Blue Haven Resort

Formerly owned by the party-hearty resort chain Nikki Beach, the resort that is now Blue Haven completely changed its image when it switched owners in 2013. Though the brightly colored exterior looks the same, everything else about Blue Haven Resort is different from its notoriously wild predecessor. Situated on Providenciales’ mostly residential Leeward coast, Blue Haven is removed from the tourist hub on Grace Bay. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet, and feels completely secluded. The hotel’s entrance comprises a large, two-story portico that gives way to an open-air lobby. Guests are greeted with free rum punch and stunning views of the beach and yacht-filled marina. After drinking the welcome beverage and checking in, there’s not much to do or see in the lobby. Throughout the day, many guests can be found riding bikes along the hotel’s bike paths, lounging by the pool, or napping in a beach hammock. The atmosphere is serene, and there’s not much to do besides relax. Guests are a mix of families, couples, yacht enthusiasts, and business travelers. Children of all ages are welcome, and while we saw plenty of kids during our visit, there really isn’t much for them to do here.    

Blue Haven Resort is located at the northeastern tip of Providenciales, otherwise known as the Leeward coast. This location is ideal for travelers looking to explore other Turks and Caicos islands, whether by private yacht or public ferry (the TCI ferry port is a five-minute drive from the hotel). For those uninterested in boating matters, there really isn’t much to see or do in the immediate area surrounding the hotel. The Leeward coast is mostly residential, so guests looking for shops and restaurants will have to drive to Grace Bay (about 10 minutes). It’s definitely advisable for Blue Haven guests to rent a car, as taxi service in this part of town can be slow and unreliable. Providenciales International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel.  Another important thing to note about Blue Haven’s location is that it’s not technically beachfront. The beach in front of the hotel is man-made, and doesn’t face the “ocean” as much as it does a small channel of water. While this might sound unappealing elsewhere, Turks and Caicos’ pristine waterways are perfectly suitable for swimming, and the man-made beach’s calm waters are ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking.

The design scheme throughout Blue Haven Resort can best be described as modern nautical minimalism (we just made that phrase up — but it sounds pretty impressive, right?). Jokes aside, room decor is simply stunning. White walls with cherry wood cabinets and furniture are reminiscent of the shiny wood surfaces on a boat, while navy and white couches, damask pillows, and black and white framed beach photos give the space a preppy, maritime feel. Beds are dressed in fluffy white duvets and are topped with lots of thick, fluffy pillows. Room options range from two-person studios (think of a standard hotel room), to one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment-style suites. Suites are equipped with full kitchens, front-loading washer/dryer units, and large, wrap-around balconies. Most studios (officially dubbed Premier Rooms) do not have balconies. All bathrooms have large walk-in showers and granite vanities with vessel sinks and tons of counter space. Only some have jetted tubs and large walk-in closets.    

Since Blue Haven isn’t close to Providenciales’ downtown hub of Grace Bay, and isn’t within walking distance of any grocery store or restaurants, the hotel’s most convenient, and perhaps smartest, amenity is its on-site mini-market. The store sells everything from snacks to sunscreen to souvenirs and sandwiches. It also has its own coffee counter that functions like a regular coffee shop (fresh pastries and outdoor terrace included). Of course guests will pay a premium for convenience, but prices here aren’t much more outrageous than anywhere else on the island. The market is located across from the hotel’s main parking lot, and is frequented by guests and locals alike.  Next to the market is Blue Haven’s on-site spa. Although it’s tiny, the spa offers a full array of services, from couples treatments, to pedicures, to body wraps. It’s not the most luxurious spa we’ve ever visited, but we’d say it’s comparable to, if not nicer than, most on the island. At many hotels, guests need to choose whether they want to spend their time at the pool or on the beach. At Blue Haven, the pool and beach areas are so flawlessly integrated that guests don’t have to choose between the two. With its rounded infinity edge, the pool looks as though it continues straight into the ocean water. The pool bar has a swim-up option on one side, and a walk-up option on the other, so that pool- and beach-goers have easy access on both ends. The crescent-shaped beach is lined with teak, cushioned lounge chairs and white umbrellas. Hammocks hang from palm trees, and big bean-bag like rafts float around in the calm water. The pool and beach scene is typically pretty quiet, and perfect for relaxing, but the bar’s repetitive loop of tropical music can get pretty annoying (especially after you’ve heard the same song play five times in the last hour). Another tiny complaint is that the pool isn’t heated. In the summer months, this isn’t an issue, but in the cooler winter months, the pool water can be downright frigid. Of course, we’d be remiss to leave out Blue Haven’s beautiful 78-slip marina — an amenity that attracts a fair number of guests to the property. The marina is a member of the IGY network, a distinction noted for exceptional service and marina quality. Along with fueling services, there’s also a marina office with its own conference room, bathrooms with communal showers, laundry facilities, and customs and immigration services.  Other hotel amenities include a small business center with communal computers and printers, a beautiful fitness center with modern Precor equipment, and free bike rentals, parking, and Wi-Fi. Blue Haven also offers a free shuttle to sister properties, the Alexandra Resort and the Beach House, both of which are on Grace Bay. Guests from all resorts are permitted to use one another’s amenities. 

Blue Haven has two on-site restaurants — a nice perk, considering there aren’t any other options within walking distance. Fire and Ice is an open-air restaurant adjacent to the lobby and across from the pool. It serves breakfast and dinner in a sophisticated setting with panoramic ocean views. Breakfast is served buffet style, but dinner is a la carte. The dinner menu changes seasonally, but consistently focuses on fresh seafood with a Mediterranean flair. Salt Bar and Grill serves lunch and dinner in a relaxed indoor/outdoor setting. Salt’s menu consists of classic bar items like nachos, burgers, and baby back ribs, but also has some island favorites like cracked conch and jerk chicken.