Like myself, I’m certain you’ve seen the pictures or heard the stories of a group of islands know as Turks & Caicos. After having the opportunity to pay a visit to the Gansevoort Hotel, Turks + Caicos, all I can say is this: It’s even better that you’ve imagined.
The Gansevoort Hotel, Turks & Caicos is a 91-guestroom boutique hotel with 32 suites and four penthouses. It’s part of the hip Gansevoort Hotel Group and is every bit sexy as the others—and located on the white sand beaches of Turks & Caicos.
1. It’s in the Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos consists of roughly 30 islands, eight of which are inhabited. The islands are located 550 miles southeast of Florida, just below the Bahamas and just to the east of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Technically Turks & Caicos is located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. The Gansevoort is located in the area known as Provinciales and more specifically Grace Bay. This area is considered to be one of the most beautiful beach areas in the world and was named “Best Beach” by Condé Nast Traveler.
2. The water
The water surrounding Turks & Caicos is some of the warmest, clearest and cleanest in the world. This makes for exceptional visibility while snorkeling or on a scuba diving excursion. The Gansevoort can arrange any trip you desire and local guides provide direct routes to the most beautiful reefs, ledges and marine life surrounding the area.
3. The beach
The beach setup at the Gansevoort is every bit as fantastic as the pool area and the rest of the hotel. Just steps from the main pool is a white sand beach that provides the perfect place to relax. Chairs, umbrellas, paddle boards, snorkels, fins, a catamaran, and just about anything else you could need at the beach is provided by the hotel. Whether your sailing skills are up to par or you just want to stroll down the soft white sand of Grace Bay, the beach at the Gansvoort is a home run. This is also the location where reserved boats will pic you up for any day trips you might be making.
4. It’s peaceful
During my stay at the Gansevoort, the hotel was fully booked yet all the while it had the feel of being at about 50% occupancy. This makes for a very quiet pool area and an even more tranquil beach. My kind of place.
5. The sunsets
The magic hour of sunset at the Gansevoort is fantastic. The hotel is quiet and empty, a perfect place to get your feet in the sand and have a drink before dinner.
6. The beds
The beds at the hotel are great. You will get the best sleep of your life here. End of story.
7. Great deals when flying with jetBlue
While several airlines provide service to Turks and Caicos, jetBlue is hands down your best bet. Through their jetBlue Getaways service, you can book your airfare and accommodations at the Gansevoort at the same time. The best part is the huge savings you’ll find while doing so.
8. Wave runner excursions
If you’re up for an adventure, the guided wave runner tour is right up your alley. The cost of these guided excursions varies but for me it was worth every penny. They give you a quick tutorial, and then it’s off to the races. I was lucky enough to be on one of the more powerful runners, which at top speed did about 54 miles per hour. Fortunately the water in Turks and Caicos is glassy calm.
The journey they lead you on takes you to amazing spots, including a ghost ship anchored off the coast. Its ominous presence is really amazing. I posted an image of it below. Rentals are either for 1 or 2 hours and you can either go with a guide or go at it alone. Transportation to and from the hotel can also be provided.
9. The service
The service at the hotel is tops. The friendly staff really goes out of its way to make sure every minute awake at the hotel is enjoyable. A great example is the guy in the picture above serving up rum punch topped with champagne. They’re fantastic!
10. Exhale Spa
The Gansevoort Hotel is also home to an award-winning Exhale Spa. Just when you think your stay at the hotel can’t get any more relaxing, you discover a whole new level of bliss at the spa. The spa offers massages, facials, acupuncture, healing modalities, waxing, manicures, and more. The best part is it’s all on-site so you don’t have to leave the hotel to fine tune your inner and outer bods.
11. The yoga studio
For those of you looking to get your stretch on, there’s a fantastic yoga zone at the hotel that’s just a few feet from the pool. Classes are provided by the staff from the Exhale Spa and accommodate all levels of yoga. I was not fortunate enough to partake in any of the classes while I was there, but I did observe many of them in motion—and they appeared great.
12. Beach Bar + Grill
The outdoor Beach Bar + Grill is located just steps from the beach and is the perfect setting for a light healthy lunch while unwinding on the beach. The food is great and the chefs are very entertaining. On one side is the cafe with tables overlooking the beach and just across the boardwalk is the bar with high-top tables.
13. The 7,000-square-foot infinity pool
A 7,000-square-foot infinity pool is located just beyond the open-air lobby of the hotel and acts as the centerpiece of the hotel. Lined with comfortable chaise lounges, the pool also has four teak islands that can be reserved ahead of time. The pool staff is always on point, making sure you’ve got what you need at all times.
14. Caicos Dream Tours
An experience with Caicos Dream Tours is a must, and a half-day tour ($89/person) is a sure thing if you’re looking for a little adventure. The boats and guides are fantastic! The tour includes snorkeling on the barrier reef, diving for conch, and a trip to Half Moon Bay & Iguana Island, where they prepare fresh seafood salad and light lunch. Also included is a ton of rum punch, beer and wine. You have a choice of touring the islands of Turks and Caicos from either 9 am to 1 pm or 1 pm to 5 pm every day of the week. Full-day tours are also available on Thursdays only and will run you $179/person but also include a full barbecue.
15. Room views
The Gansevoort is the only resort on the island that has clear water and beach views from every room. So no matter where your room is, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the beach, water and clear blue skies. The picture above is from one of the four elevated penthouse suites. It’s almost surreal, but it gives you an idea of what you’ll be waking up to every day.
16. The restaurant, Stelle
Stelle at the Gansevoort is a 4,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant that will met all of my dinning needs during my stay at the hotel. With 1,500 square feet inside and 2,500 square feet outside, there’s plenty of room for privacy and intimate conversation. It’s also a perfect setting for wedding receptions, birthdays or group-related events. And the food is great.
17. Local nightlife options
While there is little reason to leave the hotel at night, there are nearby hotels and restaurants that provide great local options for nightlife. I happened to be there during the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival and Gourmet Safari and was fortunate enough to partake in the festivities. Let me say this: The locals in Turks & Caicos really know how to throw a party. They could not have been more hospitable and eager to show us a great time.
18. Private beach dinner
If you’re traveling with a group, the hotel can provide a fantastic private beach dinner followed by a bonfire. We had a couple of drinks at the Beach Bar before heading over to the table they’d set up for us on the beach. Following a great three-course, family-style dinner, we lounged around in beach daybeds surrounding a bonfire before calling it a night and stumbling back into the hotel just a few feet away. Quite a unique and impressive experience.
An finally, one last picture of the epic beach (more below):
