Before there was Instagram-worthy luxury in Turks & Caicos, before the celebrity hideaways and the mega-resorts, there was Grace Bay Club. The OG of Grace Bay luxury, this resort basically invented high-end hospitality on this stretch of sand back in 1992. And here’s the thing – while everyone else was playing catch-up, Grace Bay Club kept evolving, expanding, and somehow getting better.
Today’s Grace Bay Club is actually three resorts in one, spread across an insane 1,100 feet of beachfront. That’s not a typo – we’re talking nearly a quarter-mile of prime Grace Bay real estate. But what really sets this place apart isn’t the size; it’s how they’ve managed to create three distinct experiences while maintaining the intimacy that made them famous in the first place.
The Three Faces of Grace Bay Club
Here’s the genius move: instead of being all things to all people, Grace Bay Club split itself into three sections, each with its own vibe, restaurants, and pools. It’s like having three boutique resorts that happen to share a spectacular beach.
The Hotel: Adults-Only Sophistication
The original section, now adults-only, is where you go when you want peace, quiet, and zero chance of someone’s kid cannonballing into your zen moment. With just 21 suites, it feels more like a private club than a hotel. The pool here is serene, the beach loungers are perfectly spaced, and the Infiniti Bar – the world’s first infinity-edge bar that stretches from sand to sea – is worth the price of admission alone.
The Villas: Family-Friendly Luxury
The middle section welcomes families without sacrificing sophistication. The suites here are massive – we’re talking full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and terraces bigger than most Manhattan apartments. The family pool has enough action to keep kids happy without turning into a water park, and there’s a kids’ club that actually engages children instead of just warehousing them.
The Estate: Next-Level Luxury
Then there’s The Estate, which is basically Grace Bay Club showing off. This ultra-luxury section has its own everything – restaurant, bar, pool, even its own reception. The suites here start at 2,800 square feet and only go up from there. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a butler who anticipates your needs before you know you have them, The Estate will show you.
Accommodations: All Oceanfront, All the Time
Here’s a stat that matters: every single one of the 88 suites is oceanfront. Not ocean view, not partial ocean view – full-on, waves-crashing-below, oceanfront. Grace Bay Club doesn’t do garden views because, well, why would you come to one of the world’s best beaches to look at bushes?
The suites themselves are studies in understated Caribbean elegance. Think British colonial meets beach chic – plantation shutters, vaulted ceilings, and enough white linen to make you feel like you’re living in a cloud. Even the “standard” junior suites are over 750 square feet, with proper kitchens (Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, because of course) and terraces that beg for sunset cocktails.
The two- and three-bedroom suites are where things get interesting. These aren’t just bigger rooms; they’re full-on residences with dining rooms, multiple living areas, and master bathrooms that shame most spas. The three-bedroom penthouses? Let’s just say if you need to ask the price, you’re probably not the target market.
The Private Villa Collection: Your Own Slice of Paradise
For those who find even The Estate too pedestrian, Grace Bay Club offers six freestanding beachfront villas. These range from “modest” two-bedrooms to a nine-bedroom compound that could host a small wedding. Each comes with its own pool, full staff (including that butler I mentioned), and enough privacy to make you forget other people exist.
The crown jewel is the five-bedroom beachfront villa – 6,300 square feet of indoor/outdoor living that redefines the concept of a beach house. With a 2,000-square-foot oceanfront terrace and a pool that seems to merge with the ocean, it’s the kind of place that ruins you for normal hotels forever.
Dining: From Casual to Extraordinary
With three distinct sections come three distinct dining philosophies, plus some surprises.
Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar
The Hotel’s signature restaurant combines sophisticated cuisine with that legendary infinity bar. The menu leans heavily on fresh seafood – the raw bar alone is worth a visit – but with enough creativity to keep things interesting. Live music most nights adds atmosphere without overwhelming conversation.
Krave Restaurant
At The Villas, Krave offers a more family-friendly approach without dumbing down the food. Yes, they’ll make your kid chicken fingers, but they’ll also serve you a perfectly seared local grouper that’ll make you reconsider your life choices. The breakfast here is included and exceptional – none of that continental nonsense.
The Estate Restaurant
For Estate guests only (sorry), this intimate venue takes fine dining to another level. With just a handful of tables and a menu that changes based on what’s best that day, it’s like having a private chef who happens to have Michelin-star training.
Just Tacos
In a delightful departure from the refined atmosphere, Grace Bay Club added a beachside taco pop-up. It’s exactly what it sounds like – really good tacos served steps from the sand. The fish tacos with mango salsa have developed a cult following.
The Beach Experience: 1,100 Feet of Perfection
Let’s talk about that beach. Grace Bay Club controls more beachfront than any other resort on the island, and they use every inch wisely. Despite having 88 suites plus villa guests, the beach never feels crowded. Credit smart spacing of loungers and the fact that the beach is so damn long you can always find your own spot.
The water sports program here is comprehensive without being pushy. Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear – all complimentary and well-maintained. The beach staff will set you up but won’t hover, striking that perfect balance between service and privacy.
For special occasions (or Tuesday, if that’s how you roll), the resort offers private beach dining that’s actually private. We’re not talking about a table 20 feet from the next couple; we’re talking about your own section of beach, tiki torches, a dedicated chef and butler, and enough romance to make Nicholas Sparks jealous.
Service: The Grace Bay Club Difference
As a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Grace Bay Club has standards to maintain, and they take this seriously. Each section has its own concierge team who seem to have the island wired. Need a reservation at that impossible-to-book restaurant? Done. Want to charter a boat for a private island picnic? They know a guy.
The butler service in the villas and Estate suites is next-level. These aren’t just people who unpack your bags; they’re anticipators of needs, makers of magic, and somehow always invisible until the moment you need them. I watched a butler appear with fresh towels and cold water bottles just as a family was coming up from the beach. Telepathy? Training? Either way, it works.
What’s Missing (And What’s Not)
Grace Bay Club doesn’t have a golf course, a casino, or a nightclub. There’s no lazy river or swim-up bar. What it does have is a laser focus on what matters: beautiful accommodations, exceptional service, and one of the world’s best beaches.
The spa is intimate rather than sprawling, but the treatments are exceptional. The fitness center is well-equipped but won’t be mistaken for an Equinox. And that’s fine – this isn’t a resort trying to keep you on property every second. It’s confident enough to know you’ll want to explore the island, then happy to welcome you back.
The Bottom Line: First-Class All the Way
Grace Bay Club isn’t cheap. Actually, scratch that – it’s expensive as hell. But here’s the thing: it delivers value in a way that many similarly priced resorts don’t. Every suite is oceanfront. Every meal is memorable. Every interaction with staff reminds you why you saved up for this trip.
The three-section concept is brilliant, allowing the resort to serve different markets without compromise. Honeymooners can have their adults-only paradise, families can spread out without apology, and the ultra-wealthy can live their best lives in The Estate.
Is it the best resort in Turks & Caicos? That’s subjective. But it might be the smartest. By recognizing that luxury means different things to different people and creating spaces for each vision, Grace Bay Club has evolved from the island’s first luxury resort to perhaps its most thoughtful.
If you want cutting-edge trendy, look elsewhere. If you want timeless luxury executed flawlessly on one of the world’s great beaches, Grace Bay Club remains the gold standard. Sometimes being first means you’ve had more time to get it right.