Between The Palms and The Shore Club, you will not be disappointed. They are simply a little different from one another. In our office we often say "it's like deciding between a BMW and Mercedes; both are great, just different"!
Turks & Caicos is known for powder white sand and turquoise water so clear you can see your toes. Easy to reach, with nonstop flights from most East Coast cities, this destination is heaven for sun worshippers.
With its fair share of luxury hotels, a pair of sister properties are in constant demand. The question is often "What's the difference between The Palms and The Shore Club?" Both properties are 5-star resorts, both are beach front, both have gyms, spas, multiple pools, restaurants. Hmmm...they both sound pretty good! We recently revisited The Palms Turks & Caicos and The Shore Club on Long Bay and wanted to share a recap.
The behind the scenes mastermind and developer of these two properties is The Hartling Group. Stan Hartling is the CEO and lead partner of this real estate development company (which owns other properties too) and has generously supported island organizations from The TCI Kidney Foundation to a local orphanage to an island hockey league.
The Palms Turks & Caicos
In 2002 The Palms Turks & Caicos was developed on 12 acres of prime Grace Bay beachfront. With 72 suites, from Junior Suites to 2,700 square foot Three Bedroom Suites, many of these residential style accommodations provide guests with full Viking appliance kitchens and ample space to relax. There are five buildings which horseshoe around the free form swimming pool and each building is four to five stories (there are both elevators and stairs). Junior Suites are typically garden view, and located at the bottom of the horseshoe, farthest from the beach entrance. Ocean Front accommodations are not surprisingly located in the buildings closest to the beach. And categories with a "Deluxe" tag associated, indicate they offer even more outdoor balcony terrace space to enjoy those balmy Caribbean breezes. It may sound large, but the distance to cross from one building to the opposite side building is about 90 seconds.
Decor at The Palms is fresh and traditional. Think light colored walls accented with Caribbean mahogany wood and rattan furnishings. We consider it "Caribbean formal"; comfortable and relaxed and with a sense of dignity in the furnishings.
Tip: For families with young children, the ground floor suites are perfect. Your advisor can request a poolside suite. With sliding glass doors and steps from the pool loungers, babies and toddlers can nap while mom & dad still enjoy some sun.
The Beach
Regularly named one of the world's best beaches, The Palms sits directly on the 13-mile stretch of Grace Bay Beach. The sand is white, powdery and soft and the water is as turquoise as a swimming pool.
From the accommodations, stroll past the free form swimming pool (with swim up bar!) and you are at the beach entrance. Kick off your flipflops and one of their beach attendants will set up your beach lounger, towel and umbrella. Food and beverage service is available on the beach and there a fun beach bar for your favorite rum punch or pina colada.
The width of the beach is about 10 lounge chairs! The perfect distance to relax with space and not too long a walk to hop in that stunning sea.
With the exception of one new hotel being built, there are no high rise hotels on Grace Bay Beach; most hotels top out around 5 stories. On a walk down the beach you will pass nearly every other hotel dotted along the way and with their chairs and umbrellas arranged in front.
Good to Know
Grace Bay Beach was the first area developed on the island, so not surprisingly most visitors flock here. For some, they love the bustling vibe and the proximity to the other hotels and restaurants. From The Palms it is about 1 mile to "town" where you will find shops, Graceway Gourmet grocery store, bars and restaurants.
Non-Beach Activities
If you are a spa lover, The Palms is where you need to be! Regarded as one of the top spas in the Caribbean, this 25,000 square foot space has reflecting pools, serenity spaces, and couples treatment rooms. With an emphasis on non-toxic and organic products, The Palms has partnered with VOYA and Tata Harper Skincare. For exfoliating and anti-aging, there are seaweed facials using organic Voya products from the shores of Ireland. And Tata Harper facials pack a punch with over 40 high performing botanical ingredients for your beach glow.
Tip: If you are looking for a unique spa treatment that you won't find elsewhere, reserve The Palms' Moonlight and Stars couples massage. This 90-minute treatment is offered in the privacy of your accommodation's patio or balcony at the end of the day. A combination exfoliation/massage, finished with champagne and strawberries under the stars.
Fitness junkies can maintain their beach body at The Palms' fitness center, housed in the spa area. Open daily and filled with ample Technogym cardio equipment from elliptical machines to treadmills, along with Cybex strength training equipment. There are scheduled group fitness classes and yoga, and a private trainer can always be arranged. Tennis enthusiasts enjoy playing on The Palms' lighted tennis court.
The Shore Club on Long Bay
The Shore Club on Long Bay is the younger sister to The Palms. In 2017 The Shore Club was built on Turks & Caicos' opposite coast, Long Bay Beach. Still the "beach less traveled", The Shore Club's location is perfect for those who enjoy tranquility or perhaps who have already frequented Grace Bay Beach. As the crow flies, the distance to Grace Bay Beach is about a mile; in a car, the drive is about 10 minutes (2 miles). For the past several years The Shore Club has enjoyed this hideaway location. However slowly more developers are beginning to discover this area and the secret is slowing getting out!
While The Palms is a boutique property, The Shore Club remains even more intimate, with about 30 residential style accommodations across two buildings. Rooms in these buildings are spacious, with three bedroom suites occupying 3,000 square feet. Decor at The Shore Club is a beach-themed palette of blue, white, and tan to mirror the sea and sand that engulfs your view. Very light and bright.
Multi-generational families and groups of friends love reserving one of The Shore Club's beach front four-six bedroom villas. These villas offer clients space and privacy, within steps of all The Shore Club's resort amenities, concierge services, restaurants, spa, and other amenities. Each villa is nearly 9,00 square feet and has its own swimming pool, media room, and private elevator. Additional perks for villa guests include butler service, VIP airport transfers, fast-track airport arrival and departure service, and breakfast served daily in your villa.
Tip: Each villa is six bedrooms and can be reserved as a four, five, or six bedroom option. Upon check in, you can see all the bedrooms and determine which bedroom(s) you wish to lock off, if you have not reserved all six bedrooms.
Is it Windy?
Some will comment that Long Bay is windy and they are correct. In addition to sun-worshippers, Long Bay Beach regularly attracts kite-surfers. The water at Long Bay is extremely shallow (i.e., waist deep for about a hundred feet) and perfect for beginner kite-surfers to learn. And Long Bay Beach is equally popular with advanced kite-surfers which makes for live entertainment while you sip your frozen cocktail on the beach. The shallow, gentle waters are also perfect for families with young children, or those who are less comfortable swimming in the ocean. Oh, and that wind? You will be grateful for a breeze to cool you off in the mid-afternoon Caribbean heat.
Enjoying Time Away from the Beach
When you want a change from the 1/2 mile of beachfront, enjoy one of The Shore Club's three swimming pools, fitness center, spa or tennis courts.
With multiple pools, adults can find quiet at the adults-only pool and families can enjoy time together at the main resort pool. Fitness enthusiasts can count their swim laps in the wellness lap pool, adjacent to the state of the art fitness center.
Tip: Enjoy swinging in one of the pool's hanging basket chairs. Grab a cocktail at the bar and dangle your toes in the water.
Unlike traditional spas, The Shore Club's spa is located in cabanas on the sand dunes! The Dune Spa's three wellness cabanas are built on the sand and with the sound of the ocean in the background and views of the beach.
Foodies are Happy Here
There are multiple dining options at The Shore Club with a variety of flavors and fusions. Everything from wood-fired pizzas to Peruvian/Japanese fusion to local conch specialties. Each of The Shore Club's restaurants offer different cuisines so there are many options, all comfortably resort casual. And if you prefer a change, hop in their complimentary shuttle to The Palms for dinner at their restaurant.
Tip: Enjoy happy hour half priced drinks by the Sea Grapes pool! Often times these specials are offered from 4-7 pm and you can enjoy the sunset.
Between The Palms and The Shore Club, you will not be disappointed. They are simply a little different from one another. In our office we often say "it's like deciding between a BMW and Mercedes; both are great, just different"!
Elli Travel Rates are the Same as Published Rates.
Book with your Elli Travel Advisor or email vacations@ellitravel.com to unlock the following complimentary benefits at The Palms and The Shore Club:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (excludes upgrades from Junior Suite category)
Daily Breakfast for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi