1st Time T & C
 

Per "Virginia's" advice, am considering a 1st time visit to Turks and Caicos. Would late June early July be a crazy time to go? Am wondering about rain and it being to hot, muggy or buggy.

We are 2, maybe, 4 adults and 14 and 11 year old. Don't need night life just beach, pool, dinner out, lunch and breakfast in. Condo's are usually where we try to stay. Like to snorkel, maybe boat ride, a but of sight seeing.

Checked VRBO and am leaning towards Grandview, Regent Grand or Somerset. Also checked out The Sands, Royal West Indies and Ocean Club(s). I would love advice from anyone that has stayed in any of these properties or knows anything about them.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Geez, should say "a bit of sight seeing" and Ocean Club's (not sure why that face showed up!)

Grandview is more residential, good chance you'd be the only tourist there..

Regent Grand is gorgeous, but definately more self-catering. Really nice pool, but no restaurant. It is in the "middle" , meaning it's easy to walk to some restaurants and shopping.

Somerset is full service, very luxurious, and walking distance to shops and restaurants too. No secret here, it's one of my favorites. Although it's luxurious, it's not pretencious, it's actually laid back.

Sands, RWI and OC are notches below the first 3. For families, Sands is my favorite in that catagory, has more kids/teens. RWI is a little more romantic. OC, my opinion, are starting to look a little dated.

I love T&C in June. It is hot, but no hotter than Virginia, and less humid. The water is usually calm and crystal clear, and bright turquoise. and while I can't predict the weather, it's never rained on me when I go in June or July. Even "rainy" season doesn't really exist in T&C, it's fairly dry. When it does rain, it lasts an hour, then the sun shines brightly again, .....

lol, blamona - i do soooo appreciate you mentioning how hot i am, we shall not discuss my humidity - but i suggested provo to january89 on another post...
re weather: http://www.wunderground.com/history/...=Turks+Islands
and jan89 - blamona is fodors resident provo expert so her advice on resorts should be spot on.

We have stayed at The Sands, The Regent Palms( no thanks) and The Somerset--LOVE the Somerset, great staff, location, restaurants, beach service, water sports and beautiful suites....

Thanks for the weather link Virgina. (And I'm sure you are hot!) I had viewed some of your pics, Blamona. They ere beautiful and made me want to be there. I will check further into Somerset and surely be back with more questions.

Thank you all.

We stayed at Royal West Indies over 4th of July. The temps were hot but not miserable. Daily showers came in the afternoons and cooled things off. They lasted 10-15 minutes.
We stayed in the beachfront building so we enjoyed viewing the beautiful beach from our balcony. It was a one bedroom with a kitchenette which came in handy for a quick breakfast and afternoon snacks. It had the amenities to cook a big meal if you wished but we chose to eat out.

The Mango Restaurant on property was very nice and we ate lunch there every day. It is open air and sits by the pool area which looked very inviting with lots of lush vegetation planted around it.

We enjoyed RWI and would stay there again as it was a great value. We rented from VRBO and it was less than booking a room through the resort directly.

Blamona always has good info on Provo. She's our resident expert.
Virginia, we always knew you were hot! ;)

This may not be appropriate but I'll ask anyway. COST. On Cayman we know to expect to pay about 20% more for groceries and food, liquor etc. Can anyone give me an approximate comparison for T & C? Thanks. Bonnie

it is definitely ok to ask about price. i'd say to expect about the same as on grand cayman. i find dairy to be especially expensive.
actually as we stay in villas or condos we normally bring a cooler filled with meats, butter, frozen juices, etc. to save a bit and for our convenience.
another helpful tip is to purchase duty free liquor in miami or san juan on the way to the islands. (recent trip to grand cayman - 3 lg vodka & 1 bailey's = $90 from duty free. once on island 1 vodka, 1 rum and 1 baileys' = $78)

Another question. Found a unit on VBRO #238665. No pictures and doesn't say what resort it is. Followed this link http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p141443 and think it is the same. Owner's phone is the same. Can any of you tell me where this place is? And anything about the place. Thanks.

Also, forgot to ask if anyone is familiar with The Tuscany Resort? Thanks.

January -the link you gave and photos is Tuscany, way down at one end of Grace Bay, very residential type of place, very nice, newish, no reataurant on site..more self catering.

Caribzack, Thank you. I was wondering if that is where it was. Would you say that is too far away? Do the residential places dislike tourists staying there? I know Blamona mentioned Grandview was residential too. Somerset looks great, but pricey. Sands seems more doable. Since you have stayed there what do you think of it? Anywhere else I should be looking? Also, is a rental car necessary? Thanks. (Also, is this thread getting too long? Should I start another or is it ok to keep this going?)

I do not like Tuscany's location as far as walking to restaurants..The Sands and Somerset ( are close to each other) are on a great stretch of beach--can walk to many dining options. Tuscany residants would not have a problem with rental. Somerset is my Favorite as I've said many times but The Sands is fantastic for a cheaper option and love the screened porches. Rental thru Grace Bay Car Rentals www.gracebaycarrentals.com excellent, older cars! It's nice to have one to go to the grocery store and check out non walkable dining spots. Taxi's are very expensive so rental car is best! IMO

Still searching for a place to stay and a plane ride to get there. Anyway, in the meantime I am reading all the posts I can. Recently came across one about "crime being way up this year" in T & C. I would appreciate anyone's feedback on this. It was a trip report on Fodors that someone mentined a guy in the road swinging something at cars, someone mentioned being robbed (Caribzack, maybe) I'm generally not a fraidy cat but since my in-laws and 2 children will be with us I'd like to know what you all think.

We were robbed last August in front of The Regent Palms, we were stupid walking late at night, I will not go into it, click on my name and the old post should be there. With that said it did not turn us away. We went back in January and plan to return again in August ( The Somerset again) Many have been arrested in the last month ... lots of police around, just be smart !! Carry a flash light if you walk at night. The guy swinging the wood at cars I think was caught!

Thanks! If you have been back since then and are going again, I'm not worried. Honestly we usually aren't out at night much after dinner. (Usually too tired from all that laying around the beach!) If we stay at the Sands would be wise to rent a car? Is there a good map of the resorts online that you are aware of? All I can find is a lame map of the islands........

Also, has anyone rented using myturksandcaicos.com? They are showing availability that some of the resorts don't. Thanks.

I think you should rent a car even for a couple of days to check out some sites--Blue Hills and Da Conch Shack for lunch is fun and to the IGA.
I would rent thru the resort directly and ask about specials.
Map..check www.wherewhenhow.com

this is an excellent map. use the scroll bar - if you click on the map it takes you to a page from a small group of rental villas: http://www.aquamarinebeachhouses.com/map.htm

agree about rental car. even if just for a day or 2 to look around. be sure to drive out the south dock road to chalk sound. gorgeous color water and tons of nice villas to look at. in this area are sapadilla bay beach - very picturesque - normally has a few yachts moored, and taylor bay beach for the softest sand ever.
long bay beach is quite different from grace bay beach - rougher and has tons of conch shells washed up in some parts. if you're adventurous get a jeep and drive out to malcolm road beach.

to help with air search try kayak.com

once on island the kids might like tiki hut and sharkbite for meals - both at turtle cove marina. grown ups should plan to have a cocktail at the infinity bar at the grace bay club. yummy italian mid-island in the glass house at bella luna. hemingways is great. i love aqua also at turtle cove for a nice dinner.

You guys are great, thanks for all the tips. What about The White House at Coral Gardens? It is avaiable but can't find much about it......Also, do you know what The Grace Bay Club is like?

I agree about renting a car for a day or two to see the other gorgeous beaches on T&C.

Regent Grand?

Don't know anything about White House...sorry
Grace Bay Club, very nice , upscale, 1 adults only pool, large beach, expensive restaurant, like Somerset much better.
Regent Grand, more residential , no restaurant or resort type services. Vey quiet!

Caribzack, I am glad you know so much about this T & C!

Regent Grand is currently offering 2 free nights so it is looking better and better. Quiet is fine with us if kids are allowed. Our kids are 11 and 14 and well traveled and well behaved(at least I think so) I did call Somerset but they are booked, but myturksandcaicos.com has openings for them. Does that make sense?


I know Blamona said OC was dated, do you know anything about it? We are used to Plantana on Grand Cayman and it is certainly not like Somerset, Grace Club or the like but it works well for us.

Again, thank you for the information.

Regent Grand-don't get me wrong, quiet but, not hush hush, can easily walk to may restaurants from there, central location is great. Quiet as many owners do not rent...beautiful property.
Did you tell Somerset that myturksandcaicos.com had openings and ask why? I would call the 800# and ask if I book thru myt&C.com how does that work if Somerst says booked? I would not like that. I always book direct so that there is no problem, just my opinion.
You are right Ocean Club is not AT ALL like the others you mention. Older -yes, dated-yes, good central'ish location .
Many like Ocean Club West better-newer.

I was wrong. It was The Sands I called and was told they were booked, and mtc showed openings. I wasn't sure if myturksandcaicos.com was similar to vbro.com or not. I love the look of Somerset (as does my father-in-law) but the only thing I can find afforable there is a garden view. Not to be whiney, but I really love having coffee in the morning, drinks in the evening on a balcony or patio overlooking the ocean!

An 11 year old and 14 year old would probably like the pools at the Sands or Ocean Club West the most. They would also be more likely to find other kids their age at those resorts.

White House was the original name of Coral Gardens Reef. The resort there is now just known as Coral Gardens.

To snorkel, check out Windsong. It's brand new, luxurious, next to Coral Gardens, without the Somerset prices. Call direct, see about new opening specials.

I have never used any outside companies for T&C--it's one of the islands where the best deals are received directly. I bet if you tried to book the dates The Sands is "booked" directly, in the end they'd say the same-and steer you to another property. Some of their information on myturksandcaicos.com is definately outdated: one of the excursions you can sign up for has been shut down for 2 years now--so I take their availability with a grain of salt.

I would not consider the bottom of the line rooms at Somerset=while it's my favorite resort, "lockout rooms" are connected to regular rooms and can get noisy if room next ot it is rented. If you can afford Somerset, whichever is the first step with a FULL kitchen, then it's great. Even an English Cottage with full kitchen is really nice.

On a lower price scale, I like Sands as mid-range. Regent Grand is nice, but extremely quiet. Alexandra is quite luxurious for the price, and they are running some excellent specials.

The Tuscany is gorgeous, but if you can afford Tuscany, you're better off in a Stirling House unit at Somerset. Grace Bay Club is stunning, again, though, ultra expensive.

Sounds like you're all over the place. Tuscany, Somerset, Palms, Grace Bay Club are in one league.

Ocean Clubs are on the bottom of the scale. Nothing wrong with them, but if your going to ask about Somerset and Ocean Club in same post and can afford both, then Somerset wins by miles.......

Oh, and it's finally hot IN Virginia, after an extremely cool Spring.

But not as hot as Fodor's Virginia! ;-)

I apologize for being all over the place. I knew nothing about T & C until I asked here and am learning as I look.

Somerset would be my first choice but the only available/affordable 3 bedroom there is in the English Garden and I want at least an oceanview, prefer a beachfront.

Found a spot at the Regent Grand that is gorgeous, more than I want to pay but less than the Somerset. And I am emailing the owners through VRBO.

If I change our travel dates, The Sands has an availability but the 3rd bedroom is a sleeper sofa (and I am wondering if they all are?) That won't be comfortable for a week.

Ocean Club West has available beachfront if I change dates as well. Certainly the most affordable of all the places I looked.

If this thread had gone on too long, please let me know and I'll quit or start another.......Thanks for all your help.

As you have found, at The Somerset the Oceanfront units are the Estate Homes-very pricy. The Sterling units are Oceanview with the pool in front of you and the ocean in the distance...just like the website photo--just beautiful. If you want the view I'd say Regent Grand! We actually looked at a few units there to purchase.( would love to buy at The Somerset but, way too much$$) The finishes are great, you would love the location of Regent Grand, plus it only 1.5 years old!! If you change dates go for The Sands , we stayed there prior to The Regent Palms and this most recent Somerset trip ! Sands over Ocean Club for sure !!! Sands was just re done !

No apologzing needed-just trying to narrow what you're looking for. ;-)

no thread is too long, no worries there either.

I personally would rather stay at Somerset, so nice!!! and just hang out on the beach.

My experience with Sands is third bedroom always has a pull out couch or cots.

Ocean Clubs , again my opinion, seem kind of dated. Nothing wrong with it, just hard to compare when everything else is so new.

there are other places to consider: check out Windsong, West Bay Club, and Alexandra. Call directly and ask about specials. Turks and Caicos Club may have some 3 bedroom units-it too is really nice.

Regent Grand is gorgeous. It's more self catering, but centrally located. Tuscany, same, it is stunningly gorgeous, but not as centrally located.

Alexandra, for the price, gives you granite counters and pillowtop beds.

Ultimately, there is really no bad place to stay in T&C.

My husband and I have been to Turks at least 10 times over the past few years - and we have discovered a gem! If you want quiet and elegant - plus all the amenities, try the West Bay Club. Prices are not as steep as the Grace Bay Club - not a snobby as Somerset(we stayed there 2x - and both times did not recieve urgent messages from our office - AND the cleaning people stole all of our CD's and the manager NEVER returned our calls about it - and the front desk left us on hold for over half an hour when we were calling from the US! - we will NEVER go back there!!) and all rooms at West Bay CLub (not just the expensive ones) have FULL ocean views. We have been there in June. We have seen the most amazing sunsets on the terrace there. In fact, you can sit on the couch in the livingroom and see them just as well if you want to get out of the heat. It really is a lovely property - definitely look into it! We have been there 3 times already and are going again in a few weeks! www.thewestbayclub.com In fact, I believe they are having a promotion to upgrade into a luxury one bedroom - which is what we always stay in. Really nice!!!

SOMERSET SNOBBY ...must be you !! Somerset is a wonderful resort with a fantastic staff and snobby is not what they are!! Please , just because your cd's are gone..get over it!
West Bay Club is nice but not a good location to walk to restaurants and the onsite dining serves very over done grilled fish ( all four of us )

Everyone can have their own opinion. It is kind of weird to me how many people on this website will just tell somebody to get over something getting stolen. It was the same with us, my sunglasses got stolen by the rental car people, and somebody tried smashing our car windows out, I suppose people are just supposed to get over that too. Everyone has different experiences on an island that will taint their view one way or another towards liking that island or not. I almost wonder if some of these people are getting paid to say they love certain things or places on here, because of the way they will tell you to just get over it when something bad happens or you have a bad experience with something.
Just my opinion =)

We stayed in Ocean Club West in 2005 and really enjoyed it. We often walked by the other resorts and really liked the looks of the Sands for a family as well. Best of luck. You'll be happy anywhere. It is so beautiful there.

Thanks for everyone's help. Finally got the air booked (what a pain!) and have decided on The Regent Grand. I am working with a very nice couple through VRBO. We are all very excited. I have a ton of questions on where to eat, what to do, etc. Should I start a new "thread" for that or continue on here? I really appreciate everyone's input.

Palmtree2384 : What happened to you is really really bad and you were not told to get over it.
The other poster PJAfrica has an axe to grind with The Somerset and yes, people can have their own opinion but, in this case it's just too much to say Snobby etc !
January 89:start a new thread.