The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos is a 72-suite resort, situated on world-famous Grace Bay Beach just steps from powder fine sands and azure waters. Guests enjoy The Regent Palms' beautiful interior settings and lush tropical grounds, as well as elegantly appointed luxury rooms and one, two and three bedroom Suites. World-class amenities include the 25,000 square foot spa and two signature restaurants, Parallel23 and Plunge.Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
1.800.545.400 • 1.649.946.8666
Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report — November 2005
We remember our first trip to Providenciales (or Provo, as it is more commonly called) 25 years ago. Back then, few people had heard of the British Crown Colony and the local tourist board's apt advertising slogan was, "Where on earth are the Turks & Caicos?!"
Only a handful of simple inns dotted the island's gorgeously unspoiled shoreline, along with several dozen private vacation homes and an apartment or two. In those days, no commercial airlines flew to Provo from the U.S., the most common form of transport being a charter plane from Miami. Oh my, how things have changed!
Tucked away just beyond the southernmost Bahamas, Provo is now one of the Caribbean's top destinations, its 12-mile-long Grace Bay Beach flourishing with many luxurious new mid-sized condominium-hotels. The key to its popularity is the seemingly endless white-sand beach and sparkling turquoise waters, easily reached from the States. Indeed, major airlines now offer nonstop flights to Provo on full-sized jets from cities like Miami (1 1/2 hours) and New York (3 1/2 hours). This means vacationers can leave hectic East Coast metropolitan areas in the morning and be lounging on the beach by early afternoon - a perk many other Caribbean islands cannot offer.
Grace Bay Club and Point Grace were the pioneer upscale pacesetters here, the former now in the final stages of expanding its enviable beachfront setting to include 38 new villas and 20 private individual residences. Other classy competitors that have just opened or will debut soon bear high-toned names such as The Somerset, Toscana, Regent Grand and Seven Stars. Even prestigious Amanresorts will be premiering a resort early next year (see Page 2), though in typical Adrian Zecha fashion, the exclusive property is secluded in one of the very last undeveloped corners of the island.
Based on our recent incognito visit, Provo's stylish luxury hotel of the moment is The Palms, which opened earlier this year. A captivating serpentine infinity pool, gourmet restaurant and world-class spa highlight this 72-suite boutique enclave that fronts beautiful Grace Bay Beach. The resort also possesses one of the most gracious and genuinely cordial staffs we have ever encountered in the Caribbean. During our stay, everyone seemed to go out of his or her way to be helpful and openly exchange those pleasantries that make for a memorably carefree vacation.
A boutique-lined promenade connects the neo-Palladian reception lobby to five separate Barbadian coral-stone buildings housing the six dozen multibedroom lodgings. Marble floors, vaulted ceilings and custom mahogany furnishings set an elegant tone for these accommodations, which can be configured into deluxe guest rooms or one-bedroom suites, depending on your needs.
Only the suites offer a true ocean view, each luxurious 1,500-square-foot vaulted gem incorporating a broad sea-facing terrace, foyer guest bath, spacious living/dining room and full kitchen equipped with Viking appliances, including a large refrigerator stocked with wine, beer, juices, sodas and assorted snacks. The separate master bedroom features an oversized bath laid out with twin vanities, a hydro massage tub, marble shower stall, lounging robes and richly formulated Acqua di Parma toiletries. Flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD players, pre-programmed iPod minis and high-speed Internet access are just a few of the additional amenities.
An evocative Great House shelters the resort's Parallel 23 restaurant, where aperitifs can be imbibed in a handsome adjoining salon-style bar. Affable chef Jasper Schneider (formerly with Le Bernardin) and his talented culinary brigade oversee an open exhibition kitchen, turning out creative "pan-tropical" cuisine of the highest order. We particularly enjoyed the unbelievably delicious "foie gras, four ways" starter that included a torchon of foie gras set atop an elderberry jam-filled mini-doughnut, a terrine of foie gras with Barbados cherries cooked in green tea, a tiny open-faced sandwich with sourdough foie gras mousse, and sautéed foie gras with sake Yuzu sauce set atop a sunny-side up quail egg.
And that was just the beginning! Noteworthy entrées included a perfectly cooked pan-roasted grouper with snow peas, potato purée and corn foam; butter-poached red prawns with citrus salsa and puffed rice; and a succulent slow-roasted duck with a purée of Asian pear and Yuzu gastrique. Poolside lunches are served at a casual café, at the swim-up bar, or in the delightful lagoon-like infinity pool at special in-water tables!
Calm, crystal-clear waters lap the cabana-lined beach that lies steps from the pool. An enthusiastic, can-do staff provides towels, drinks and food service, as well as assistance with kayaks, sailboards and Hobie Cats. The other popular diversion is the resort's chic spa designed by Angel Stewart of Las Ventanas and Golden Door fame. A serene 150-foot long courtyard water garden comes flanked by a series of treatment suites offering more than 50 kinds of massage and body therapies. A fitness center, yoga/tai chi/Pilates studio and unique herbal steam tent complete the facilities. Also available: a night-lit tennis court, nearby championship golf and a myriad of Grace Bay-area specialty shops and galleries for browsing.
This is Provo's class act, and it's made all the more enjoyable by a kindly and caring staff. Oceanview Suite, $1,200, Jan 3-Apr 22 ($650 Apr 23-Dec 19), continental breakfast and airport transfers included, 10% service charge extra; Oceanfront Suite (request the third floor or above for the best views), $1,700($775). So-called "Luxury Rooms" not suggested due to their inferior views. Christmas, package, multibedroom suite and VIP penthouse residence rates on request.
Contact: The Palms, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, British West Indies. Tel. (866) 877-7256 or (649) 946-8666. Email: info@thepalmstc.com
