The Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board is showcasing some significant developments to the islands as they emerge from the pandemic period. These include newly opened and forthcoming luxury properties debuting in 2021 through 2023 and a $25 million investment in the Grand Turk Cruise Center and the return of cruise ships.
Indeed, Turks & Caicos Tourist Board officials say they are perfectly positioned to welcome new and returning visitors to a diverse collection of resort and residential offerings on famed Grace Bay Beach and along undiscovered stretches of beaches and cliffsides throughout Providenciales. With new resorts including The Ritz-Carlton, Grace Bay Resorts, Andaz and more, the Turks & Caicos Islands offers charming properties rooted in natural beauty, extraordinary design, bespoke experiences and sustainability.
“The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board is thrilled to prepare for the upcoming return of cruise ships and to welcome several new travel-worthy hotel partners to our portfolio, further strengthening our position as a world-class destination, while remaining true to our barefoot luxury roots,” said Pamela Ewing, director of tourism for the Turks & Caicos Islands. “These highly-anticipated openings appeal to a wide variety of guests, offering not only exceptional accommodations, but innovative culinary venues, spas, activities, and new advancements in ecotourism. We are confident that the opening of these properties, along with a new and improved cruise port experience and infrastructure on Grand Turk, will allow us to continue providing an unmatched vacation experience for new and returning visitors seeking authentic, extraordinary vacation experiences while supporting our local communities.”
The Turks and Caicos Islands government also is heavily investing in the improvement of the Cruise Port and infrastructure in Grand Turk through a $25 million development agreement with Carnival Corporation. Funds will be used to buy property that will be converted into a vendors’ market; the purchase and development of additional properties to accommodate vendors who depend on the cruise industry for their livelihood; the construction of a floating dock for the water sports operators; and up to $1 million in grants to eligible operators—from water sports and golf card operators to beach vendors and wedding planners—to help them prepare for the reopening of the cruise industry.
Turks & Caicos Islands’ new and upcoming resorts offer a variety of accommodations ranging from residential homes of one to six-bedrooms to resorts with spacious two- three- and four- bedroom suites to multi-level penthouses ideal for milestone get-togethers or multigenerational families. Each has their own unique characteristics, guest amenities and stunning locations. Newly opened and forthcoming properties include:
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos
Recently opened in June 2021 on famed Grace Bay Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos features 147 ocean view guest rooms, including 23 suites showcasing the waters of the Caribbean. The property also offers five three-story penthouse suites, multiple culinary venues, a dedicated Club Concierge and beach service, a private catamaran for guest use, a signature Ritz-Carlton spa, as well as an on-site casino that offers traditional table games for late night entertainment.
Rock House
Nestled into the limestone cliffs of Providenciales’ secluded north shore, Rock House is opening in spring 2022 with 42 private cottages equipped with elevated, modern finishes and panoramic views of the unique natural setting. Rock House is Grace Bay Resorts’ latest resort and residential vision and will offer such amenities as a 100-foot infinity pool, a European-style Beach Club, handmade jogging trails, a signature restaurant, sunset bar, cave lounge and fitness center.
The Bight Hotel
With elevated boutique-style suites offering cinematic views from the sands to the horizon, The Bight Hotel rises 45 feet high giving guests unparalleled views of Grace Bay Beach and beyond. Anchored in design and culture and set amidst acres of lush tropical vegetation, the property is beginning construction in June 2022 and will feature an expansive infinity pool, spa, yoga studio and training center, distillery and rum bar, 140-seat barn venue, and a garden-to-table restaurant, featuring fresh food from the property’s own vegetable garden and eco farm.
South Bank Turks & Caicos
Anticipated to open in December 2022, South Bank is a managed residential resort and marina destination located along the dunes of Long Bay Beach inspired by a unique relationship with water. The collection of contemporary residences, ranging from one- to six-bedroom homes, will feature distinct design guided by a strong sense of livability and an affinity for waterfront living. There will be exclusive ocean access and the option to own a private boat dock on the full-service South Bank Marina. Residents also will have access to dedicated amenities and services. South Bank will be managed by Grace Bay Resorts.
Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay
With nearly 60 hotel rooms and suites, as well as 74 residences, this property represents the first Andaz branded resort and residential property in the Caribbean. Set on 5.5 acres along Grace Bay Beach, the property will offer hotel guests and residents full-service amenities, including a spa, top dining options, a state-of-the-art wellbeing facility and more. Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay is starting construction later this year and is targeting an early 2023 opening.
The Strand Turks & Caicos
Opening in 2023, The Strand is a private residential resort community located along the southern shoreline of Providenciales. The private community features a diverse array of custom oceanfront residences. Guests and residents will be offered access to a collection of shared community amenities and unique programming, including a Beach Club, marina access, a waterfront restaurant and bar, resort pool, and expansive beach for a variety of activities.
Turks & Caicos also released preliminary visitor statistics showing that 2021 was one of the business summers on record. Compared to pre-pandemic statistics in 2019, the destination saw an increase of more than 18 percent in June with 54,188 visitors, an increase of 19 percent in July with 56,022 visitors, and an increase of 15 percent in August with 41,734 visitors. Since tourism is expected to continue to grow, these new and upcoming openings showcase noteworthy hotels, restaurants and experiences for both visitors and locals alike.
The Turks & Caicos Islands, home to what many rate as the “World’s Best Beach” at Grace Bay, is five-star luxury vacation destination for leisure, business and notable guests from around the globe. With nine main islands and about 40 small islands and uninhabited cays, the destination is inherently safe for travel in this new paradigm of physical distancing, given its expansiveness, outdoor environment, privacy, spacious resort accommodations, and unique portfolio of extraordinary private villas and private islands vacations.
More than 70 percent of the local adult population in the Turks and Caicos is fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, making it one of the most inoculated countries in the world. In addition, the destination requires all visitors aged 16 and older to show proof of vaccination before entry, further underscoring the destination’s commitment to health and safety as travel continues to flourish.
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