Walking in the morning on the beach on Parrot Cay, with its soft, sugar-white sand and aqua water, it seems like you have the whole island to yourself. This small private island in the Turks and Caicos has a secluded atmosphere that has made it a favorite of celebrities, several of whom own homes on the island. The resort is thoughtfully designed, the villas set back from the beach to maximize the natural beauty of the surroundings. The main building’s rooms epitomize barefoot-chic, all whitewash and blonde wood, with fourposter canopy beds. The villas are the real showstoppers, featuring light-filled interiors, private pools, direct beach access and butlers. Add in impeccable service and it’s clear why this property is a longtime Indagare favorite. Guests spend their time rotating between the infinity pool, beach, tennis and the spa. From the morning yoga in the spa, which is open to the sea breeze, to the fresh, healthy food, you will feel renewed and restored here.
The Standout: The villas offer direct beach access and butler service. Don’t Miss: The snorkel eco-tour of the reefs north of the island.
Indagare Loves
Asian-inspired treatments at the beautiful and serene COMO Shambhala Retreat spa
The candlelit private dinner on the beach
Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding through the surrounding archipelago, which includes mangroves and (if you’re lucky) sightings of Eagle rays and turtles
COMO Parrot Cay Review
To many, this property, part of Singapore-based hotel company COMO, epitomizes what drew people to Turks and Caicos in the first place. Legendary hotelier Christina Ong dreamed up COMO Parrot Cay, which opened in 1998, as a place of understated elegance, where luxury is about lounging on a muslin-draped daybed, or getting hooked on daily yoga lessons at COMO Shambhala and snacking on ultra-fresh seafood in bare feet.
COMO Parrot Cay is one of the most recognizable names in the Caribbean, with a loyal following of longtime guests including high-profile celebrities. That said, it is not for everyone, and travelers who prefer that their five-star experiences come with marble bathrooms and a buzzy scene won’t be happy here. The cluster of two-story buildings, containing 46 guest rooms and suites with wraparound balconies, are located in the center of the island, i.e., with no direct beach access, and, in some cases, partially blocked ocean views. Renovated in late 2017, the interiors are sleek and all white, with stripped wood floors and simple furnishings, including four-poster beds and pillow-topped daybeds on the balconies. The bathrooms are spacious and updated, with large glass-enclosed showers and double sinks.
To really get the COMO Parrot Cay experience, it’s worth splurging on one of the freestanding beach houses or villas, as they offer more privacy, more space and direct access to the glorious sand beach that snakes around the island like a white velvet ribbon. The same minimalist aesthetic prevails in the spacious bedrooms and soaring living rooms. Most units have a wonderful screened-in patio, outdoor showers and a small plunge pool, and the freestanding beach houses come with butler service. For the ultimate indulgence, there are sumptuous private villas, owned by the likes of Christie Brinkley, Bruce Willis and Donna Karan on the island’s serene Western coast. Brinkley’s Lucky Villa is decorated in a shell motif. Dhyani House, a gorgeous beachfront three-bedroom, sits on more than two acres; the Residence, an estate that belongs to a major Hollywood star, comprises a five-bedroom master villa and two three-bedroom guesthouses (it can be rented in its entirety or separately). And then there’s Donna Karen’s Sanctuary, with two four-bedroom homes decorated with an eclectic mix of pieces the designer has collected during her personal travels.
There’s not much to do on Parrot Cay—and that’s the point. Guests, a stylish mix of couples and families (all with very well-behaved children), lounge by the cobalt blue infinity pool, at the beach or on the covered double daybeds built into the vegetation overlooking the beach. It’s all about pampering, wellness and—to a large extent—staying put. COMO Parrot Cay offers complimentary water activities and rentals, such as paddleboards, kayaks, Hobie cats and snorkeling equipment, and the property can arrange private charters, fishing, scuba diving and snorkel tours for an additional fee. There are also two tennis courts. Daily yoga and Pilates classes are free, and the outstanding COMO Shambhala spa is so popular with guests that you’re encouraged to book treatments well in advance of arrival. The glorious spa offers multiple treatment rooms and private spa pavilions, which guests can rent for a day of treatments and lunch ensuite. The nearby fitness center overlooks the mangroves and also boasts an outdoor pool that is perfect for peaceful swims or lounging.
There are two restaurants: the Mediterranean-inspired Terrace, in the main hotel, and Lotus, the breezy poolside eatery. With banquet seating, teak shutters and lounge-y music, Lotus is the perfect place for lunch, for a relaxed meal of healthful salads or crispy fried seafood, while at dinner, it transforms into a candlelit al fresco setting (it’s one of TCI’s most romantic places for a special-occasion dinner). The different menus are mostly Asian-inspired, including one featuring nutritious spa cuisine. The chef changes it regularly, but if you’re staying longer than three or four days, you’re bound to see some repeats.
Besides a pool table, board games and a large plasma TV in the main hotel, there’s little entertainment. Guests can retreat during the day or after dinner to the Beach Club bar, where there are daybeds scattered in the sand and a large wrap-around bar area. Service is attentive and friendly; the COMO Parrot Cay staff, like that at Amanyara, hails primarily from Asia, which some find odd at a Caribbean resort and others applaud for their smooth professionalism. Overall, COMO Parrot Cay is one of those special places where you come to really get away from it all—you can literally watch new arrivals fresh off the boat unwind and ease into the nature-embracing lifestyle offered here.
Who Should Stay
Travelers who enjoy a relaxed, beach-chic aesthetic and are looking to spend quality time together and to drop out; also, spa aficionados who want to take advantage of COMO Shambhala. Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer for assistance reserving this hotel
Author
Simone Girner
Indagare Plus Amenities
$100 resort credit once per stay and per accommodation (Rooms, Suites and One Bedroom Beach House and Villa) $200 resort credit once per stay for Two Bedroom Beach House and larger Resort credit applicable toward Food and Beverage and COMO Shambhala wellness session 60 minutes or longer
Continental breakfast buffet + one hot dish from our A La Carte menu
Upgraded Room Category on Availability at Check-In
From an Indagare member: “The highlights of our stay were the following:
1. Getting upgraded to a two bedroom villa on the beach (thank you!)
2. Having a family-style lunch at our villa while hanging out by the pool
3. Fishing
4. The Sunday night beach barbecue with music and a bonfire
Every event improved upon the next with the birthday dinner and bonfire being the highpoint.”
Indagare
5:55 pm | June 18, 2014
From an Indagare member: “Parrot Cay is serene, beautiful and has a perfect beach and delicious food. The spa is fabulous and the service throughout the property is professional, polite and warm. The kids would have enjoyed a few more onsite activities, but they still loved the trip. We did enjoy snorkeling and fishing excursions, but I would suggest no longer than a half-day of fishing. We also did a kayak tour but did not have a good experience; we did not see anything, it was hot and it was difficult to navigate a tandem kayak with my kids. If the main goal is to see things, I do not recommend it, and it is not suitable for children under 12.”
Indagare
3:56 pm | September 14, 2015
From an Indagare member: “The beach/pool and spa/yoga are great. Breakfast was incredible and I highly recommend the caesar salad off the spa menu. I would also encourage guests to use the spa amenities even if they aren’t getting a treatment. The quiet pool is serene and peaceful.”
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From an Indagare member: “The highlights of our stay were the following:
1. Getting upgraded to a two bedroom villa on the beach (thank you!)
2. Having a family-style lunch at our villa while hanging out by the pool
3. Fishing
4. The Sunday night beach barbecue with music and a bonfire
Every event improved upon the next with the birthday dinner and bonfire being the highpoint.”
From an Indagare member: “Parrot Cay is serene, beautiful and has a perfect beach and delicious food. The spa is fabulous and the service throughout the property is professional, polite and warm. The kids would have enjoyed a few more onsite activities, but they still loved the trip. We did enjoy snorkeling and fishing excursions, but I would suggest no longer than a half-day of fishing. We also did a kayak tour but did not have a good experience; we did not see anything, it was hot and it was difficult to navigate a tandem kayak with my kids. If the main goal is to see things, I do not recommend it, and it is not suitable for children under 12.”
From an Indagare member: “The beach/pool and spa/yoga are great. Breakfast was incredible and I highly recommend the caesar salad off the spa menu. I would also encourage guests to use the spa amenities even if they aren’t getting a treatment. The quiet pool is serene and peaceful.”