January 2012 Events

The Alexandra Resort and Spa now offers dedicated beach attendants to assist guests with chaise lounges on the beach and accessing non motorized water sport equipment.  Over 100 new chaise lounges and 50 umbrellas were recently purchased to ensure there is always an adequate supply of sun beds on the beach.  

The resort is also pleased to announce that Mango Reef Restaurant now offers a food and beverage service on the beach.  Guests can enjoy cocktails and lunch at their chaise.

Ben Stubenberg, Co-Race Director of the Turks & Caicos Race for the Conch Eco-SeaSwim that is part of the West Indies Bluewater Ocean Swim Series, announced, possibly, the world's first exclusive open water swimming zone in an ocean.

It is certainly the first exclusively designated open water swimming zone in the Caribbean Sea. "In 2012, we will be putting in the first open water swimming training zone in front of one of the Alexandra Hotel in Provo during the second week of January.

The idea is to provide a safe, cordoned area, in a triangular configuration, where swimmers can practice their open water swimming skills between measured buoys in the sea," explained Ben.

Based on the guidance received from the Turks & Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, Ben is anchoring the buoys in an environmentally friendly manner by using special pins that will be augered into the sand. "There will be no more cement blocks and I specially ordered cylindrical yellow polyurethane buoys from a small manufacturer in British Columbia, Canada.

The intention is to give swimmers a safe environment to practice all open water swimming skills while measuring the distance they have covered. The whole idea was born out of frustration at not being able to get in a good swim workout while on vacation without risking being hit by a boat. It is especially great to see the Sports Commission and the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources' support of open water swim training and racing in Turks & Caicos.."

With this exclusive open water swimming zone, Caicu Naniki (meaning "island reef where the festive spirit lives") will offer half-day swim safaris that will give swimmers an opportunity to swim along the nearby cays or out to the reef while being closely followed by a boat and kayak. "This is another way to get in a good workout," explained Ben who is also president of the Turks & Caicos Islands Swim Federation. "Swimmers can test themselves in open water conditions for a particular time or distance while enjoying the turquoise water and nice beaches. A 45-foot charter catamaran will provide special swim charters through the Caicos Cays."

Photo shows the start of the Race for the Conch Eco-SeaSwim.

The Alexandra Resort celebrated the holiday season by supporting local organizations with the following donations:

- $2,500 to the rebuilding fund of the Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk

 - $1,000 for the Provo Children's Home

 - a financial donation to the Salvation Army

 - televisions for the Red Cross

The Resort management thanks the resort employees who helped with these initiatives and wishes everyone success and good health in 2012.

A new Fixed Base Operation (FBO) and private aircraft terminal at Providenciales will boost the luxury travel market to the Turks and Caicos Islands when it opens next year.

TCI-based M Aviation Limited, Turks and Caicos Islands Authority (TCIAA) and the TCI Government have agreed on a commitment to develop the new FBO adjacent to Provo’s International Airport, tripling the private airport capacity at the airport. Over one-third of aircraft movements at the airport already comes from private aircraft, despite accounting for only 3% of passenger traffic.

The new state-of-the-art $15m FBO will feature generous parking and hangar space for large and small private aircraft, modern lounge and crew facilities, integrated customs and immigration as well as full servicing of private aircraft.

It will be ready in approx. 12 months time for the 2012/13 tourist season and will support 50 construction jobs during the build period and employ up to 20 personnel once operational. M Aviation has committed to adopt similar local employment principles to the TCIAA Phase 1 project which saw a minimum of 70% local employment.

M Aviation has tasked GENIVAR, who recently managed the first stage of the expansion of Providenciales Airport, with designing their new facility. The land will be leased from the TCIG and the TCIAA based on the standard Turks & Caicos Islands Government’s lease principles for a period of 99 years taking inflation into account.

M Aviation is a Turks and Caicos based company owned and operated by investors who have already made significant tourism related investments developing a leading luxury resort in Turks and Caicos.

Governor Ric Todd added: “Such a significant investment commitment by a local company into our infrastructure shows that business confidence is building across the Turks and Caicos. The new facility will allow our islands to keep pace with other Caribbean destinations and play a key role in supporting our exclusive resorts.”

John Smith, Chief Executive of the TCIAA, commented that: “The private aviation market is showing tremendous growth as more and more affluent travelers wish to take advantage of the privacy, flexibility and convenience of traveling on a private plane. A second FBO facility in Turks & Caicos will position us well as a luxury destination for the future."

The new FBO facility is an integral part of the overall airport expansion strategy. Phase One saw the extension of the runway to 9,200 feet and 36,000 sq m additional apron to accommodate B777-300ER and B747-400 aircraft on direct long haul flights, especially from Europe. This phase was completed ahead on schedule and within the fixed price $36m budget.

TCIAA is currently undertaking minor refurbishment work on the existing terminal, leading into the development work required to facilitate Phase 2, the terminal and car park project. Phase 2 is estimated at around a $30-$40m investment with a construction time frame of two years.

The Alexandra is the perfect escape for couples to enjoy adventure, relaxation, and a perfect honeymoon with lots of romance. 

Our honeymoon packages includes:

• half day snorkelling trip in one of the top diving destinations in the world.
• couples massage at our on-site Sanay Spa
• one day car rental with picnic lunch
• one barefoot private dinner on the beach
• tax & service charges

Four night packages start at $2,242, and seven night packages at $3,430.  Email anette@alexandraresort.com for details! 

Greetings from the sunny south to our northern friends.  We are sorry to hear La Nina will be sending extra snow your way this winter.  The Alexandra Resort is the perfect place to escape the cold temperatures.  We are starting to receive a noticeable increase in inquiries for Christmas and winter bookings, so if you are planning a trip, please contact us now to reserve your getaway and avoid disappointment later.

Turks & Caicos Island's reputation for exclusivity misleads some aspiring snowbirds to think it's too expensive to own property and spend the winter here.  Yet Provo is more affordable than you think.  We recently saw manicures for $25, a cell phone SIM card for $10, and eggs benedict with fruit salad, hash browns and a mimosa (champagne with OJ) at a beachfront restaurant for $14.  At the IGA this week, donuts were 60 cents, a gallon of water was $1.40, organic, grain fed chicken was $5.00/pound and raisin bran cereal was $3.00.  At $5.00/gallon gasoline is a bit expensive for American friends (Canadian visitors will find this price about the same as at home) but keep in mind the island is only 21 miles long and you won't get stuck idling in traffic jams here!

The Alexandra Resort & Spa recognizes the valuable work performed by First Responders. Fire, police and ambulance services are critical to our quality of life. In appreciation of this important work, the Alexandra Resort is pleased to offer complimentary breakfast for two* to any First Responders staying in a studio or one bedroom deluxe suite at the resort for the duration of their stay. Breakfast is served at Mango Reef, our popular on-site restaurant.

On behalf of the resort owner, Washington Misick (a former police officer), we look forward to welcoming First Responders to The Alexandra Resort.

Please present your official photo ID that clearly shows employment as a First Responder at check-in to receive this special offer. Valid on new bookings made directly with the resort.

* No cash value. Non transferrable. Subject to change without notice.

Our new and returning guests will be equally thrilled to see our amazing new reception centre, scheduled to open in early December. The new facility features a lounge area, large oceanfront patio and a spacious concierge centre. Sanay Spa is also being relocated to a new and larger facility. We can hardly wait to introduce you to the changes!