The Post’s Jennifer Ceaser checks into (and checks out) Parrot Cay by COMO resort in Turks & Caicos.
What: One thousand acres of pure paradise, this private Caribbean island resort — a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales — distinguishes itself by being part of the COMO Hotels & Resorts brand, which embraces ancient Eastern wellness therapies, along with an organic “energy-giving” menu. But it’s not all healthy living here — you can get an excellent pina colada and a mean plate of pasta, too.
New: Two spacious two-bedroom beach houses were recently built, bringing the total number of accommodations to 61 (46 rooms/suites, nine beach houses and six villas).
Why: Mingle on the sugary white-sand beach — or at the Lotus Bar — with the likes of Keith Richards, Donna Karan and Bruce Willis, who all own homes here. The crystal-clear Caribbean is perfect for a dip, or take out a gratis paddleboard or kayak. Yoga, meditation and Pilates classes are offered free five times a week on the beach or in the Yoga Pavilion overlooking the mangroves. Dining options, while limited, are fortunately quite good: the hilltop Terrace Restaurant offers gourmet Italian; the casual pool-side Lotus Restaurant specializes in Asian dishes.
Working well: Any of the oceanfront accommodations, especially the one-bedroom Beach Villa, which features a large living area, screened-in patio off the bedroom, plunge pool, outdoor shower and lots of privacy. Plus it’s just steps across the beach to the tropical turquoise waters.
Needs Improvement: The sprawling resort can be a bit confusing to navigate — and maps provided in the rooms are practically illegible. A bike is the fastest way to get around, unfortunately, this writer went through three of the rusty two-wheelers before finding one whose gears worked.
Must try: COMO Hotels & Resorts are noted for their spas, and that’s no exception here. Most treatments have an Asian or Indian bent — Ayurveda, Shiatsu, Acupuncture, Thai massage — but even the standard deep-tissue massage without all the bells and whistles ($190/75 minutes) is deeply satisfying.
Don’t miss: Walking or pedaling along the shaded 3-mile-long Plantation Trail. There’s not a soul to be seen — at least, not a human one. You will spy lots of curly-tailed lizards skittering across the path and flocks of elegant white ibis nesting in the trees or poking around in the marshes. And when you come upon the grove of palm trees tagged with children’s names, ages and handprints — a planting and naming project conceived by the resort — it’ll make you slow down and smile.
Details: From $750 (Jan. 4 to April 24); from $550 (April 25 to Dec. 19, excluding Thanksgiving).