It’s hard not to be seduced into the leisurely pace of the islands when you’re at The Palms. With its spectacular vistas, award-winning spa, and beautifully landscaped British Colonial-style property you will quickly forget about the months (maybe years) of wedding preparations. (And if you’re smart, you may avoid that altogether by having a destination wedding at The Palms). With many rooms overlooking the Caribbean, you won’t feel guilty if you don’t leave your quarters: You can see, smell and hear the ocean from your bed. But the lure of sinking your feet into the dazzlingly white sand of Grace Bay Beach (No. 2 on TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Beaches in the World list) will probably be too strong to resist. To experience it, you don’t have to go far, but you may get sidetracked: Between your room and the beach is a gorgeous infinity pool (with a bar you can swim up to) and The Plunge beachside restaurant. Whatever your pleasure, you can be sure that you’ll feel special, as the attentive staff is always nearby with a smile, a towel and a drink (the frozen alcoholic variety or a bottle of ice cold water). The Palms has received many accolades (including making Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List and being named the World’s Leading Spa Resort by the World Travel Awards) and it lives up to its press: everything about it is spectacular.
Peak Romance
If it’s sun you’re looking for, it doesn’t really matter when you visit Turks and Caicos, as it has 350 days of sunshine a year. Avoid the crowds and get a better rate by going during the off-season from mid-April to mid-December, but also remember hurricane season falls in this period (June through November).
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The Palms’ main restaurant, Parellel23, is extraordinary, offering outdoor seating on the terrace, an open kitchen featuring a wood-burning oven, and an outdoor domed dining room for those who want a little more privacy. For a romantic meal off the resort property, try Coyaba, where Chef Paul Newman has created an oasis-like atmosphere complete with twinkling lights overhead. The food by the Canadian Iron Chef winner is not too shabby either. If you’re up for a little island adventure head to Da Conch Shack where you’ll sit at a picnic table on the sand and chow down on fresh seafood (what else?) and sip delicious and deceptive rum drinks.
Lovers Must
Experience a Moonlight and Stars couples massage on a private patio; sip tropical drinks at the beachside bar at sunset; take romantic strolls on the glorious Grace Bay Beach.
Start with the spa. And end with the spa. And do some spa treatments in between. With an expansive list of treatments, you won’t run out of options. If you do choose to do a little activity in between relaxing, take a yoga or Pilates class at the spa, or book a personal training session at the fitness center. You can also venture out into the ocean on a kayak, paddleboard, or snorkeling excursion. But perhaps the most romantic (or romance-novel inspired) activity would be horseback riding on the beach.
Rates start at $625 a night for a Luxury Room. www.thepalmstc.com
