Once again Turks & Caicos is in the news.   And, once again the islands are being recognized for their natural beauty and unique environment.  TripAdvisor recently announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers' Choice Islands awards.  Based on millions of valuable traveler reviews and opinions, the awards recognize more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the United States.     

Providenciales has been voted the third best island in the Caribbean and received enthusiastic reviews and feedback from travelers’ postings on TripAdvisor.   Visitors pointed to the wide range of activities available here as well as our picture-perfect coastline.   Tranquility, diversity, beauty and charm - these are the reasons people come to Turks & Caicos, and the reasons they keep coming back.

This endorsement from the world’s largest travel web site reinforces what guests at the Alexandra Resort already know.  If this doesn’t tempt you to book your next vacation here maybe our Stay Longer, Save More promotion will.   Not only will you save up to 35% on your booking but you’ll get discounts on spa treatments and excursions with Caicos Dream Tours.   Please contact the resort for more details at 1-888-695-7591.

The Picture Perfect Coastline of Grace Bay Beach

Family Fun in the Sun in Turks and Caicos just in Time for Easter

The Turks and Caicos Islands was recently named one of the top ten family vacation destinations for 2013 by Family Vacation Critic, an online family travel planning guide.   According to the travel resource, January is the peak month for family vacation planning, with spring break and Easter just around the corner and summer following quickly. 

With families doing their research and planning now, we thought we’d highlight some of our favorite family things to do in Turks and Caicos.   (This is just a partial list - to see a more comprehensive overview of things to do with kids, check out our June 2012 blog.)

Chill out on the world-famous Grace Bay Beach - the beautiful soft sand and calm clear waters of Grace Bay Beach are the perfect setting for family fun in the sun.   The Alexandra Resort has a prime location in the heart of Grace Bay and the Princess Alexandra National Park.  In addition to these wonderful natural attractions, the Alexandra Resort offers its guests an expanded set of family services, including the new Pelican Kids’ Club, which offers supervised beach activities, pool time, crafts, games and lunch at Mango Reef.   If you want to really enjoy the surroundings consider our luxury, oceanfront four-bedroom penthouse suite.   With 3,840 square feet of living space and unobstructed beachfront views, this can be an ideal option for larger families that want to stay together without compromising on space or the views!  And just for Easter, the resort is offering their Hip Hop Special with savings up to 35% along with complimentary Easter Egg hunt and baskets plus kite making workshop.  Details on http://alexandraresort.com/rates_packages/specials.html.

Glow with the worms – this unique phenomenon happens every month approximately three to five nights after a full moon and is fun for all ages.  It’s a mating ritual of the marine worms - each worm glows near the surface of the water producing a light show that lasts about 15 minutes.  The best way to see the event is onboard a glow worm cruise, which generally start a half hour before the sunset.   Our favorite glow worm excursion is on the Atabeyra, a 77’, traditionally rigged trading schooner.  Visit www.suncharters.tc to learn more.

Scout for Iguanas - no visit to Turks and Caicos is complete without a trip to Iguana Island, otherwise known as Little Water Cay.   The Turks and Caicos rock iguana is a critically endangered species of lizard and Turks and Caicos is the only place in the world you can see one!  These funky animals resemble mini-dinosaurs and are the only inhabitants of the Little Water Cay.  You have to take a boat to go see them and there is a small entrance fee that is well worth it.  You can walk along the decked path and see the rock iguanas in their natural habitat.   They like to hang out in shallow burrows and blend in with their setting so spotting them is a kind of sport - you’ll enjoy seeing who can find the most. 

Giggle at Giggles - One of the islands’ most popular spots for a refreshing ice cream or sweet treat is Giggles, located in the Ports of Call shopping center.  With barrels full of loose candy that you can buy by the pound and various flavors of hard and soft ice cream as well as a range of topping options, Giggles is heaven for most kids and a fun and refreshing stop while searching for souvenirs or after lunch or dinner.

Scuba dive without getting wet - See the sea under the sea in a semi-submarine.  The Undersea Explorer from Caicos Tours allows you to get down below the waves and see stingrays, turtles, exotic tropical fish, sharks and spectacular coral formations while still being able to talk and stay dry.  If you get really lucky you might even spot JoJo - the local resident dolphin.

Beach bonfire - Eating on the beach can be a fun treat if it’s executed properly.  Every Friday night Pelican Bay Restaurant hosts a beach pig roast from 5pm until 10 pm so you can enjoy the fun setting, some good food and not have to worry about packing up at the end.   The night always includes a beach bonfire, which makes it even more exciting.  The kids will love toasting marshmallows over the open fire and parents will appreciate the $5 Bambarra rum drinks.

Go fly a kite - The wide flat beaches and gentle trade winds that are characteristic of our beaches make it a great place to fly a kite.  Every year in April there’s a kite flying competition put on by the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board.   Typically the event is held on Easter Monday - so if you are planning to come to Turks and Caicos around Easter, be sure to bring your kite.   Only hand-made kites can be entered in the competition. There’s a full day of family fun activities and prizes are awarded for the largest kite, smallest kite, most artistic kit and best overall.

We hope this short list entices you to come to our islands with your family.    Spring, summer, winter and fall are all good times to visit, so check your schedule and start planning.

As the world celebrates the European win of the 39th annual Ryder Cup it’s a good time to bring to light a special golf offer in Turks and Caicos.   The Provo Golf Club, a Karl Lytton designed course located minutes away from the Alexandra Resort, is offering a kids-play-free special when they play a round with an adult after 10am.

The 18-hole championship course, which is frequently described as one of best in the Caribbean, has hosted some major regional tournaments - including the Caribbean Amateur Championships and its own version of a Ryder Cup.   Even with this international attention, playing golf often gets overshadowed as a vacation activity by the exceptional beach and watersports we have here.  With the world-renowned Grace Bay Beach at its front door, the Provo Golf Club has stiff competition for the attention of visitors.  However, those that venture onto the course are well-rewarded.

The course boasts lush fairways and immaculate greens and has a natural, rugged design that combines a great test of golf with the natural flora and fauna of the islands. The layout is excellent from beginners through low handicappers, as there are four sets of tees for all golfing levels.  The club’s full service pro-shop is equipped with premium TaylorMade golf clubs for rental as well as top-of-the-line equipment and attire for sale.   Lessons are available from the club pro and multi-round discount packages are available for adults.  

At Provo Golf Club, playing golf is a great family activity even when you are on vacation.  Golf imparts integrity, discipline, and sportsmanship, as well as providing good exercise.  In golf you are your own referee, you call your own penalties and keep your own score, which teach the importance of taking responsibility - an excellent lesson for kids of all ages.   With golf, differences in age and acumen are irrelevant.  Multiple generations can play together, enjoying the aesthetically pleasing and competitively stimulating environment.  And finally there’s the golf cart - we all know how much kids love driving golf carts.  In fact, in addition to the beautiful course, there is a putting green and chipping area on site too, which is good for people who may not want to go out on the 'real course' and gives kids a chance to learn the game in a more controlled way. 

One of the nice things about the Ryder Cup - in addition to providing three days of gripping golf where the world’s best golfers from the United States and Europe display their skills - is that there’s no monetary reward.  The competition is purely about the love of the sport, the pride of winning and being your best.  This is also a great family value to impart and share.  

With all these altruistic attributes of golf we are almost forgetting to mention the best benefit of golfing in Turks and Caicos - afterwards you can plunge into the sea just across the street with your child. Reward yourselves for a job well done on the course with a refreshing smoothie at the serviced beach at The Alexandra.

The Alexandra Resort, located on world famous Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos Islands, today launched its Indulge and Enjoy booking promotion timed around the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival to be held in Turks and Caicos from November 1 to 3, 2012. 

The second annual Caribbean Food and Wine Festival combines some of the island’s best culinary creations with leading wine makers and celebrity chefs from the United States in the luxurious, relaxing setting of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  To further entice participation in the gourmet gala, the Alexandra is offering the Indulge and Enjoy promotion, providing 25 percent off on oceanfront suites and a breakfast credit for the beachfront Mango Reef restaurant.

The second annual Caribbean Food and Wine Festival, taking place over three days in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, will include a five-course welcome dinner with wine and food pairings prepared by the participating wine makers and celebrated chefs as well as a Gourmet Safari which will have guests travel to various restaurants in Providenciales throughout the meal. New York celebrity chef John DeLucie is headlining the welcome dinner with pairings from vintners Tuck Beckstoffer, Duckpond cellars, Terlato Wines and La Sirena Wines will round off the delightful dinner with expert pairings. There will also be tasting events throughout the weekend featuring gourmet chocolates, cheeses, seafood, meats and local favorites as well as the first ever “Street Food Fair” showcasing the expert grilling and barbeque techniques of more than 15 chefs from the island.

Indulge and Enjoy Caribbean Food & Wine Festival Special from The Alexandra

The Indulge and Enjoy booking promotion is for reservations made directly with the resort for a minimum of four nights in a deluxe oceanview studio.   Guests who book this from now until October 31, 2012 will receive a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe one-bedroom oceanview suite along with a USD $10 breakfast voucher per person per day.  The resort’s complimentary concierge service will help guests organize their festival agenda.  For more information e-mail info@alexandraresort.com  or visit www.alexandraresort.com.

Alexandra Resort new promotion for summer getaways:

Offer:                    $1,699 for a one week stay in a garden view one bedroom suite

Booking Window:    Now - February 29, 2012

Travel Dates:         May 1 - August 31, 2012

Terms:                

Book and pre-pay in full (non refundable) by February 29, and receive extra $25 off the $1699 (after discount, price is $1,674).  Otherwise, may book up until March 31, 2012 to receive that rate (must be fully prepaid and non refundable to receive rate).  May not be combined with other offers.  For new reservations only.  Subject to availability and advance reservations required.  Available only for reservations made directly with resort.

We know that our northern friends anxiously away Ground Hog Day (February 2) every year to learn if winter will last another six weeks.  In the event the groundhog does see his shadow that day, we're offering a ONE DAY ONLY GROUNDHOG SALE to help chase away the winter blues.  The first 25 people that reserve and prepay a minimum 5 night Spring Break Getaway (March 16-31, 2012) in a one or two bedroom suite will save 20% off published rates.  This is valid for new reservations only and the discount applies only to room rates.  Our reservation phone lines will open at 8am on February 2 for this fantastic one day sale!  Quote "Ground Hog Day" super saver when making your reservation.

When it comes to the ultimate beach honeymoon destination, no one does it better than exclusive Turks & Caicos Islands.  And for unbeatable value on Turks & Caicos’ famous Grace Bay Beach, there is The Alexandra Resort & Spa.

Occupying over 600 feet of frontage on the 12-mile powdery white beach, the Alexandra Resort is a favorite with honeymoon couples who are seeking understated luxury at an affordable price.  The savings are now even better with the introduction of a new honeymoon package that includes:

·         Daily continental breakfast for two at Mango Reef Restaurant

 ·         A half day snorkeling trip in one of the top dive destinations in the world

 ·         Couples massage at the on-site Sanay Spa

 ·         One day car rental with picnic lunch

 ·         Barefoot romantic dinner for 2 on the beach at Mango Reef

In addition, when a honeymoon package is booked and prepaid at least 120 days prior to arrival, honeymooners save an additional 10% off published rates.  With that offer, a four night honeymoon package start from just $1,999 per couple, and other package options are also available.

For a memorable honeymoon, the Alexandra Resort in Turks & Caicos is an exceptional destination.  For more information contact Anette Mullings, General Manager, at anette@alexandraresort.com or call 649-946-5807.

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! 

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.

Book your January getaway to the Alexandra Resort by October 31, 2011 and save AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF our already value priced rates for travel from January 3-31, 2012.  Click here to view our specials and book online.  Start your new year off right with a vacation in beautiful Turks & Caicos Islands!