The Sands at Grace Bay Vacations

Best place on Grace Bay!

It was everything as advertised. The rooms were exactly as shown on their website... Large, airy, clean and nicely appointed. We stayed in the 1 bedroom Oceanview- note, there is quite a difference between Oceanview and Oceanfront as the Oceanview has just a small 'peek-a-boo' view of the water. To be honest, I'm not sure the upgrade to Oceanview was totally worth it, though still nice. The pool was on the smaller side and you don't totally see the ocean while in the pool so we spent all our days on the beach, which is truly out of this world! It was our first time in Turks & Caicos and we spent a great deal of time finding a hotel. We wanted to be in Grace Bay, close to shopping, the grocery store, and restaurants (in humble opinion there are way too many outstanding restaurants in Grace Bay to stay at an all inclusive). The Sands was a perfect location for all of this. I'd definitely recommend it. It's certainly not a 5 star, or anywhere near, but I feel pleased that we got exactly what we had been sold on!!

My stay at Sands at Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos was absolutely unforgettable. The breathtaking view of the sunsets from the resort was nothing short of exquisite, leaving me in awe each evening. The surrounding restaurants offered a culinary journey like no other, with impeccable service and an array of phenomenal dining options. The overall experience was nothing short of wonderful, and I wholeheartedly recommend Sands at Grace Bay to anyone seeking a remarkable getaway. I am already eagerly anticipating my next visit to this incredible resort.

We stayed for a week in two different rooms and here are our conclusions.

Rather pleasant rooms, if we forget the defective equipment or maintenance. The beds do not live up to expectations.
The beach is beautiful and the activities staff (on the beach or outside) are fabulous.
The restaurant is OK at lunchtime, very good in the evening. The only downside is the service which is random.
The housekeeping and maintenance services are gruff and efficient but smiling.

Some highlights:

We received one of the two rooms 3 hours late, with damage to the washing machine.
We had to wait 4 hours for additional blankets.
The reception service was as friendly as a prison door.

However, the other people listed above as great, made the side trips tolerable, although I wouldn't recommend.

So disappointing!! The hospitality at this hotel is lacking. In fact, there isn’t any!!! Nobody wants to answer any questions or tell you anything. They didn’t tell us about their free shuttle, Thursdays big Fish night (huge tourist attraction) and countless other things and we asked about activities multiple times. Our room wasn’t ready when we got there and they offered us nothing. We just sat for 30 mins. Everyone is extremely rude except housekeeping and the beach crew (who aren’t the greatest until you tip).
There are zero amenities at this hotel. The gym is awful. It rained one day and we had nothing to do but look out the window.
I would say it’s equivalent to a 2.5 star hotel maybe 3 because of the nice screened in balcony. We had no water pressure and at times no hot water. We stopped telling the hotel because nobody did anything. We had to roll our suitcases to our rooms and then back when we left. For the price we paid per night we shouldn’t have had to do half the things we did or be treated the way we were. We really should’ve looked into somewhere else. This was not classy or on the higher end. The place is tired and in need of a renovation. No vibe at all. Zero music or excitement…I feel it’s because the staff doesn’t care one bit. Pools are not appealing at all and they are extremely tiny and need TLC. As for getting chairs on the beach. THE WORST…Be prepared to wake up at 6am to claim your beat up seat or you will be in direct sunlight all day with possibly no chairs. It’s a joke. Be aware-No food/beverage service on the beach at all. The wait staff may go out there once every 3 hours and you can tell they don’t want to be at work. The whole experience was bad… we felt clueless and only got info from people we meet along the way. No help from the hotel staff or at the gift shop. If you need anything be prepared to wait and have to ask numerous times. I can’t say enough about the lack of hospitality. Do yourself a favor and look into other places and read reviews. There are so many better hotels for the money. If you want the beautiful island vibe of music, excitement and pampering this is definitely the wrong spot for you. You can’t sleep past 6! Last thing- I got food poisoning on the first night there at Hemingways (their restaurant), I was sick for 24 hours from their Grouper. I hadn’t eaten anywhere but there which is why I know it’s from there. Do yourself a favor and skip this place!

It's a peaceful and perfect location. Hotel is right on the beach with great palapas/loungers, different pools to choose from and a casual restaurant with a view (that also delivers food & drinks to the pool). Plus, other great restaurants, cafes, and shops are all within a short walk (less than 10-min). It doesn't get much better than that! Rooms were remodeled and VERY clean! Major bonus is the private patios have built-in mosquito screens so you can feel safe from those pesky bites while enjoying your morning coffee or an afternoon drink. The staff was incredibly helpful and kind - even allowing us a bit of a later checkout. On Tuesdays, they host a free happy hour at sunset by the pool (definitely try the conch fritters while you're there). Highly recommend The Sands at Grace Bay for anyone looking for a safe & beautiful beachfront hotel. I can't wait to come back!

Wedding planning, months prior to wedding we contacted for wedding inquiry & were placed in contact with Lidra. Booked the date, sent out save the dates & had a block of rooms/ guest booked. 7.5 months before wedding we found out we had to sign a contract with Keisha from destination TCI in order to have ceremony at The Sands. Odd as Lidra told us differently prior. Needless to say was frantically contacted Keisha to ensure wedding date. We spoke to Keisha via phone once, she took our payment & after this did not return calls & took weeks plus to return emails. We later discovered we were locked into her as our sole wedding planner.. No one at the sands even Mona GM could speak to this. I have heard from other upset brides with same issue.
3 months prior to wedding after countless unanswered questions/emails/calls we pressured the sands get us out of contract with Keisha. Signed with NILA Luise. During stay/arrival, we did not meet Lidra or Mona who we were in contact with for 9 months. Our room, studio beachfront, was out dated & no WD as advertised.

The night of wedding half of the island's water was shut off. The sands failed to tell us or 35 guests staying there and having wedding on property. They simply just slipped paper notices under doors. Bride & groom go to take a shower after sweating/bride makeup & couldn't use toilet. At reception in on the sands beach:4 pairs of shoes & a purse were stolen. The sands took no ownership of this. Only a security guard works at night I believe past 9:30pm. Security guard was left alone with water outage and 35 person wedding. POOR Management. Next day the resort manager apologized & told us to utilize free water sports. STAY AWAY FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY

I am so upset and disappointed at our experience here thus far. My husband, infant son and I arrived today at 2pm. Things started going downhill shortly after the welcome rum punch:

First, our room wasn't ready upon arrival. Since check-in was at 3pm and we had arrived at 2pm, we were initially understanding of the situation. We went to go eat at the onsite restaurant to kill some time. At 3pm, we came back and the room was STILL not ready. I kindly asked when it would be ready, and the staff at the front desk were clearly annoyed and would not provide any ETA. Not sure if you've ever tried traveling with an infant, but my son needed to be changed, fed and have a nap. As his sole food source, I needed a place to pump his breastmilk. We had been traveling since 2:00am. Everyone was completely miserable. Nothing was done to make us more comfortable while we waited until 4:45pm, almost 2 hours after check-in, to get finally be led to our room.

Next, we arrived at our room. The keys did not work. The staff member that showed us to our room nonchalantly told us we could go back to the front desk and get new keys. We were overwhelmed with luggage and an upset baby, and the staff member didn't even offer to bring us working keys - he told us to do it ourselves. Not sure what kind of hospitality training is offered here, but it seems like a refresher course may be in order.

Third, the room itself looked absolutely NOTHING like the photos online. We booked a Junior Courtyard Suite. The photos of this room type portray a FAR more spacious, light-filled and inviting accommodation than what we walked into, which was dark, dingy and cramped. Specifically:

The bedroom: The resort website states that all Junior Courtyard Suites are equipped with either a Queen or King bed. The photos show a spacious Master Bedroom. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our bed is only a Full sized bed. My 6'3 husband and I barely fit in it, and the bed itself barely fits inside the tiny bedroom. We had emailed ahead to ask for a crib for my son, and since it couldn't be squeezed anywhere else, the staff stuck it right in front of the dresser so that we can't even use the dresser. As such, we are stuck tripping over our suitcases on the floor in the equally tiny living room.

The bathroom: The website states each Junior Courtyard Suite is equipped with a full bathroom. Our bathroom is barely big enough to turn around in, there is no tub, and only a tiny, single sink vanity. That is not a full bathroom in a 4-star resort by any stretch of the imagination.

I went back to the front desk to retrieve working keys and asked if we could upgrade our room. I explained politely that the room was very small and did not match the photos or description on the website. The staff said that they'd leave a note for the manager, who would check the next day. I explained that it would be very burdensome to unpack and repack in order to move rooms, and asked if they could just check their online system for their real-time availability. Again, it was clear they were annoyed at the request - treating me like I was the problem even though I was more than willing to pay for a new room DESPITE the room we received (i) falling well short of the description of what we paid for, (ii) being offered to us 2 hours late, and (iii) without working keys. In any other nice resort I've stayed at, this scenario would have resulted in a prompt, complimentary upgrade and an apology.

After a little persistence on my part, one of the staff at least looked for other rooms and indicated something might be available, but told me to come back in the morning to confirm with the manager and "try not to unpack too much" in the mean time. Ever try not unpacking with an infant? It's basically impossible. So here we sit, in a cramped, dark, dingy room that we paid thousands of dollars to stay in, "trying not to unpack" after a long, stressful travel day. I work in the hospitality industry and can confidently say that this experience is not 4-star hospitality.

The resort is beautifully designed and layout.
I absolutely loved the room and would love to live in a place like this. The only negative was the bed wasn't as comfortable as other resorts. While the food at Hemmingways was excellent, I preferred Club Med. Still great place and excellent location!

The first day we showed up, the room we reserved wasn’t ready. The hotel put us up in another room for 24 hours. We were told our room was ready, so we moved only to find out it was still under construction. At that point we had to move again and wait 4 more hours. We were not the only unhappy customers for this exact reason. Highly recommend staying somewhere else!

The Sands at Grace Bay is a nice resort with comfortable living rooms & comfortable beds. The sandy beach is like in paradise & the turquoise water adds to the atmosphere.

Nice hotel

Fantastic service and the best location on Grace bay

We recently had another incredible stay at The Sands, and it's a pleasure to share our positive experience. Barbara, the Front Office Manager, impressed us with her dedication and professionalism. We met Barbara when she was mingling with guests at the Tuesday Night cocktail party. She ensured our vacation was nothing short of fantastic. Barbara's delightful surprise for our son and daughter-in-law on their honeymoon added a very special touch!

The housekeeping team does a great job, too! Every day we were greeted by the sweet and efficient Florence. All the housekeeping staff maintain a high standard of professionalism. Their attention to detail and courtesy enhanced our overall experience.

All of the rooms at The Sands are currently undergoing extensive renovations. We've seen one of the updated rooms and the design, finishes and furnishings are beautiful!

Delroy and his staff of beach boys deserve a shout-out for their terrific job setting up towels and umbrellas, & keeping the pools sparkling. Their efforts contribute significantly to the experience!

Hemingways' beach service is exceptional, too. Clara, Rose, Lovely and Sandra delivered conch fritters, pina coladas and rum punch right to our tiki. Their warm hospitality, coupled with the incredible beach view, made it a highlight of our stay.

And speaking of the beach, Grace Bay Beach is unparalleled in its beauty. The powdery white sand and brilliantly clear water create a picturesque setting that is simply breathtaking. Amazingly, JoJo the dolphin even visited and swam with the guests for over an hour - a truly once in a lifetime experience for everyone that day!
We visit Turks & Caicos for the beach, but it really is The Sands property & staff that kept us coming back for 20 years. Departure day is always a bummer, but we were even given a thoughtful going away gift by the Bell Host- such a nice lasting impression!

The Sands Resort is a well-run property that feels like a home away from home. With its beautiful surroundings, attentive staff, and the allure of Grace Bay Beach, I wholeheartedly recommend The Sands to anyone seeking a family-friendly, laid back, unforgettable vacation. Book it without hesitation!

The Sands at Grace Bay is mediocre, a 3-star resort at Turks & Caicos at best. I vacationed here with my three sons in the off-season, middle of October 2023. The pros: LOCATION! The beach is steps away, gorgeous water & pristine, soft sand. The cons: accommodations are average, run down and poorly managed. I'm not sure if our experience was the result of the "off season" but getting someone to bring you something or care about your experience was like pulling teeth. It didn't matter if it was a beach chair, tv remote or fresh towels, everything takes forever and I had to ask multiple times. I really wish I would've read more reviews on this place before spending the money to come here. NOT worth the value. I would have rather bucked up more dough to have a 5-star experience. Save yourself the cash and vacation elsewhere.

Property is undergoing renovations. You are not made aware prior to purchase. 22 inch TV in the living area of a 1 bedroom suite. Wires hanging from bedroom TV. Refrigerator absolutely beat up. Tools and equipment strewn about the property. The only weight machine is broken. Would not recommend.

Everything far exceeded our expectations. It truly is a slice of paradise. Beach is amazing, plenty of space and room to spread out. No shortage of chairs and umbrellas. Everyone on the staff were fantastic and made us feel so welcome. Hemingways on property right off the beach was delicious. Location was perfect. Walking distance either by beach or on street to Grace Bay shopping was less than ten minutes. Would stay here again for sure.

The location is amazing, the ladies at the reception and the restaurant staff are nice and friendly but the room 3208 was brutal … 😂 happy to be back home. Apparently the building will be renovated this fall. Hope the configuration as well.

Horrible experience with customer service! We stayed one night on July 10th (due to American Airlines fiasco). Check-in took over an hour with a very slow and unfriendly woman. She was requiring all guests (there were several due to the delayed flight) to present our lodging voucher and meal vouchers ($70) worth. We explained that it was 10:30pm and we needed to be at the airport early so we weren't going to eat and wanted to save them for the next day. She refused to let us check-in unless we gave them to her. Long story-short....They didn't give us back the meal vouchers (they still have them) and we had to pay for all our meals the following day. I call everyday and we have emailed and no one will help and respond. I can't even get a manager to get on the phone with me. Angelica will speak with me and says that she understands but this is the most unprofessional customer service I have ever seen or experienced! Please plan that you will wait in line for everything as they have one speed at this resort...SLOW. Shame on them for taking our money and refusing to give it back or return the credit on our card! This was our sixth stay in TCI. Many other resorts to stay at with much better customer service!!!

Wonderful place! Our first time here but will definitely stay here again. The staff (especially Glaidyra) was super friendly, helpful, and very accomodating. Housekeeping service was somewhat inconsistent but this was most likely due to our request to deviate from their normal cleaning routine. The place and its portion of the beach was never crowded despite being fully booked, e.g., we rarely had to wait for the standup paddle boards, Hobie cats, which adds to the tranquility and relaxation overall.