Laundry: Each unit has a stacking in-closet washer and dryer you may use with detergent pods provided. The current machines are old and will soon be replaced with newer, larger and more efficient machines.
Iron: Is supplied and there is an ironing board too —
Hair Dryer: Yes there is a good one supplied. Please use it only in the bathroom. —
Insects: Generally not a problem, but a mild bug repellent may sometimes help.
Electricity: American style 110 Amp service and plugs. Lots of power bars and outlets with direct USB plug ins for your charger cables. —
Time: The Turks and Caicos Islands are on Eastern Time so the time will be the same as at home if you live in the Eastern Time Zone of North America.
Babies: Young children are welcome at the resort and love the soft sandy beach and shallow water. The resort also has two kids pool areas beside the main pools. Our units share a Graco pack and play crib, bassinet and change table which we keep in the bedroom closet. It is shared by the three units and should be requested in advance of arrival.
Money: The US dollar is the local currency and there are ATMs and Canadian banks in the area. Nearest bank now is CIBC at the Saltmills Plaza which is also home to Potcake Place. The Royal Bank of Canada, CIBC and Scotia Bank branches are farther from Grace Bay Beach but they are by the main Graceway IGA store on the Leeward Highway. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and American Express is generally accepted at high end shops and restaurants.
Smoking: Smoking (or vaping) outside including cigars (not cannabis) is accepted. Please keep patio doors closed so smoke from other patios and balconies does not enter the suite. We discourage patio smoking as smoke can find its way into our units or others when patio doors are opened. Smoking outside at resorts and other public areas may be banned in the future by the TCI Government.
Bicycles: The resort got NEW bicycles a few years ago, but not helmets. Bikes are available at no charge to resort guests and we have agreed to pay for our guests to use them as well after resort management imposed a fee for their use on guests of private renters last year. You can sign them out for 2 hours of use each day but they are not to be taken outside of the Grace Bay area. —
Blender: We have a Ninja blender/mixer in 111 which you can use to make your own drinks, smoothies or whatever. There is also a regular blender in each unit. Only rule other than use it safely, is clean it after. —
Water: You can safely drink the tap water but get it cold by keeping it in the refrigerator. The tap water is desalinated treated ocean water. Many people prefer bottled water but it is not necessary. The hot water tank in 111 was replaced in 2021 and the one is 112 was replaced in 2020.
Spices: We keep the kitchen in 111 stocked with a selection of spices in bottles for those who enjoy cooking in the fully equipped kitchen. Fridges are emptied by cleaning staff after each guest leaves for safety reasons. We are unable to keep open bottles of sauces and other kitchen condiments. —
Coffee and Tea: We recommend you bring your own preferred ground coffee for the electric basket type drip coffee maker in the unit. Each unit has a kettle and the one in the studio is electric. We do not provide tea pots as they tend to break. There are filters and sometimes sugar and/or sweetener. Coffee, cream and milk is readily available at the local grocery store. There are some very good recently opened coffee shops in the Grace Bay area.
The Bar: We invite guests to visit the Pelican Bay Restaurant and Bar at the resort, especially at Happy Hour (5-7) when drinks are half price. Free popcorn is served at the bar during Happy Hour. Great appetizers and full meals can be ordered at the bar too. We often have a bottle of Bambarra Rum and other liquor in the wine rack near the patio doors in unit 111 for occasional guest use and contribution of opened bottles. Except for Sunday you can buy beer, wine and liquor at the nearby grocery store with very good selection. We recommend the local Turk’s Head beer but most popular American and European beers are also available. On the way to the grocery store you pass the French bakery and next to it is L & M Mini Mart which sells top quality wines and it is open for liquor sales on Sundays. Say hi to our friend Mario who used to be a Pelican Bay bartender. —
Restaurants: Provo is known for EXCELLENT DINING. Pelican Bay Restaurant at the resort is available for breakfast lunch or dinner and restaurant food is available at the bar. If you love LOBSTER the local lobster is great and there is a Wednesday all you can eat lobster buffet at Pelican Bay Restaurant during the open season (early August to beginning of April). They do have good pizza which you can order at the bar to take out or eat there. People who share a pizza at the bar are very popular. The coconut shrimp appetizer is also very good there and other places. The restaurant menu entrée called “Airline Chicken” is actually very good despite its name. There are many excellent restaurants in Grace Bay, including the top rated Coco Bistro and Coyaba in easy walking distance. Grace’s Cottage is another high end quality restaurant a short distance past the Ritz Carlton. These top restaurants are high priced but worth it and you need reservations. Jack’s Fountain was a friendly open air pub with good food just across the road. Jack’s has been replaced by a more upscale restaurant we have not tried yet. Caicos Café (reservations required) is open only for dinner and has good value and excellent food including the best grilled calamari anywhere. Coco Bistro operates the less formal and less expensive Coco Van on its property with seating and take out with no reservations required. We also recommend Opus at Ocean Club East just north of next door’s Club Med for very good food and ambience. We highly recommend Magnolia and Bay Bistro for good value, sunset views and very good food close to Turtle Cove marina. At Turtle Cove there is the Mango Reef Restaurant which used to be at the RWI Resort. Mexican and other food is available at Somewhere Cafe and Lounge at the Coral Gardens Resort right at the Bight Reef snorkel site. We also recommend Da Conch Shack, Omars and Bugaloos for local style food designed for the budgets and tastes of visitors. —
Beach Stuff: Grace Bay is probably the best beach you will ever see. It is magical. The sand never gets hot on your feet. Our place is located on the widest part of Grace Bay Beach so you can not do better. You may use the resort beach towels, chairs and umbrellas at no charge. Pick up towels as needed by the beach entry point. We usually have pool noodles and a changing supply of beach toys in the suite that you can use. You can also sign out a Hobie Cat or Kayak from the resort at no charge. The water in the ocean is incredibly clear and a beautiful shade of turquoise. Sunsets from the beach are amazing. There are other very good beaches on the island and even better ones on the out islands. You can go snorkeling steps from shore at the Bight Reef and it is excellent, but you will need a car or a cab to get there. It is off a public access road where you can park next to Coral Gardens Resort. —
Club Med: is next door to our unit. You can buy a day pass. Adults only. We rarely get noise from Club Med, unless they have fireworks and sometimes live music.
Golf: We are close to the excellent Provo Golf and Country Club where you can pay to play golf and there is a Sunday brunch at the very good club restaurant. —
Casino: Next door to the RWI resort entrance but far from our unit. There is never noise from the casino.
Excursions: There are many land and water excursions around the island and to other islands of the Turks and Caicos. We recommend day long snorkel trips and sunset sailing trips. You can also take a quick flight or slow ferry to the other islands. We especially recommend Middle Caicos to visit and South Caicos for fishing. Most excursions include pick up and drop off from RWI lobby area. there is now a causeway from North to Middle Caicos and you can take a ferry from Leeward to North Caicos then rent a car for the day for touring North and Middle Caicos. —
Pets: Pets are not allowed at the resort except by unit owners but you may be visited by friendly cats who are part of the resort. Do not let them inside please. If you feed them you will see more of them but the resort is discouraging feeding. Potcake dog puppies can be visited at Potcake Place in the nearby Saltmills Plaza.
Driving: Drive on the left if you rent a car and be very careful especially at traffic circles where you are to yield to vehicles coming from your right. Parking is free. Outside of well traveled areas, roads can be flooded or in poor condition. Our guests who have rented cars have been very happy to have them but most people will walk, bike or take taxis as needed to get around. Driving is tricky and more so after dark.
Safety: The Grace Bay area is generally very safe and friendly but be careful. Always lock your patio doors before you go out. Stuff happens. Medical services are available and those with serious illness are quickly airlifted to Miami hospitals as needed.
