Kokomo Botanical Resort

To a passerby, Kokomo Botanical Resort & Spa might look more like a residential community than a hotel. A faded plastic A-frame sign sits on on the corner of the street, directing people to the hotel’s entrance, but it can be easily missed if you’re not looking for it. During our visit, the hotel was still undergoing branding changes (the property was formerly known was Venetian Ridge), and many of the hotel’s signs and emblems still bear that name. Also during our visit, there was no formal lobby or reception desk, just an empty unit acting as a place where guests can pick up the keys to their cottage. The hotel itself is tucked into a hillside, and feels private and peaceful. Thanks to the property’s botanical nature, flowering shrubbery and tropical plants give each of the property’s 39 cottages a private, secluded feel. Kokomo is an ideal spot for those looking for a peaceful getaway. It’s marketed as a family-friendly place, but young kids would probably be bored here. During our visit, we encountered mostly middle-aged couples and friend groups. 

Kokomo is centrally located on Providenciales. It’s an ideal spot for travelers looking for a home base while exploring the island. The airport, the beach, the grocery store, and tons of shops and restaurants are all within a five- to 10-minute drive — the problem is, there’s really nothing within walking distance. On the bright side, since there’s almost nothing around, the property maintains a consistently peaceful atmosphere.    

The hotel calls its 39 rooms “Caribbean cottages,” and that’s exactly what they are. With pitched ceilings, paneled walls, and tile floors, the bungalows have a laid-back beachy feel about them. Cottages are broken up into two categories — Family Villas and Couples Villas. The only distinction between the two is that Couples Villas have two bedrooms with two queen-size beds, while Family Villas have one room with a queen-size bed and one room with two twins. Good luck fitting four people in either villa — no matter the type, all cottages are on the small side, and the living room doesn’t even have seating for four people. Instead the living space has two armchairs that face a light wood stand with a flat-screen TV. The kitchen has only enough room for one person to stand comfortably within it, but the hotel managed to squeeze an oven, a microwave, and a full-size refrigerator in there. The kitchen is fully functional, and comes equipped with pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils. The bathroom is also small, with only enough room for a pedestal sink, a toilet, and an enclosed shower stall. While the cottages may be tight on space, they do come with thoughtful amenities like coolers, beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas, and a cell phone that’s free for guests to use while on the island. Each room also has its own wireless router, so the hotel’s Wi-Fi is not only free, but also fast and reliable. That's not the case at Atlantic Ocean Beach Villas, which has larger rooms and is closer to the beach. 

Kokomo is noticeably missing big ticket amenities like a restaurant, spa, or fitness center (the spa was not yet complete at the time of our visit). But, the hotel’s beautiful pool and free continental breakfast are certainly major perks. With a black bottom and a natural stone waterfall, Kokomo’s pool is unlike most in Turks and Caicos. While the pool doesn’t necessarily scream Caribbean vacation, it feels like a natural oasis, with large leafy trees and flowering shrubs surrounding it. The pool deck has several lounge chairs, and a separate whirlpool (note that it's not a true hot tub as it is usually not that warm). It remains pretty quiet during the day, since most guests choose to spend their days off property, but does see a bit more action in the evenings, when guests are returning for the night. The hotel serves free pastries and coffee each morning on its gorgeous outdoor deck. Many travelers use this as a mingling time, to share stories of the previous day’s adventures or offer tips to first-time visitors.