Editor’s Picks: Turks and Caicos Resorts for the Holidays

During our recent coverage of the 2011 American Express Travel U.S. Representative Network Conference, Travel Agent toured the floor of the event's Preferred Partner Expo and learned that Turks and Caicos is garnering way more interest for holiday bookings than it has in recent years.

Plus, Karen S. Whitt, general manager of the The Regent Palms, Turks and Caicos and the destination’s hotel association president, told us earlier this year that Turks and Caicos hotels were on pace to having their best year in the history of the islands.

So, we thought we'd round up a few suggestions for hotels when booking clients to Turks and Caicos for the holidays.

Beaches Turks and Caicos (www.beaches.com)

This property is often described as Sandal Resorts International’s best Beaches property primarily for the beach on which it is located and the amenities offered to families. Also, the property recently unveiled a $125 expansion of its Beaches Turks & Caicos Villages & Spa in 2009. The top two picks here are the Turin Water’s Edge Walkout Two Bedroom Imperial Family Suite and the Portofino Penthouse Water’s Edge Two Bedroom Imperial Family Suite. Both top-category suites have ocean views, are close to the beach and offer Beaches Resorts’ exclusive Butler Service. The property is great for groups, multi-generational travel and parents traveling with toddlers.

Seven Stars (www.sevenstarsgracebay.com)

Phenomenal luxury suites are one reason Seven Stars Resort has garnered buzz. The 81 residential units break out to 165 luxury beachfront, oceanview and garden-view studios and suites of one to four bedrooms. Those digs in the Beachfront category have large windows looking out to the sea. With a terrace or balcony, the beachfront studios offer large bathrooms, galley kitchens and king beds. Besides the studios, there are Beachfront suites with one to four bedrooms, which are perfect picks for families.

The Regent Palms, Turks and Caicos (www.regentturksandcaicos.com)

The Regent Palms continues to dazzle. Four years after Travel Agent first visited this 72-suite property, we returned in July and found that not much had changed. And that’s good news for your clients.

The best suites here are the Penthouses, which are available in one-, two- or three- bedroom options and range from 3,422 to 3,791 square feet. The master bedroom has a king-size bed, and second and third bedrooms come with a king-size bed and a full-size sleeper sofa.

The Regent Spa is the resort’s crown jewel, with plenty of space and 17 treatment rooms. The most requested treatment here is the Zareeba, a 90-minute indigenous island herbal steam cleansing and detoxification ritual. Guests can sit quietly in a private Zareeba (a dedicated hut) and inhale an aromatic steam of freshly brewed therapeutic herbs. A cooling wrap and a body massage to release toxins complete the ritual.

Grace Bay Club (www.gracebayresorts.com)

Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos recently unveiled a $1 million renovation in the form of an adults-only, glass-edge, infinity pool and bar experience as well as an expanded spa and more.

The resort is also making significant enhancements to the existing Anani Spa, Fitness Center and Boutique. The redesign project, which will be complete in early November, “infuses the resort with a more modern atmosphere while maintaining the classic beauty of its tropical surroundings,” according to written release.

More than twice the size of the original pool, the new resort focal point is anchored by a twelve-foot glass wall facing the brilliant turquoise water of Grace Bay, creating an almost aquarium-type experience. Its modern design features only a sleek translucent glass barrier between guests and the resort’s 1,100-foot view of beach frontage.

The poolside enhancements also include an expansion and convenient connection to the resort’s famous Infiniti Bar. The poolscape expansion now provides guests with additional oceanfront outdoor space for weddings and group events.

The resort’s Anani Spa also received a contemporary, fresh redesign providing guests a more relaxing experience. The enhancements bring two new treatment rooms, one including an outdoor soaking tub for specialized treatments, fronted by a contemporary new fountain. The renovation also includes the expansion of its Relaxation Room and Manicure/Pedicure Room, as well as a complete redesign of the locker rooms.

The resort’s Fitness Center has also been completely renovated with new flooring, a bright color palette and four new Life Fitness treadmills.

Visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com