Bianca Sands on Grace Bay

A charming, intimate property, the 52-room Regent Grand has an undeniable air of sophistication. If you fail to notice the chic and breezy lobby -- adorned with elaborate floor tiling and Italianate furnishings, like a wrought iron three-tier chandelier and white leather wingback chairs -- you’ll understand the resort's level of luxury when you catch a glimpse of what is arguably the most beautiful resort pool on all of Providenciales. Surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery, the Regent Grand’s negative-entry, infinity-edge pool shimmers with wall-to-wall mosaic tiling that depicts a massive compass star in the center. Two whirlpools, padded wicker chaise lounges, pool attendants serving cocktails, and a small bar serving food from the nearby Vix Restaurant lend still more exclusivity to the posh surroundings.

The grounds are equally impressive, featuring Mediterranean-style archways and columns, powder-blue shutters, fountains, and terra-cotta-tiled rooftops. The short walk between the pool and the beach is surrounded by lush greenery on a wooden deck lined with palm trees, and on the resort’s 300-foot stretch of Grace Bay, you’ll find the same classic navy blue umbrellas and attentive service as at the pool.

Near the pool is Harvey’s Bar, a small bar and grill that serves food from the across-the-street Vix Restaurant (not exactly on-site, but close enough). The spa is located at the nearby Villa Renaissance resort, but offers in-room treatments.

While the property is quite similar in layout to the Tuscany, the Regent Grand's spectacular pool and lush grounds give it a leg up -- as do the existence of a small poolside bar and grill, and a rather large fitness center. However, the Regent Grand’s spacious private-ownership suites don’t have as uniform a decor scheme as those at its similarly priced competitor.

The Regent Grand is the only resort that is sandwiched between Providenciales’ two biggest draws: Grace Bay and Regent Village. On the ocean side, the resort's beachfront is far enough away from neighboring Seven Stars and Point Grace resorts that it enjoys a significant level of solitude. And on the street side, the resort is about as close as possible to the Regent Village and Salt Mills plazas, two shopping and dining destinations that every traveler will undoubtedly visit during their stay. That the Regent Grand sits less than 50 paces away from both attractions is a surefire way to save money on expensive taxis or car rentals.

• 20-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport
• 1-minute walk to Grace Bay (property is located on the beach)
• 1-minute walk to shops and restaurants at Regent Village and Salt Mills shopping centers
• 15-minute walk, or 3-minute drive to Graceway grocery store
• 5-minute drive to Provo Golf Club
• 10-minute drive to the Caicos Conch Farm, the world’s only conch farm
• 10-minute drive to Smith’s Reef for snorkeling
• 18-minute drive to Da Conch Shack and Rum Bar

The only real drawback to the Regent Grand’s 52 spacious and upscale suites is that many are individually owned and placed into the rental pool while not in use. As a result, furnishings are inconsistent. In our Two-Bedroom Pool View Suite, there was a smattering of styles: an ultra-modern glass dinner table with sleek leather chairs, typical Caribbean-style loungers on the terrace, and African masks hanging in the hallway. In addition to several notes left by the owner (how to work the TiVo, warnings not to use their board games or books in the entertainment center), we were also reminded that this was someone else's home every time we took a shower, where there was a faint odor of mildew.

Nonetheless, daily housekeeping, well-dressed beds, modern full kitchens, and spacious terraces come standard -- and if you can overlook a few quirky details, you’ll have no cause for complaint.

• Full kitchens feature granite countertops, top-of-the-line Frigidaire appliances, cookware, utensils, and tableware.
• Comfy beds with Egyptian cotton linens and tons of pillows
• Dual washer/dryers
• Decor varies due to preferences of individual owners; some personal details like notes and cluttered cabinets
• Flat-screen TV and DVD player in the living rooms; smaller flat-screen TVs in the bedrooms
• Daily housekeeping and evening turndown service with Ghirardelli chocolates
• Aromatherapy Associatea bath products
• Ceiling fans
• In some units, the master bedroom features only a queen-size bed.
• A handful of 419-square-foot studios are a good value, but only come with kitchenettes and pool views.
• In the 1,130–square-foot Two-Bedroom Pool View Suite, the bedrooms are a tad small and there is only one bathroom (and only a walk-in shower).
• An upgrade to the 1,520-square-foot Two-Bedroom Premium Oceanfront Suite will get you a second bathroom, a media room, and views of Grace Bay -- but the bedrooms are located at the back of the unit and don’t have great views.

• Infinity-edge pool with wall-to-wall mosaic tiling, two whirlpools, and padded wicker chaise lounges
• Guest-only umbrellas and lounge chairs along 300 feet of Grace Bay
• Poolside and beachside service (drinks and towels, but not food)
• Harvey’s, a small poolside bar that also serves food from the nearby Vix Restaurant
• No spa on site but the resort will book treatments at the Teona Spa at a neighboring resort
• Large, bright fitness center with tons of Nautilus weight machines, dumbbells, and cardio equipment (though the cardio machines lack individual TVs)
• Free loaner bicycles for transportation around the island
• Free transportation to the nearby golf club
• One lighted tennis court and free tennis rackets
• A DVD library in the lobby
• Free gated parking
• Daily housekeeping and evening turndown service
• Concierge and porter services