The first time I went to Parrot Cay, I missed Brad Pitt by a day. That was back when he was with Jennifer Aniston. Resorts can change a lot over time, but on a recent return I was glad to see nothing at Parrot Cay had changed, in the best possible way.
Parrot Cay sits on its own private island, accessible by a 30-minute speedboat ride from Providenciales. Paparazzi is a non-issue, which makes it great for high-profile guests; Paul McCartney, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Richards have all visited, and Donna Karan and Bruce Willis own property on the island. And privacy is at a premium, which makes it ideal for honeymooners looking to escape the world.
The entry-level rooms are in the Great House, with white-on-white interiors and terraces overlooking the garden or sea.
But you really want to stay in one of the beachfront villas. These standalone cottages line the beach, and come with perks from plunge pools in the Beach Houses to full-sized swimming pools and outdoor showers in the larger Beach Villas. Interiors are airy beach0-cottage chic, with beamed ceilings, cushy couches and linen-draped canopy beds. The Beach Villas also have a full pantry, which is great is you like to keep snacks or chilled drinks on hand.
Best of all, they have direct access to the beach. Turks and Caicos has some of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean, with turquoise water that rivals French Polynesia. We had a pool at our villa but barely used it, preferring to tram through the sand to float in the sea for hours.
If you want to be social, hit the infinity-edge main pool. That said, the scene here is decidedly mellow — no loud music, no pool games, no distractions from the beauty of the sky and sea. And the Eastern-inspired cuisine at the poolside restaurant Lotus is top notch; I’m still craving the lobster-topped tostones!
If you’re looking for a party, this is not the place; you’re 30 minutes offshore, so going into town for a night of clubbing isn’t really an option. That said, I loved the stone bar, which will keep mixing cocktails as late as you want to drink them.
Parrot Cay is owned by COMO Hotels, which is known for their outstanding spas, and the one here is no exception; think facials by Guinot and Dr Hauschka, and a full menu of therapies, including Thai massage and Ayuervedic treatments. The yoga studio brings in top practitioners from around the world to lead sessions and retreats, but you’ll be equally happy checking into their couple’s suite for an afternoon of massage, followed by alone time in the sunken tub on the spa’s screened porch.
Or you can bring your own party. The intimacy and gorgeous surroundings make it ideal for destination weddings; there are no distractions so your whole stay is about quality time with family and friends. For simpler weddings the onsite staff can arrange everything, working with top talent on Provo for things like flowers and music.
For more extravagant events, bring in your own planner who can get as elaborate as you want. My pal Michelle Rago of Michelle Rago Destinations was there the week before me, doing a stunning event at Donna Karan’s private residence. Hers is only available with her personal approval, but most of the villas are rentable through the hotel, and are ideal for events, offering maximum privacy in gorgeous settings.
