Turks and Caicos?

[DotAndBuzz]

H and I have our 15 year coming up in the fall, and we both turn 40 this year. We're thinking of going on a kid-free vacation in September. We've done this a number of times (and are very fortunate to have parents who can watch the kids at our place so we can do this). We usually go to California or Aruba, but are thinking of changing it up and trying Turks and Caicos this time.

Any recommendations of places to look at to stay/avoid? General locations/beaches?

some relevant info:

-Doesn't need to be AI - we aren't big day drinkers, and are willing to go out exploring for dinner (we usually do this in Aruba, and haven't ever actually eaten dinner on property where we stay, lol).
-Would prefer not a mega resort that is packed with people
-Am willing to pay up to ~$400/night for a regular room/small suite, but don't need a massive suite, and obviously less is better.  
-Don't want to do VRBO or rent a house.
-Probably won't rent a car, we usually just lay on the beach in the shade, and read all day. Our goal is do do absolutely NOTHING, so we won't be out and about much (which is why we're willing to pay more for a really nice, quiet hotel).

[cattledogkisses]

We stayed at the Somerset on Grace Bay in 2013 and it was lovely. We’d definitely go back.

[mrsd2006]

Grace Bay is the best area. Be advised everything is reallllly expensive down there.

[shauni27]

I am following this because we are looking for the EXACT same thing for our tenth wedding anniversary/our 35th birthdays. I really want to try Turks and Caicos.

[tacom]

We stayed at seven stars resort in grace bay in 2017. It was amazing. Definitely a splurge (I think rooms start at $600) but we skipped our honeymoon and wanted something special before TTC. We did not rent a car and enjoyed the resort and walked or biked to nearby restaurants

[CheeringCharm]

Ditto Grace Bay! If you are open to VBRO we stayed in a condo at the Grandview and had a great experience. I would definitely go back there again. Enjoy!

[shauni27]

May 20, 2019 14:17:44 GMT -5 CheeringCharm said:

Ditto Grace Bay! If you are open to VBRO we stayed in a condo at the Grandview and had a great experience. I would definitely go back there again. Enjoy!

we are very open to VRBO--so thank you for sharing! Did you find it was easy enough to get groceries and go out and about and do stuff? Were you walking distance to a lot of stuff or did you need a car?

[hoteldweller]

We stayed at the Sands at Grace Bay in 2009 for our honeymoon. We really liked having a kitchen because the restaurants are crazy expensive and we just had breakfasts and lunches in our room. Groceries are also expensive, and we brought booze from the duty free at the airport in Atlanta.

We were able to walk down the beach and we also rode bikes to the grocery store. It’s a pretty quiet island and taxis are easy to get.

Coco Bistro and Da Conch Shack had yummy food.

[aliciabella]

Grace Bay is where most of the stuff is and where you want to be. However, I have rented a house on Taylor Bay which was fucking amazing. It is hard to find and not as beautiful as Grace Bay but the water is basically a giant Wade pool.

I would not stay at an all inclusive. There are some of the best restaurants in the world and the island is so small that it is easy to navigate. Most of the hotels are condos with full kitchens so you can have lunch or breakfast and there are 2 groceries close to Grace Bay.

I have stayed at the Sands twice and Ocean Club West 3 times and have no complaints. The Sands has one of my favorite restaurants.

I would recommend renting a car from Grace Bay rentals. It is super cheap and allows you to go all over the island.

I would also recommend a snorkel trip with Mr. Pringles. He picks you up on a boat at your hotel. You snorkel for Conch which they make for lunch and take you to the most beautiful island I have ever seen.

Turks is my special place. I am getting bummed that the secret is out, lol . It was beat up pretty badly by the hurricane but it is coming back.

Be aware that it is REALLY expensive. Everything is imported. So it is about 65 bucks for a case of beer and lunch will average around 100-150. With that said, we still spent far less going the non inclusive route and I highly recommend enjoying the island and restaurants rather that an all-inclusive.

[anonymous]

May 20, 2019 15:35:22 GMT -5 aliciabella said:

Grace Bay is where most of the stuff is and where you want to be. However, I have rented a house on Taylor Bay which was fucking amazing. It is hard to find and not as beautiful as Grace Bay but the water is basically a giant Wade pool.

I would not stay at an all inclusive. There are some of the best restaurants in the world and the island is so small that it is easy to navigate. Most of the hotels are condos with full kitchens so you can have lunch or breakfast and there are 2 groceries close to Grace Bay.

I have stayed at the Sands twice and Ocean Club West 3 times and have no complaints. The Sands has one of my favorite restaurants.

I would recommend renting a car from Grace Bay rentals. It is super cheap and allows you to go all over the island.

I would also recommend a snorkel trip with Mr. Pringles. He picks you up on a boat at your hotel. You snorkel for Conch which they make for lunch and take you to the most beautiful island I have ever seen.

Turks is my special place. I am getting bummed that the secret is out, lol . It was beat up pretty badly by the hurricane but it is coming back.

Be aware that it is REALLY expensive. Everything is imported. So it is about 65 bucks for a case of beer and lunch will average around 100-150. With that said, we still spent far less going the non inclusive route and I highly recommend enjoying the island and restaurants rather that an all-inclusive.

Do you have non seafood restaurant recs? We go in two weeks but my DS has a severe fish allergy. We rented a vrbo on Taylor bay. Thanks

[ellipsis]

We stayed at the Wymara resort. Smaller, quieter (almost zero kids, but they're not prohibited), great staff, includes breakfast!

[JayhawkGirl]

We loved it there. Stayed at Windsong. Beautiful beachfront, great condo, lousy on site food but we cooked in or ate out elsewhere.

My tip - take tea bags and lemonade powder/crystal light. The water was drinkable but tasted bad straight up.

Also we hit duty free for rum & bourbon

[aliciabella]

May 20, 2019 14:30:33 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

May 20, 2019 14:17:44 GMT -5 CheeringCharm said:

Ditto Grace Bay! If you are open to VBRO we stayed in a condo at the Grandview and had a great experience. I would definitely go back there again. Enjoy!

we are very open to VRBO--so thank you for sharing! Did you find it was easy enough to get groceries and go out and about and do stuff? Were you walking distance to a lot of stuff or did you need a car?

I would recommend a car because the island is beautiful and it is very easy to get around. If you stay on Grace Bay you can walk and ride bikes to other resorts ( which is where the restaurants are located). There are now two grocery stores. One right on Grace Bay which is more expensive and the local grocery store is a short car ride on the main drag.

There are also hidden beaches throughout the island which is fun and I have been able to rent a car for a week for less than 200 bucks. They leave it at the airport for your arrival and you drop it off when you leave. Super easy.

[aliciabella]

May 20, 2019 15:53:24 GMT -5 anonymous said:

May 20, 2019 15:35:22 GMT -5 aliciabella said:

Grace Bay is where most of the stuff is and where you want to be. However, I have rented a house on Taylor Bay which was fucking amazing. It is hard to find and not as beautiful as Grace Bay but the water is basically a giant Wade pool.

I would not stay at an all inclusive. There are some of the best restaurants in the world and the island is so small that it is easy to navigate. Most of the hotels are condos with full kitchens so you can have lunch or breakfast and there are 2 groceries close to Grace Bay.

I have stayed at the Sands twice and Ocean Club West 3 times and have no complaints. The Sands has one of my favorite restaurants.

I would recommend renting a car from Grace Bay rentals. It is super cheap and allows you to go all over the island.

I would also recommend a snorkel trip with Mr. Pringles. He picks you up on a boat at your hotel. You snorkel for Conch which they make for lunch and take you to the most beautiful island I have ever seen.

Turks is my special place. I am getting bummed that the secret is out, lol . It was beat up pretty badly by the hurricane but it is coming back.

Be aware that it is REALLY expensive. Everything is imported. So it is about 65 bucks for a case of beer and lunch will average around 100-150. With that said, we still spent far less going the non inclusive route and I highly recommend enjoying the island and restaurants rather that an all-inclusive.

Do you have non seafood restaurant recs? We go in two weeks but my DS has a severe fish allergy. We rented a vrbo on Taylor bay. Thanks

Love, love, love Taylor Bay! Bring blow-up rafts and noodles as it is amazing to lay in the water all day. So jealous!

Can you go to restaurants that offer fish? It is going to be hard to find a place that doesn't sell fish. There is a great Italian restaurant at the Marina which is on a cliff. I need to find the name. Most restaurants sell pasta and steak and pretty much everything in between.

Also, shop at the local grocery store. It is cheaper but prepare yourself to be shocked by the prices. They also don't sell alcohol on Sundays though I know a place behind a shoe store who will sell bootlegged Budweiser, lol

Cocoa Bistro is one of the best restaurants and I would recommend calling today for a reservation. It is really hard to get into.

Have fun! Provo has my heart.

[mags]

Windsong
Royal West Indies
The Oasis
and Ocean Club

are all good places to check out and should be under 400 a night

I would definitely rent a car, you will certainly want to drive the island and be able to drive to different restaurants.

[mrsd2006]

May 20, 2019 17:51:35 GMT -5 mags said:

Windsong
Royal West Indies
The Oasis
and Ocean Club

are all good places to check out and should be under 400 a night

I would definitely rent a car, you will certainly want to drive the island and be able to drive to different restaurants.

We stayed at RWI, that was back in 2007 though
It was fantastic.

[anonymous]

May 20, 2019 16:30:22 GMT -5 aliciabella said:

May 20, 2019 15:53:24 GMT -5 anonymous said:

Do you have non seafood restaurant recs? We go in two weeks but my DS has a severe fish allergy. We rented a vrbo on Taylor bay. Thanks

Love, love, love Taylor Bay! Bring blow-up rafts and noodles as it is amazing to lay in the water all day. So jealous!

Can you go to restaurants that offer fish? It is going to be hard to find a place that doesn't sell fish. There is a great Italian restaurant at the Marina which is on a cliff. I need to find the name. Most restaurants sell pasta and steak and pretty much everything in between.

Also, shop at the local grocery store. It is cheaper but prepare yourself to be shocked by the prices. They also don't sell alcohol on Sundays though I know a place behind a shoe store who will sell bootlegged Budweiser, lol

Cocoa Bistro is one of the best restaurants and I would recommend calling today for a reservation. It is really hard to get into.

Have fun! Provo has my heart.

Thank you so much!!

He can eat at places that offer fish but his food can’t come in contact with fish-it’s nervewracking’

[CheeringCharm]

May 20, 2019 14:30:33 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

May 20, 2019 14:17:44 GMT -5 CheeringCharm said:

Ditto Grace Bay! If you are open to VBRO we stayed in a condo at the Grandview and had a great experience. I would definitely go back there again. Enjoy!

we are very open to VRBO--so thank you for sharing! Did you find it was easy enough to get groceries and go out and about and do stuff? Were you walking distance to a lot of stuff or did you need a car?

We rented a car but it is within walking distance to some restaurants.

[wanderlustmom]

We loved Ocean Club West

[aliciabella]

May 20, 2019 19:32:10 GMT -5 anonymous said:

May 20, 2019 16:30:22 GMT -5 aliciabella said:

Love, love, love Taylor Bay! Bring blow-up rafts and noodles as it is amazing to lay in the water all day. So jealous!

Can you go to restaurants that offer fish? It is going to be hard to find a place that doesn't sell fish. There is a great Italian restaurant at the Marina which is on a cliff. I need to find the name. Most restaurants sell pasta and steak and pretty much everything in between.

Also, shop at the local grocery store. It is cheaper but prepare yourself to be shocked by the prices. They also don't sell alcohol on Sundays though I know a place behind a shoe store who will sell bootlegged Budweiser, lol

Cocoa Bistro is one of the best restaurants and I would recommend calling today for a reservation. It is really hard to get into.

Have fun! Provo has my heart.

Thank you so much!!

He can eat at places that offer fish but his food can’t come in contact with fish-it’s nervewracking’

You should be fine. These restaurants are amazing and take a lot pride in food so I am sure if you spoke with the waiter they would accommodate you. I can't imagine the stress of eating out. Have fun! It is amazing!

[aliciabella]

May 20, 2019 19:14:07 GMT -5 mrsd2006 said:

May 20, 2019 17:51:35 GMT -5 mags said:

Windsong
Royal West Indies
The Oasis
and Ocean Club

are all good places to check out and should be under 400 a night

I would definitely rent a car, you will certainly want to drive the island and be able to drive to different restaurants.

We stayed at RWI, that was back in 2007 though
It was fantastic.

Yes, RWI was great as well!

[cuadrado]

I am going to second CoCoa Bistro. It was our favorite restaurant. Definitely make a reservation in advance because they get so booked up! We stayed at The Gansevoort (which is now Wymara). I think it will likely be over $400/night but not insane. If you're looking for a place to just relax and read at the pool, we thought the pool was a lot more quiet with less kids running around compared to some of the other hotels we visited when we were there.

If you're looking for any other options, we just got back from Grand Cayman and really enjoyed it. They have a lot more chain hotels so there are more opportunities to use points and find a cheaper hotel. We stayed at The Kimpton Seafire and it was really beautiful. The hotel is newer and I think this far out that you could get a room in your price range. We liked Grand Cayman better than Turks because there was more to do.

[luckyno7]

Agree with everyone on staying on grace bay. If you have a Costco membership you can get everything through them. We stayed at The Palms. It was really nice and has 2 other sister resorts. One is on the opposite side of the island so you can explore 2 different beaches. They have a continental breakfast which was AMAZING! They also have a shuttle that takes you to the other resorts. If you want to spend a bit more $$ on a rental I highly recommend island life jeeps! So much fun. Taxis are insanely expensive so car rental is worth it. Restaurants I found weren’t really walkable.

ETA: if you stay here and just want to eat at hotels (food was good and not much more than restaurants) then you’d have additional options because if the sister hotels.
We were told taxis can be $100 a day depending on where you are going.