Who says beauty and business don’t mix? The Turks & Caicos Islands offer breathtaking scenery and excellent facilities for meetings, exhibitions and conventions.
Meeting attendees will find plenty to admire. This archipelago, home to about 45,000 people, includes roughly 100 named islands, cays and rocks. Its shoreline is famous for Grace Bay Beach, with sand ranging in hues from pink to peach to white. Inland and offshore, wetlands, reefs and diverse wildlife are abundant: sharks, stingrays, dolphins, an array of fish and birds, flamingoes, owls, osprey and pelicans. In season, groups may also spot humpback and pilot whales.
You can blend nature with every amenity needed to run a successful event. The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos sits on Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, the island’s hub. The resort offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,900-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into three separate rooms. There are also attractive outdoor options, such as a manicured event lawn and a grand promenade. During downtime, delegates can relax on the beach, visit the spa, try the casino or unwind at the adults-only pool with private cabanas. Organizations can also charter a private sunset sail for up to 50 guests aboard the resort’s Lady Grace catamaran.
© The Shore Club
The boutique Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, with just 38 rooms and six private villas, offers a range of indoor and outdoor venues. Its 3,000-square-foot ballroom can accommodate up to 350 guests, while an elegant terrace suits cocktail receptions and networking breaks. The pool deck creates a scenic backdrop for an intimate evening event of about 50 people. The property also provides a fully equipped business center and catering options, including a tasting menu from SUI-REN, one of the island’s popular restaurants.
At The Palms Turks & Caicos on Grace Bay, the beachside deck adjacent to the infinity pool provides a memorable setting for under-the-stars events of up to 100 guests. The croquet lawn can be used for gatherings and is tent-ready if needed. The ballroom accommodates up to 100 people and can be divided for smaller sessions; a large terrace works well for coffee breaks and receptions. Groups can also rent a lit reflecting pool area on the spa grounds. For recreation, guests can join complimentary activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkeling.
Karen Loftus of Lofty Traveler, a luxury travel advisor and Virtuoso Network member, is an experienced resource for corporate travel in Providenciales. Her recommendation: “The Ritz, Grace Bay, Seven Stars, Wymara, The Shore Club and The Rock House are top hotels and resorts for corporate and leisure travel. There is no Uber, and taxis are not easily available. Car services, especially for groups, are excellent and efficient.”
UNIQUE VENUES
All work and no play makes for a forgettable event. To create lasting impressions, choose off-site venues in Turks & Caicos that attendees will remember long after the final session.
Get guests out on the greens at the 18-hole championship Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, which has been recognized by readers of USA Today’s 10Best. The club’s 19 Bar and Restaurant overlooks the 18th green and provides an ideal setting for lunches or cocktail receptions.
Indigo Restaurant at Wymara Resort and Villas showcases the talents of executive chef and culinary director Andrew Mirosch, who blends Australian influences with Caribbean flavors. Dishes such as creamy seafood chowder and Jamaican jerk shrimp are popular with groups. Located on Grace Bay, Indigo seats about 60 people indoors and 90 outdoors and can be reserved for exclusive events.
For an exclusive full-day experience, consider a private charter on a Ferretti 83-foot luxury motor yacht. Cruise around Little Water Cay and Big Water Cay with options to visit secluded beaches, swim and snorkel. Guests can enjoy food, music and beverages, and many charters include water toys such as jet skis.
Team-building outings are easy to arrange. Ocean Outback Adventures specializes in private boat charters for groups up to 40, offering natural and historical sightseeing along the western coast. The Silly Cay Adventure stops at calm beaches, lagoons and a small historic fort, with opportunities to see stingrays, turtles and tropical birds.
A local favorite, da Conch Shack, is celebrated for its conch dishes and was recently named among USA Today’s top Caribbean beach bars. The casual beach setting serves snapper, grouper, lobster and jerk chicken as well—making it a relaxed venue for up to 100 people to socialize and unwind after meetings.