Passion Points: Escape

Parrot Cay Versus Harbour Island Text Size A A A
You asked: Is Parrot Cay the best place to go for a three-night stint getaway? Better than Harbour Island (Pink Sands or Coral Sands)? Is Parrot Cay flashy or can you drop out there a bit? —S.P., New York
If it’s just you and your husband, Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos is gorgeous. I wouldn’t take kids, though we have a Postcard from Patrick Robinson in which he raves about it with kids. It’s a wonderful beach, very good food and a sexy atmosphere. Rooms vary wildly from smallish in main buildings to gorgeous villas (the Parrot Cay estates) on the beach that have butler service. There’s also an amazing spa, where I had the best yoga class of my life, but there’s not a lot to do, other than drop-out. Be sure to book the direct flight to Providenciales from JFK, instead of connecting through Miami, for a much shorter trip.
I love Harbour Island in the Bahamas, but for such a short trip it is more of a pain to get to because it’s two flights and a boat ride. I love it because it has a few different restaurants, shops and a real island community of fishermen and families, so it’s not just a resort. We had a fantastic family holiday there with kids, boating, beaching and riding around in golf carts. It’s not five-star luxury, though. The best place to stay is Pink Sands (242-333-2060; www.pinksandsresort.com) which had its service issues and a funky style (was owned by the founder of Island Records, so wealthy hippy kind of luxury, but, I hear it’s been sold). The beach is one of the prettiest anywhere.
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