The Palms, Turks and Caicos

We had a nice time at the Palms and it is a beautiful property with nice rooms, however it is billed here and elsewhere as a 5-star resort (and charges accordingly), but falls short of that level experience. It lacks the unexpected special touches that you see at that class of hotel and I would describe the service as inconsistent, unenthusiastic and generally reactive vs. anticipatory. Some examples where we felt the experience fell short: Upon arrival there was no bellman/valet to greet us and assist with luggage. I’m sure we could have asked for assistance, but it wasn’t offered. We also were not offered welcome drinks; however, we observed other guests receiving them during our stay. The breakfast buffet was adequate for a mid-range hotel stateside or maybe a convention, but lacked the quality, variety and presentation one would expect from a 4 or 5 star hotel. There was an omelet station that consistently produced overcooked omelets. There were no local or international specialties, the fruit selection was the same as you’d get out of a precut container at any grocery store and the juice options were limited and came out of a big plastic food service bottle – not fresh squeezed. Mid-way through our stay, we learned that there was an ala carte menu from another guest, but it was never offered to us as an option. If you wanted a chair at the pool you had to get up at the crack of dawn and throw down your belongings as if you were on a low budget cruise. Not once during our stay did we observe more than a third of the chairs actually occupied with people, but they were all claimed. We even observed some guests that had chairs reserved both at the pool and the beach. There was a posted policy that belongings would be removed from chairs not in use, but it was not enforced. The pool bar was a nice setup, but the experience was frequently interrupted by unsupervised children bumping into you and splashing pool water into your $20+ drinks. The bar should be a no-kids zone. We asked the hotel manager about this, but he was dismissive and did not seem to think that this behavior or children at the bar was a problem. I injured my foot during our stay and called room service to request ice be delivered to our room along with a plastic bag to help with the pain and swelling. Over an hour passed with no ice before we called back and got a curt response with no apology. Eventually the ice was delivered, but with no bag. That’s not to say that it was all bad, just not consistently a 5-star (or 4-star) experience. Certain aspects of our stay were in the 5-star range, specifically, the food and service at SiSi was great for both lunch and dinner, the grounds were beautiful and meticulously maintained and housekeeping was very friendly and attentive.

We had an amazing stay at the The Palms Turks and Caicos—truly a 5-star experience. The property is beautiful, the beach is stunning, and everything from the rooms to the pool and food exceeded expectations. Service was a standout—everyone was friendly and attentive. We were excited about the beach bar we had heard about, but were disappointed it’s no longer there. The new bar near the beach/pool is very nice, but not as convenient as having a true beach bar. It would be great to have drinks and food directly on the beach. That said, beach service was excellent—Oats took great care of us. Special shoutouts to Mac (an incredible butler), Jane in the breakfast area, and Freddie and Dwane at the bar—all fantastic. We would absolutely return and highly recommend!

Great service, friendly staff, and amazing tours and beaches. Highly recommend!

Had another amazing stay at the Palms. We have been coming for many, many years and absolutely love this hotel and all the people that work there! Couldn't ask for a better crew than those that work here...Jane and all the lovely ladies at breakfast, Sherie and Clive out at Sisi, Oats on the beach, Duane, Freddy, and bartender Z in the lobby bar, Neville at the pool bar, butler Mac and of course the general manager Jeff and so many others...!!! Anyone looking for a great hotel with great rooms, great staff and the best location directly on grace bay beach should stay here! OUR ONE AND ONLY WISH would be for them to RE-OPEN the BEACH BAR!!! Talking with MANY returning guests and owners, all mentioned the same wish to have the beach bar open again. There is no other hotel on grace bay beach that has a bar directly on their beach like the one the palms had before their recent renovations. It was the perfect place to grab drinks, lunch and meet so many new friends all while still in your bathing suit!!! We had the opportunity to meet Stan from the Hartling group last year during our stay, and when we inquired about opening up the beach bar again, his suggestion was to put it on trip advisor so that's what we are doing!!. Returning guests and many owners, all have such fond, fun memories sitting (or standing around) the beach bar, listening to music, and having great drinks especially during happy hour every day. It also draws people off the beach to inquire about the hotel and peaks their interest in choosing it for their next stay. PLEASE RE-OPEN THE BEACH BAR (at least during peak season)!!! The new SISi bar is beautiful, the staff is great ,but it is not the same lively atmosphere as the beach bar had, It has a very different vibe, It is a more sophisticated. refined place to get a quiet lunch or a drink before or after dinner.

We have traveled and stayed all over the world and experienced many beautiful places and exceptional hotels, but what we experienced at The Palms in Turks and Caicos was something far deeper than hospitality. It truly felt like family. There are not enough words to express the level of care, attention, and sincerity that surrounded us from the very first moment. Every single person we encountered carried a quiet grace, noticing the smallest details, anticipating needs before they were spoken, and offering kindness in a way that felt genuine and never rehearsed. Even in the simplest moments, this care revealed itself. We were once happily seated outside for breakfast, and a gentleman gently approached us and said he would move us because the sun was in our eyes, simply so we could be more comfortable. It is these quiet, thoughtful gestures that stay with you. When there was a moment during our stay when we were not feeling our best, the true heart of this place revealed itself. What we received was not simply service, but care that felt deeply personal, as if we were being looked after by family. The team went above and beyond in every possible way, helping us find medical care, checking on us, and making sure we were comfortable and never alone. The front desk, especially, became a constant source of reassurance, always present, attentive, and sincerely concerned. We also want to speak from the heart about those who cared for our room. There was such a deep sense of respect, integrity, and quiet professionalism that we felt completely at ease. Everything was handled with care, and there was a level of trust that is rare and cannot be taught. If it were possible, we would name each and every one of them, because every smile, every gesture, every soft word mattered. Each person gave something of themselves that did not go unnoticed. When it was time to leave, we did not just say goodbye. We hugged as many of them as we could, because what they gave us deserved far more than gratitude. What makes this place extraordinary is not only the management or the standards, but the spirit of the people of Turks and Caicos themselves. There is a natural warmth, a gentleness, and a generosity of heart that cannot be taught. Even when things were not perfect, they made everything feel right. Our hearts will always remain with The Palms, because this is a place that gives something truly rare — an unforgettable and almost unimaginable love for those who come seeking rest, resilience, and care. This was not just a hotel. This was a place where you feel seen, protected, and truly cared for. And for that, we are endlessly grateful.