Seven Stars Resort

One of the few hotels on picture-perfect Grace Bay Beach that can work for both honeymooners and families, Seven Stars sits on 22 acres of lush grounds at the edge of Princess Alexandria National Park and has studio to four-bedroom plantation style suites available. All feel very private. Besides wraparound terraces with awesome ocean views, the rooms here all feature full kitchens, making it easy to cook your own lunch or make snacks for the kids. That said, the house restaurant, aptly named Seven, is very good, so plan on dining here at least a few times. The spa is also excellent - perfect for honeymooners - and there is a dedicated activities concierge that will arrange all sorts of water sports and even a kids’ camp.

Even for the most seasoned New Yorkers, surviving the winter season can be tough, which is why many locals ditch the cold for much sunnier skies. Having moved back to New York a few months ago from San Francisco, I was more than ready to swap my chilly surroundings for three days of sunning, coconut drinking and all-around pampering at the Seven Stars Resort & Spa in the Turks and Caicos. A little “vitamin-SEA” is just what I needed. The first thing that struck me about the property was the deep blue-colored pool that almost perfectly matched the ocean glittering in the distance. During my welcome tour, I learned that it’s the only salt-water pool in all of Turks and Caicos, which of course, makes the whole color combo situation a lot clearer (no pun intended). I also found the property to be quiet and serene, despite visiting during high season and at nearly full-occupancy. There are complimentary private cabanas by the pool offered to guests at a first come, first served basis along with a handful of beachside cabanas available at an added fee. Since I’m always working when I travel, I really appreciated being able to draw the curtains of my cabana and type away on my laptop while still feeling the warm salt-air breeze. Another major perk of staying here is the location. While in the Turks and Caicos, I learned that taxis are quite expensive, as drivers charge by the person. Since many resorts are remote, a taxi ride to another part of town could easily cost more than your dinner out. On the flip side, Seven Stars Resorts boasts several on-site dining options—Seven, which serves international dishes, The Deck that overlooks Grace Bay and private beachside dining if you so choose—and within a five minute walk off-property there are several local restaurants and bars. As someone who stays at hotels on almost a monthly basis, I really appreciated the space of my suite. While it wasn’t ocean-facing, there was a nice garden view and it felt more like a condo or apartment than a standard hotel room, especially with the indoor kitchen and outdoor balcony. Plus, the staff is really attentive when it comes to turndown service and pretty much any other want or need you’ll have during your stay. Even though I couldn’t resist doing a bit of work while here, I did my fair share of non-work related activities, too. While I skipped the fitness center entirely, I did partake in a Yoga class on the “west deck” overlooking Grace Bay. My favorite indulgence of the weekend, however, was my trip to the spa. The menu is fairly extensive, with offerings ranging from massages full-body treatments (like hot stone therapy) to facials and mani/pedis. I opted for their 50-minute Signature Candle Massage and it was incredibly relaxing and unlike any massage I’ve received elsewhere. All in all, it was a really lovely stay and just what I needed to get through the rest of winter. Bonus points if you’re traveling with your special someone because this place is practically designed for honeymooners. Not a bad way to kick off a new life together!