Sibonne Beach Hotel

The atmosphere around Sibonne Beach Hotel is somehow relaxed and full of energy. Throughout the day, guests lounge by the pool, relax on the beach, and sip cold ones at the bar. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie between returning guests, and local residents are always passing through to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. Sibonne has a quiet atmosphere, but it never feels boring. The 28 rooms are situated around a surprisingly lush courtyard and the small reception area is pleasantly decorated with wicker chairs and potted plants. The majority of guests at Sibonne are couples, with an age range that skews a bit older than some of Provo’s more jet set resorts, like the Gansevoort or the Grace Bay Club. Many guests are repeat customers, who have come to appreciate Sibonne’s unwavering affordability over the years. 

Sibonne was one of the first hotels in the Grace Bay area, and remains Provo’s only beachfront budget option. Unsurprisingly, it's bordered on both sides by hotels. Sibonne is also within walking distance of numerous restaurants, and is about 15 minutes (on foot) from downtown Providenciales. A number of restaurants and shops are nearby, some close enough to access via a short walk on the beach.- 20-minute walk or three-minute drive to shops and restaurants at Regent Village 

• 10-minute drive to Smith’s Reef for snorkeling
• 10-minute drive to the Caicos Conch Farm, the world’s only conch farm
• 15-minute drive to Da Conch Shack and Rum Bar
• 15-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport

Rooms at Sibonne are simply decorated with casual beach-y decor. White walls and white tile floors aren’t overly exciting, but give rooms a clean, timeless look that also feels bright and airy. Beds have pretty wrought iron headboards and mismatched wicker and wooden furniture that give off a shabby-chic vibe. Some rooms have whitewashed vaulted ceilings, others have outdoor balconies that overlook the property’s well-manicured grounds. Entry-level categories like Value Rooms and Courtyard Rooms are a bit on the small side, but Premiere Beach Front rooms and the Beach Apartment are much larger spaces. The Beach Apartment has a full kitchen and a separate living room. All units include a mini-fridge, coffeemaker and coffee, safe, and flat-screen or tube-style TV. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms. All rooms have tiny bathrooms with small shower stalls and only one sink, but they have plenty of counter space. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Many guests complain about minor maintenance issues in the rooms, like jammed sliding glass doors, ripped screens, or broken locks. However during our most recent visit, we didn’t notice any of these problems, and found Sibonne’s rooms to be quite nicely maintained.  

Sibonne doesn’t have many amenities -- there’s no spa, fitness center, or kids' club here -- but it does have a small pool, a wonderful restaurant, and immediate access to world famous Grace Bay Beach. All of the hotel’s amenities are located within a few feet of one another. The pool is next to the restaurant, and both overlook the beach -- so guests can simultaneously enjoy all Sibonne has to offer. The small circular pool at Sibonne doesn’t compare favorably to its more upscale neighbors, but that doesn’t seem to stop guests from using it. The pool is surrounded by several lounge chairs, along with umbrella-covered dining tables. The pool is actually mere steps from the sand -- a unique benefit of Sibonne’s age. Sibonne was built before before there were regulations about where contractors could build on the sand. So, from the pool, guests only have to walk a few feet before they hit the beach. World famous Grace Bay Beach is just as beautiful whether you’re paying $100 or $1,000 dollars to sleep near it, but the particular stretch of beach in front of Sibonne is especially gorgeous. When the sun shines and the ocean is calm, the water develops an electric blue hue that’s memorably beautiful. The hotel sets up lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach, but don’t expect beach butlers or cocktail waiters. Guests will have to walk to the bar themselves if they’d like to have a drink. Beach towels are available at the front desk. Bay Bistro, Sibonne’s restaurant, isn’t owned or managed by the hotel, but it’s a pretty popular spot, frequented by guests and locals. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Bay Bistro is almost always packed with patrons. It also serves one of the most well liked brunches on the island, and is a popular spot for sunset cocktails. Bay Bistro’s menus feature lots of local specialties, like conch, grouper, and Key lime pie. Guest favorites include the conch crepes, the coffee rubbed tuna, and the vegetable tart. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there's one computer with internet access in the lobby area. There's ample parking in a lot next to the hotel.