The Gansevoort Turks + Caicos | Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, T & C

TripAdvisor – Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean 2013
Conde Nast Traveler – Gold List Readers’ Picks of World’s Best Hotels 2013
US News – Best Hotels Rankings 2013
Conde Nast Traveler – Readers’ Choice Awards 2012
Travel & Leisure – The World’s Best Hotels 2012
Conde Nast Traveler – Hot List Editors’ Picks of World’s Best New Hotels 2010
Travel & Leisure – It List: 45 Best New Hotels of 2010

On my recent trip to Turks and Caicos my friends and I stayed at the chic and modern Gansevoort built in 2009.  A boutique hotel that has two other hotel locations in New York City, one in the Meatpacking District and the other on Park Ave.  Staying at the Gansevoort in Turks and Caicos was literally like urban chic luxury meets Caribbean hospitality. 

When lodging in Turks and Caicos, you want to find a hotel that sits along Grace Bay Beach on the island of Providenciales, the most developed island in Turks and Caicos.  The Gansevoort is in a slightly secluded section of Grace Bay Beach which gives one a private beach feel, one that I actually prefer, however all other major hotels are about a 7 minute cab ride away.  Granted this ultra luxury hotel has limited restaurants in the vicinity, it has a few great options close by to consider… Somewhere Café, Beach House Restaurant, and Stelle Beach Bar + Grill at the Gansevoort.  The Gansevoort also offers clubbing on Friday nights and a live band on Saturday nights, a complimentary full buffet breakfast, and complimentary Wi-Fi for all hotel guests.

In general, most Studio Rooms on the island cater to just 2 people, and since my group of friends included 3 adults we had no choice but to upgrade to a One Bedroom Suite which caters to 4 adults, and thus it is far more cost effective traveling with 2 adults or 4 adults, just something to keep in mind when planning a vacation to Turks.  My friends and I decided on the Gansevoort Turks + Caicos based on its reputation, gorgeous rooms, overall hotel quality, and excellent service.  I can say with much confidence this chic luxury hotel is the BEST hotel I have stayed at so far.

Gansevoort Water Bottle provided during pickup at the airport + a refreshing Cocktail (w/rum) provided upon check-in


Stelle Dining Area… our breakfast spot.  I loved the purple flowers hanging, reminded me of the purple flowers hanging similarly in Positano, Italy.


Complimentary Full Buffet Breakfast + Omelet Bar… this lady was so happy making omelets each morning, and it was so nice to see a smile on her face.


Eating my brekkie… yup, they even had Iced Coffee.  Woohoo! 


Pool Area (daytime)


Pool Area (nighttime)


Beach Area


One Bedroom Oceanfront Suite… 1100 square feet, layout from the balcony


Dining Room + Kitchenette… loved the turquoise blue and chocolate brown accents around the kitchen, I love a white kitchen, my dream!


Fully Furnished Kitchen w/every gadget you can imagine, including baking stuff.


Living Room w/Oceanfront View


Bedroom + Tub in Room


Housekeeping Twice Daily + Bottled Water & Lindt Chocolate left by the bedside


Sliding Door… between Living Room and Bedroom


Bathroom w/Rain Shower & Regular Shower


Balcony w/Oceanfront View… the ultimate bliss!


LOCATION
Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales
Turks and Caicos
(grace bay beach)

WEBSITE
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, A Wymara Resort

RECOMMENDED STAY
at least 4 nights

VERDICT: 4.8 / 5
The Gansevoort blew me away with its chic luxury, ambience, and gorgeous 1 bedroom suite.  Here at the Gansevoort they pay close attention to detail, something as little as leaving a couple of Lindt chocolate balls and bottled water by your bedside daily, in addition to welcoming you with tropical drinks (w/rum) upon arrival.  The hotel staff at the front desk and concierge were extremely welcoming, friendly, helpful, and went out of their way to change my restaurant reservations at 3 different restaurants at no cost.  During my wonderful stay at the Gansevoort, I thoroughly enjoyed lounging out on the balcony gazing at the ocean, the rain shower in my bathroom, the blissful pool scene with limited children around, and the delicious full buffet breakfast.

And now, my issues… 
1. Now this isn’t a complaint, but something I found odd so I’d like to mention it.  The Gansevoort provides a complimentary full buffet breakfast to all hotel guests.  At the end of our meal a bill was handed to us which indicated the buffet breakfast amount at $25 per person.  This amount was then crossed off with a $0 remaining balance and space for gratuity, essentially they are implying leaving a tip on the “overall bill.”  Tacky much?  I believe I speak for all Gansevoort guests when I say that anyone staying at this hotel would have enough commonsense to tip their servers, but in my humble opinion it is a bit odd to expect a 15% to 20% tip for a “buffet” where the customer himself/herself is doing most of the serving.  I’ve never experienced this approach at any other 5 star hotel where a complimentary full buffet breakfast is provided.

2. The beachside customer service is inconsistent.  Some days the beach attendants would stop by and ask us for food/drinks, and other days they wouldn’t bother.  Although most of the time the beachside attendants were helpful and setup our beach chairs and umbrellas, they didn’t exactly go out of their way in terms of checking on us with food/beverages on a daily basis. 

Other than that, I have no complaints.  The Gansevoort is a stunning resort that sits on gorgeous grounds, a hotel with chic luxury beach facing rooms that provide the ultimate relaxation.  Whatever you need, these guys will make it happen.  It’s sad this heavenly resort has changed my perception of what luxury is, in other words, the luxury here is so exceptional that my standards are even higher now.  The Gansevoort is perfection, or certainly close to it.  Would I stay here again?  Abso-freakin-lutely!  It is by far the most exceptional hotel I have stayed at, so far.  Very Highly Recommended!

Pros:
Incredibly Gorgeous Hotel
Location has a Private Beach Feel (although limited restaurants in vicinity)
Ultra Chic Luxury Rooms
Rooms w/Balcony
Kitchenette w/Dishes, Microwave, Stove (in suites)
Spacious Shower w/ Rain Shower + Hand Shower in Bathroom
Beach Front
All Ocean View Rooms
Excellent Front Desk/Concierge Customer Service 
Meticulous Staff
Tropical Juice w or w/o Rum Provided Upon Check In
Hotel Staff Walks you to your Room
Housekeeping Twice Daily
Complimentary Full Buffet Breakfast
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary Bottled Water Provided Twice Daily
Complimentary Lindt Chocolates Provided Daily
NOT Kid Friendly – a pro for some, Experience Ultimate Relaxation, No Screaming, No Jumping/Splashing in the Pool, etc.
Zen-Like Music by the Pool
Awesome Pool Scene – lots of lounge chairs in the pool + bed floaters
Nightlife – Friday Dancing & Saturday Live Band

Cons:
Not many restaurants in the vicinity
Indirect Tip Expectation w/$0 Receipt Provided during a Complimentary Full Buffet Breakfast ~ very tacky
Inconsistent Beachside Service ~ some days were good, other days were just okay 
Shower Lacks Privacy  (or may be a pro)

Location: Excellent| Value: Average, Pricy | Sleep Quality: Excellent | Rooms: Outstanding | Service: Very Good

Other Luxury Hotel Recommendations:  
Seven Stars Resort (Grace Bay Beach)
Grace Bay Club (Grace Bay Beach) 
The Regent Palms (Grace Bay Beach)

TELL ME: Have you been to Turks & Caicos?  If so, where did you stay and what do you recommend?