CAICOS CORAL: LUXURIOUS 2nd FLOOR, TWO LEVEL, ONE BEDROOM BEACHFRONT SUITE, RIGHT AT THE MAIN CORAL REEF ACCESS POINT ON GRACE BAY BEACH. IT IS UNIT 4205 AT CORAL GARDENS RESORT. FULL BATHROOM ENSUITE UPSTAIRS AND POWDER ROOM ON MAIN LEVEL. FULL KITCHEN. GREAT OCEAN VIEW FROM 2ND FLOOR BALCONY OVERLOOKING BEACH. SEE THE FULL DESCRIPTION FOR MORE PHOTOS AND AVAILABILITY CALENDAR AT AIRBNB OR AT VRBO. SOME GUEST REVIEWS ARE BELOW. THERE ARE NOW SO MANY REVIEWS AT AIRBNB AND VRBO THAT WE HAVE STOPPED POSTING NEWER ONES HERE:

Everything you could ask for. This place is as advertised and I would stay here again when we come back. Having the ocean view and sunset views were amazing. Great snorkeling just off the beach in front of the resort. We saw so many different fish. I was surprised how close to the beach some were. We appreciated having masks and snorkels there to use. Also having a pack n play for our 1 year old was helpful. The grocery store is a little over a mile away so having it nearby was also nice. I was a little nervous with it having no reviews yet but It worked our great. We only had one minor issue come up and it was fixed before we got back to the condo from the beach. Murray was helpful with any questions we had and replied quickly.

8/2/2022 at 4:32 AM

Beautiful My husband was extremely skeptical about staying here because there was just the 1 review. We were pleasantly surprised...the unit was better than the pictures. It was very spacious and had everything that you needed. The view from the balcony was amazing, the beach was crystal clear with no waves but with it being on the reef you needed water shoes...which we had. There was always ample beach chairs and umbrellas both by the pool and at the beach...it was not at all crowded. The only downside was the pressure of the shower head was low but with water being such a scarce commodity on the island this was understandable. Don't be scared to book because of the 1...now 2 reviews. Any issues that came up was quickly addressed by Murray.

8/17/2022 at 11:17 PM

AMAZING PROPERTY This little gem of a property was a great place for a getaway for my wife and I. It has a great view of Grace Bay and with staying during the tourist off-season, it was very quiet and relaxing. We stayed during Hurricane Fiona and the property was very safe and sturdy with 115mph winds blowing into the bay. The living space was very cozy and having a full kitchen was very nice to have if you’re not looking to spend money on food every day. The king bed was super comfortable and having the ductless AC unit cooling the room was perfect to take the heat and humidity out of the room. The pool on the property was great to cool off in when the Bay was bit rough after the storm. We didn’t get to eat at the Somewhere cafe on property as it was closed but we ate at JoJo’s Cafe next door at Windsong and that was really good for a lunch. Murray was an awesome host and was very responsive if I had any questions. Can’t say enough about this property except that we will be back very soon!!! Thanks again Murray for having us and providing us with a great unit to stay at for our first trip to Providenciales, TCI!!

9/27/2022 at 3:55 PM

We had a great time. Great location.

11/8/2022

Great 2nd floor condo right on beach at Coral Gardens. Close to everything and can get around island easily, but definitely rent a car. Very good for kids, has 2 pools, shallow turquoise water, snorkeling gear provided, easy to snorkel off beach. Could have used sand toys and better pillows. Full kitchen a bonus, on site resto good too. Murray very responsive, great host and cleaning provided mid-week. Highly recommended, would stay again!

11/22/2022

Amazing location with snorkeling just steps away! Would recommend renting a car. Somewhere Cafe is on the property and great!

11/25/2022

This was our 6th trip to Grace Bay and this was by far the nicest place we’ve stayed. The condo is beautifully updated and even better than the pictures depict. We loved having a full kitchen (with everything we needed) and an extra half bath. We felt like we could spread out and didn’t feel cramped at all. The parking was great and gave easy access to the condo. The beach attendants were very attentive and made sure you had chairs, umbrella and towels each day. The snorkeling made this the perfect place to stay for us since my fiancé spends ALL of his time in the water. We saw eagle rays, octopus, turtles, stingrays, nurse shark, and so many beautiful fish. I was worried about it being too crowded because of the snorkeling popularity but it never felt too crowded. We love a cool room to sleep and the AC never disappointed. Murray was a great host and checked in to make sure we didn’t need anything. He also sent a housekeeper midweek which we weren’t expecting which was so nice. We wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again and are already planning our next trip!

12/3/2022

We had a wonderful stay. As you enter the apartment, you are immediately treated to the most wonderful view of the impossibly turquoise waters of Grace Bay. The unit is spacious and quiet. Coral Gardens is a smaller complex with plenty of chairs and lounges by the pools and beach and the staff were most helpful and friendly. Having Somewhere restaurant onsite right on the beach is a big plus. (Read Full lengthy review at AirBnB)

01/15/23

Do yourself a favor and book now. The place was perfect for my wife, young daughter and I. It was a minute walk to the beach and the access to towels and beach chairs made it even easier. The views from the balcony were the perfect way to start and end the day watching the sunset. We were able to walk to a few different hotels up and down Grace Bay so a car isn't even necessary. We will be staying here again in the future.

1/31/2023

Very nicely decorated condo with great views of the water from the deck. Easy access to the beach and on site staff very attentive. Terrific snorkeling right in front. Very relaxing atmosphere at night. Easy drive to the restaurants and Grace Bay shopping district. Had a fantastic 7 days and looking forward to our next trip back to Coral Gardens. Host was outstanding to deal with before and during the trip.

01/24/23

Perfect location for snorkeling and beach activities. View from the room was breathtaking. The most amazing trip. The condo had everything we needed. Owner was easily accessible by email etc. Property staff was super nice. We love Jerome (the older Jerome) .. so fun

02/11/23

The Coral Gardens Resort was better than I had expected. Truly what we were looking for in a beach get a way vacation. Quiet, clean, and lots of beach to walk on. Bonus was the snorkeling and restaurant so very close. The towel and beach attendants were great ! Never had a problem getting a lounge chair. Our host was very responsive and we loved having a key code panel outside the door, so we could just let ourselves in when we arrived. The condo was spotless! We also loved that there was a safe in the closet of the master bedroom. Plenty of hangers and drawers were available also. We hope to go back next year! Enjoyed both air conditioning and ceiling fans.

02/18/23

Great location on the beach in Grace Bay near Windsong and Wymara resorts. Beach is not crowded--there are beach attendants who will provide chairs, umbrellas, and towels (included). A small reef is located directly in front of the property for convenient snorkeling. Free and easy parking (rent a car). Well equipped kitchen. Clean and well-kept. Overall this is a great value right on the beach.

03/11/23

SEE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BELOW THE PHOTOS

Coral Gardens is a popular condominium resort on the west end of Grace Bay Beach. There are many exclusive resorts in this part of Grace Bay including Windsong, Wymara and West Bay Club. The fabulous new Hyatt Andaz is under construction next door. Coral Gardens was previously the home of the gourmet Coyaba Restaurant which relocated several years ago. It is the home of the very popular Mexican themed Somewhere Café in front of the beach seen in one of the photos above. Somewhere is open for three meals a day and all day and evening fun. Most importantly Coral Gardens is the home of the Bight Reef for amazing snorkeling right off the beach.

Here are answers to common questions about the place:

Do I need a car? Your choice but most likely yes. The resort is a little too far for walking to other places you will want to go. The grocery store is very close but not an easy walk. Free parking is available for guests in a private lot just outside the unit but there are no reserved spaces. Park as close as you can to the resort entrance as that is where the direct entrance to our unit is. Around the island drive on the left and be very careful especially at traffic circles where you are to yield to vehicles coming from your right. Outside of main roads and well traveled tourist areas, roads can be flooded or in poor condition and those areas may also be dangerous.

Who do I see and how do I get in to the place? We have on site property managers who will give you the key and information on your arrival and assist you with your needs. They will also contact you with information ahead of your arrival. There are two management companies at Coral Gardens and our unit is managed from the first office you see as you walk towards the beach. It is a little confusing with two management companies in one resort with the Coral Gardens one set up by the developer managing some units and Coral Gardens (at or on) Grace Bay being operated by and for the owners of other units including ours.

Is there a safe for keeping valuables? Yes, it is in the bedroom closet and it works electronically. You set your own 4 digit code each time you close it.

What is the sleeping arrangement? There is a King Size bed in the private upper level bedroom and there is room to set up a crib for a baby in that room. The bed now has a new (April 2023) 20 inch thick ultra luxurious American made mattress, possibly for the best sleep of your life. We have top quality linens for the bed. A high quality sofa bed replaced the old one in October 2023. There is a pack and play crib which is kept in the closet inside the bedroom. The living room sofa opens up to a Queen Size bed so the place is suitable for up to 4 adults and a baby. Linens are provided except for the crib.

What housekeeping services are provided? We are not a hotel with hotel services and prices, but a discounted direct rental from owner home where we expect guests to keep the place clean for themselves during their stay. The resort cleaners do a thorough job cleaning before you arrive and after you go in addition to servicing the units every third day while guests are there. There is a dishwasher. Some consumable supplies are provided to get you started but you may need to replenish them yourself. The island’s largest grocery store, Graceway IGA is on Leeward Highway close to Coral Gardens.

What about towels and bathroom supplies? We provide hand towels, face towels and bath towels for 4 people and there are liquid soap dispensers in each of the powder room and ensuite bathroom and of course toilet paper. We do not supply shampoo, conditioner and bath gel. There is a hair dryer. Beach towels are provided by the resort at the beach entrance and you can get fresh beach towels as needed.

What about laundry? There is a convenient free laundry room you can use downstairs in the building. The laundry room is kept locked and you will get the entry code for it when you are in the unit. It has two fairly new full size washers and dryers and is rarely busy. Bring some of your own detergent if you plan to use it. There is an iron in the unit and a steamer.

Can I drink the tap water? The tap water is desalinized treated sea water and is perfectly clear and safe to drink, cook, bathe and make ice cubes from. Many people prefer bottled water and that is a choice. We recommend that you fill a pitcher with water for drinking as it does not get cold from the tap even if you run it a long time.

What is provided for beach and snorkeling? There is a beach attendant for the resort and you can have free use of the turquoise Coral Gardens beach chairs umbrellas and towels. If you are not snorkeling it is best to swim away from the reef area for a sandier bottom. You register as a guest at the beach entrance before you first get towels. They also have snorkel gear for rental. They will just want your name and room number which is 4205. In the unit we have several snorkels and masks for your use. We recommend bringing your own flippers or water shoes for snorkeling but we do have size 9 men’s water shoes which is a common fit. When you go to the reef there are rocks well before the marked snorkeling area and you should wear water shoes if you do not use flippers, to protect your feet. When you snorkel do not enter the marked orange circle for the reef. If you go inside the circle it is illegal and you could damage the reef. You will see plenty of fish as you approach the marked area. If you do use our snorkel equipment please rinse it in fresh water after use and return it to the bag in the closet.

Is the beach private? There are no private beaches in Turks and Caicos. All are open to the public and there is a public walkway to the beach right beside us. Coral Gardens is part of a protected national park area and there is further protection as it is a sea turtle nesting area. Fishing is not allowed in the park area. There are no facilities for the public but people come from all over the island to snorkel at the Coral Gardens reef. They are not allowed to use our resort beach chairs and usually stay off the beach area directly in front of Coral Gardens. Our pool area is exclusively for the use of you and other guests staying on the premises. There is no life guard on duty at the beach or the pool.

Is it noisy outside the unit? Our unit is in building 4, farthest from Somewhere Café and is not in a noisy part of the resort. It is very peaceful sitting on the balcony where you look out to the ocean, and there was until recently a great view looking along the beach. The Hyatt Andaz Resort next door, and very close to our unit, has been under construction since October 2023 and is past the early noisy phase right now, but it does rise up beside us and reduce our view in that direction. One year after the start there is still some variable construction noise which can not be predicted. We will report on how that changes over time but so far our guests have not cancelled but have endured the construction noise or thought it was not bad. You can cancel reservations ahead of time with a full refund and if you think it will be a problem we can help you relocate if you wish after arrival with a refund for unused dates. The new resort hotel is expected to open some time in 2026. It will provide additional restaurants and bars open to our guests.

What security is at the resort? A few years ago there were major concerns about crime in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos due to gang related events away from Grace Bay and other tourist areas. Coral Gardens had a security guard present from 5 PM to 7 AM daily and this has been increased to 24 hours a day. There have been no incidents to raise concern at the Coral Gardens Resort and gang related crime on the island has gone down in the past few years.

What is done for heating and cooling? Heating is never needed. There is central air conditioning with controls on the main level and upstairs for the bedroom level there is a ductless air conditioning wall unit with a remote control box on the wall by it. We are now replacing the older central air system with a new one. There are also three ceiling fans in the unit.

What kitchen and dining facilities are there? The kitchen has GE appliances being fridge, stove, dishwasher and built in microwave. There is a blender, a kettle, and a 2 slice toaster. There are lots of kitchen tools and sufficient dishes and cutlery. There are lots of wine glasses and two martini glasses. There is a good selection of bottled spices for your use. There is a drip coffee machine that uses #4 coffee filters which are provided. We do not supply coffee and we recommend that you bring your own preferred ground coffee from home. We do have a supply of sweetener and tea bags. We provide a roll of paper towels. There is a kitchen island in addition to regular counter space where you can prepare meals and 3 wicker bar stools the other side of the island in the living area. We do not have a dining room table. There is a round table on the balcony with outdoor chairs where you can also eat.

Is the unit accessible? It is not accessible or recommended for people with walking issues. There is no elevator and it is on the second floor. The bedroom which includes a large walk in shower in the Ensuite bathroom is up a set of stairs in this two level unit.

How is the internet? Wireless internet for the resort is available in the unit with a booster in the bedroom. Internet speed is a little higher in the bedroom but very good and reliable all through the unit. The cable TV box has the Wifi password on it. The resort recently changed over to FLOW for much more reliable higher speed internet and cable TV service. By the pool and beach you can use the open network of Somewhere Café.

What about TV? There is a 40 inch Sansui HD LCD TV in the living room and a 40 inch Sony HD LCD TV in the bedroom. Both have very good picture and sound but they are not Smart TVs. In the living there is a new DVD Blue-Ray player and there are some DVDs there for your use. Each TV has a cable box from Flow and there are many channels available.

What restaurants are near? There is the Somewhere Café on the premises which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast starts and the bar opens at 8:30 AM. There are no dinner reservations needed or allowed except for large groups. Close to Somewhere right next door at the Windsong Resort there is the Dunes Restaurant and JoJos Café. JoJos by the pool, is great for lunch by the beach and also has an excellent bar. A few doors down the other way and visible from our balcony is the upscale Wymara Resort which has the gourmet Indigo restaurant. Another great restaurant The Marine Room is now open across the road from the Wymara Resort. It has received very positive reviews although it is considered “expensive” and is in a slightly higher price range than Indigo. Turtle Cove Marina is a mile down the road west of us and it has reasonably priced restaurants Mango Reef, Baci and Sharkbite. We highly recommend Baci for Italian food right by the water or takeout pizza. Towards central Grace Bay at we recommend Hemingways right at the beach at the Sands Resort, and also Mr. Groupers for fish of course, and on Thursday evenings the island fish fry party is now next to Mr. Groupers. The fish fry is a popular event where there is live entertainment. It is tricky driving in the fish fry area on Thursday evenings due to the many people who go there and traffic detours. An excellent restaurant we recommend above Turtle Cove for the food and the sunset view is Magnolia. Magnolia is just up the hill from Turtle Cove and Bay Bistro is at Sibbone Hotel towards central Grace Bay. It is famous for its seared tuna and martinis. In the central part of Grace Bay Beach we recommend the high end dining of Coyaba, Coco Bistro, Grace’s Cottage, the Ritz Carlton restaurants and Opus farther north at Ocean Club East. There is also Seven and The Farm for fine dining at Seven Stars Resort. We also highly recommend Caicos Café for great food and value, open for dinner only. Beyond Grace Bay and Turtle Cove we recommend local food from Omar’s, Bugaloos and Da Conch Shack. Many restaurants can be booked for reservations online from their websites or using Open Table. For pubs or sports bars we recommend Danny Buoys or the Terrace in the central Grace Bay area.

What excursions are there? There are not a lot of attractions to see on the island but there are many scenic spots if you drive around or have a taxi take you for a tour. You can be dropped off at a different beach or a resort which will welcome you if you have lunch at their restaurant and a cab can come back for you. The best excursions are on the water including a great number of sailing and snorkel trips. While our reef at Coral Gardens is very good you will find better spots on an excursion and all snorkel gear including flippers is provided. For water excursions you usually can get ground transportation to Leeward or Turtle Cove Marinas included or they will pick you up at the beach. Caicos Dream Tours regularly picks up and drops off guests at the Coral Gardens beach. The nicest and most expensive catamaran trips are on the Lady Grace which is part of the Ritz Carlton Hotel and provides excellent food from the hotel and top service. We recommend their sunset cruise. You can have a lot of wonderful experiences and even make friends for life while on a sailing trip in Provo. There a number of boating service providers. There are also clear kayaks which are guided for nature tours of the mangrove area near Leeward. We also recommend visits to other islands especially Middle Caicos.

What about shopping? Turks and Caicos has not been known for great shopping and the prices tend to be high with almost everything imported with a high duty on it. For groceries (also wine, beer and liquor) we are close to the Graceway IGA which is a large store that should have everything you need. You do not need to bring food with you from home. In central Grace Bay there is the associated store Graceway Gourmet which is smaller but has a better selection of things visitors would want with smaller containers available and the prices are the same at both stores. Liquor sales are not allowed on Sundays but you can get a good selection of wine and other things at L & M a variety store run by our friend Mario in the plaza where the French bakery and Caicos located. Some hotel gift stores offer liquor and wine on Sundays. For the French bakery go early as they do sell out by noon usually. Central Grace Bay has a growing number of tourist oriented and high end shops and great coffee shops like Lemon-2-Go and Beans and Leaves. More and more good shops are being established at the Salt Mills Plaza in the central area. There are many new shops offering quality clothing, art and decor. There are also jewelrey stores offering duty free items in the central area with airport outlets as well. There are many more basic local stores around the island and larger specialty stores but no malls so you should ask based on what you need.