The Veranda Resort and Residences All-Inclusive Rating: 4.5 Pearls

Turks and Caicos Islands

The beach

Opened in 2010 by the standard setters who brought Grace Bay Club to the island nearly two decades ago, this newer property has a young and casual feel that works for both families and couples.

If the exteriors of the Veranda conjure thoughts of Nantucket, with its blue slatted rooftops and white picket fences, the interiors bear a striking contrast, with crisp white-on-white decor and colorful modern accents. This is first noticeable in the breezy open-air lobby, with its low minimalist white couches, white columns, and bright blue paintings of jellyfish.

The resort has an abundance of amenities -- three pools, three restaurants, a modern fitness center, the Sabai Spa by Elemis, and the three-building Kids' Town, to name a few, plus direct access to Grace Bay’s powder-white sand and shimmering turquoise water. But the small details also go a long way in making this luxury property such a success: for instance, a cooler full of bottled water next to the pool (water is something of a coveted commodity on the island), and mellow four-poster hammocks set amid overgrown brush between the pool and the beach.

While the main pool next to Marin Bar is rather small, it never seems overcrowded – something that can perhaps be attributed to a staff that constantly tidies lounge chairs and tosses out used towels. It may also be a result of the nearby kids' pool, which, surrounded by a thicket of noise-reducing jungle, keeps the splashing and game-playing separate from more adult poolside endeavors like tanning, billiards, and cocktails.

Even though the Veranda registers as one of Turks and Caicos’ frontrunners, it’s not nearly as sexy as the Gansevoort and lacks some of the elegance of Grace Bay Club. (A few areas fall short on design quality, like the sparse courtyard of the Veranda house, which resembles an old apartment building.) However, there is also quite a bit less pretense here, as service is more laid-back -- and quite possibly the friendliest on the island -- without being meddlesome or overbearing.

View on a Larger Map

The Veranda is one of the Grace Bay’s most expansive resorts, with more than 800 feet of ocean frontage. Aside from the beaches and the almost perfect weather -- Grace Bay enjoys 350 days of sunshine per year, and the temperature hovers around 83 degrees year-round -- shopping, golf, and restaurants (should Veranda’s three eateries grow tiresome) are a quick drive away.

• 15-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport
• 1-minute walk to Grace Bay (property is located on the beach)
• 20-minute walk or 4-minute drive to shops and restaurants at Regent Village and Salt Mills shopping centers
• 7-minute drive to Smith’s Reef for snorkeling
• 8-minute drive to Provo Golf Club
• 10-minute drive to the Caicos Conch Farm, the world’s only conch farm
• 15-minute drive to Da Conch Shack and Rum Bar

Ocean View Studio

The comfortable rooms at the Veranda are fairly average-size for the price range, but still plenty spacious, with an open floor plan. The studios start at roughly 500 square feet, roughly the same size as the studios at the Gansevoort and Seven Stars, but they have thoughtful extras that give them standout status: Egyptian cotton linens, French toiletries, balconies (though some are too small for furniture), and refrigerators stocked with soda, water, and beer. The decor -- white linens, sheer white curtains, tile floors, pops of color, whicker accents, beach-y stripes -- exemplifies island sophistication.

• Upgrading from a studio to a one-bedroom suite is worthwhile for the furnished balcony and sunset views alone.
• Studios are large enough to add a rollaway bed for a child.
• Eight beachfront cottages ranging from 3,000 to 4,120 square feet are one-of-a-kind on the entire island, with private plunge pools, several expansive decks, and jaw-dropping design.
• In the bathrooms: showers enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass featuring rain showerheads as well as hand showers; toiletries from French company Damana; lit magnifying mirrors; and plush robes and slippers
• Full kitchen in all units (even studios), and refrigerators stocked with sodas, water, and beer
• All rooms feature king-size feather-top beds with Egyptian cotton linens
• 33-inch plasma flat-panel TVs with Play Station 3s

The spa

The Veranda piles on feature after feature, offering top-notch facilities and activities. Its all-inclusive policy sets it apart from many of its neighbors, and the resort often provides freebies where other resorts might nickel-and-dime guests.

• Three pools, including one for adults and another for children, are constantly preened by staff. However, they all seem somewhat small for the size of the resort.
• Kids' Town offers a playground, arts and crafts, day excursions, and a video game lounge with Wii consoles. Teens can also sign up for extreme activities like parasailing, kite boarding, and scuba diving.
• Fitness center includes Life Fitness equipment with iPod-enabled cardio machines, personal trainers, water aerobics, and a lighted tennis court.
• On-site Sabai Spa by Elemis is Asian-inspired with a treatment list ranging from aromatherapy massages to facials and mani/pedis. Decor is somewhat underwhelming when compared with the Anani Spa at Grace Bay Club or the Thalasso Spa at Point Grace, however, treatment rooms impress with zen-like patios and spacious slate showers.
• The 24-hour business center, located within the breezy concierge lounge, is surrounded by bookshelves and comfy sofas and chairs. Traditional English tea is served here from 3 to 5 p.m. daily.
• An extensive DVD, PlayStation game, and traditional book library
• Free loaner bicycles and helmets
• Water sports pavilion with free use of snorkels equipment, Hobie Cats, kayaks, windsurfers, and volleyball equipment
• All-inclusive rates include all meals and alcohol, as well as all gratuities.
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• View full list of amenities

Marin Bar

The three restaurants, all with open-air views of the ocean, serve high-end fare: buffet-style at Marin, a la carte on the rooftop Sky Lounge, and casual grilled or tandoori oven options at Grill Bleu.

Formerly of the Bellagio and the Four Seasons chain, chef Wolfgang con Wieser (who also oversees cuisine at Grace Bay Club) offers Caribbean fare with almost every international twist imaginable.

Grill Bleu serves all three meals in a casual, open-air setting. The menu covers most cuisines, however, entrees from the tandoori oven -- the only one on the island -- are especially delicious.

The buffet-style Marin Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with rotating theme nights that include Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Caribbean, and Lebanese fare. The adjacent Marin Bar opens at noon and serves cocktails until midnight, and light snacks until 9 p.m. Above, the rooftop Sky Lounge is a spectacular choice for both the sunset vistas and the cuisine, with options ranging from steak and potatoes to pastas and salads.

Room service is also available from a cross-section of all three restaurants.