Turks and Caicos - Beautiful resort away from the crowds
 

I am also considering Turks and Caicos for a relaxing 2 year anniversary. However I see many resorts on the island and do not know which one is the best/luxurious resort? Also what resorts are away (not right next door) to the Beaches, Allegro, and Club Med? I saw reviews of The Sands, Ocean Club and OC West, and the Alexandria? Basically I am looking for a beautiful resort that has at least 1 place to eat breakfast/dinner grab a cocktail while on the beach, but yet have a relaxing atmosphere. Does this exist in Turks and Caicos? Thanks in advance!!!

Coral Gardens is located right at the best off the shore snorkeling BUT it is VERY close to beaches. The Sands is I think in an excellent location - within walking distance of the reef at Coral gardens (about a 1/2 hour walk) but not close to Beaches.<BR>BTW - the Beaches area is really the only place, I have EVER noticed &quot;crowds&quot;. Ocean Club West is near the Allegro. Ocean Club is near Club Med. Personally if peace and quiet and beautiful beach are important to you - I would pick The Sands. It is probably not the most luxurious but it is very well maintained, attractive and has a pleasant restaurant just steps from the beach. Sibbone is also in a beautiful location and has a charming restaurant but the pool is VERY tiny. My advice - stay at The Sands but walk along the beach to Sibbone (about 5 minutes) to have at least one meal.

JMM - thank you for your help. In your opinion which resort is nicer, rooms, grounds, etc. - OCW or the Sands?

<BR>Don't decided until you check out the Meridian Club on Pine Cay in the T&amp;C. After extensive research I chose it for a ten-day respite in April. Sounds as if it would fit your bill, as well.<BR><BR>http://www.meridianclub.com

Yes the Meridian Club does look beautiful but they may be &quot;too&quot; quiet and also it is VERY expensive, well over my budget even for low season. I do appreciate the suggestion though.

The next resort to Coral Gardens was Beaches, but it was quite a walk away...maybe 15-20 minutes? We stayed at Coral Gardens in June for our 25th anniversary. The accomodations were beautiful. The snorkeling right in front of the property was amazing. You have full kitchen facilities in your unit, and we enjoyed being able to just brew our coffee, scramble some eggs and sit and enjoy the beautiful view from our private balcony. There is a beachfront restaurant where we had a few lunches and rum punches, etc., for relaxing on the beach. Their restaurant was only open for dinner, but it was wonderful...so good we ate there several times over the week, and were never disappointed. My husband and I also had wonderful massages while there. I think you should consider it!

Being that there is snorkeling right there, is the beach full of coral?? I am still leaning more towards the Sands and/or OC West though.... but maybe that I'm going in Oct. (yes I KNOW hurricane season) there would be less crowds at Beaches (especially that its during school).

We normally stay at Coral Gardens. In October don't think a lot of the resorts will be that busy and not many kids. Since Coral Gardens is an all condo resort with kitchens they don't have breakfast except for brunch on Sunday. OCW and Sands are also condo resorts so not sure of the breakfast situation. Beaches is about a 15 min walk down the beach from Coral Gardens and in the other direction there is about 2 miles of beach with no resorts except one small one. Probably the most luxurious resorts are Point Grace and Grace bay Club which are very nice but expensive. You might check out Sibonne which is small, quiet and relaxing. They have a very nice one bedroom suite with kitchen above the old dive shop. They do serve breakfast but you can save some money by eating breakfast and some lunches in and splurge for dinner. Even though there is a reef in front of Coral Gardens the beach is not full of Coral. You might call Marcine at 1-800-532-8536 and see if they are ruinning any off season specials. They normally do.

Reply to question: Sands or OCW<BR>Personally I would pick the Sands for 2 reasons: I like the location (quiet, on a very nice stretch of beach but within walking distance of other places) and I like the friendly service there. Not that I think you would be unhappy at OCW. BTW when I was last in the T&amp;C The Sands offered breakfast,lunch and dinner. The beach is definitely not covered with coral but rather soft white sand. Rooms and grounds at both the Sands and OCW are comparable. I think Sibbone has the prettiest garden of the resorts I have seen and the restaurant area where you have breakfast overlooking the beach is lovely BUT its pool is REALLY REALLY small. Coral Gardens is in a great location if you love snorkeling and is a very attractive property BUT it is close to Beaches (about a 5 minute walk) so it is not the best place to completely avoid crowds. In all honesty I don't think you would be terribly disappointed in ANY of the properties people have mentioned as long as you want relaxation,pleasant surroundings (not ultra luxurious but nice), a lovely beach and some nice meals and drinks with a great view of the gorgeous ocean. The beach is safe and perfect for long romantic walks at just about any time of the day or night. (Arrgh I am starting to get envious now - thinking of some lovely sunset walks).

That does sound really nice right about now, still staring outstide at the snow on the ground. Well if I do decided to go to T&amp;C I think I will lean more towards the Sands. However I am still debating between there and Caneel Bay. I know its like two opposite places, but I just don't know if I should splurge and go for the expensive Caneel Bay, or stay somewhat reasonable and go to Turks and Caicos. Decisions, decisions!