PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos -- I arrived at my Pointe Grace
suite, a collection of five rooms composed of two bedrooms, a
dining room and kitchen, and was immediately impressed by the
attention to detail. Unusual trinkets adorned the shelves; an oil
lamp sat beside the bed and straw flip-flops lay in the closet for
my use.
It appeared that managing director James Slattery and the Point
Grace L.P. group, which owns the property, spared no expense on the
$21 million property, which opened in January. Landscaping and
other touches are still being added.
The suite's decor constituted a global potpourri, with mahogany
entry doors; Turkish marble floors and vanity tops; Italian granite
kitchen counters, and Indonesian teak furniture. Impressionist
paintings and African tribal art adorned the walls.
The kitchen was stocked with everything but food, but that
detail can be prearranged.
All suites have private patios or balconies; air-conditioning
and ceiling fans; a washer/dryer and iron/ironing board; a
dishwasher; an oven, stove and microwave, and a coffeemaker, teapot
and toaster.
The resort provides cotton bathrobes, an umbrella and vibrant
blue sarongs for ladies and pants for men. The sarong also can
double as a beach blanket, and both items of clothing can be taken
home.
About $300,000 of the resort's cost was spent on
landscaping.
Some of the work is still going on but is expected to be
finished by the winter season.
More trees and foliage will be planted, flower urns will
decorate balconies and the ledgeless pool will be retiled.
A hospitality suite, which shares space with the reception area
and a small library in one of four cottages on the property, is
open for continental breakfast each morning and remains open all
day.
A nifty, self-serve machine offers a selection of coffees and
herbal teas.
Best-sellers, CDs and DVDs for use in guest rooms are available
in the library.
Near the reception cottage is a restaurant area that seats about
30 for lunch.
A suite in another cottage will open as a boutique in September,
offering Point Grace logo merchandise and some of the furnishings
used in the guest suites.
"More than 80% of our visitors come from the U.S. and spend at
least five days here," said Sean Cooper, manager.
Meager air service from U.S. gateways has been and continues to
be a problem, accounting for occupancies in the 40% range,
according to Cooper.
"Several groups are forced to cancel each week because they
cannot get the air," he said.
American Airlines has two daily flights from Miami, and TWA
serves Provo weekly from New York, but that is not enough,
according to Cooper.
"If we had gotten the groups that were forced to cancel, our
occupancies would range between 60% and 70%," he said.
Rates at Point Grace, through Dec. 22, range from $275 to $345
for one-bedroom suites, $440 to $575 for two-bedroom suites and
$695 for a four-bedroom suite. The costs include continental
breakfast.
Although I saw no reason to leave the property, guests at Point
Grace can purchase day passes to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort
& Spa on the same beach.
They can also visit Parrot Cay, a private island resort about 30
minutes away by high-speed ferry.
The Beaches pass is $240 for a family of four (two adults and
two children), while the Parrot Cay pass is $100 per person.
Both passes cover food, drinks and use of the facilities.
Point Grace
Phone: (888) 682-3705 or (649) 946-5096
Fax: (649) 946-5097
Web: www.pointgrace.com
E-mail: [email protected]