After some great suggestions from fellow fodorites, I've decided to do some research on T&C for an upcoming special anniversary. I'm looking for a luxurious, upscale resort where there won't be alot of kids (going in May so that shouldn't be an issue). A beautiful beach is a must, as well as top notch amenities and service. I know next to nothing about T&C. Which resort fits the bill for us? Grace bay Club? Parrot Cay? Thanks!

Check out Amanyara on Provo for a top notch upscale resort.

wow- A-Traveller, you weren't kidding. Amanyara looks AMAZING.... Very very pricey though- makes sandy lane look reasonable. Have you stayed? is it worth it?

Yes, it's worth it. You asked for upscale so that's the best.

I've seen your other posts and while it seems you want upscale it appears you are surprised at the prices. Upscale means high prices. Perhaps you may want to set your sights a bit lower. One thing I've found during 25+ years travelling the Caribbean (and the world for that matter) you can't expect 5-star luxury for 3 star or even 4 star prices. The best resorts cost money.

thanks for the posts a- traveler.Hmm, not sure how to respond to it though. Maybe it's me, but i do get a little sticker shock when the least expensive room in a place is $1,500. I've stayed at MANY 5 star resorts for under $1,000. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a 5 star hotel for 800/900 a night? And i am well aware that upscale means expensive, as i'm sure many are, but i think most people,even those used to staying at 5 star places as we are, would blink at 1500 a night...

A- traveler, just did some checking on line. For the time period we're looking, May, rooms at Cap Juluca start at $400 per night. Rooms at the Four Seasons in nevis are 550 per night. The Ritz Carlton GC is 700 per night.

when i say upscale, these are the types of properties I mean. I think many would describe these as upscale 5 star places. None come even close to over a $1,000 a night. Thus, my sticker shock. I don't think I'm looking for a 5 star resort at 3 star prices as you say.

a quidk list of some resorts that might appeal to you:
turks and caicos club. very small, apart from main resort area. good spot on beach.
le vele
regent palms
point grace
grace bay club - has anacona, the most romantic/best imho restaurant on island
all above are located directly on gorgeous grace bay beach. the island is small and easily manageable. excellent restaurants. very little shopping. main reasons for going are snorkeling, diving, bonefishing and grace bay beach. i hear there are 2 small casinos now, but really not a lot of nightlife.
as i noted on your other post you might look at blamonas critique's.

or parrot cay - very, very private but may be a bit spartan for your taste. not on provo, so you would be dining with them every night. you would drive to east/leeward end and they fetch you on their own boats.

Virginia, thank you so much for your informative post. I will look into all the places you listed, and will definitely look for blamona's posts. You are obviously a T&C fan! thanks so much!

emcash - sorry, wasn't trying to offend. Since you didn't mention any type of budget but asked for upscale I figured you expected high prices. A lot of posters want to stay at places like Cap Juluca, Little Dix Bay or Four Seasons Nevis but want to pay Holiday Inn prices and that's not going to happen.

There are quite a few very upscale places in the Caribbean where you can stay (in May) for somewhere between $500 and $1,000 per night.

Well, I have to admit A-traveller that I was a bit offended. Thought if you had read my Barbados post you would have seen that we had stayed at CJ. We have travelled fairly extensively and have stayed at some lovely 5 star resorts, but the most we've ever paid was 900 at Cap.

Hotel prices have gone through the roof the last few years. I can remember staying at the FS Maui for our honeymoon with an oceanview room and only paying 450 per night. Still, that being said, I would imagine that even the most seasoned traveller, staying at the best places, would raise an eyebrow at 1500 per night. But, as you saw, I didn't say "What? no way!" i asked if it was worth it. I received quite a few posts indicating Sandy lane wasn't, so was curious if the one you suggested was.

BTW- our honeymoon was only 5 years ago! anyway, thanks for responding and thanks for this post. I do understand your post better now.

Point Grace will have fewer kids.
turks and Caicos Club, while one of my favorites, makes you feel like a home away from home, but top service is found more on Point Grace.

Point Grace also has "quiet" signs around the pool, with a very zen (peaceful) type atmosphere.

Grace Bay Club is gorgeous, but for now has alot of construction around it. Grace Bay Club Villas allows and encourages kids. The original is flanked by construction of Grace Bay Club Estates, and Villa Del Mar. To be honest though, other than pulling up to the property, once you;re on the grounds, you won't notice it. (but at those prices, I'd wait until construction is done.)

Parrot Cay might fit the bill for you-service is terrific, the beach divine-

Another one of my upscale favorites is the Somerset-it is one of my favorite places in the world. Lately, it has gotten more kids-during Christmas-May you'd probably have the resort to yourself.

We just returned from T and C and went snorkeling to Malcolm's Beach where Amanyara is located, they are aiming for clientele at a higher level than Cap (we most often visit AXA and know CAP and Mali well). I assume that's why the rates are so high. I agree that Point Grace looks lovely as does Turks and Caicos Club, & the Palms. Parrot Cay while off the beaten path looks very nice although a recent poster said they preferred the Palms on Provo to Parrot Cay (in other words if you don't love the hotel, food, etc. you're stuck there).

It sounds like Grace Bay Club might be exactly what we're looking for-- we like to dine at different establishments and don't want to be stuck at one resort the whole time which is a negative for Parrot Cay and Amanyara. But the construction thing around Grace bay is making me think to just not do T&C this year.

I've actually started looking at mexico now too, but I'm just not sure Mexico is for me-- I love the Caribbean. Thanks everyone for your advice.

Here's a plug for Parrot Cay. Stayed there about a year ago in December and loved it! Adult-focused, serene and low-key, superior service, amazing staff (many from Bali, Bhutan and Thailand), and delicious food. I also believe that the spa was the best I've experienced. It works for an anniversary. Rooms could use a little updating, but that is my only complaint. I would go back in a heartbeat.

I've soured on the Aman resorts. Stayed at several... it's just not worth the money, in my opinion. Parrot Cay provides a more down-to-earth experience. I was told that locals were surprised Aman built the property where they did, because of dangerous currents just off the beach - don't know how reliable this information is, though.

Parrot Cay is wonderful! We stayed there summer 2006 and it was fantastic. The beach is one of the most amazing beaches we have ever seen. There are choices of rooms so if you wanted to save a little you can go for the OceanFacing Rooms. If you really want to splurge, go for the Beach houses! We stayed for 4 nights and loved everything about the place. Spa was fantastic and meals were great too.

We have also stayed at Point Grace and it is also a great property. Not to many kids around and definitely a quiet vibe here. Our room was an amazing 2 BR luxurious suite.

We preferred Parrot Cay to Point Grace because we like the feel it had of a Private Resort. Point Grace is on Providenciales which is lined with many resorts, some high rise... (some people like this though because there is a long beach to walk and more restaurant choices. Parrot Cay's beach was great for walking too though, but you are stuck at the resort for the meals.)

Provo is definitely not Miami beach busy but we just preferred the intimate private feel of Parrot Cay!!

We have stayed at Amanyara and Parrot Cay. While they are both fabulous, we are thinking we'd like to try some thing on the main island. Of the many resorts listed on this post, which do you think is most small boutique style, but yet upscale?
You can't beat the beautiful turquoise waters in T&C!!!!