The West Bay Club Turks and Caicos With Kids

Disclosure: This post is part of a hosted stay. All opinions are my own.

Traveling from Boston to a Caribbean island typically involves a very early flight and a connection – making for a long day. Our trip to Turks and Caicos was no exception. After a 4am wakeup, we flew to New York’s JFK airport for a three-hour layover before flying to Providenciales. Luckily, our destination, the West Bay Club, was just a quick ten minute drive from the airport. Having never been to Turks and Caicos, we weren’t yet aware of the amazing experience we were about to be in for.

The West Bay Club, located on Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, was recently acquired by the owners of the nearby Grace Bay Club. The resort offers 46 suites, just steps away from the famous Grace Bay Beach. We were greeted at the open lobby by a friendly employee offering chilled towels and a delicious beverage (alcoholic for the parents, non-alcoholic for the kids).

I saw gorgeous photos of the ocean-front view from the suites online, but I wasn’t prepared for how breathtaking it was in person. Our one-bedroom suite had several large windows facing the ocean, and the view was completely spectacular. The ocean water at Turks & Caicos really is a gorgeous turquoise.

Rooms at the West Bay Club

Our one-bedroom suite offered a large living room with a huge flat-screen television, a big dining room table, and a pull-out sofa. It also included a full kitchen (including full-sized refrigerator stocked with water and soda), a washer/dryer, a full bathroom with soaking tub and shower stall, and a half bath. Guests who’d like a second bedroom can also book an attached studio room.

Housekeeping is provided twice per day in the rooms (regular service and turndown service), and room service is available. If you’d like to take advantage of the kitchen and prepare some meals, grocery provisioning is offered for a small fee. It’s a good option if you’d like to save money on food, but haven’t rented a car. Place your order in advance of your arrival.

Amenities and Activities at the West Bay Club

The beach on Grace Bay is obviously one of the biggest draws of a Turks and Caicos vacation, and the West Bay Club has a gorgeous beach-front location. Just steps from the rooms is the world-famous beach. Employees are available to set up beach chairs with umbrellas, and can also help with booking water activities and getting food and drinks. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards are loaned at no additional cost. There are three great snorkeling areas within walking distance.

The West Bay Club also offers a pool, right in the center of the hotel. While we spent most of our time at the beach, we did enjoy a few quick dips in the pool. There are a few floats and rafts available for use, and there’s a nice shady spot so you can get out of the sun. The pool was constantly being cleaning while we were there, and the pool area was always spotless. There are chairs around the edge, as well as pool towels.

For those looking for some added relaxation, the West Bay Club offers a small spa with two treatment rooms. I enjoyed a massage while I was there, and found it to be completely relaxing. Adjacent to the spa is a small fitness center, although I did see lots of guests running on the beach.

If your kids are looking for some entertainment while on vacation, the West Bay Club has some fun options. There is daily Kids’ Town programming available for younger kids, with activities including sand castle building, sailing lessons, and jewelry making. Excursions and eco-tours are also offered, for an additional fee through SURFside Academy. While we were there, our kids did tubing and waterskiing, complete with coaching/lessons. The SURFside Academy staff is excellent, and really understood how to best work with our kids.
The resort also offers movies on the beach and s’mores on occasion. While we were there, the kids enjoyed watching Pirates of the Caribbean right on the sand.

Food at the West Bay Club

The West Bay Club offers an onsite restaurant called Noodle Bar + Kitchen and a beach bar called Stix. Resident Chef Joseph also prepares specialty meals several nights per week, including a Caribbean BBQ (do NOT miss Joseph’s famous ribs). A full breakfast buffet is offered each morning, with lots of delicious options. You could easily eat all of your meals on property, although most guests take a quick walk over to the nearby Bight Children’s Park on Thursday nights for the Island Fish Fry.

Service at the West Bay Club

Vacations that have the strongest impact on me include something intangible – beyond the things to see and do. For me, a fantastic vacation makes me feel special and welcomed. Achieving that goes beyond a beautiful location or nice amenities – it requires fabulous staff. The West Bay Club has some of the best staff that I’ve encountered. Each person we met, from the housekeepers to the beach staff to the servers in the restaurant all really seem to enjoy their jobs. They worked hard to make our stay perfect, and made us feel special. It’s that feeling, in addition to the gorgeous location and rooms, that make us absolutely plan to return to the West Bay Club in the future.

To learn more about the West Bay Club, visit their website.