Turks and Caicos’ Legendary Beach Resort Has Upgraded Rooms, a New Lobby and a Postcard-Perfect Perch on Grace Bay 

The palapas. The winding pool. The conch at Hemingway’s. Those marvelous screened-in patios. The perfect setting on one of the world’s best beaches. It’s been a quarter century since The Sands opened its doors on Turks and Caicos’ Grace Bay Beach, and after another big upgrade, it’s better than ever. 

The Sands at Grace Bay, long one of our favorite places to stay in Providenciales, just completed what was a year-long, multi-million-dollar renovation, one that has resulted in a new open-air lobby, transformed bathrooms (think walk-in rain showers), upgraded decor in teh suites and improved kitchens, too (the latter is something we’ve always loved about the resort — you can actually live here while you vacation here.)

The core of The Sands remains unchanged: we’ve stayed there countless times, and it’s got a very unique, very clear feel. You know the moment you walk through the lobby that you’ve entered beach mode; the rooms instantly remind you of home.

The staff is Uber-friendly and then there’s Hemingway’s, which we just named to the list of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean and whose beachside setting only adds to the vibes here. 

The Sands is a Grace Bay legend, and that’s why its repeat business is so high. That is not a surprise, though: this was one of the first resorts in Grace Bay, back when it was just a beach and the rows of luxury resorts and high-end eateries that now populate the shoreline here were just a vision. 

Much of that was because of The Sands founder Stan Hartling, who was instrumental in developing Grace Bay into a world-renowned tourism destination. 

He told Caribbean Journal of the “pivotal role that The Sands played in the success we now witness in the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism industry.” 

Indeed, Turks and Caicos has become one of the most sought-after places to visit in the wider Caribbean, and that’s in large part due to the understated luxury and beauty sophistication that The Sands helped to define. 

The resort is part of the Hartling Group’s broader Provo portfolio, which includes both The Palms and The Shore Club resorts. 

The Sands also has new leadership: Caribbean Journal has learned that the property just tapped Ovidio de Felipe as its new general manager; he comes to the property from the Westin Reserva Conchal resort in Costa Rica. 

So what about prices? You can find rooms starting at $550 per night, excluding taxes and fees. That gets you a junior suite with a garden view. We highly recommend the one-bedroom ocean front rooms, with sweeping screened in balconies that are just delightful. The price is $1,011 but it’s worth the splurge and the rooms can sleep up to four. 

How about getting here? 

American has nonstop flights from Miami for $774 next month, and $856 on United out of Newark, according to Google Flights.

For more, visit The Sands.