by Claire Irvin and Head of Travel Editorial, The Telegraph, March 12, 2019
A duplex homage to luxury family living, Beaches Turks & Caicos’ two-bedroom seaside luxury butler suites are situated in Key West, the newest, most contemporary and most luxurious of its villages, and offer a quiet and spacious retreat from the buzz of the rest of the resort.
The suite
The suites are two-storey apartments. This isn’t super luxe as you might know it - no flashy fixtures and fittings, designer ornaments or his ‘n’ hers vanity units - but it offers family-style living with the luxury of space and convenience at every turn. Even fun-loving families at peak relaxation need their own space on occasion, and this suite gives it up in spades.
The overall effect of the mismatched furniture and local artworks on the walls is one of homely comfort rather than glitzy, chic interiors. A large day bed makes for magnanimous lounging (and a great place to tickle small people) and there’s ample squishy sofa space for everyone.
Intriguingly, there is a sleek, spacious and fully stocked kitchen, though what you’ll need this for given the resort is all-inclusive is anybody’s guess, other than perhaps preparing the odd cup of tea or coffee and snacks for children. It comes filled with fruit and cereals, personalised to your preference by your butler, which staved off hunger pangs in our early-rising children, and a fridge full of soft and alcoholic drinks to encourage some lolling. (There’s a scales to ensure the all-inclusive indulgence doesn’t creep up on you while you’re here, but we didn’t use ours once.)
The suite is available in a one-bedroom configuration, with the main bedroom on the mezzanine floor, but an interconnecting room gives a second bedroom. This extension means you’ll also have use of three showers - we used the third as a ‘sand’ shower for beachy feet and wet swimsuits. There are a total of three balconies, which together offer panoramic views of the sea, sunset and grounds.
Beds are super king and super comfy and full-size toiletries, including conditioner, smell island-divine.
But the suite’s biggest luxury is the butler. Contactable by dedicated smartphone from 7am to 9pm, they can be at your beck and call, or you can use them as we did as a super-efficient and super-cheery ‘fixer’, essentially doing the job of whoever is generally your holiday organiser or administrator - ensuring everyone is in the right place at the right time and with the right sustenance.
This meant we always had a good table at the restaurant we wanted, when we wanted it. Our effervescent butler tag team of Dane and Fitzroy also reserved us pool and beach cabanas on a daily basis and delivered snacks and lunch, enabling us to cherry pick from different restaurant menus. When we visited, the resort was only two thirds full - this service would be indispensable at peak times.
They also ensured the suite had a ready supply of chocolate chip cookies, canapes and mouthwateringly delicious treats, not to mention extreme towel art every day (on Halloween, the display created by Fitzroy from the children’s toys, cereal boxes and sugar paper would have made a Blue Peter presenter weep with envy).
What to expect
Beaches luxury suites are situated in the new Key West village, the quietest, more private part of the resort, with an understated Hamptons vibe and none of the super-size pools, swim-up bars and music that you’ll find in the other villages.
This village has a distinctly laidback luxe vibe, comprising pretty walkways and smaller, lawned squares (no speakers or bombastic music) where you can play a game of giant chess, lounge in a swing chair or swim in one of two much smaller, stylish pools. There’s a cool, shady library stocked with recent novels and classic board games, plus Bayside restaurant and Sky Bar. There’s also one of the resort’s two Red Lane spas.
Standout feature
The kitchen and supersize fridge that is kept stocked full of your favourite drinks and snacks. It kept the children happy while they waited for grown-up meal times.
Not so keen
The towels are miserly in size, with the bath towel not big enough to wrap even my 10-year-old in.
The hotel
Beaches resort is set on Grace Bay, 12 miles of sweeping white-sand beach on the north shore of the island of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos.
The resort includes three other villages, 20 eateries, 12 bars and six outdoor pools, as well as a water park, two spas and a gym.
Just after I returned home, I learned that the resort is closing for set dates later this year (September 3 to October 15, 2019) and next (September 7 to October 22, 2020), and indefinitely from January 2021, due to ‘several critical and long-standing issues’. Resort management point to the fact that most other resorts close seasonally, but check dates before planning a trip and make sure you book in the next 18 months if you want to be sure of getting there at all.
Location
Beaches Turks and Caicos is situated on the island’s Grace Bay, a 15-minute transfer from the airport.
Details and how to book
Seven nights' Luxury Included (all-inclusive) accommodation at Beaches Turks & Caicos, combined with return economy-class flights from London Gatwick and resort transfers, costs from £6,759 for a family of four sharing a Caribbean Deluxe King room to £10,720 for a family of four sharing a Seaside Two Bedroom Luxury Butler Suite. The price is valid for travel on November 7, 2019; www.beaches.co.uk, 0800 597 0002.
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This article was written by Claire Irvin and Head of Travel Editorial from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].
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