Beaches Resort in Turks And Caicos – 15 Things To Know Before You Go

When you travel do you seek out the new and exciting or do you prefer the comfy and familiar?  Do you ache to explore, get lost, and see all the things or are you seeking relaxation, comfort and joy in the intimacy of routine?  As a family who loves to travel we take every opportunity we get to explore new places, introduce ourselves to new cultures and see as much as the world as possible but there’s one place that keeps calling us home.  One island that I can’t get enough of – the Turks and Caicos. On our last trip to this stunning place we had our seventh, yes, seventh stay at Beaches Resort.  Here’s why this resort keeps calling us back and 15 things you need to know before you go.

Accommodations:

How do you choose the right one?  There are accommodations to suit every style and price point at the Beaches Turks and Caicos.  The resort is subtly divided into four Villages all with their own ambiance and charm.  The villages are named the Key West, Italian, Caribbean, and French and we love them all.  This year we stayed in a Seaside Honeymoon One Bedroom Concierge Villa Suite located in the Caribbean Village.  It offered us a location near the beach, a sitting room area with flat screen TV, table and chairs, full bar, microwave, and bed/pull out trundle bed for my girls.  In addition there was a full bath with separate shower, double sinks and toilet area, plus a master bedroom with a king size bed, large closet with safe, and a second flat screen completed the suite.  This was plenty of space for the four of us – a family of four with two adult children. 

When planning your vacation find a village (or price point) that suits your style and a suite that fits your family.  Rooms range in price from the most expensive in the Key West Village, that can see you tricked out in a Villa with multiple bedrooms and a private pool, or a penthouse suite in the Italian Village, to a more wallet-friendly room with a garden view in the Caribbean section.  Insider Tip: No matter the room you choose, remember two things;

• it doesn’t matter if you end up in the fanciest suite or the simplest, you are still free to take advantage of everything Beaches has to offer and dine in all the restaurants
• you won’t spend much time in your room.

Arrival: There are lots of direct flights into the Providenciales airport from several major airports including Toronto.  (and it’s a short flight)  When you arrive at the airport in Turks and Caicos you make your way through customs and head to the Beaches Welcome area.  Here you are met by Beaches Resort staff and efficiently loaded into an air-conditioned van.  Your pleasant transfer is a quick 15 minutes and included in your package price.  Check-in is done on an iPad and if your lucky your suite is ready!  If it’s not you’re free to grab a bite and explore the resort until it is.  Insider Tip:  Make sure you have bathing suits and some sunscreen in those carry-ons.

Communication: English is the official language and Wifi on the resort is free.

Let The Relaxation Begin:

The resort is waiting for you! This all inclusive resort includes 21 dining options, a 45,000 square foot waterpark, and a breathtaking 12 mile beach.  Leave that wallet at home and get out and explore. Meals, snacks, food trucks. drinks, snorkelling, Camp Sesame, intro to scuba, pool entertainment, specialty nights, paddle boards, and transportation.  Truly everything is included and tipping is not allowed.  The staff are warm and friendly and the Kids Camp staff in particular make the effort to get to know your family.  Insider Tip:  The only thing you may need a tip for is if you go off resort for an excursion, wish to buy some knick knacks, or need to tip your driver that brings you to and from the airport.

Drinks!  The drinking age is 18.  Be sure to try a Dirty Banana.  You can thank me later.

What To Wear:

The dress code for the entire resort is decidedly “resort casual”.  For daytime bathing suits and coverups are all you will need. Dinner is easily sundresses for women, while for men, shorts and T-shirts will pass for dinner on most nights.  One restaurant does suggest long pants for men – so be sure to throw one pair in should you choose that restaurant during your stay.

The Pools:

Every village has their own pool and each their own unique vibe.  Choose a new pool every day or find your favourite and call it home.  The Key West pool is quiet, laid back.  The Caribbean a little deeper so tends to have a bit of an older crowd and an active volleyball game.  Head to the French Pool if you like space to spread out and to the Italian pool for action, music and people watching!

Camp Sesame:  

If you’re traveling with little people they may want to check out the Kids Camp.  (and this will give you some lovely alone time!) The camp offers organized activities and close supervision by qualified professionals in a fun, clean and engaging environment.  Remember that your children’s passports will be required the first time you check into camp. Also provided on site are childcare services by certified nannies for children of all ages, including infants.  Worthy of note:  Beaches Resort is home to the Caribbeans first Autism friendly kids camp.

Flexibility:  Family centric but good for couples too! Beaches Resort is clearly a playground set beside the ocean.  But surprise!  It’s an incredible all Inclusive Option for couples too. You can have a good time even if you are travelling without your kids.  You really don’t need to have your kiddos with you to enjoy Beaches Resort!

Water Sports and Pirates Island Waterpark: 

It’s all included!  Do you like to play in the water?  Spend your day at Beaches Turks and Caicos bouncing from the kayaks, wind surfers, Hobie cats and paddle boards  to the ten swirling waterslides, lazy river, and a Surf Simulator that will knock your socks off!

Dining Dreams:

Dining at an all-inclusive can be hit or miss, but at Beaches Turks and Caicos there are an astounding 21 dining options and reservations are only required at one.  I’m not sure it’s possible to try them all in one stay so here are some of our favourites:

• Bayside Restaurant – Located in the Key West Village this restaurant continues to be my favourite place for breakfast.  How can you beat French Toast, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and an ocean view?
• Mario’s -For Italian, it’s a combination of buffet and sit-down.
• Arizona’s Southwestern Cuisine – for steak – although in all honesty, service was more than a little slow on this last trip.
• Barefoot By The Sea – Picnic style tables with a view of the ocean in the distance.  This menu is seafood heavy and the ambiance is hard to beat.
• The Cricketers Pub -Fish N’ Chips, Shepherds Pie and you can watch the game while you eat.  Perfection.
• The Jerk Shack – Do not miss the Jerk Shack.  Indulge in some beach side fish, pork or chicken at least once during your stay paired with festival and a perfect rum punch on the side.
• Dinos -Wood fired pizza!  Try some take-out.  Grab a Pizza from Dino’s and enjoy it in the shade of an umbrella, poolside!
• Bobby Dee’s – Quite often our first stop and our last stop when we arrive.  This 1950’s still diner is a super spot to grab a burger, fries and of course ice-cream!  Booby Dee’s is dishing out everything from banana splits to milkshakes.
• Cafe de Paris – A little bit of Paris in paradise?  Yes please.  Another daily stop for frozen cappuccinos and extra hot lattes this cafe is the perfect way to end your day.

Insider Tip:  Don’t miss the added food trucks!  

Mr. Mac for Mac “n Cheese and Curls ‘n Swirls for Ice Cream!!

Worthy of note:  If you have special dietary restrictions or food allergies you may speak to a Culinary Concierge who will make sure all of your needs are taken care of.

Pay it forward.  Make time to Volunteer. The Sandals Foundation offers an incredible way to pay it forward while on vacation.  Do yourself and  your family a favour and book a Reading Road Trip via Island Routes. (extra charge) For a couple of precious hours you will have the opportunity to visit a local school, read stories and interact with children at a local sponsored school.  Don’t forget to pack some new or gently used books and school supplies to donate.

Comfy Shoes:  Yes, this is one of my top 15 things you need to know.  At this gorgeous resort there’s a lot of ground to cover.  It doesn’t hurt to have a pair of comfy shoes to make sure you can explore every corner.

Medical Services:  Should you need medical attention while at the resort there is a nurse on site daily from approximately 8am to 10pm.  During our past 7 visits to Beaches Resorts we’ve needed to visit the nurses office once.  During one visit my oldest daughter  swam through a swarm of jelly fish and had a bad reaction.  The services were swift, professional and I was and still continue to be thankful for their calm and wonderful assistance.

At the end of our seventh stay at Beaches Resort, my family was happy, more connected, a wee bit sunburnt but nowhere near ready to leave paradise behind.  Is there such a thing as a perfect vacation? I think the best way to find out is to pack up your kids, your sense of humour, and head to the beach to make some memories.  There’s nothing better.  We’re already counting the days until we can return to Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos.

Disclosure: I attended Social Media on the Sand and was a guest of Beaches Resort at a discounted rate, as always opinions reflected on this blog are my own.