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.

Just last week, Forbes posted a story about the top hotels for getting away with a group.   While the idea of going on vacation used to be to get away from

crowds, there seems to be a growing trend towards bringing the crowds with you when you go. At least you know who you are dealing with!  At the Alexandra Resort, we’re well equipped to handle travelling groups - whether it’s a family reunion, a girl’s getaway or the newly emerging “mancation”. The Alexandra Resort provides an ideal setting for getting away together, which is why we designed the Group Getaway package deal:  When you reserve eight (8) rooms you get two (2) free.

But that is not the only reason: The Alexandra Resort is also perfect for group travel because of our size, location and amenities.  We boast one of the longest stretches of powder beach along Grace Bay, namely 600 feet of white sand beach just for our guests.   We’ve added more chaise lounges, sun beds and beach umbrellas, so our dedicated beach attendants will make sure you and your group have what you need on the beach.   Plus, our guests can take advantage of our complimentary paddle boards, kayaks and snorkeling equipment - so there is something for everyone in your party to enjoy. 

The location of the resort - in the heart of Grace Bay - allows guests to conveniently stroll to shops, restaurants and nightlife providing groups with added flexibility.

Also, perfect for groups are the many amenities located on-site at the resort.  Our tour desk offers water and land-based excursions, plus guests have easy access to a full-service spa, tennis courts, fitness center and a freeform pool with swim-up bar.  Even though our rooms are spacious and well-equipped, guests take advantage of the shared BBQ area and often gather pool-side or on the beach deck at our popular Mango Reef restaurant for sunsets.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Mango Reef, offers al fresco dining with a wide range of menu items making it ideal to accommodate parties of all sizes and budgets.

The Alexandra Resort offers groups, big and small, a perfect vacation.  Come see for yourself and take advantage of our Group Booking package. 

A $10m redevelopment of passenger facilities at Providenciales International Airport was announced by John Smith, CEO, Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority.

The planned expansion will nearly double the size of the terminal to better accommodate the 500,000 passengers who pass through the Airport each year. It will increase in size from 51,462 to 92,321 sq ft.

Work is scheduled to begin later this year and be completed in 2014 and will ensure that the TCI’s airport meets the International Association of Travel Agents criteria for Level C Class facilities.

Once completed passengers will be able to enjoy expanded check in counter areas and self check in facilities, additional bathroom facilities, larger retail space for shops and restaurants, and improved medical amenities.  

The first phase of works will include the construction of a new traffic circulation system, an extension to the existing west car park, and extension of the departure Lounge.

The second phase will continue with the extension on the international check in area, security check point as well as the arrivals hall.

The third and final phase will include the domestic departures and arrivals area, completion of car park and aesthetics, including water features.

“Providenciales International Airport is absolutely crucial to the Islander and visitor experience,” said Governor Ric Todd. “First impressions are vital, and I am certain that this work will provide the level of experience that our visitors demand.

“People who use the airport facilities know that it can become crowded at peak times – so does the Airport’s Management. That is why they have been planning these crucial works  as part of their overall master plan which also saw the runway expansion completed last year.”

“We are embarking on a journey of fundamental change in the way we conduct business and welcome tourists to the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said John Smith, CEO, Turks and Caicos Airports Authority. “Our terminal expansion project will not only offer better facilities for passengers, but provide us with the room to expand over the next 15 years.” 

An artist rendering of new airport:

Oyuna Tuyssuzian is Mongolian by birth and from an early age she was interested in fashion. Her design aesthetic has been shaped by her experiences working in diverse areas in the fashion industry.

When she decided to start her own label in Vancouver, Canada, she sought to use her skills and knowledge acquired throughout her career to make beautifully constructed clothing using quality materials. She believes in flattering a woman’s body through great tailoring and fit, with a focus on silhouette and line.

Oyuna’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection was taken to Montreal, Canada, for a photo shoot and she is presently in the Turks and Caicos Islands to continue her work inspired by the textures and colours of the Caribbean.

One of the gorgeous models in this shot is no other than Alexandra GM. Anette Mullings.