The Basics
Lots of Caribbean destinations advertise their powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters - and sometimes it's even true. Such is the case with the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British colony that is known for its fine beaches, but that still doesn't have the name recognition of, say, St. Bart's. That's about to change, thanks to a string of high-end properties in the works, including Amanresorts' Amanyara, to open next year, and a Ritz-Carlton in 2007. This year's biggest opening was the Palms, a condo-hotel hybrid that opened in February.
The Location
The resort is on Grace Bay Beach, a 12-mile sliver of fine sand and clear waters on the island of Providenciales. One growing pain: Grace Bay Beach is full of construction sites. Some jackhammer noises came and went during a late-September visit, mostly from the Somerset next door, a condo-hotel due to be completed in March. The noises mostly stayed in the background. (I never noticed them inside the rooms or on the beach, but they did creep into a breakfast on the balcony.) It's a 15-minute ride from the airport, which has direct flights from Miami (80 minutes), New York (three and a half hours), Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C.
The Rooms
The Palms has 72 suites, which can be further divided into one-bedrooms and studios. My room, a "luxury room," was spacious at 640 square feet, with a comfortable king-size bed, sitting area and small terrace. The white and cream tones of the marble floors, painted wood furniture and Egyptian cotton bedding added to the openness. The hallway from the front door had a discreet kitchenette, with a sink, coffeemaker, microwave and minifridge holding drinks and Dean & DeLuca snacks. Despite the modern conveniences - iPods for borrowing, free high-speed Internet access in the room and a TV- there was no desk for a laptop, and the TV was inconveniently placed in a cabinet a couple of feet away from the foot of the bed, slightly below bed level.
The Bathrooms
Also roomy, done in an ivory-colored marble with white wainscoting. The sink had a five-foot-long countertop, more than enough room to spread out toiletries next to the hotel's Acqua di Parma products. To the left, a bathtub with shower. To the right, a private toilet.
Amenities
The sand on the 460-foot beach couldn't get much softer, but many guests seem to prefer lounging around the $1.8 million infinity pool. It's tough competition. The pool winds through the center of the five-building complex, incorporating ocean views and a swim-up bar. The 15,000-square-foot spa is also striking, if pricey, at $115 for a 50-minute massage plus 18 percent service charge and 10 percent tax. Its stand-alone treatment rooms are surrounded by shallow pools of water, and the airy fitness center has 13 pieces of Cybex equipment. There is a formal restaurant, which serves generally excellent "pan-tropical" dishes, like a $29 reef snapper with edamame and tangerine compote; there is also has an informal one at the pool, where one can get jerk chicken for $14. Given all of the amenities, the setting feels more resort than condo.
Room Service
A small but diverse menu (ahi tartare, kobe hamburger, wood-oven-roasted chicken) is available until 10:30 p.m., for up to $36 an entree. The room rate includes Continental breakfast, and they'll deliver it to your room for a $3 delivery charge. A request for an 8:30 a.m. breakfast arrived exactly on time, with fruit, toast, pastries, coffee and juice.
The Bottom Line
The Palms delivers plenty of comfort and friendly service at a starting rate of $450 for luxury rooms at the beginning of the high season, then $950 Dec. 19 to Jan. 2, and then $575. The Palms is more affordable than several other Turks and Caicos notables, including the impending Amanyara, which officially opens in March, with rooms starting at $950 a night. The Palms, Providenciales. (866) 877-7256; www.thepalmstc.com. |
