Beach at Gansevoort TC
We’re stretched out on the white sand beach staring at the turquoise water.
We didn’t have to fight for beach chairs and though I’m told the Gansevoort Turks & Caicos (www.gansevoorttc.com) is sold out this weekend courtesy of a wedding. It is only 91 rooms. Neither the beach nor the drop-dead gorgeous pool (have you ever seen cushioned lounges that rest in a few inches of water?) are crowded.
It’s my kind of place for a parents’ getaway—elegant, casual, beautiful and oh-so-hip with white furniture and walls, interesting fixtures everywhere and open air spa. Did I mention the lack of kids? I’ve only seen two. Hint: If you are planning an adult getaway, head for a hotel with a grown up feel!
This certainly qualifies with stellar service on the beach (the grilled ham and cheese with fries was delicious), to the stylish rooms with floor to ceiling windows offering ocean views (we killed some wine watching the sunset from our deck last night), to the all white furniture and dark wood. We have a suite with a kitchen and washer drier—handy if we were here for a week but since we’re just here for the long weekend, I’m happy for the (complimentary) continental breakfast and local restaurants.
Last night, for example, we enjoyed terrific local lobster and grouper and conch fritters and ceviche sitting on a deck at Caicos Café, a favorite with locals.
The Turks and Caicos Islands–a British Crown Colony—are actually 40 islands and cays. Only half are inhabited–located halfway between Miami and Puerto Rico. We’re on the island of Providenciales (called Provo) and on the western end of the Caicos archipelago. It’s easy to get here—just an hour and half from Miami, and going home, we scored a nonstop American Airlines flight to JFK—less than four hours. Ideal for a long weekend.
This is the kind of place where you can do a lot or nothing at all. Because the beach stretches for miles, you can walk or run (a guy I met trained for the NYC Marathon here) snorkel or sail. We went out in a Hobie cat with 21 year old Ben Piere, who works the beach for the resort and couldn’t be more fun.
This morning, we got up early and went diving with Provo Divers—a terrific company. The Coral Reef stretched or more than 200 miles and many of those on the dive boat planned to dive every day of their trip. Unfortunately, we could only dive one day and I got terribly sea sick. Fortunately, the wall dive was wonderful and I felt better in the water than on the boat. Next time, I don’t leave for a day of diving without Bonine and ginger ale!
We may try to snorkel tomorrow there are coral canyons and all varieties of fish I’m told—a short walk from the hotel.
The Gansevoort is centered on a 7,000 square foot infinity-edge pool lined with blue mosaic tiles. With the blue sea in the distance, it is so perfect it looks staged—as it is for comfort and elegance. The “floating” islands serve as candle-lit dining areas at night. Can you get more romantic?
But we’re more beach creatures than pool folks so I love the white sand and the comfortable “beach beds” which don’t cost extra–just need to be reserved ahead. I also like that the resort is quiet. We’re right next to a protected public marine park on the west end of Provo’s Grace Bay Beach which has been named “best beach” by Conde Nast Traveler. Tomorrow, we’ll have to take out some of the glass bottomed kayaks and snorkel gear—no charge!
We have to keep an eye out for JoJo the dolphin who we hear likes to swim with people. There’s always tomorrow.
If only all vacations were this easy!