Ocean Club West

The driveway leading to Ocean Club West is lined with palm trees and abundant, bright rhododendrons. Guests are greeted by a simple portico, which gives way to an unimpressive lobby whose white walls and bland furniture look like they belong in an office building rather than a Caribbean resort. Outside, the lobby scene is easily forgettable when the green lawns, impeccably manicured grounds, and beautiful blue water of Grace Bay come into view. Throughout the day, the pool scene remains upbeat and kid-friendly. There’s enough ambient noise to quell the happy shrieks of vacationing children, but it’s quiet enough for adults who just want to sit by the pool with a book in hand. Because of this, the clientele at Ocean Club West is a mixed bag. While the majority of guests are families, there are also handfuls of middle-aged couples, retirees, and even a few millennial friend groups — though the hotel might be a little too family-friendly for honeymooners or couples on a romantic getaway.  

Ocean Club West arguably has one of the best locations on the entire 12-mile stretch of Grace Bay. The portion of beach it fronts is noticeably wider than at many neighboring hotels, and the property is within a 10-minute walk of tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and the grocery store. The only thing it isn’t really within walking distance of is sister property, Ocean Club. Both hotels advertise that guests can use the pools and amenities at both properties, but they’re too far away from one another for guests to take advantage of this easily. Ocean Club West is about a 15-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport. Renting a car probably isn’t necessary for travelers just looking to hit the beach and try a few local restaurants, as anything not within walking distance is easily accessible by cab (just be prepared for hefty fares). For those who do rent a car, on-site parking is free.   

Because apartments are individually owned, room decor varies; most units are not as upscale as those at nearby Grace Bay properties, and the price reflects this. Instead, apartments have a homey, beachy feel with casual decor and simple furnishings. Room types range from small studios with kitchenettes to three-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and separate living and dining areas. All units have stacked washer/dryers, one bathroom per bedroom, and private screened-in balconies or patios. It should be noted that not all units have ocean or pool views. Apartments have individual wireless routers, so the hotel’s Wi-Fi is not only free, it’s fast and reliable.   

Ocean Club West consistently offers some of the best rates in Providenciales. Though by no means cheap (nothing on this island is inexpensive), Ocean Club West’s prices are typically more affordable than its competitors', yet the hotel also offers more, and oftentimes better amenities than many of its more expensive neighbors. The hotel’s large pool is a family-friendly space where many guests choose to spend their days. The circular pool is bisected by a few different bridges and has a central island filled with lounge chairs, gazebos, and communal barbecue grills. The outer perimeter of the pool is surrounded by additional lounge chairs, palm trees, and flowering rhododendron bushes. In the far corner, there’s a poolside waterfall and a swim-up bar, though the bar doesn’t seem to get much use.   Adjacent to the pool is the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Solana. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and poolside cocktails. It’s a nice feature, considering many comparable hotels don’t have a restaurant or pool bar. Solana has facing both the pool and the ocean, and is a great spot to catch the sunset each evening. Other on-site amenities include a small fitness center, spa, and beautifully maintained tennis courts. The fitness center is tiny, but doesn’t feel cramped or overcrowded with machinery. Instead, the small room is well organized, with cardio machines on one side, weight machines on the other, and a separate area for free weights and stretching. Adjacent to the fitness center is the on-site spa, which is managed by an outside company (typical for Turks and Caicos hotels). For those who’d rather get some exercise outdoors, the hotel’s beautiful tennis courts are free for guests to use.       

All beaches in Turks and Caicos are public, so guests can access any beach at any hotel, but the stretch of sand in front of Ocean Club West is one of the nicest on the island. This particular part of Grace Bay beach is noticeably wider and flatter than points farther west. The hotel provides plastic slatted lounge chairs and pink umbrellas for guests, but the beach furniture looks like it has seen better days.