There are 28 Caribbean nations consisting of more than 7,000 islands, and yet they are often reduced to one lumped-together region — i.e., "I want to go to the Caribbean this winter."
So how does a destination such as Turks and Caicos distinguish itself? That's what I asked the premier of the country, Rufus Ewing, during a tour of the British overseas territory.
"Sure, we have sea, sun and sand like all of the other islands," he said, "but we have the best beach."
He had an accolade to back up his boast: In 2016, Grace Bay Beach on the island of Providenciales (the most developed of Turks and Caicos' islands) was named the No. 1 beach in the world by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards. (Providenciales was chosen as the world's top island by the same poll in 2015.)
But that's not its only standout feature, Ewing was quick to explain. "We are a true luxury destination, and our challenge is to develop and maintain our brand as such."
Spend any time on Providenciales, aka Provo, and this isn't hard to see. There's no shortage of ultraluxury resorts, most of which follow the condo hotel model, with privately owned units maintained and marketed by the resort. At the brand-new Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, for instance, guests can stay in one of the expansive two- or three-bedroom suites, in an estate villa or in the breathtaking 6,000-square-foot-plus penthouse.
Off the beaten path but right on the pulse of ecoluxury, the Amanyara, hugging the wilderness of the western shore of Provo, offers private pavilion accommodations and three- to six-bedroom villas.
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos is right on Grace Bay Beach.
For those who equate luxury with style and sexiness, the Gansevoort Turks + Caicos sits on Grace Bay Beach and offers a range of chic studios and suites, superb service and a stunning pool where the fashionable and fabulous sip Champagne while tanning. The pet-friendly property (because what's luxury without your lapdog?) is also home to the Exhale Fitness + Spa.
There are plenty of culinary offerings in Provo; each of the hotels features at least one fine dining experience, and there are ample upscale options outside the resorts. However, it's not all haute cuisine here. The Thursday night Fish Fry is an island favorite, with its rum-filled coconuts and live music, and Da Conch Shack, with a swimsuit-and-sandals atmosphere and beachfront dining, reminds you that simple luxuries are sometimes the best.
Speaking of simple luxuries, that's where Turks and Caicos really excels; its natural beauty exceeds even its largest of penthouses. Throughout the islands, there's a plethora of peace and quiet and tons of space, which, for many, is what luxury is all about.
On South Caicos, for example, there's room to grow, which is exactly what's happening now. Expansion of the tiny airport is underway, and properties such as East Bay Resort, with its 86 modern apartments and six acres of total seclusion, not to mention proximity to some of the best scuba diving in the world, are taking advantage of South Caicos' undeveloped 8.2 square miles.
Sailrock will open its first phase on South Caicos in November.
Also taking advantage of this is the ambitious and sprawling Sailrock, another ownership hotel property with pristine beaches, exceptional amenities and top-notch luxury. The first phase, set to open in November, includes a Great House and a number of condos and oceanfront villas; the sale price for a villa directly on the beach at Sailrock starts at $1.6 million, with a comparable Provo villa going for about three times that amount.
Then there's North Caicos, aka the Garden Island. A 25-minute ferry ride from Provo brings you to a lush, four-village respite, and from there it's a 40-minute drive to Middle Caicos, with a population of 300 and a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. You can go for the day, visiting the 260,000-year-old Conch Bar Caves (the largest cave system in the Caribbean) and Mudjin Harbour, or you can spend a couple of days in sublime seclusion at a humble guesthouse or a bed-and-breakfast on the sea.
Beyond that, there's humpback whale-watching off the one-square-mile Salt Cay or fishing, snorkeling and turtle-spotting on East and West Caicos, both uninhabited by people. Snorkeling excursions to the empty, perfect beaches are available, where you can watch as wild dolphins swim in your wake.
Luxury comes in many forms, from yachts and villas to silence and serenity. The Turks and Caicos "portfolio of luxury," as Ewing called it, capitalizes on all aspects and proves that it's one in a million — or at least one in 7,000.
Visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com.