I arrived at the PLS airport was warmly greeted almost as soon as I got off the plane. We had a very short, ten minute ride...when we arrived, we were greeted with champagne, cool towels, and many friendly staff -- very welcoming! Instead of checking in at the front desk, I was seated in area off from the front desk with couches and met with my personal concierge. There were other guests who arrived and were also seated in a different area to do the same. Your personal concierge makes any kind of reservations or spa appts., and has a cell phone that you may buy 50 minutes of time on, or more for a minimum amount instead of high rates on your personal cell phone you may have brought with you. Very nice touch!
The Turks and Caicos Music Festival was going on while I was there, so there were plenty of celebrities of the music world staying at Grace Bay Club and their entourages with them --- but never heard any loud music or parties going on at the penthouses. I saw them at the restaurants and while I was checking in, but I would have never known other-wise.
My room was a in a villa building, a junior suite on the first floor. The first floor doesn't have a view of the ocean, but it was still very comfortable and well-appointed. The suites are very pretty and LARGE and have neutral colors, bedroom with 1 bath and terrace, but no living area. The room had good lighting, travertine tile floors, beautiful granite and tile in big bath area with seperate shower from soaking tub, and seperate water closet A nice touch was mosquito spray and a large glass container with votives to use on the outdoor terrace table. The terrace was surrounded was surrounded with high bushes and tropical plants. The villa building would be great for families as they offer adjoining rooms. See the very nicely done bathroom below:
THE HOTEL is in a seperate building and closer to the adult pool, and is probably my favorite even though I stayed elswhere on this trip! I even had clients there while I was there, staying in the hotel building and they loved it! The room they stayed in was beautifully decorated, with different colors than in the villa building -- aqua blues, brown, and ivory, new furnishings, 1300 sq. feet, have mini-kitchen with granite counters and top of the line appliences, and travertine tile floors with 1 and half baths. There are gorgeous ocean views from living room and large terrace, bedrooms have dark hardwood floors. I highly recommend this room category or any of the Grace Bay 1,2, or 3 bedrooms suites in the Hotel building - or penthouses of course! These are in the adult only section of the resort.
We did a hard hat tour of the Estate building they are in the process of working on, due to open this winter. Very luxurious, gorgeous woods, marble, granite used throughout, huge bathrooms to go with every bedroom. I look forward to visiting again when these are completed!
We had lunch and breakfast at the Grill Rouge which is outside, right by the family pool and has a adult menu as well as a children's menu for all day dining. Food was very good, although all the dining is outside--so it can get quite hot. The Grill is oceanfront so has pretty views if you are seated at the front nearest the ocean but tradewinds do not seem to blow through here much in summer months.
We had a very special dinner the 1st night, set up on the beach, light breeze, sound of the ocean, torches lit, and it was lovely. We had a buffet, again excellent food with a chef grilling seafood, steaks, etc., more special drinks, champagne and the table decorated with flowers, shells, large glass hurricanes with candles --- it was beautiful. Food is served beautifully on plates such as any gourmet bistro type restaurant would, many choices and as a person that doesn't need one but has a sweet tooth, desserts were out of this world! The chocolate is definitly something to write home about!
The next morning, we had breakfast set up on the beach under lots of umbrellas with plenty of shade and we were served a wonderful 4-5 course breakfast. That night for dinner we were really treated, with dinner in one of the penthouses of one of the Hotel Buildings -- gorgeous rooms, furniture, flowers, and table settings of china and crystal. One of Grace Bay Club's chefs prepared a 6 course dinner in the villa where we could see the preparation of lobster and filet mignon and then it was served. Excellent again! Service and sincere, friendly staff was everywhere, at least 10 to 12 people. I love these people and what they bring to this resort!There was also a large bar set up on a huge balcony area with wonderful raspberry mohito's, mango daiquiri's and other drinks to order at open bar. Prior to dinner we had a presentation of the native customs of the island such as the baskets that are woven out of sea grass, as they do in Savannah and Charleston. They are trying to pass on these types of art and culture to the younger generations so that it will always be around and be appreciated. It was wonderful to hear that Turks and Caicos has realized that they must preserve and honor these arts, music, etc. so all people may enjoy them and to keep the island special. Mr. David Bowen who is the Director of Culture and Arts for Turks and Caicos did the presentation and was wonderful at demonstating and making it fun while speaking.
The last night we had dinner at the top restaurant in the resort--Anacaona -- which is adult only, gourmet food. It is by the Infinity Bar (where we met each evening prior to dinner ) and this is where the beautiful people come to visit and have drinks starting around 600pm with pretty sunsets to view since the bar is right at the beach and is THE place to be seen even with people who are not guests of Grace Bay Club. Even Monday night it was very busy and it is lots of fun but does seem to get quiet by 10-1030pm. Not a late night place, but there is a casino 2 blocks away that is not connected to any hotel or resort. Hotel shuttles can take guests there and come back to pick-up. And there are also nice bars close by at other resorts on Grace Bay beach and in the nearby area.
We had another 6 course dinner served to us that night with a slight tradewind off the ocean so it was a little cooler. It is all open air under thatched roofs which would be great in any months but August and the hot summer for some people. The linens and silverware, even chair covers out of a black and whte damask print material, all added to the feel of Grace Bay Club's top restaurant. Very updated, chic comtemporary feel, all kinds of clients would appreciate this restaurant. The Infinity Bar has stools for seating and then also the sitting areas that have large,low couches and coffee tables in cozy groups with baskets on palm trees that have lights that glow at night. Also, it has an area with open firepit for nightime, right on the beach adjoinind the area that Anacaona restaurant is in.
Last but not least, our spa treatments at the Anani Spa were outstanding! They needed a few more treatment rooms and the relaxation room was very nice but could use a little updating to go with the contemporary feel of the rest of the resort. There was a good selection of spa treatments with massages, scrubs, and there was a couples room for treatments. Grace Bay Club also has open-air spa tents by the ocean for spa treatments at no additional charge but they must be reserved prior to arrival.
One last note, there is a adult only pool which is very quiet and nice in front of The Hotel buildings. This section of the resort also has the adults-only restaurant and bar and is near the spa and fitness room. The Villas have a seperate family pool with pool bar and stools, beds to lounge on as well as chaise lounges....beds are set back from pool area so that you can read and relax at the family pool. This is all right by the family restaurant -- The Grill, which is convient for lunch time dining. Beach beds have been ordered for the gorgeous, long, private beach area also. Presently, they just have chaise lounges and umbrellas. There is a great staff for children's programs and activities and I never felt like there were too many families with children taking over the resort. With 11 acres of beach for its guests, Grace Bay Club has much to offer for families and those seeking private alike. However, it is not too spread out and doesnt feel like a huge resort.
I love Turks and Caicos -- in many years of sending client there, I have never had a client that did not come back completely in love with the island the people, and also Grace Bay Club! If you want to be on Grace Bay beach with it's gorgeous water and beaches, and also want to go to other places to eat, shop, drink -- Grace Bay Club is my 1st choice for clients, especailly with the right suite choices at The Hotel section of the resort!
To learn more about Grace Bay Club or Turks and Caicos, contact Becky by clicking here. To see more about the Caribbean or learn about a luxury beach vacation, visit the Brownell site by clicking here.
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