A new era of luxury awaits at The Palms Turks and Caicos following an $18m renovation.

by Bridget Cottrell

Taking sides in the ongoing "battle" between Airbnb and traditional hotel accommodations isn't always black and white. In my case, while I appreciate the extra elbow room typically offered in Airbnb properties, when I am on vacation, I want amenities like housekeeping, room services, and security. On a recent trip to The Palms Turks and Caicos on Providenciales (thepalmstc.com), I experienced the best of both worlds: oceanfront home-away-from-home comfort on one of the world's most famous beaches with a plethora of high-end perks, including on-call butler service.

A soaring area adjacent to Parallel23 restaurant.

Set on 12 lushly landscaped acres, The Palms Turks and Caicos, which opened in 2005, recently unveiled an $18 million renovation in advance of its 20th anniversary. Its 72 one, two, and three-bedroom suites, averaging over 1,500 square feet of living space, are spread among five three-story buildings with Barbadian coral facades and "Messel" green paint on balcony railings that distinguish The Palms from its neighbors. A barrier reef about a mile offshore creates calm and shallow waters. Studying the property while bobbing in the Atlantic, I was struck by how the woven rooftops of the new beach bar /restaurant and infinity pool area resembled the contours of a woman's floppy beach hat. It's even more stunning at night when a thoughtful lighting design highlights the unique resin-over-steel configurations that took no less than 20 iterations to get the shape just right.

The resort’s new oceanfront restaurant, Si Si, is led by acclaimed Executive Chef Ravidran in collaboration with renowned Mexican shef Elia Herrera.

During the recent renovation, EoA Design, RAD Architecture Inc., and Hartling Construction referred to the dossier of mid-century decorator Oliver Messel. Messel's penchant for escapist nostalgia and fantasy was shaped by his time designing for the ballet and theatre before turning his discerning eye to setting the stage at Caribbean homes for well-heeled clientele. His signature style blurred the lines between inside and out, and he utilized architecture and proportion to frame views and enrapture an audience in a way that no stage production could. The inside is always meant to support the view, and at The Palms, the sightline even in garden-facing rooms is scene-stealing. Messel's influence is evident from the moment of arrival, where the soaring peaked roof of the open-air lobby frames a manicured courtyard garden bursting with color.

The garden re side terrace at Parallel23 restaurant.

Conch is king on Turks & Caicos with fritter being one of the most popular ways to enjoy it,

Spacious guest accommodations boast balconies or expansive terraces, marble floors, vaulted ceilings, custom-made mahogany furnishings, kitchens with classic cabinetry and Viking appliances, and a primary bath with a tub larger than some skiffs I've sailed in. With a focus on biophilic design, rooms are coastal inspired but not kitsch, courtesy of elegant materials like linen and sea grass and classic motifs, from Greek Key on the carpet to raised embroidery on upholstered pieces.

Suites at The Palms average mor than 1,500 square feet.

Suites boast biophile-centric design with subtle coastal influences.

As lovely as they are, no one comes to the beach to linger inside. As such, the heart of the resort is its reimagined pool deck—an inviting oceanfront serpentine infinity pool with a large swim-up bar serving craft cocktails, and cozy lounge areas that include hidden alcoves outfitted with stylish day beds. Matching the energy of this sprawling entertainment area is the resort's new oceanfront restaurant, Si Si, led by acclaimed Executive Chef Rajasekar Ravindran in collaboration with renowned Mexican chef Elia Herrera. Oceanfront guac and a spicy margarita? Sí, por favor!

At Da Conch Shack on Blu Hills beach, just west of Grace Bay Beach you can have your conch, pulled fresh from the ocean, in myriad ways, accompanied by a signature rum punch.

For a day on the water, guests need only walk a few hundred feet from their rooms to catch a charter boat through Caicos Dream Tours. From there, the possibilities are endless; in our case, it involved visiting remote cays, Noah's Ark floating tiki bar, and snorkeling (where I learned that a "reef dolphin" is ship-speak for a shark).

If your idea of taking the waters is slightly different, the 25,000 square foot The Spa at The Palms is a destination in its own right. Amenities include a spacious gym, yoga studio with complimentary classes three times a week, and standalone treatment rooms that appear to float on a tranquil reflecting pool. The Spa was the first property on Turks & Caicos to offer a HydraFacial, and they continue to be the standard bearer with offerings that are both leading-edge (NeoLifting facials) and time-tested (Ayurvedic).

In recent years, Turks & Caicos has gained notoriety as a foodie destination, and The Palms and its sister property, The Shore Club, have played a pivotal role in this. After savoring the sunset with a signature sip from L’Attitude Bar at The Palms, we decamped to the garden-side terrace at Parallel23, where the beautifully plated cuisine mirrored the elegantly attired guests.

Take advantage of a complimentary shuttle to The Shore Club, located on quiet Long Bay Beach; on the horizon, you can spy the grounded wreck of the freighter ship La Famille Express that became entrenched a little more than two miles off the shore during Hurricane Frances in 2004. A first for me, the Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine served at The Shore Club's SUI-REN restaurant was as delightfully intriguing as its chic Aman-like environs. The terrific interior theatrics continue at Almond Tree, serving Southern Comfort food, and at the aptly named Rope Bar, the centerpiece of which is a central sculptural ceiling fixture crafted of marine rope.

Noah’s Ark floating tiki bar is only accessible by boat.

Without the right staff, even the most stunningly appointed property will fall short. At The Shore Club and The Palms, the attentive, upbeat, and caring staff are the cherry on top of an elevated experience, solidifying its place as a premier destination that prioritizes modern hospitality alongside a deep reverence for the island's natural beauty and heritage.

A Shore Thing