4 Best Hotels in Turks and Caicos Islands

With 7 miles (11 km) of secluded beach and few others to share it with, this property with four upscale and tastefully furnished three-bedroom units is utterly simple and relaxing—each has a master bedroom with king-size bed; an open-concept kitchen, living room, and dining room; and a large screened-in sunroom with dining and lounging possibilities. There's no cable, but there are TVs. Guests also have two bikes and a pay-as-you-go phone dedicated to each unit, plus access to kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and an outdoor commercial-grade Weber grill. Sunsets may be enjoyed on the wooden terrace overlooking the beach or from one of the oceanside hammocks. Although there is no restaurant on-site, you can order fresh, tasty homemade dinners to be delivered to your suite, including chicken, ribs, conch, snapper, and spiny lobster, or have fresh fish for the grill dropped by. The island's best snorkeling is nearby at Three Mary Cays, and you may also choose to throw anchor on your kayak and snorkel the many coral heads directly in front of the complex.

Although not on the beach, this small complex of six one-bedroom cottages along a ridge overlooking the Caicos Banks and inland Flamingo Lake is right by the marina, making it a good base for scuba diving, bonefishing, or a quieter vacation. Lovingly maintained, each unit is simple and clean, bursting with Caribbean color, and featuring a kitchen, sitting room, and bathroom, plus a pullout sofa bed. The hosts go out of their way to please, providing complimentary services like booking car rentals and stocking the fridge. In the evening, divers and fishing enthusiasts gather by the pool to share a meal after barbecuing. You may start off as a guest, but you're likely to leave as a friend and feel like family. Harbour Club is also perfect for family reunions or intimate weddings.

An unpretentious inn filled with island character and charm, this 19th-century house was built by shipwright Jonathan Glass in the 1850s, complete with its quirky nautical features. A large anchor on the sun-dappled pathway marks the entrance, and a large, breezy balcony with commanding views over the sea gives one the sense of what living on Grand Turk must have been like for those during the salt raking era, keeping watch over the comings and goings on land and at sea. Although ground floor rooms are shaded havens, they have no sea views. The two rooms upstairs share a balcony—a fabulous spot to watch the sun set and the donkeys that stroll the beach. One of the inn’s best features is the hidden garden of tall tamarind and neem trees, with climbing vines, hanging and potted plants, and a tiny pond, home to the Secret Garden Restaurant. 

Staying at this true B&B, one of just a few in all the Turks and Caicos, gives you a feel for the way the Caribbean used to be, without requiring you to give up comfort. Sleepy, quiet, and charming, it does feel like a home away from home, but with a better view, given its prime Front Street location. The home is updated with all the modern conveniences, including air-conditioning, satellite TV, and some colonial-style furnishings mixed with bamboo and rattan; each suite has a full kitchen, two TVs, and a DVD player. A huge sundeck on the rooftop faces the ocean and historical waterfront. You can easily stroll back and forth to Front Street, with its excellent restaurants and watering holes; local musicians play nightly along the main strip. Staying here, you will certainly meet and mingle with the locals, so that when you come back, you'll feel as if you are returning home; guests return year after year.