Introducing South Caicos
Turks & Caicos is a pristine archipelago of 40 islands and cays laced with white sand beaches and warm, gin-clear sea. The seventh-largest island, South Caicos, is just a 20-minute island-hop flight from the international airport on Providenciales but feels a world away from the resort-lined crowded beaches of Grace Bay. Little visited until recently, discerning travelers are quietly waking up to South Caicos’ unspoiled nature, slow pace and new luxury accommodation.
The eight-square-mile isle resembles a great whale in the ocean, its tail a hilly stretch of land that fronts both the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Caicos Bank to the west. On South Caicos, wild donkeys are part of the scenery, and you can wander miles along the pristine beaches without seeing a single sun lounger. The world’s third-largest coral barrier reef is just offshore, making it a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers who want to explore the Caribbean’s marine life without the crowds. Upon flight approach to the newly improved airport, you can even see masses of multi-coloured reefs beneath the turquoise water — both a preview and a promise of what’s to come.
Sailrock, South Caicos in the Turks & Caicos Islands
Sun, Sea, Sand & Seclusion
Into this rare and special setting, Sailrock Resort opened its doors in January 2017. The only 5-star resort to arrive on the island, Sailrock brings a new level of luxury to South Caicos without disrupting the quiet rhythm that makes the island so unique. There are just 31 suites and villas, as well as the Great House, spread over 52 hilltop and oceanfront acres, so every guest finds their own private slice of South Caicos whether in a Beachfront Villa or Ridgetop Suite. And travelers looking for a Caribbean home-away-from-home discover it in the Private Peninsula Villas, located in a neighboring 770-acre enclave with an ecological focus and full access to the resort amenities.
The Great House, the centerpiece for resort amenities, is both a place to meet up and hide out, with wide open public spaces done up in island shades, an ocean-facing restaurant serving a creative seafood-focused menu, and a lounger-dotted infinity pool that’s the resort’s informal meeting place. More active guests will take the uninterrupted views across Long Beach and out to the Atlantic Ocean as an invitation to try everything from whale watching and conch diving to scuba diving and kite surfing, while others will find their happy place in a hilltop spa suite at sunset. The expert staff nudges guests on to island time with exacting, never fawning service, from pre-stocking the kitchen in a Four-Bedroom Beachfront Villa to organizing a private dinner for two on the beach. Sailrock Resort offers the best bits of a hotel stay with the independence of a villa experience, all with an ocean soundtrack.
The beach at Sailrock
Sleep In, Bliss Out
All 31 villas and suites at Sailrock are cheerleaders for their gorgeous setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows and furnished terraces framing views of the island landscape.
Ridgetop Suites have panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Caicos Bank to the west and show off a beach-inspired palette with sand-colored tiles and sisal rugs, mosaic wood headboards, and signature wrap-around terraces for admiring nature’s show at sunrise and sunset. One- and Two-Bedroom Suites offer extra space to spread out, along with the same modern Caribbean style, full kitchens, walk-in showers, and furnished outdoor areas.
For beach lovers, the One- to Four-Bedroom Beachfront Villas are Sailrock’s island hideouts, with up to 6,000 square feet of space, full kitchens, deep soaking tubs and outdoor shower gardens, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a private temperature-controlled swimming pool just steps from the sand. Stays at these contemporary villas include a welcome gift and private check-in, as well as resort-wide perks like complimentary ground transfers, WiFi, use of the fitness center, a welcome cocktail and more. Set along more than a mile of beachfront, these Beachfront Villas offer exceptional privacy and beach views from bed.
Your Island Home
For visitors already seduced by South Caicos, or those ready to make their island home in a uniquely private setting, Sailrock Peninsula Private Villas offer the perfect opportunity to lay tropical roots and be part of an ecologically-minded community at the start of South Caicos’ transformation. And while finding peace and privacy means going far off the grid, South Caicos’ easy connection through Providenciales (now with over 90 weekly flights into its international airport) makes it ripe for weekend trippers from the east coast US as well as long-stay holidaymakers from across the globe.
The flexible ownership model welcomes both year-round residents and short-term lets through the resort rental program. A structured villa management program ensures hassle-free ownership with seasoned Villa managers taking care of everything from reservations to ground transfers, as well as seasonal maintenance. The 770-acre development is purposefully low-density, placing a premium on the luxury Villa rentals and opportunity to nurture repeat visitors through Sailrock Resort’s relationships with world-class brands including Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Luxury Retreats.
The turnkey Villas are pre-designed by award-winning architecture firm Osterhaus McCarthy Architects, using sustainable materials and construction practices. A complement to the fresh environment, interiors mix cool stone floors and the roughly-hewn wood furniture with nature-inspired artwork and picture windows overlooking a tie-dye of blue sky and sea. All come with fully-equipped kitchens and pantries, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and an al fresco living room overlooking the pool, as well as access to the full Sailrock Resort amenities.
For those fortunate enough to discover Sailrock, the private Peninsula Villas offer all the luxuries of Sailrock Resort, along with that rarest travel gem: supreme seclusion.
Beachfront villas at Sailrock
Eat, Stay & Play
Between beach time and pool time, it’s time to eat. Meals at the Great House Restaurant come with sunrise and sunset ocean views from the wraparound furnished terrace, but Chef Jose Francois Alias’ exciting menu of modern Caribbean fare and international favorites keeps all eyes on the feast — at least until plates are empty. The seafood-focused menu gives classic Caribbean flavours a contemporary spin; expect plantains and orange atop roasted Atlantic salmon, and a Jerk Pulled Pork wrap with housemade dressing. Post-dinner, the Great House Bar takes full advantage of the hilltop position, with the views of the Atlantic Ocean and Caicos Bank made even more memorable with a signature Blue Margarita in hand. The brand-new Cove Restaurant + Beach Bar is a sophisticated take on the classic beach bar and the place to be in the early afternoon as the sun sets over the Caicos Bank.
Fully fueled up and ready to explore? The resort concierge will craft an adventure-packed watersports itinerary direct from the resort’s second beach located on the Caicos Bank. Hobie Cat sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling are all complimentary for guests, with staff on hand to assist with equipment and instruction. For an extended outing, the expertly-curated Excursions menu includes Airboat Bone Fishing charters, a South Caicos Island tour, kitesurfing lessons and, the island’s most popular activity, scuba diving. With the world’s third-largest coral reef, a protected and thriving natural wonder, lying just offshore, as well as 350 days of sunshine and 25- to 40-meter visibility, South Caicos offers exceptional diving year-round. Expect to see wrecks, steep drop-offs, sharks, rays, turtles and even migrating humpback whales in winter.
The Great House at Sailrock
And Relax…
The simplicity and beauty of South Caicos set the scene for true relaxation, but to aid this pursuit there’s the resort’s ridgetop spa treatment rooms and Na Spa, due to open in 2020. From hot stone massages to a signature salt scrub (a nod to South Caicos’ former life as a salt exporter), all treatments come with unrivalled island views and a cooling hilltop breeze.
See You Soon
South Caicos is at the very start of its transformation into a world-class destination for luxury travelers who prize peace, privacy and the Caribbean’s natural bounty above all. Easy to reach and impossible to forget, South Caicos offers a sun-kissed Caribbean idyll, with Sailrock Resort the literal cherry on the hilltop.
This article was originally published in Issue 8 of The Caribbean Property Investor magazine. To read the full issue, click here.