Beaches Turks & Caicos: Our Family's Honest, 3-Visit Review (2024)

Our family vacationed at Beaches Turks & Caicos for three years in a row. We love it and hope to return whenever we can afford it.

Beaches is an expensive resort (the combined cost of our three trips was around $20,000), but our stay at Dreams Punta Cana was similarly priced and we found Beaches to be the better value overall.

We had lots of questions and concerns before we booked our first stay at Beaches. Hopefully, this review will answer your questions and help you decide if Beaches is worth it for your family.

Happy reading and safe travels, wherever you decide to go!

Pros

• Service - The staff is what sets Beaches apart from other hotels and resorts. Nearly all the workers (and there are many!) are kind and take pride in their work. The included childcare services are excellent and the no tipping policy is the real deal. Amazing people work here.

• Facilities - Beaches feels like a small city nestled in a Caribbean paradise. The architecture and landscaping are beautiful. Small-yet-meaningful improvements and additions to the property keep the resort feeling fresh, even after repeat visits.

• Pools - The pools at Beaches TCI are awesome. Each one is beautifully designed and the water is kept clean. Every pool has its own unique vibe and there are options for kids, for swimming, for watersports, for relaxing, or for partying.

• Food and Drink - There are more than 20 bars and restaurants at Beaches TCI and they each have their own character, from fast food to sprawling buffets to fine dining. The food is better than one might expect from an all-inclusive resort and many of the dishes are downright great (the ceviches, for example). There are seven varieties of wine available -- all good, but four of them are excellent! Upper-shelf spirits like Don Julio and Johnnie Walker Black Label are included in the open bar.

Cons

• Slow Kitchen Service - You can score a good, quick meal at any of Beaches' buffets, but be prepared to wait (sometimes, to the point of giving up hope) if you prefer table service. Alas, the most exotic and beautifully plated dishes are at the table service restaurants. The servers will often ply you with co*cktails and wine as you wait for the kitchen to prepare your dish. This is a fun way to pass the time, but it makes it easy to drink too much.

• Noise Pollution - You'll hear lawnmowers and string trimmers during your stay. (That's the price of beautiful landscaping, we suppose.) Also, one of the best restaurants on the resort is near the main stage where shows are performed. Imagine having a romantic, candlelit dinner as Sesame Street characters host a sing-a-long outside the window. It's not a dealbreaker and you can juggle timing and seating accordingly, but it's a little funny at times.

• Bag Drop - The day of departure, guests are asked to leave their luggage outside their door so that it can be taken to the departure lounge. Our bags have always arrived safely, but we found that the wait can be uncomfortably long. During our last stay, we placed our bags outside our room at 8:00 a.m. as we were instructed. Our luggage wasn’t collected until 9:15 a.m., which was only 15 minutes before the airport shuttle departed.

• Showers - The water temperature and pressure can fluctuate in some rooms. It's a small annoyance that betrays a general feeling of luxury.

Our Verdict and Rating

• 4.5 out of 5 - Beaches Resort at Turks & Caicos feels like a magical escape from the real world. The property was as lovely as the people we met, and for those who enjoy food and drink, there is a lot of value to be had.

Popular Review Sections

Childcare

Beaches is truly a family-friendly resort. The inclusion of free childcare from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. is a huge draw for our family. We don't have any guilt or reservations about our daughter attending the day camp on the resort because the staff and the activities are so kid-friendly.

Service

We love the people we've met at Beaches. The staff is another reason why our family chose Beaches for three years in a row. Here are our thoughts about the service at Beaches.

Villages

There are four villages at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort: The French Village, The Caribbean Village, The Italian Village and The Key West Village. (The "Seaside Village" is advertised as a fifth village, but we consider it part of the Caribbean Village.) Here is our comparison of the villages at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

Guests have full access to the resort, regardless of which village they stay in.

Resort Map

There are more than 20 dining options at Beaches Turks & Caicos and only one restaurant requires reservations, which helps to eliminate the stress of meal planning. Our family loves having this freedom. The quality and variety of the restaurants are a big reason why we return to Beaches each year. The more adventurous that one is with food, the more value is to be had at Beaches overall.

Beware that the kitchen service at many of seated-dining restaurants is very slow. Like, ruin-an-evening-if-you're-not-prepared-for-it slow. Check out our complete reviews of the restaurants at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort.

Open Bar

Alcohol is included at Beaches and the selection of beer, wine and spirits is awesome. Options range from a locally-brewed beer to a sparkling blanc de blancs wine from France to top-shelf Don Julio tequila. They don't skimp.

No Tipping Policy

The no-tipping policy at Beaches is the real deal. You can spend your entire time at the resort with nothing in your pocket other than a room key. The staff wears buttons that say "No Tips, Please."

There are three exceptions to this rule. First, you may wish to tip the drivers who pick you up at the airport and take you back for your departure (many of these drivers are independent taxi drivers that are hired by the resort). Secondly, the butlers who assist guests in Butler Level Suites are allowed to accept gratuities. Lastly, the employees at Red Lane Spa are also allowed to accept tips.

Weddings

We've seen plenty of weddings at Beaches, but we've never attended one. One might think that weddings would be an annoyance for other guests, but our experience has been the opposite. The weddings that we've seen were a form of entertainment. We saw paper lanterns floating over Grace Bay one night. It was beautiful! During our last stay in the Key West Village, a reception was held on the main lawn and all the guests were dressed in white. We found it fun to people watch.

Weddings are free at Beaches Turks and Caicos (for stays that are three nights or longer). The more nights that a couple stays and the more guests that attend the wedding, the more perks that are included. Check out the Beaches website for details about wedding services.

Pools

There are eight pools (and plenty of hot tubs) at Beaches resort. The pools are kept immaculately clean and there are good options for kids, plus options for swimming, relaxing and sports. Check out our list of the best pools at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort.

Waterpark

Kids love the waterpark at Beaches, but it’s surprisingly fun for parents, too. Check out our full review of the slides, pools, lazy river, surf simulator and more.

Activities and Entertainment

There are too many things to do at Beaches to summarize them here.

Red Lane Spa, Gym

Most of the spa services at Beaches resort are not included in the price, however, the hot and cold baths are open to the public. Red Lane Spa products like shampoo, conditioner and lotion are stocked daily in every room, and sized at a convenient 3.4 ounces, can be brought home in a carry-on bag.

Beaches' gym has a yoga room, punching bags, free weights and various strength and cardiovascular machines. Gym access is included in the price.

Dress Code

Shirts and footwear are required at restaurants during the day. The restaurants don't allow wet bathing suits and they ask that women cover their swimwear while dining. The same rules mostly apply for dinner, however, the adults-only restaurants (the fanciest ones on the resort) prohibit shorts, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts and sneakers at dinner time.

You'll spot some well dressed ladies in evening wear, but most men get by with jeans, a polo shirt and dress sandals. Men: Resist the urge to bring dark-colored club clothes or leather shoes. Turks and Caicos is a tropical place, so light colors and light fabrics are appropriate, even for evening attire. For more packing ideas, check out our guide to what to bring to Beaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in the price?

• Food, including all meals and snacks;

• Alcohol, including beer, wine and top-shelf spirits;

• Nannies and childcare (from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.);

• Weddings (for stays that are 3-nights or longer);

• Sailing, glass bottom boat rides, water skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving;

• Transportation to and from the airport;

• Public and in-room Wi-Fi;

• Gym access and fitness classes;

• Stage shows and live music;

• On-premises nurse service;

• Family photography session;

• Car seats;

• Beach and pool towels;

• Waterpark access; and

• Tips and gratuities.

What's available, but not included in the price?

• Strollers;

• Laundry;

• Spa treatments;

• Hair braiding and temporary tattoos;

• Bedtime tuck-in with Sesame Street character;

• Prints (or digital images) from photo session;

• DJ Academy;

• Scuba diving courses;

• Private candlelight dinners;

• Premium wines;

• Gratuities for butler service;

• Tours and transportation (other than airport transfers); and

• Doctor consultations and medication.

Who owns Beaches?

Beaches is a line of all-inclusive family resorts owned by Sandals Resorts International, a Jamaican company founded by Gordon Stewart. The Sandals brand is known for its all-inclusive resorts for couples (i.e. adults-only). Sometimes, Beaches is referred to as “Sandals for Families.”

Is Beaches gay-friendly?

Beaches tagline is "Resorts for Everyone," and we have no reason to believe otherwise.

Know this: The parent company of Beaches had banned same sex couples from its Sandals-brand resorts until 2004. That prohibition never existed at Beaches, however.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not allowed indoors at Beaches resort. There are some designated smoking areas outside with upright ashtrays that smokers gather around.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. If you plan to stay elsewhere in Turks and Caicos, make sure to check the government's rules and policies on bringing animals onto the islands.

Can guests leave the resort?

Yes, but transportation is not included (except for airport shuttles).

Is there a casino?

There is no casino on Beaches resort, but there is a cashless "Casino Night" at Turtles bar.

Is alcohol included?

All alcohol, including beer, wine and premium spirits, is included. Some restaurants at Beaches have expanded wine lists with premium bottles (other than the seven included wines) for purchase.

Does Beaches have room service?

Beaches Turks and Caicos resort has room service, but it's reserved for guests staying in suites with butler service. Alternatively, takeout is available at buffet-style restaurants.

Is there laundry service available?

Laundry service is available at Beaches, but not included. Tokens are available for sale in the lobbies.

Are strollers available?

Strollers are available at Beaches, but they are not included. Contact the Kids Club for rental rates.

Are day passes available?

Day passes are available at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, but they are extremely expensive.