The Caribbean has always been special to me. We got engaged and married there, and have had several enchanting trips to many different islands. So it’s no wonder that I JUMPED at the chance to travel to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa when invited for the Social Media on the Sand Conference. A Fall getaway was just what we all needed, and getting to connect with fellow bloggers would prove to be a great boost of inspiration.
Boy, did we have an idyllic blogcation! But it was so much fun, it all seemed like a vacation. And we couldn’t have been in a more stunning locale–I know great beaches, and this one showed them a thing or two.
Naturally, our “re-entry” back to normal life was a bit bumpy when you are accustomed to turquoise waters and sand beneath your toes. My friends and family quizzed us about our journey, eager to glean nuggets of information. By far, moms were most interested in finding out:
Was an all-inclusive resort really worth it?
So I put on my lawyer hat and imagined if I had to make a case for our Beaches Turks and Caicos all-inclusive resort. So indulge me for a moment while I switch over to lawyer mode and lay out my case for you.
1. “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It”
I’ll borrow this Walt Disney quote to say that anything is possible at Beaches Turk and Caicos. The variety of activities and excursions go on for as many miles as the sand-beneath-your-toes beach stretches. Sailboats, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, scuba, snorkeling–at your fingertips at the Dive Center. And that doesn’t even touch on the Pirates Island, a 45,000 square foot waterpark with 9 waterslides, a surf simulator, and a lazy river. I faced my fears and survived the surf simulator, and it was exhilarating! (Yes, we have video proof but I’m not quite brave enough to share!) My son couldn’t wait to go to the Xbox lounge, and while I don’t like the idea of spending time in paradise on electronics, I had to remember that it’s his vacation too…so I indulged him (with limits of course). Unexpectedly, some of our of most memorable moments were ping pong and pool with our kids, just talking and bonding as a family. Our favorite activity by far was the Island Routes “Kitty Katt” catamaran snorkeling excursion. Worth every additional penny for the 3 plus hours, we cruised to a coral reef for snorkeling; beachcombing on Iguana Island while spotting several of the island’s namesakes; and capped off with jumping off the catamaran. I can’t think of a more idyllic day that I didn’t want to end in recent memory more than this glorious day.
2. Prepare to Be Awe-Inspired by Natural Beauty and a Seascape to Die For
Beaches hits the nail on the head when they describe the locale as “sweeping lawns and towering coconut palms, lush gardens full of fragrant tropical blooms and a picturesque oceanfront location.” It’s the little touches, like the well-placed hammock or comfortable lounge chairs overlooking the ocean. The serenity of lounging in a French Village cabana, with no deadlines or worries about time. Snorkeling in waist-deep water with a school of fish as your swim buddies. Kayaking out to where the blues of the ocean transition from cyan to aquamarine to cerulean; I never knew there were that many shades of blue! Nature seems to be thriving with every palm tree to each hibiscus flower in bloom. But the real star here is the beach: from the sunkissed sunsets to the cool breezes that caress you, the combined result will have you uttering “I could stay here forever.” And you will wish you could!
3. Island Time Equals Zen Time
The best word to describe the Beaches Turks and Caicos experience would be BLISSFUL. Sure, we had our busy conference moments, but overall I was in a state of serenity that could only be achieved when schedules are considered a four letter word and downtime means lounging in a poolside cabana. Maybe it’s the Caribbean vibe or lifestyle. Or perhaps it’s just taking the time to unplug for a few days. But there was something magical and enchanting and downright zen-inducing about it. Of course it didn’t hurt that I also delighted in a Raindrop Dreams Massage complete with essential oils at the Red Lane Spa! In fact, my teen daughter even got in on the zen, choosing to also get a massage at the French Village spa, so we sampled both spa locations! It had to be done-if only to pass along valuable information about the spa to you, my friendly readers (or at least that how I justify it)!
4. Lap of Luxury Accommodations
Our home away from home was a Key West 2 bedroom villa, which I totally wasn’t expecting! What an awesome surprise to have a kitchen, living room area, 2 balconies, and separate bedrooms for us and the kids! We were in heaven for sure, especially when you anticipate your room will be in a different village and a shared space with your children. The only drawback to having a kitchen was the slight guilt at not needing it-except for the refrigerator which remained stocked with juices and soft drinks along with rum, vodka, and champagne! Now I know what Fergie is singing about in the song “Glamorous”!
5. It’s the People
With any vacation destinatio
n, the quality of your experience directly correlates with the level of service. And the staff at Beaches Turks and Caicos elevate this resort to superstar status because they are friendly, conscientious and welcoming with every smile and every “how can I help you?” I would be remiss if I did not give special shout outs to these rockstar Beaches staff members: Imee, Kady, Kenisha, Ronaldo, Ovi, Darado, Kevia, and Bishop. Go to Kelly’s Bar, located at the Italian Village, and you will find the most fun loving bartender named Bishop. When at Beaches, you should always order the bartender’s specialty drink. My favorite was called the Crazy Bishop, delivered on his head! Bishop’s catchphrase seems to capture the spirit of this resort: “Why not?”
What if I don’t drink? Is Beaches not worth it then?
I would not say that at all! Alcoholic beverages are but one component of the offerings at Beaches. The same way I didn’t fret over not taking advantage of scuba, the same can be said for all-inclusive offerings that you don’t utilize. They aren’t a waste–you just elected to not capitalize on every single amenity at your disposal, but that hardly means the value of the all-inclusive is diminished somehow.
Here’s the downside of my case, which you always want to get out there before your opponent does: the food was not exceptional as billed. Although we did quickly determine which of the restaurants were superior to others, if you are a true “foodie”, then you will be left hungry for more. That being said, we did enjoy above par dinners at Soy Sushi and a yummy lunch at Neptunes. All the buffet breakfasts were bountiful and fresh. The sinful desserts at the Cafe de Paris in the French Village were tres bien! And for its ambiance, we loved Barefoot by the Sea where we could wriggle our toes in the sand while eating and it NOT be taboo! We did our part to sample all the “evidence” (as my waistline can attest), so it wasn’t just one or two restaurants that affected our review of the dining options. Just keeping it real here!
So in closing, Beaches Turks and Caicos delivers a family fun vacation in the categories of location, accommodations, variety of activities for all ages, and the staff and its friendly service. And if you would like a second or third opinion on Beaches Resorts, how about check out two of my friends’ reviews: Darcie from Such the Spot and Sara from Mom Endeavors.
The fine print/legalese: As an attendee of the #BeachesMoms Social Media on the Sand conference hosted by Beaches Resorts, our stay was discounted as part of the conference. However, this in no way influences my candid opinions about Beaches Resorts. All the opinions, photos and experiences I’ve described are my own.