The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos offers old-fashioned glamour and top-shelf service in the eastern Caribbean.
The Turks & Caicos Islands, located in the eastern Caribbean at its junction with the Atlantic Ocean, have experienced little tourist traffic by comparison to its neighboring island nations. Authorities here say that tourism came relatively late to Turks & Caicos and that a cap on development prevents overcrowding and commercialization. For visitors to this former British colony, that means a truly peaceful and relaxing getaway.
Providenciales, the country’s capital, is home to a few elite resorts, from tucked-away, contemporary properties to elegant beachfront escapes. The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos fits nicely in between—a low-key resort with plenty of high-gloss style.
Regent Palms’s grounds are thick with date palms and fuchsia bougainvillea blooms, a plush setting for its plantation-style buildings. Breezy arches, wide verandas, marble tile floors, and a romantic courtyard add to its old-fashioned glamour. So much so that, when here, it’s easy to imagine the likes of Marilyn Monroe or Cary Grant sunning by the resort’s pool, sipping martinis at the bar, and frolicking on the beach. Though the Regent Palms’s ambience may hearken back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, the resort is right at home serving affluent travelers of the 21st century.
Regent Palms comprises just 72 suites, including studio-style Junior Suites, one-, two-, and three- bedroom suites, and Penthouse Suites. All suites feature private balconies or terraces, and kitchenettes or full kitchens with coffee- and espresso-making accessories.
Given The Regent’s generously sized suites and their plush comforts, it’s easy to let several hours slip by before venturing out, but the reasons to do so are many. Powder-soft Grace Bay Beach lends itself to paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling, and the resort’s infinity pool is a perfect spot for people watching, reading, or dozing. In 2012, Regent Palms relaunched its spa, offering an expanded menu of treatments inspired by Eastern and Western rituals. A spa visit is an experience unto itself: Individual treatment cabanas line either side of a shallow reflecting pool, and guests await services on a shaded alfresco patio that overlooks the scene. A new menu of healthful, organic cuisine has also been added to the spa’s offerings, allowing guests to spend an entire day resting and relaxing without having to break so much as for a snack.
One of the highlights of a stay at Regent Palms is dining at Parallel23—especially dinner on its wide terrace—which offers Caribbean fusion fare and international wines. Second only to the restaurant’s menu offerings is a display kitchen with a wood-burning oven, which comes close to stealing the show. Given this resort’s have-it-all attitude and never-ending offerings, that’s saying a lot. regenthotels.com/EN/Palms.
THE AGENDA: Turks & Caicos
Grace Bay Boat Ride: Regent Palms staff can arrange a boat ride, complete with snacks and cocktails, for beautiful views of Grace Bay. regenthotels.com/EN/ Palms. Conch Shack & Rum Bar: This 100 percent authentic beach bar serves fresh, tender seafood, fish, and chicken, prepared in a variety of Caribbean ways. As the name implies, an order of conch—whether in cracked, chowder, or fritter form—is a must. daconchshack.com. Coyaba Restaurant: Venture off site for dinner at Coyaba Restaurant—outside tables are surrounded by twinkling white lights— which offers seafood staples like tuna ceviche and lobster thermidor, plus hearty dishes like Gnocchi Cambazola. coyabarestaurant.com.