An archipelago of coral islands southeast of the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos is a playground for professional athletes, pop stars, and Hollywood’s A list. And on a recent visit, I can see why. At the heart of this tropical British territory is Providenciales, called Provo by the locals, and Grace Bay Beach, a pristine white sandy stretch, voted the number one beach in the world by TripAdvisor. A protected three-mile coastline and part of the Princess Alexandra National Park, the beach, with its warm crystal-clear waters, is home to Grace Bay Club, my luxury stay while on island. With numerous distinctions—too many to count, in fact—the resort is an oasis of taste and civility and more that 1,000 feet of beachfront for guests to frolic and play.
Upon arrival, I am greeted with a rum punch and a warm welcome by the friendly staff, who are eager to provide the highest level of service and attention to my wants during my stay. I head to my guest room, a dream of a suite—well appointed in sophisticated earth tones and sweeping views of the turquoise waters of Grace Bay. In fact, each of the 136 spacious suites has ocean views and a private patio or terrace to catch the gentle northeasterly trade winds. The resort has a variety of stays on offer—from multiple bedroom family-friendly villas to adults-only suites. I’m happily staying in the villa suites, which were recently renovated.
After unpacking my vintage Louis Vuitton duffel bag, I head straight to Coco, the resort’s boutique for sunglasses, a hat, bathing suit, and sunscreen. The fashionable shop has everything I need to begin my journey of fun in the sun. Once geared up for the tropical rays, I head to the Estate Pool and Krave for a light lunch. I opt for the heirloom tomato salad topped with salty feta and a glass of cool, crisp Sancerre. After I am satiated, I head to Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar —the longest bar in the Caribbean at 90 feet, it’s the first infinity-edge bar in the world—for a signature rum punch and some seriously needed vitamin D by way of the sunshine.
After a day of lounging in paradise, I join a group of travel journalists on the beach for a gourmet extravaganza under the stars at Infiniti. Grace Bay Club believes that an elevated cuisine program is part of the highly curated vacation experience. Chef Christopher Meredith oversees the culinary offerings—10 on property. However, Infiniti is the pinnacle of fine dining. We start with a spicy tuna and rice and a sushi tasting followed by wood-fired lobster tail, Wagyu strip, miso-roasted black cod, and four deliciously creative salads. The Wine Spectator award–winning wines are flowing along with fun conversation. After my first day in this tropical paradise, I’m ready to head back to my palatial suite and lulled to sleep by the sound of lapping waves along the shore.
With watersports including kayaking, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and diving, there is no shortage of ways to get in and on the water. I opt this day for a morning boat tour around Grace Bay. We motor out to the barrier reef and coral heads and get some snorkeling in—a must-try activity while visiting since Turks & Caicos is home to the third largest coral reef in the world. You can even volunteer to support the coral reefs in half- or full-day hands-on eco-expeditions led by Alizee Zimmerman, executive director of the nonprofit Turks and Caicos Coral Reef Fund and a native of Turks & Caicos.
After cruising around the bay, we disembark and head for an exclusive tour of Grace Bay Resorts’ Private Villa Collection—multimillion-dollar beachfront villas offering exceptional service and the world-class resort amenities found at the hotel. Each has a private pool and 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, your very own butler service, daily housekeeping, pool and beach setup, a photo session, a pantry stocked to your liking, and so much more. Each offers its own custom layout and design to make every stay a unique and highly personalized experience for guests. We tour Seaclusion, located on the tranquil shores of Grace Bay Beach; the 8-bedroom and 9½ bath villa offers unobstructed views of the ocean. A personal chef will prepare gourmet meals to your specifications—this includes all menu planning, shopping, prep, and cleanup.
And Grace Bay Resorts does not plan to stop the luxury here. The newest luxury resort coming into the family is South Bank, featuring 31 acres of quiet shoreline in Providenciales Turks and Caicos. South Bank offers the perfect combination of indoor/outdoor living with The Boathouses offering a private dock for each residence. South Bank will also offer a manmade swimming lagoon, fitness center, clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, pickleball courts, and a spa. The luxury residences are designed by world-renowned architect Piero Lissoni. South Bank will be opening November 2024.
I take a seat out by the pool and contemplate my next trip to this slice of heaven surrounded by the sea. I think perhaps on my next trip, I’ll book a villa in the Private Villa Collection at Grace Bay Resorts, a place that has left me in a state of relaxation and, as its name implies, grace.