Turks and Caicos Announces New Hotel, Residential, and Cruise Port Developments

The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, the exclusive tourism authority for the Turks and Caicos Islands, has announced significant developments to the islands including newly opened and forthcoming luxury properties debuting in 2021 through 2023 and a $25 million investment in the Grand Turk Cruise Center and the return of cruise ships. The destination is perfectly positioned to welcome new and returning visitors to a diverse collection of resort and residential offerings on famed Grace Bay Beach and beyond, spotlighting pristine, undiscovered stretches of beaches and cliffsides throughout Providenciales.  With these new introductions from The Ritz-Carlton, Grace Bay Resorts, Andaz and more, along with enhancements to its cruise port, the Turks and Caicos Islands presents distinctly charming properties rooted in natural beauty, extraordinary design, bespoke experiences, and sustainability, ideal for every type of vacationer.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is heavily investing in the improvement of the Cruise Port and infrastructure in Grand Turk through a development agreement with Carnival Corporation representing $25 million.  Funds will be used for the acquisition of property to be converted into a vendor’s market; the acquisition and development of additional properties to accommodate vendors who depend on the cruise industry for their livelihood; the construction of a floating dock for the water sports operators; and up to $1 million in grants to eligible operators – from water sports and golf card operators to beach vendors and wedding planners -to help them prepare for the reopening of the cruise industry, among other initiatives.

Turks and Caicos Islands’ new and upcoming resorts offer a variety of accommodations ranging from residential homes of one to six-bedrooms, to resorts with spacious two- three- and four- bedroom suites, to multi-level penthouses ideal for milestone get-togethers or multigenerational families.  Each with their own unique characteristics, guest amenities, and stunning locations, the newly opened and forthcoming properties include:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos -  (pictured) Recently opened in June 2021 on famed Grace Bay Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos features 147 refined ocean view guest rooms, including 23 suites which showcase the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The property also offers five three-story penthouse suites, multiple culinary venues, a dedicated Club Concierge and beach service, a private catamaran for guest use, a signature Ritz-Carlton spa, as well as an on-site casino that offers traditional table games for late night entertainment.

• Rock House – Nestled into the limestone cliffs of Providenciales’ secluded north shore, Rock House is opening in spring 2022 with 42 private cottages equipped with elevated, modern finishes and panoramic views of the property’s unique natural setting. Rock House is Grace Bay Resorts’ latest resort and residential vision and will offer amenities including a dramatic 100-foot infinity pool, a European-style Beach Club, handmade jogging trails, a signature restaurant, sunset bar, cave lounge and fitness center.

• The Bight Hotel – With elevated boutique-style suites offering cinematic views from the sands to the horizon, The Bight Hotel rises 45 feet high, affording guests unparalleled views of Grace Bay Beach and beyond. Anchored in design and culture and set amidst acres of lush tropical vegetation, the unique property is beginning construction in June 2022 and will feature an  expansive infinity pool, spa, yoga studio and training center, distillery and rum bar, 140-seat barn venue, and a garden-to-table restaurant, featuring fresh food from the property’s own vegetable garden and eco farm.

• South Bank Turks & Caicos – Anticipated to open in December 2022, South Bank is a managed residential resort and marina destination located along the dunes of Long Bay Beach inspired by a unique relationship with water. The collection of contemporary residences, ranging from 1-6-bedroom homes, will feature distinct design guided by a strong sense of livability and an affinity for waterfront living – with exclusive ocean access and the option to own a private boat dock on the full-service South Bank Marina. Residents will also have access to a plethora of dedicated amenities and services. South Bank will be expertly managed by Grace Bay Resorts.

• Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay – Inclusive of nearly 60 exclusive hotel rooms and suites, as well as 74 residences, the property represents the first Andaz branded resort and residential property in the Caribbean. Boasting 5.5 acres of oceanfront luxury along Grace Bay Beach, the dynamic property will offer hotel guests and residents full-service amenities including a spa, exceptional dining options, state-of-the-art wellbeing facility and more. Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay is starting construction later this year and is targeting an early 2023 opening.

• The Strand Turks & Caicos – Opening in 2023, The Strand is a private residential resort community located along the southern shoreline of Providenciales. The exclusive, architecturally distinct private community features a diverse array of custom oceanfront residences. Guests and residents will be offered access to a collection of shared community amenities and unique programming including a Beach Club, marina access, a waterfront restaurant and bar, resort pool, and expansive beach for a variety of activities.

The destination is excited to announce these new developments following the release of preliminary visitor statistics showing that 2021 was one of the business summers on record. Compared to pre-pandemic statistics in 2019, the destination saw an increase of over 18% in June with 54,188 visitors, an increase of 19% in July increase with 56,022 visitors, and an increase of 15% in August with 41,734 visitors. As tourism is expected to continue growing, these new and upcoming openings present a variety of noteworthy hotels, restaurants, and experiences for both visitors and locals to relax, explore, and enjoy.

The Turks and Caicos Islands—home to the “World’s Best Beach”—is a coveted five-star luxury vacation destination for leisure, business, and notable guests from around the globe.  With nine main islands and about 40 small islands and uninhabited cays, the destination is inherently safe for travel in this new paradigm of physical distancing, given its expansiveness, stunning outdoor environment, privacy, spacious resort accommodations, and unique portfolio of extraordinary private villas and private islands vacations. Over 70 percent of the local adult population in the Turks and Caicos is fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, making it one of the most inoculated countries in the world. Additionally, the destination requires all visitors aged 16 and older to show proof of vaccination before entry, further underscoring the destination’s commitment to health and safety as travel continues to flourish.

For more information on the Turks and Caicos Islands, call 1 (800) 241-0824 or visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com.  Follow the Turks and Caicos Islands on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.