An Inside Look at The Residences Turks & Caicos

You can generally get a feel for the popularity of a place with private jets by the number of FBOs, and in Turks & Caicos, the fact that there are now two FBOs at Providenciales airport speaks to the fact that the group of islands east of The Bahamas has a year round appeal.

Located on Grace Bay Beach, The Residences is a trio (opened late last year) of privately-owned villas, two of which feature décor from interior designer Thom Filicia. 

All three are managed by the Grace Bay Club. It’s an interesting combination. More and more resort hotels are adding large villas or residences on their grounds, and more and more property management companies are trying to add more hotel like services for the villas they manage. 

In this case, a five-star resort is managing off-property villas. The villas are about seven minutes from the main Grace Bay Club, and there is a complimentary shuttle.

Each residence (floor plan above) offer personal concierges, a community library and full-service fitness center. Each villa’s living spaces feature the comforts of a home to accommodate families, but are also suited to small groups and couples traveling together. 
Each home which is available for rent through Grace Bay Club comes with ocean views, its own infinity pool, a detached cottage that houses the fifth bedroom and bath, and a 6,400-sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor living space.

In the main living area, there is a balance between raw and refined with a mix of natural elements and man-made fixtures. Design features include and blue cotton fabric used in window dressings and throw pillows, driftwood credenzas, stools with finishes of crackled gold, and custom Sherwood sofa daybeds. 

The two oceanfront master bedrooms bring the outdoors in, capturing the colors of the Caribbean Sea in Marrakesh Lagoon Heacy Basket Fabric, which drapes the windows, and turquoise waxed linen side tables.

Each home’s outdoor space is landscaped, from the infinity pool surrounded by a deck and palapa, to the oversized daybed and decadent outdoor showers. Interior spaces feature 18-feet high ceilings, appliances by Sub Zero and Wolf, and high quality fixtures and finishes. The homes have a variety of eco-friendly features, including multi-zone air conditioning, gray water recycling, LED lighting and a self-contained waste water treatment system.
You have the option of renting each home on a 2, 3, 4 or 5-bedroom basis. Unrented bedrooms are kept locked so you have the entire villa to yourself. 

Guest services include private airport transfers, a personal concierge, private chef upon request, daily complimentary breakfast in-villa, a complimentary start-up bar (rum, vodka, mixers, wine and beer), daily housekeeping, complimentary dining shuttle to Grace Bay Club or West Bay Club, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and non-motorized sports. 
Additionally, all guests of The Residences have full access to all of Grace Bay Club’s resort amenities. 

“You can make it into your own private compound, for an extended family, it’s also great if you are having a wedding at the hotel, or for a multi-generational vacation,” says Jolie Goldring, a luxury travel consultant with In The Know Experiences. 

She calls the design, “sophisticated, but indigenous to the Caribbean…beyond deluxe, five-star.” In terms of service, she says, “The villas are always staffed, and you get a cell phone that rings directly to your butler.” 

She says, if you don’t want to go over to the hotel, they will provide private chefs or a masseuse. While it is a short ride to the main hotel, she does say, “It’s not for somebody who wants to walk out and be at the resort.” 

She also says, if you are not traveling with a nanny, it might be preferable to stay at the main hotel if you are with very young children. 

Of the three villas, she says, they are all roughly equivalent, and they are secluded from each other. “From ours, we couldn’t tell there were others next to us.” Of the small fitness center the three villas share, she said it was sufficient, and of course, the Grace Bay Club offers a more extensive gym.