooms)
* Telephone(all bedrooms)
* Bath and shower + 2 sinks (all bedrooms)
* View of the sea (all bedrooms)
* Private terrace with view of sea (all bedrooms)
* High speed internet in rooms & Wifi

Pools: Large Pool: 170 feet long – average width 24 feet, depth: from 4 feet to 8.5 feet.
Small Pool: 30 feet long – width 14 feet, depth: 4 feet. Both pools can be heated (if desired).

Security: Gated estate, Alarm system, Staff of 2 live on Property.

Entertainments & Other Amenities: CD music player, fan (all rooms) answering machine. Office with: computer with internet access, fax, printer & scanner. Fresh water making plant – House is Wifi

Kitchen Amenities: Main kitchen: 2 fridges – 2 freezers, 2 dishwashers, 2 ovens, 2 toasters – microwave, coffee maker, blender, Outside barbecue
Second Living room Kitchen: fridge, blender

Please Note: Thanksgiving and Christmas Weeks have higher rates, please call.
Children are welcome.
Smoking is not allowed in the villa.
Gratuities are at the discretion of the clients.

Please add 20% Tax and Service Charge to all quoted rates.

Book by 3/31/09 for travel through 7/1/09; prices and availability subject to change. Prices do not include taxes or service charges; other fees may apply. Based on a 7-night stay with up to 4 guests in 2 bedrooms between 02/09/09 & 04/15/09