COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

It’s easy to feel like a celebrity on Parrot Cay, a sprawling luxury property where private villas are surrounded by lush greenery and personal butlers cater to guests’ every whim. Parrot Cay is a mere 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, but it feels worlds away. The white-stucco buildings with terra-cotta roofs look Mediterranean, the electric-blue waters and white-sand beaches seem Maldivian, and interiors’ soft-wood tones feel Balinese. If you’re looking for a typical Caribbean getaway, Parrot Cay is not the answer. But travelers seeking superior solitude in an otherworldly atmosphere will undoubtedly be delighted. Of course, feeling like a celebrity on a private island doesn’t come cheap. Guests can expect everything at Parrot Cay to be expensive. The Parrot Cay experience begins before guests even reach the island. When guests land on Providenciales, the hotel’s private chauffeur picks them up from the airport and escorts them to a private dock in Leeward marina. At the dock, staff members welcome new arrivals with iced ginger tea and coconut muffins and complete a formal check-in process. Once guests have checked in, they board the hotel’s two-story boat and head to the private island. Part of the illustrious COMO group of hotels, Parrot Cay matches the level of luxury found at its sister properties in Thailand, Bali, and the Maldives. The focus here is on wellness, and many staff members will remind you that Parrot Cay is first and foremost a spa. The purpose of traveling here to is take part in the holistic atmosphere, whether that means visiting the in-house Ayurvedic doctor or ordering off the spa menu at the restaurants. It’s by no means restrictive -- guests can still imbibe on top-shelf liquor and indulge in decadent desserts -- but travelers who’d rather veg out should probably stick to Providenciales. Children are welcome, but the hotel’s quiet atmosphere may not be suitable for little ones. Plus, there are no kid-centric activities offered.

Parrot Cay is a tiny private island approximately a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales. The 1,000-acre property is flat and lush, ideal for strolling and biking. Its sprawl allows for utter privacy, and sometimes, it may feel like you’re the only one around. The downside is that most of the hotel’s villas are far from its amenities. All villas are equipped with golf carts for easy transportation, but the property is so big, it’s easy to get lost along its crisscrossing pathways. Staying on Parrot Cay also means guests are removed from the shopping, dining, and nightlife on Providenciales, which may be a pro or a con, depending on the traveler. 

There are numerous room types at Parrot Cay, ranging from studio hotel rooms to multi-bedroom villas with private pools and direct beach access. Rooms feature Balinese-inspired decor, with light-wood furniture, white walls, and lots of white accents. At Parrot Cay, interior spaces are enhanced by their textural elements rather than pops of color or stylized design. White wainscoting and wide-plank vaulted ceilings feel casual and beachy, while four-poster beds draped with gauzy voile add romantic elegance. Bathrooms aren’t extravagant either, but they’re spacious and feature double sinks, open shower stalls, and deep soaking tubs. Many of the private villas have outdoor showers as well. All room have large outdoor spaces that emphasize indoor/outdoor living. Studio rooms have big balconies equipped with cushioned daybeds and chairs. Villas have private outdoor pools with sprawling decks and outdoor living spaces, and many feature direct beach access. Studio-style rooms and villas are the two main accommodation categories at Parrot Cay. Though there are several further breakdowns, it’s important to understand the major differences between the two types. Studio-style rooms resemble standard hotel rooms, featuring a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and an outdoor balcony. These rooms, known as Terrace Rooms, Garden View Rooms, and Ocean Facing Rooms, are housed in two main buildings in the center of the property. They're within walking distance of all the main hotel features, making them ideal for travelers who want to be close to amenities. Alternatively, those seeking ultimate privacy may be interested in the resort’s villas. Beginning at 1,000 square feet and culminating near 5,000 square feet, Parrot Cay’s villas are massive spaces with a secluded feel. The smallest villas have one bedroom, a separate living room, and a spacious outdoor deck with a private plunge pool. The largest villas have multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and good-sized outdoor pools. Some villas have direct beach access, while others overlook the North Caicos Channel and surrounding wetlands. However, it’s important to note that most villas are far from the resort’s amenities -- some are nearly two miles away. Villas are equipped with their own golf carts, but some travelers find the distances annoying.  Guests staying in two-bedroom (or larger) villas have access to 24-hour butler service. Personal butlers assist guests with whatever they need during their stay, from dusting sand off flip-flops to organizing private dinners and spa treatments. Guests concerned about privacy needn’t worry, Parrot Cay’s butlers manage to do everything in an inconspicuous manner.  

Visiting Parrot Cay and not taking advantage of the renowned COMO Shambhala Spa would be like traveling to Napa and not going to a winery. There are plenty of other things to enjoy on Parrot Cay, but that spa is its crowning glory. Its nine treatment rooms each focus on different treatment types: There are a hot stone treatment room, an Ayurvedic massage treatment room, and even a couples' cottage with a private massage room and outdoor whirlpool. But, the COMO Shambhala Spa isn’t just a place where guests receive massages and facials, it’s an entire wellness facility, where visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in the holistic environment. Spa-goers can practice yoga (for free) in the stunning open-air pavilion, join free pilates classes, visit the outdoor whirlpool garden, take part in guided meditation, meet with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor, or consult the on-site nutritionist. There are even dedicated parts of the spa where guests can spend alone time overlooking the property’s serene grounds. Just note that all spa facilities are open to guests ages 16 and older.  

The stunning infinity pool on-site isn’t just a lovely place to relax, it feels like the hub of the property. The casual open-air Lotus restaurant is located behind the pool, while the popular Lotus bar is adjacent. The beach is a few steps in one direction, while the tennis courts and fitness center are a few steps in the other. In fact, many guests spend the majority of their down time in this general area, and it’s not hard to see why. The zero-entry infinity pool is the picture of serenity, and the tranquil spa music that plays in the background helps create a relaxing atmosphere. Pool butlers refresh cocktails, adjust umbrellas, and adorn cushioned lounge chairs with fluffy white towels. They also make their rounds offering sunscreen and glasses of fruit-infused water. Though Parrot Cay is technically a family-friendly property, the pool scene is decidedly adult. We strongly suggest that families with young children rent a private villa with its own pool. Otherwise, screaming children (and their parents) will likely be met with menacing glances from couples and other adults trying to relax. 

While there are several beaches across Parrot Cay, the main beach is located directly in front of the pool. This stunning stretch of beach is almost shockingly beautiful, with sugar-white sand and electric-blue ocean water. The beach offers a level of privacy unavailable on Providenciales, and guests can easily walk for miles without encountering other people. In some parts of the water, large sandbars create “private islands” -- romantic spots in the middle of ocean where couples can spend time alone. There are several lounge chairs and umbrellas lined up along the beach, and the hotel offers guests free kayaks, paddleboards, and Hobie Cats.  

Travelers who find themselves easily bored can keep active both indoors and outdoors. Parrot Cay’s state-of-the-art fitness center is equipped with Life Fitness cardio machines, including treadmills, ellipticals, and a stairmaster. There are also several weight machines, an erg machine, and free weights. Additionally, guests can take advantage of the gym’s on-call personal trainers. Those who prefer to exercise outdoors can play a match on the adjacent tennis courts -- balls and equipment are free for guests. Inside the hotel’s main building, there’s a quiet library with tons of books and large comfortable sofas for lounging. A pool table, board games, and video games are available as well. 

Guests can expect excellent dining at Parrot Cay -- which is a good thing, considering there are no other dining options on the island. The hotel’s primary restaurant, Terrace, is located in the main resort building, and offers indoor and outdoor seating for breakfast and dinner. The atmosphere is casual in the morning hours, but becomes more sophisticated at night, when white cloths cover the tables and pendant lights illuminate the patio. Terrace’s large windows offer sweeping views of the property’s grounds and the ocean in the distance. Guests can expect traditional American breakfast offerings in the morning, like eggs Benedict, french toast, and omelets, but the menu is decidedly Mediterranean at dinnertime. Diners looking for lighter fare can choose tasty options from the COMO Shambhala menu, which is available at every meal and is the property’s version of spa dining. It offers enticing choices, including fresh juices, raw foods, and incredibly fresh local seafood. Plus, most of the resort’s produce is grown organically on-site. The island has its own fruit trees and even a coconut plantation. Lotus, the open-air poolside restaurant, has a casual atmosphere and serves upscale cuisine for lunch and dinner. The menu features an eclectic mix of Caribbean and South Asian-inspired dishes. Guests can snack on conch fritters at lunch and Ahi soba noodles at dinner. Lotus also hosts weekly themed nights, like Caribbean barbecue or Asian night market. These are served buffet-style, feature live music or entertainment, and always receive rave reviews from guests. Advanced reservations are required. Adjacent to the Lotus restaurant is the beachfront Lotus bar. At the bar, guests can order speciality cocktails made with top-shelf liquor, local and international beers, wine by the bottle or glass, and freshly prepared juices and smoothies. The gorgeous setting entices guests to stick around, and relax on cushioned daybeds beneath the wooden portico. In-room dining is available to all guests, but it's particularly popular in the villas. Staff members can set villas’ dining tables and serve meals to guests like a private restaurant. Or, guests can order meals and have them delivered like standard hotel room service. While Parrot Cay is not an all-inclusive property, full- and half-board meal plans are available, though it's worth noting these don't include alcohol. Breakfast is included in the nightly room rate, but a la carte dining at lunch and dinner time is pricey.