Grace Bay Club

Grace Bay Club is one of the oldest luxury resorts in Turks and Caicos, and it remains the benchmark for a Grace Bay splurge. It sits at 38 Bonaventure Crescent on the beach and is organized into three parts: the Hotel, an adults-only building for guests aged sixteen and over, the Villa Suites and the Estate residences, both open to all ages. The suites are generous, from a junior suite of about 1,080 square feet up to multi-bedroom residences with plunge pools, and the property is known for polished service, with a personal concierge for Hotel guests. The tourist board lists three restaurants, two bars and a beachside afternoon option, and guests get free use of non-motorized water sports gear including kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats and snorkel equipment.

Location and getting around: the hotel is on the Grace Bay shoreline, so you step from your suite onto the sand, and the beach restaurants and shops of the Grace Bay strip are a short drive or taxi ride away. A rental car is useful for exploring the south coast, Chalk Sound and Taylor Bay, but you can base yourself on the beach and rely on taxis and tour pickups. Many boat trips on the island collect from selected Grace Bay hotels, so ask the concierge to arrange a beachfront pickup.

The rooms and who it suits: the Hotel building offers junior suites and one- and two-bedroom suites, with some ground-level and some accessible only by stairs, so mention mobility needs when booking. The Hotel is adults-only, which suits couples and honeymooners who want a quiet retreat. Families should look at the Villa Suites and the Estate, which are open to all ages and include kitchens and washers and dryers in several categories. The suites feature coffee machines, record players and luxury bath products, and the Hotel suites and several other categories include a daily American breakfast.

What is good to know: dining runs from the Infiniti restaurant and raw bar to The Grill and Krave, with a sushi bar, The Rum Shack and Off Shore, and reservations are recommended in busy months. Rates sit at the top of the market and rise in winter and holiday periods, so book early. Check the property's current policies on children, minimum stays and resort fees before you book, and note that the resort takes phone reservations as well as online ones. If your budget is not unlimited, consider a one-bedroom suite midweek, which gives the same beach and service at a lower rate than the larger residences.