Turks and Caicos is one of my favorite vacation destinations with its gorgeous turquoise water and beaches, gorgeous weather, and laid-back vibes. Usually I stay at an all-inclusive resort, but when I had the opportunity to visit Ocean Club East, I jumped at it.
Rather than a traditional hotel, this resort is made up of individually owned condos rented out like a hotel. That means each room is decorated differently, but they are also much larger than traditional hotel rooms and also feature full kitchens for you to use.
It makes your stay in Turks and Caicos feel more like a home away from home than a standard hotel stay. Ocean Club Resorts has two distinct properties on Grace Bay, Ocean Club East and Ocean Club West, situated about a mile apart on the stunning Grace Bay Beach.
I stayed at Ocean Club East as part of a hosted visit while already on the island. As always, all opinions remain my own.
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Checking In and Getting Settled
When you check in, you receive a bracelet that acts as your room key. It also lets the staff know if you’re staying at East or West.
The check-in includes a towel card that you exchange to receive towels for the pool and beach, as well as gifts from the resort that include a reusable bag for any shopping I may do, a mouse pad, and a luggage handle cushion. Most useful is the printed schedule of the shuttle between the two resort locations, and I kept that tucked into my phone so I could easily refer to it throughout my stay.
As I looked around after I completed my check-in, I noticed a small library of books. It’s a take-one-leave-one situation, which I love because, for me, this is a read a good book by the ocean kind of vacation.
As I noted, each unit has a full kitchen with everything you could possibly need. There’s a bare minimum that owners must provide, like coffee makers, toasters, and dishes, but the different units I toured also seemed to have every gadget required to cook or bake a full meal.
There’s even a complimentary washer and dryer in each unit with detergent provided. Being able to go home with a suitcase full of clean clothes is a luxury I adore.
The only exception to the in-unit laundry is the studio suites in Ocean Club East. They are still either 400 or 600 square feet with plenty of space, but be aware that those two room types won’t have the washer and dryer.
The units themselves consist of far more than “just” a bedroom like so many resorts do. In addition to the kitchen, units have balconies or lanais with furniture to enjoy time outside, living rooms with plenty of seating for both dining and relaxing, and often multiple bedrooms.
Both sites have rooms that range from studios that sleep two people with 400 square feet to three-bedroom suites that sleep up to eight guests in the 2000 or 2100 square foot units. They’re perfect for families or groups, especially with so much multi-generational travel happening today.
Pool or Beach?
Ocean Club East has two pools, as it’s a slightly larger site. Both pools are relatively quiet, with no entertainment teams or piped-in music like you’ll find at most resorts.
Ocean Club West has a single large pool, and the vibes are similar. Note that you can only use the pool and beach at the location where you stay.
They both have beach access with plenty of chairs and umbrellas to utilize as you enjoy the – almost always – calm and gorgeous water. Regardless of which you choose, it’s the perfect way to relax and recharge.
Beach Life And Amenities
Ocean Club East is located at the very end of Grace Bay, so it has a much quieter, more remote vibe compared to the more central location of West. The towel hut staff next to the beach area at both sites will even blow up your floaties for you.
Whether you want to use the beach or a pool, you have a card to exchange for two towels. Be sure you don’t lose it, or you’ll be charged at checkout.
The resort provides a water cooler with cups right at the beach to keep you hydrated, which is a thoughtful touch. Since the restaurants are close to the sand, it’s easy to grab a drink like their delicious peach margarita or a mocktail and bring it back to your chair.
When you’re ready to head in, there are showers to rinse off the sand. I liked how easy and convenient it was to access everything.
If you’re feeling active, both locations have dual-purpose tennis and pickleball courts. You can sign up at the front desk and borrow paddles and balls.
You can also borrow free bikes for two hours at a time, complete with locks and helmets. I’m seeing this perk at more hotels lately, like Staypineapple, and I love it.
The resort also offers complimentary non-motorized water sports like stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. The weather didn’t cooperate for me, but it’s a great option if you catch a calm day.
Don’t Forget the Wellness
Like so many resorts and hotels, Ocean Club has a fitness center available at both sites. It’s free to use and is pretty well equipped, so you can enjoy your favorite workout equipment.
And of course, there’s spa offerings onsite. I didn’t have the opportunity to partake while I was there, but I heard from others that the Spa Tropique staff do a great job.
Because this is a partner and not an on-site spa, you do need to book in advance to ensure your therapist will be available. Choose from various treatments that range from massage and facials to body treatments and mani/pedis, all with plenty of choices within those options.
Moving Between East And West
The two resorts are close enough to be neighbors but far enough that walking in the heat is not my first choice. The complimentary shuttle runs between the two locations from 8am to 11:45pm. This makes it super easy to hop over to try the restaurants at the other property or head into town near Ocean Club West.
You used to be able to stay at one property and play at the other, enjoying the pools and beach amenities freely. However, they stopped that policy at the end of 2024. Now, you stick to your own resort for pool and beach time, but you’re still welcome to take the shuttle to dine at either location.
Dining Options Galore
Speaking of dining, the food situation here is a bit different than your typical resort. The restaurants are separate vendors, so you can’t charge meals to your room and pay with cash or a card instead.
Ocean Club East has Cabana Bar and Grill, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The portions are generous, and I really enjoyed the food, especially the breakfast sandwich and flavored coffees.
Look for the jerk specials on Mondays and seafood on Saturdays, though I wasn’t there for either of those nights. Every day, they have a happy hour with different specials, as well.
Over at Ocean Club West, Reef Rockers Beach Bar and Grill is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a different menu vibe. You have to try the lobster tacos when they’re in season plus the conch trio, and for dessert, the cinnamon rolls are outstanding (and definitely shareable).
For a fancier dinner, Opus Wine Bar and Grill is also at East. I had a fantastic meal there with mussels and seared tuna. The portions were so large I ended up taking half back to my room, so thank goodness for that full kitchen!
This was definitely busier than the two beach restaurants, and I am not surprised. They strongly recommend reservations, and I suggest you do that for at least one night of your stay, if not more.
The Beach Bar at Ocean Club West wasn’t quite open during my stay, but it was closed and looked adorable with swing chairs around the bar. It’s definitely going to be a fun spot once it’s fully up and running.
But You Don’t Have to Dine Out Every Night
The units each have a full kitchen, and you can cook pretty much anything you want in there. And you also have gas grills outside near the pools that you can use to create your favorite cookout.
I loved how they were set up with large seating areas near them and under cover to help keep you protected from the heat of the sun and any potential rain. This also meant that you could have your entire dinner cooked and then enjoyed almost as a cookout party with your group rather than having to haul it all back inside to eat.
Practical Tips For Your Stay
If you rent a car, parking is easy. At East, you can park right by your building. At West, you park up front and walk to your unit.
At both resorts, they can help you with rental cars if you want them delivered to the resort during your stay or for part of your stay. You can also leave your keys at the front desk if you’d like them to handle returns.
For groceries, Ocean Club East has a convenience store with most basics but no fresh meat. If you want to cook a full meal, take the shuttle to West and walk about seven minutes to the Gourmet store in town.
That grocery store will have everything, and the resort even lends you pulley shopping carts to haul your groceries back. Just remember to bring reusable bags or be prepared to pay $0.10 per bag.
One big thing to note is that the resort closes annually from late August to early October for renovations. This is common on the island, so plan your trip accordingly.
Get Ready to Book Your Ocean Club Resort Stay
Overall, Ocean Club Resorts offers a chill, family-friendly atmosphere that’s perfect for groups or anyone wanting a break from the party scene. Whether you’re grilling on your patio or reading by the pool, it’s a place that makes it easy to settle in and stay a while.
