Adrian Located in the gorgeous destination of Turks and Caicos, this Club Med location is one of the more affordable resorts in the area. Our overview delves into the nitty gritty of the resort
3.8 out of 5 stars
Overview
Located in the picturesque location of Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos. This mid-ranged all-inclusive resort has seen a little too much use since it was first built in 1984. The Resort is actually only listed on Google as a 3-star hotel, so if you’re looking for luxury, this may not be the spot for you.
The resort has areas that seem to have not changed since it was first built, but a large portion of the resort did go through renovations in the last few years. The resort is an adults-only offering, so it is the perfect place to relax and chill out.
Club Med resorts are known for their great amenities, activities, and entertainment and in these areas, the Club Med Turkoise didn’t disappoint. In our opinion when you’re booking a Club Med you are booking it for the activities and amenities that are offered. With the wealth of choice all-inclusive in today’s world Club Med is no longer the go-to resort for luxury retreats.
We stayed at this resort in early 2019 and this review is based on our experience.
Location
Located on Providenciales Island in Turks & Caicos. The location is really what you’re paying for here. The turquoise waters, the beautiful weather, and the island vibes are really unbeatable. There is just a great atmosphere around Turks and Caicos.
It’s just a 15-minute drive from the airport to the hotel. We rented a car when we stayed so we could explore the islands on our visit. There is so much to see and do in Turks and Caicos so we urge you to get out and explore if that’s your vibe. There is a shuttle available from the airport and this will probably be your cheapest option. It is not included in the cost of your stay so please be aware of this before arriving.
Top Tips
- The Wi-Fi at the resort is pretty hit and miss. It reaches all of the rooms and the beach but the signal is pretty weak in a lot of locations, so if we’re planning on working on your vacay be aware that it’s not the strongest. There is an option to upgrade to faster Wi-Fi, but this comes at an additional cost, which is a little annoying. Strong Wi-Fi should be table stakes for any resort these days
- Make use of the beach, it’s one of the nicest beaches on the island and the nicest part of this resort. It’s the perfect place to sink some pina Coladas in the sun
- Included in the amenities is snorkelling. Make sure to make use of this as the waters are so clear and beautiful
- If you’re looking to venture outside the resort for some food or drinks we highly recommend checking out the Cocovan Airstream Lounge which is just a 5-minute drive from the resort. This eclectic spot serves up some super tasty treats and drinks in a laid-back setting. Be sure to try the Peking Duck tacos, they are legitimately good
- The best time of year to visit the Turks and Caicos is between April and May. In this small window, the crowds are fewer, the weather is starting to ramp up with an average of 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit
- The Delis Cay building is the best room location as it’s the one that is nearest to all of the action. Right on the beach and beside the main area if you are looking to be in the action request to be located here. If you prefer a more laid-back vibe then we suggest going for the Water or Salt Cay buildings that are on the East side of the resort right in front of the beach
- The buildings where the rooms are have no elevators, so if stairs are an issue make sure to book a ground-level room
- If you happen to be in the Turks and Caicos and not staying at an all-inclusive, this resort does offer day passes which give you full access to the resort’s activities, unlimited food, and drinks for the day. It costs $80 per person
- Bring your own travel cup or mug and straw with you.The bartenders here will happily make drinks for you in your cup. Which reduces the amount of plastic you use especially in outside areas where some of the drinks are served in disposable cups
Check-In
Efficient is the best way to describe the check-in process at Club Med Turkoise. It’s not the grandiose experience that you’ll experience in some other resorts where you are met with a bottle of champagne and the doors open automatically.
The check-in process was quick, we were led to our rooms by an attendant and our bags had arrived before us. So nothing really to complain about with the process.
Amenities
If there’s one thing that Club Med resorts are known best for, it’s the amenities and activities that they have. From snorkeling, paddle boats, Yoga classes, Dance lessons they really offer it all. The events team here was really enthusiastic which helps create a sort of community vibe to the resort. The atmosphere is great for making friends with the other guests and overall just having a great time.
The gym is quite small for the size of the resort. There are a few elliptical machines, a few treadmills, and some spin bikes. There are more than enough free weights to get a workout in and a number of machine weights too. The equipment wasn’t very new at the time we visited, but it’s a perfectly acceptable gym to get a solid workout in. There is a class area where activities such as spinning and yoga classes are held.
We have to give a specific shout-out to the Circus team who put on such impressive shows throughout our stay.
Golf
While there is no golf course directly on the resort there are a number of great courses within a very drivable distance. A great element about visiting the Turks and Caicos is that they are very small islands, so getting around is very convenient. If you plan on golfing we definitely recommend that you rent a car.
Provo Golf Club
Ranked as the best course in Turks and Caicos and the 4th best course in USA Today’s 2020 best Caribbean Golf Courses, you can’t go wrong with Provo golf club. Rates per round differ depending on the time of year that you go. They range from about $195 in the peak months to around $130 in the nonpeak months. The Provo course does offer deals if you book multiple rounds, so be sure to check out their most up-to-date offer before booking here.
Beach
If you’re coming to the Turks and Caicos the one expectation that you most likely have is that the sand is white and the water is turquoise and for that, the Club Med doesn’t disappoint. Located on Grace Bay beach, it is a lovely spot for a resort. The private beach area is one of the resort’s stronger areas. Listed as one of the best beaches on the island, make sure to make the most of this idyllic setting.
We never had an issue getting a spot at the beach, there is an ample amount of sun loungers set up, so no need to get up early to secure a spot.
Does Club Med Turks and Caicos have a spa?
There is a Spa at this resort with a spa menu and pretty good facilities. Their spa menu is pretty limited though, there are no beauty treatments available and it’s pretty much limited to Massages.
What’s really nice about the spa experience here is that if you book a massage they have a spa cabana right on the beach. The cabanas have an open view of the beach and ocean. It’s the perfect spot to reach a heightened level of relaxation.
The Service
Typically with all-inclusive, we rarely fault the service, but the level of service we got at this resort wasn’t up to scratch. We were most disappointed with the lack of beach and pool service. This is table stakes when it comes to all-inclusive resorts and although it may not seem like a big thing it really takes away from the luxury feel of a vacation.
That’s not to say all of the services throughout the resort weren’t up to scratch. We did have great service at the concierge and when we checked in. At the restaurants, the staff were also very attentive and were happy with the service. On two of the evenings, we were going for dinner outside of the resort and needed to order taxis. We rang reception, booked the taxis for a specific time and when we arrived at reception the taxis were waiting there for us.
Cleanliness
Overall the resort was kept spick and span while we were staying. There wasn’t an empty glass or plate to be found on the resort. The staff were very attentive and were always on hand to refill your drink and collect your empties.
The rooms were cleaned once a day which we honestly preferred compared to resorts that do two cleanings in a day. The standard of room cleanings was ok, but nothing to write home about. On a few of the days when we got back to the room, there was still water on the floor, and towels weren’t replaced on a few occasions.
Booking During COVID
Club Med resorts have a comprehensive plan for protecting their visitors when traveling in these uncertain times. Be sure to check that these elements are still in place at the time of booking if you’re planning a trip.
- Free Cancellations – Cancel for free up to 15 days prior to departure for travels on or prior to December 16, 2021
- Enhanced Resort Hygiene Measures – This resort was very clean when we visited in 2019 and they have stepped up their cleaning protocols to make sure they enhance their safety measures.
- Emergency Assistance Program – Although here at InspoVacay we always advise getting your own travel insurance. Club Med does offer an Emergency Assistance Program that provides all guests traveling by December 31, 2022, with coverage for emergency medical expenses during their stay, including those related to COVID-19.
What’s included in the all-inclusive package
Included in your package is all food, the majority of your drinks, full use of the amenities at the resort, a stocked mini-bar, room service, a slate of entertainment throughout the day and night. The real showstopper here is the activities on offer. With a range of water sports, classes, and cool things to do throughout your stay Club Med resorts focus on activities as their product differentiator.
Food + Restaurant Options
The selection of places to eat at the resort is pretty limited, but in our experience, a smaller selection more often leads to more consistent and better food compared to resorts that have 10 or 12 restaurants. The Club Med Turkoise is at the complete other end of the spectrum with only two restaurants offered at the resort.
There are two places to eat, the main restaurant Grace Bay which is a buffet-style restaurant, and Sharkies Grill & Beach Bar. Overall the quality of food was good, but not great.
Grace Bay Restaurant
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner this will be your go-to spot to chow down for at least one meal a day. At first, we were a little skeptical about the lack of choice. Typically with the all-inclusive resorts that we have stayed at historically, there have been a handful of restaurant options, but we were pleasantly surprised at the variety and quality of food here. We did end up leaving the resort two of the evenings and going to a local restaurant, but it was actually nice to get out of the resort and get some variety in.
There are a number of options that are served throughout the week such as fresh seafood, pizza, steak, fish, and chicken options as well as a good rotation of dishes that are rotated that leverage some great local delicacies such as conch ceviche, lionfish, and lobster.
Sharkies Grill & Beach Bar
This open-air spot serves food throughout the day and night. It’s the perfect spot to grab lunch or a snack, its close proximity to the beach makes it very handy to grab something quick. The food here was good, but not great. Kind of what you would expect from a beachside grill.
Every day at 5 pm it’s happy hour at Sharkies and although it’s all-inclusive and getting discounts on booze isn’t something you need to think about, the happy hour is a great meeting point where people gather for a drink and start the night. There’s a great atmosphere and some delicious daily cocktails on the go.
Is there a Dress Code at Club Med Turks and Caicos
Some of the restaurants do have a dress code in place, but honestly, the staff seemed pretty relaxed in terms of it. So, I would worry too much about the dress code here.
There are also themed nights throughout the week where guests are encouraged to wear the night’s themed attire. If you are keen on doing this then we suggest that you download the club med app before traveling where information about the nights for the next few weeks can be found and you can pack accordingly.
Bars and Drinks Offering
There are three bars in the resort. Sharkies, blue coral, and the Wine cellar. The Wine cellar is a bar that comes at an additional cost, so there are really only two options that are included in your package.
The drinks selection is pretty good. They have a good selection of top-shelf liquor such as Grey Goose, Hendriks gin, and Johnny Walker Black. Local beers are included, but imported beers come at an additional cost.
Rooms Types
The room offerings at Club Med resorts are usually pretty straightforward forward which we appreciate here at InspoVacay. There are simply two options for room types and these are club and deluxe with the main difference between the two being the size of the rooms.
Unlike many all-inclusive resorts, there are no extra benefits such as exclusive bars or restaurants if you go for the deluxe room vs the club room, which we like. It creates a good atmosphere around the resort and removes the need to ask yourself – do we have access to this restaurant?
The overall standard of the rooms isn’t the best, but I suppose you need to ask yourself, how much time do you actually spend in your room in these types of holidays. You are definitely paying the premium for the location and in our opinion, it’s worth it.
Conclusion
Before booking this hotel we did our due diligence. It ranked the #11 of 15 Hotels in Grace Bay according to Trip advisor and while that is not great, the price point is a good bit cheaper than the majority of resorts that outrank it in Tripadvisors rankings. Turks and Caicos is definitely a premium location for all-inclusive, so you’re really paying for that when visiting any resort on these beautiful islands.
The beach at Grace Bay and the location of Turks and Caicos are the winners here. If having a stunning beach and top-quality location is the top priority for you and you’re looking for a value option then this is the resort for you.
Club Med Turkoise should be considered a good value option for travelers that want an adults-only all-inclusive in the stunning location that is Turks and Caicos. If you are looking for a luxury getaway then we suggest you look elsewhere. For a comparable price, you can stay in the likes of the Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana and the Excellence Cancun, which offer far superior experiences at a similar enough price point.
FAQ’s
Q. Does the Club Med offer a shuttle service from the Airport
A. Yes, a shuttle service from the airport can be requested. They do advise that you ring before your trip to check availability and this shuttle does come at an extra charge.
Q. Is parking available at the resort
A. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary
Q. Is Wi-Fi included
A. Wi-Fi is included in the price you pay. The connection speeds are pretty average unless you are in the main reception. There is an option to upgrade to a faster Wi-Fi service for $10 a day. If you have any video conferences we highly recommend upgrading for the days you have called.
Q. What local attractions are there?
A. Turks and Caicos is full of natural beauty and the top attractions are all centered around that. Princess Alexandra National Park Barrier Reef is an extensive protected area of Turks and Caicos and Grace bay beach actually is part of this national park, but the highlight for us was the Bight Reef. The perfect spot for snorkeling We highly recommend doing a full-day snorkeling tour that can be arranged at the concierge for an extra fee.
