When you think of the Caribbean, one image comes to mind: a long stretch of sandy beach dotted with palms, and calm, crystal-clear water. That’s why Turks and Caicos lives up to the ultimate Caribbean fantasy. Its beaches truly are some of the best in the world, and it’s easy to see why the island is a favorite of so many families. So here you are, the best resorts in Turks and Caicos for families based on my recent visits to the islands.
As a British territory, Turks and Caicos is easy to navigate. There is not much traffic, renting a car is easy, and getting around is a breeze. The locals are incredibly friendly, and the food scene on Turks and Caicos is unmatched for a Caribbean island. There are endless choices for fresh seafood with your feet in the sand, elegant beachfront dining and hip, stylish spots in Providenciales.
Grace Bay Beach is the primary beach on the island and has a large coral reef protecting it from waves, making it ideal for swimming and young families. Boats and catamarans come right up to the sand, snorkeling is easy, and most resorts offer excursions for sailing and scuba diving. Another thing that I love about Grace Bay Beach is that most of the buildings are low-rise, so the beaches don’t feel overcrowded.
I’ve been to nearly a dozen islands in the past few years and can say with confidence that there is not many better beaches in the Caribbean than Turks and Caicos. Calm, clear, and beautiful, the beaches are everything they should be. So, if a beach vacation is your idea of the ultimate in relaxation, Turks and Caicos should be your next trip.
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The Shore Club has an elevated feel that makes this five-star resort stand out. The lovely spa and wellness pavilion is one of the more extensive spas on the island.
The Shore Club
Visiting the Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, I knew immediately that I was entering a five-star resort. Design-forward spaces, lush gardens and spectacular oceanfront views make it easy to see Shore Club is a favorite for discerning resort lovers.
Accommodations start with garden-view junior suites and go up to six-bedroom oceanfront villas. The décor is coastal Caribbean with a hip, luxurious feel. Private terraces, espresso machines, and soaking tubs are in every room. Though the rooms at the Shore Club are decadent, the villa section is my choice for the ultimate pampering. Every estate villa comes with its own private courtyard pool, in-ground whirlpool, butler service, airport transfers, fully stocked welcome bar, and champagne service.
Shore Club Amenities for Kids
The Shore Club has a kids’ club, a spacious spa, four pools, complimentary bikes and watersports. There is also a large wellness and sport pavilion, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center. Long Bay Beach is a popular spot for kiteboarding, and it’s important to note that the beach can be windier at times and may have a seaweed issue during the summer months. Here’s a guide to annual island weather.
The Shore Club has many one and two bedroom suites that contain dens with sleeper sofas to give family more space to spread out.
Do you like complimentary hotel perks? This is a resort where we can pass along VIP amenities for your stay including daily breakfast, a resort credit, and priority for a room upgrade when you book through Luxe Recess. Learn more.
Ritz Carlton Turks and Caicos
The Ritz Carlton Turks and Caicos is a large, full-service resort in the heart of Providenciales on Grace Bay. At twelve stories, the resort is bigger than many on Grace Bay Beach, but still offers the luxurious experience the Ritz brand is known for. Accommodations range from standard hotel rooms to multi-bedroom residences, all with soaking tubs, terraces, and Diptyque amenities. This resort also offers a small but solid club-level experience, with dedicated concierge, cocktails, and food service throughout the day.
The Ritz-Carlton resort offers poolside and beachside service on their beach for a day of lounging, dining, and umbrella cocktails.
The real showstopper at this resort is the residence accommodations. With full kitchens, living areas and large terraces, they are the perfect choice for families or groups. The jaw-dropping top-floor penthouse offers three floors of luxury and has a private pool, full kitchen, and expansive terrace.
The residences at the Ritz Carlton are in two separate towers than the hotel rooms, but they are just a few yards away from each other.
There is a Ritz Kids program and a large, oceanfront family pool, as well as adults-only pools. The dining options at this Ritz are superb, and guests can find everything from sushi to Italian. The signature restaurants, BLT Steak and Coralli, both offer indoor-outdoor dining with spectacular views. While the Ritz occupies an ideal location on Grace Bay Beach, the beach is a bit narrower than other resorts, and the multiple rows of chairs can feel crowded during peak travel times. I also think this resort could use some sort of teen or game room with foosball or ping pong.
There are two main pools in addition to the beach with the Ritz Kids club next door.
Getting VIP’ed During Your Stay
This property is one of our preferred partner hotels with exclusive travel advisor rates (and we’re a Virtuoso agency in addition to publishing this magazine). Our clients get complimentary daily breakfasts, resort credits, and—based on availability—upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out. Don’t leave vacation money on the table!
If you would like to book this property with these VIP amenities at no cost to you, we invite you to become a Luxe Recess Insider and have access to our hotel booking tool.
Grace Bay Club
The Villas at Grace Bay have their own pool and check in experience.
A perennial favorite of families, Grace Bay Club occupies an incredibly spacious stretch of Grace Bay Beach. All the chairs are spread out in a single row, so if a perfect, quiet beach is your top priority, this is the resort for you. While Grace Bay Club may not be as luxurious as other five-star options on the island, the benefit of this resort, apart from its spacious beach, is its location, adjacent to all the best restaurants.
Grace Bay Club offers three different accommodation options: an adult-only section, the family-friendly villas and suites, and the exclusive Estates, a resort within a resort. All offer multi-bedroom options with private terraces, and some with private plunge pools. The recently updated room décor is beautifully designed with a British colonial influence, and every accommodation category is incredibly spacious, from the standard suites to the largest villas.
This two or three bedroom configuration is a popular option with book for families.
A small kids’ club and game room are on-site, as well as a fitness center, and small spa. There are multiple pools, including an adults-only pool and an estate-exclusive pool, and non-motorized watersports. The Infiniti restaurant has outstanding local cuisine and fresh seafood and is a favorite of both guests and locals.
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Wymara Resort
The main resort pool at Wymara is one of most attractive on an island where beach is typically the focus.
This newcomer is one of my favorite resort on the island. Located at the southern end of Grace Bay on a quiet stretch of beach, the resort’s 91 studios, suites and villas feature minimalist décor to keep the focus on the spectacular views. Every room comes equipped with a kitchenette, Aesop toiletries, Frette linens, Dyson hairdryers and complimentary full breakfast.
Dining at Wymara is exceptional and the resort’s signature restaurant, Indigo, is an indoor-outdoor experience also frequented by locals. Two bars and a bistro style casual restaurant are also on-site. The resort hosts weekly beach barbecues featuring fresh seafood and local specialties.
Wymara Villas
While I love everything about this resort, the villas in a separate section of the island nearby are where Wymara truly shines. The three, four and five-bedroom villas are architecturally stunning and come with a private beach club experience. Guests of the villas have access to a sports club with basketball, tennis and pickleball, a private tiki bar, and one of the Caribbean’s first in-ocean saltwater pools. Every villa includes golf cart transportation, a villa manager, and dedicated concierge.
While every villa has a private plunge pool (many of them have two—one oceanfront, one in a shaded courtyard), two of the oceanfront villas are equipped with an over-the-top feature: a private turquoise waterslide leading directly into the azure water. Note that the villas are not on a sand beach but still swimmable area of the sea. Villa guests can use the beach at the main resort on Grace Bay in addition to the villa section’s in ocean saltwater pool which is great for young children.
The vibe of Wymara is sophisticated, sleek and luxurious, with a mix of American and European clientele. Resort amenities include watersports, boat charters, a fitness center, spa, and pool and beachside cabanas. While Wymara provides a serene, secluded experience, it’s important to note that the resort is a 10–15-minute drive to the central area where the most popular restaurants are located.
Do you like complimentary hotel perks? This is a resort where we can pass along VIP amenities for your stay including daily breakfast, a resort credit, and priority for a room upgrade when you book through Luxe Recess. Learn more.
Other Turks and Caicos condo hotels good for families
Seven Stars Resort and Spa
In between the Ritz and Grace Bay Club, the Seven Stars resort is a four-star experience in a fantastic location on a spacious stretch of Grace Bay Beach. Seven Stars boasts a family pool, adult-only pool, a fitness center and small spa. The three seven-story buildings have standard rooms and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suites with four-poster beds and Caribbean style décor. I felt the service here was super attentive and its high online reviews were justified.
The on-site restaurant Seven, has outstanding local cuisine and fresh seafood; we also loved Farm that also serves a great brunch, as well as a beach bar. Guests receive a complimentary breakfast buffet with omelet station each morning, and the grocery store to stock your full kitchen is across the street.
Somerset
Located directly on Grace Bay Beach, the Somerset is a condo-style resort offering 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom units. All feature coastal style décor, full kitchens, and spacious layouts suitable for families. The Somerset has a complimentary kids’ club, three pools, a small spa and non-motorized watersports. The resort’s signature restaurant, Barbetta House, serves Spanish-Caribbean fusion cuisine. Other dining options include a tapas lounge, a pool bar, and weekly beachside barbecues.
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The Best Resorts in Turks and Caicos for Families in the outer Islands
Exploring the northern waters and sand bars off of South Caicos by kayak was a lovely family highlight.
Turks and Caicos’ private island resorts represent the apex of Caribbean barefoot luxury. While I still love to be in “Provo”’ vibrant food and drink scene, many guests prefer a completely secluded experience, which is why one of Turks and Caicos’ more remote island resorts might be the right fit for families craving total immersion in paradise.
These remote resorts are for those who will pay a premium for privacy, fewer crowds, and less activity. Be prepared to share the unpaved roads with roaming donkeys, dogs, and cats, and don’t miss the wild flamingos in the various salt flats. Talk with locals about life in these small island communities where most people are related.
Salterra of South Caicos
Salterra of South Caicos represents an exciting new chapter in private island luxury for families who crave authentic island experiences alongside five-star amenities. South Caicos remains blissfully undeveloped compared to Providenciales, offering families access to some of the Caribbean’s most pristine diving and snorkeling sites, untouched beaches, and genuine Turks and Caicos culture.
Salterra is an impressive newcomer with Marriott’s Luxury Collection.
This new Bonvoy Luxury Collection property appeals to adventurous families who appreciate barefoot luxury with a focus on marine exploration and water sports, an undeveloped beach, and low crowds. The resort provides access to world-class bone fishing, diving along dramatic wall drops, and exploration of the island’s salt ponds and nature reserves—experiences that create meaningful family memories far beyond typical beach vacations.
Our butler was available through WhatsApp and took care of all dining, transportation, and activities for us. Families can arrange private diving excursions, fishing charters, and island exploration. Children are engaged in a kids club program and one of the best family pools I have seen for the little crowd flanked by three cabanas.
We participated in the island off-roading adventure that ended at the northern tip of the island where we kayaked while others opted to paddleboard. The crystal clear knee deep waters were soothing and stunning.
What sets Salterra apart is the ability to combine genuine adventure with luxurious accommodations and personalized service.
Our spectacular beach and resort views from one of the resort’s 3-bedroom units was spectacular.
Ambergris Cay
This ultra luxury resort set on 1100 private acres has just 10 beachfront bungalows and 8 multi-bedroom villas. With two restaurants focused on fine dining, clay tennis courts, fishing, watersports and boating, Ambergris Cay is designed for nature lovers who want to be pampered. Everything is all-inclusive (including top shelf wine and spirits), from the private plane transfers from Providenciales, to the bespoke butler service in every accommodation. The resort is home to miles of secluded beaches which can be explored by foot, bike or golf cart (every guest is provided one). Though Ambergris Cay is renown as an elite playground, the resort is family-friendly and offers kid-focused activities and babysitting services.
Guests of Ambergris Cay arrive at this private island resort by small private plane arranged by the resort.
COMO Parrot Cay
When COMO Parrot Cay opened in 1998, it quickly became a favorite of celebrities for its private location and extensive wellness offerings. With everything from Pilates to Ayurveda to private meditation on each day’s activities list, this is a resort for those who want to stay active and unwind in secluded privacy. The décor of the resort is Asian-inspired with natural wood, white furnishings, and mosquito-netted beds. Although the resort is a favorite of honeymooners, there is a kids’ club, as well as oceanfront pools, a fitness center and yoga pavilion. Dining options include two restaurants, two bars, and a private tiki dining experience, as well as chef services.
This property is one of our preferred partner hotels with exclusive travel advisor rates (and we’re a Virtuoso agency in addition to publishing this magazine). Our clients get complimentary daily breakfasts, resort credits, and—based on availability—upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out. Don’t leave vacation money on the table!
If you would like to book this property with these VIP amenities at no cost to you, we invite you to become a Luxe Recess Insider and have access to our hotel booking tool.
The Luxe Recess Insider Membership is for
families who love luxury hotels with VIP perks.
