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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS
& CAICOS – The long,
hot summer is nearing an end. Soon there will be a chill in the air, the leaves
will change colors and football tailgate parties will be a weekly event. And when
Old Man Winter returns with blustery bursts
of Arctic weather, that’s when the Caribbean
beckons.
The Turks & Caicos are within easy reach from
the U.S. , especially the
East Coast and the Sands at Grace Bay is an ideal getaway
to escape the common cold.
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| One of several pools at the Sands at Grace Bay (Taylor) |
No imagination is required to see how this lovely
114-suite resort in the up-and-coming Turks & Caicos Islands derives its
name. From the moment you cast your eyes on the seemingly endless expanse of powdery
white beach that seeps gently into clear turquoise and ultra-marine water, you
are beguiled by timeless rhythms that wash over you and cast your fate to the
winds.
The Turks & Caicos are situated in the British
West Indies south of the Bahamas
and north of the Dominican
Republic Miami and are
accessible by air from Florida
Nestled just to the east of the crook of the
boomerang shaped island of Providenciales , the Sands peers out to transparent shades
of the Atlantic Ocean for more than a mile
before changing to a deep navy blue when the sea floor dramatically plunges
2,000 feet.
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| Checking in at the spacious, airy lobby (Taylor) |
The lobby with its Caribbean Plantation style
ambiance is like the top of an hourglass where the portal guides guests through
a tunnel of time into a different realm. Six three-story buildings line the
perimeter of the resort past serpentine garden walkways and sequestered pools
united by tranquil meandering canals.
Ultimately, all paths lead to the 12-mile stretch
of white sand beach known as Grace
Bay
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| Portal to modern comfort with gracious reflections on the past (Taylor) |
Travelers benefit from the best of two worlds at
the Sands and the TCI. Modern infrastructure including a shopping mall,
multiplex cinema, casino, fine restaurants and luxurious accommodations offer
upscale comfort amid an ambiance of barefoot relaxation.
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| A pristine destination -- Local rock iguana (Taylor) |
With English being the local language, American
dollars the currency and electricity that is the same as the U.S.
For travelers, the Sands offers the best value for
the traveling dollar in Providenciales. Accommodations come in four categories;
studios and one, two and three bedroom suites. All rooms, except Studio
Courtyards, have a washer and dryer.
Other amenities include air conditioning, cable
television, ceiling fans, irons and ironing boards, hair dryers and free wi-fi.
Suites are equipped with kitchen facilities including a microwave. In addition,
there is a small convenience store on the property.
Rooms are spacious, with “spacious” being the
operative word. Oversized balconies complement the ample living accommodations.
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| Rooms are spacious and elegant complete with luxurious amenities (Taylor) |
Hemingway’s, the resort restaurant, is open from 8
a.m. until 10 p.m. daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morning fare
includes traditional bacon, sausage and eggs, toast, bagels, French toast, hash
browns and coffee. Huevos rancheros is also on the menu.
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| Rum punch and conch are island staples (Taylor) |
Lunches serve up lighter selections such as
burgers, sandwiches and salads.
For dinner, it is impossible to ignore the choice
of conch dishes which are an island staple. Hemingway’s prepares everything
from conch salad to conch chowder to conch strips and conch fritters.
Unaccustomed palates need not fear however, there are other choices including
local spiny lobster and Caribbean jerk
chicken.
Named after Ernest Hemingway, because of his affinity
for the freedoms of the Caribbean lifestyle
and his lusty enjoyment of life, Hemingway’s offers elegant, beachfront, open
air dining suited to any time of day or evening.
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| Swim with the dolphins in crystal clear turquoise water (Taylor) |
The small, but exquisitely equipped Spa Topique provides
a full range of therapeutic services. Three unique amenities are a chilled,
damp pre-massage towel for the hands and face, scented flowers in an aromatic
bowl beneath the face cup and a heated towel for the feet at the close of the
session.
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| "She sells sea shells by the seashore" -- Array of shells from the popular Conch Shack Restaurant (Taylor) |
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| Caribbean beauty at its finest at the Sands (Taylor) |
Low season Studio Courtyard rooms are $195 per
room, per night. One bedroom suites begin at $375 per night, per room ranging
to deluxe oceanfront three bedroom suites at $885 a night.
Peak season rates start at $290 for a Studio
Courtyard room, $480 for a one bedroom suite going to a top price of $1,310 for
deluxe three bedroom suites.
Prices during the holiday season fall between the
low and high season rates.
All Suites (except Studios and 1 Bedroom Suites)
can comfortably accommodate a maximum of two additional persons above the
standard suite occupancy with no additional charge for the extra person(s).
Complimentary amenities include a welcome
cocktail, weekly manager's rum punch party, beach towels, use of bicycles and
non-motorized water-sports - sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling and
paddle boarding.
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| Hemingway's Restaurant is a great place for a drink and watching the sun set (Teylor) |
Optional tours such as snorkeling and scuba trips,
whale watching, glow-worm tours, spelunking, beach horseback riding and
paragliding are easily arranged.
Best of all, the Sands at Grace Bay
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| Days end in at the Sands at Grace Bay in the Turks & Caicos (Taylor) |
The Sands in the Turks & Caicos showcases
island life as it used to be.
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