Old Reviews – Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens–Grace Bay–Providenciales–Turks and Caicos 4 1/2 StarsThe Turks and Caicos were originally part of the Bahamas and are just south if the Bahamas chain. When the Bahamas gained their independence the Turks decided to remain British. Providenciales (Provo) is the most developed and populated of the Turks and Caicos islands. We have been there eleven times and have stayed at Ramada Turquoise Reef (now Allegro), Ocean Club, Grace Bay Club, Royal Bay ( now Beaches), and Le Deck (Recently renovated and now Sibonne) and the last six times at Coral Gardens. Coral Gardens completed the second phase of the development plan in Nov 2000 and added 15 new one bedroom luxury suites (1000 sq.ft ) and three two bedroom luxury suites (1300 sq.ft.). In addition there are one and two bedroom (18-2100 sq ft) luxury grand suites and four penthouse suites. The White House, the first building on the property, has also been renovated and is now the headquarters for Serenity a full service Spa which used to be at Grace Bay Club The part of the White House nearest the beach has been converted into a beach restaurant/bar called Ripples by the Sea. They serve lunch daily and dinner on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night. There is a two for one happy hour Friday and Saturday. Besides a standard menu Ripples serves sushi and sashimi. Ripples is run by Chef Paul Newman of Coyaba restaurant which in our opinion is the best restaurant on Provo. All suites are basically condos with kitchen, living/dining room, bedroom, bath and balcony or patio. All have ocean/beach views. Our favorite is room 1212 which is a one bedroom luxury grand suite with a wrap around balcony and great view. The sliding glass doors on two sides of the suite actually slide into the walls opening the whole suite to the ocean breezes. All suites are fully equipped and elegantly decorated. There is a water sports facility on site, Cactus Voyager, run by Matt Williams. Snorkel fins and mask now cost $10/day or $50 per/week so it might pay to bring your own. You can arrange snorkel scuba trips to nearby islands, sunset sails, and other water sports activities thru Matt. There are two sea kayaks for use by the guests which are free. Coral Gardens has two swimming pools one of which is a lap pool. One of the things we like best is there is a great reef right of the beach for snorkeling. This is the only place in Provo to snorkel off the beach. Caribbean Travel and Life just named the beach at Grace Bay the most romantic in the Caribbean. Coral Gardens is in a remote portion of the beach away from other resorts and the maddening crowd. It is romantic. intimate and quiet. The perfect place for a quiet vacation, honeymoon or anniversary. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at hgcann@mpinet.net

The web site for Coral Gardens is www.coralgardens.com. They provide a free shttule service to and from the airport and have rental cars (Toyotas on site). For reservations call Marcine Bennett Reservations Manager in Vancouver at 1-800-532-8536 or E-mail at info@coralgardens.com. They are currently offering several specials during the off season. You can also call Leanne Higgs, Guest Services Manager, at 649-941-3713 or E-mail her at coralgardens@tciway.tc. Leanne and the staff at Coral gardens are very accomodating and will go out of their way to see your stay is memorable.

Provo Restaurants–

Coyaba Restaurant–Coyaba is an old Arawak Indian word meaning "heavenly and it is in every sense of the word. It is set in a lush tropical garden and is a true gourmet dining experience. The menu is very ambitious and chef Paul Newman (not the actor) executes it flawlessly. Coyaba is a Chaine Des Rotisseurs Member Restaurant. Tracey and Gianni are the perfect hosts and the service is excellent. Definitely 5 stars!! Email www.provo.net/Coyaba

Anacona–The Anacona is located at Grace Bay Club and is probably the most romantic restaurant setting on Provo. It is near the water in large tiki huts and illuminated with candles and tiki torches. The bar is awesome. The food is very good and is a mixture of Caribbean and Mediterranean. A combo plays on Wed, Fri and Sat nights. Men are requested to wear long pants and shirt with collar

Bay Bistro-– Lovely setting on the beach at Sibonne Hotel. Chef Simon Poulin specializes in serving freshly prepared tapas, Black Angus steaks, seafood and oriental dishes. Try the cedar planked grouper. They serve brunch on Sat and Sun from 7AM to 2PM. Excellent food and service. E-mail www.thebaybistro.com. Live music on Monday night

Barefoot Cafe–Located in the Ports of Call shopping center Barefoot Cafe has expanded and now serves dinner six nights a week. Truly casual dining inside or under umbrellas on the patio. Bermuda shorts are fine and yes you can go Barefoot. Menu features Fresh Conch, Seafood pasta, char grilled jerk chicken and fresh fish. Try a double portion of the Conch appetizer served as an entree. The conch from the Provo conch farm is sweet and tender. Very good food at a reasonable price. A three piece combo plays Friday evening

Mango Reef–Located at the Royal West Indies resort. Food is sort of Caribbean fusion blending Mexican, Cuban and Jamacian. The lobster Quessidilla appetizer is enough for an entree or for four people to split. Excellent fish. Very good food and service.

Coco Bistro–Dine on the terrace under a canopy of plam trees. Very romantic. Coco Bistro features Mediterranean cuisine and it is very good. The grouper in puff pastry is excellent

Caicos Cafe–Located next to Ports of Call across from Allegro. Open air deck style restaurant with an eclectic French menu. Basically steaks, prime rib and great selection of local seafood. Wonderful large salads. Try the conchburger which is outstanding

Hemmingways–Located at The Sands Resort. Lovely place for lunch. Next to the pool and overlooking the beach. Try the Soft Grouper Taco or the Mango Shrimp salad. Probably the best Burgers on the island and great fries. Tuesday is Caribbean night with a buffet and live music.

The Terrace–Located in Turtle Cove. Dine on an open air terrace under the palm trees. Nice atmosphere. Excellent food. The Terrace has been written up in Gourmet Magazine. Monday is Peking Duck night and Sat is Sushi/sashimi night

Go Fish–New place in Center Mews. Very casual. Features Fish and Chips, combo seafood platters, conch fritters, cracked conch, conchburgers, hamburgers and salads. Super french fries. Most food is in the $7-8 range and very good. If you are staying in a place with a kitchen and are loking for seafood to cook in there in a fish market in Center Mews around the back of the building. Great selection of fish.

Smokeys by the Beach–If you have a car and want real local food go to Smokeys in Blue Hills. Have the Cracked Conch with beans and rice, cole slaw, potato salad and fried plantains Yum!!! Right on the water.

Top O’ the Cove Deli–Right next to the Napa store on the main highway. If you want to get a picnic try this place. Great sandwiches, salads, sweet rolls and desserts.

Fairways at Provo golf club. Thursday is lobster night with lobster prepared 5 diferent ways, –grilled with lemon garlic butter, blackened with mango chutney, coconut rice and curry sauce, thermidor, sauteed with penne pasts in a bleu cheese cream sauce and grilled (no Shell) on spicy Thai crispy noodles. The entrees are $33

Grocery Stores–There are about three on the island–IGA, Island Pride and Quality. I find the IGA to be excellent with a good choice produce etc. They also sell Beer, liquor and wine. Located on the main highway.

Comment--If you do a search "Coyaba Restaurant" you will get about 13 Hits which will not only give info on Coyaba but other restaurants on Provo. Suggest making reservations for the more popular restaurants a couple of days in advance. For more Provo info check out the Turks and Caicos Magazine now on line at www.wherewhenhow.com