Harbour Club Villas & Marina

After driving past countless properties for sale on undeveloped land, Turtle Tale Drive (bumpy during our 2014 visit but since paved) bends and a shimmering lake comes into view. Harbour Club is soon marked by a colorful painted wooden sign, and then again a few feet down with a red life ring and simple wooden plank marked "Entrance," with an arrow pointing into the gravel parking lot. Guests are usually greeted in the parking lot, or at least somewhere along the pebbled, plant-canopied path leading up to the hotel's main area.

There's a sign marked "Office," but it's mostly just for show as the Canadian ex-pat owners prefer to do in-villa check-ins with all their guests. Villas are separated on the grounds in threes; half by the pool and half in a thick, native garden setting. The only public spaces are a small relaxation area and the pool, with its accompanying barbecue and dining area. This ends up creating a very personal vibe on the property, and guests might almost feel like they are at their holiday home -- which is exactly what the owners hope for.

The fact that there are only six villas on the property is by choice. The couple, who created the space themselves in the late 1990s, have the ability to create up to 52 rooms, but instead, choose to keep the property small, intimate, and exclusive. While happy to give their guests space, Marta and Barry (who live on the property) are available to help with anything or attend to guest needs. Marta is extremely attentive to and knowledgeable about the natural habitat, and it is obvious that just as much care has been put into the outdoor decor. Sand dollar stone footpaths and maritime-themed decor accents like oars, buoys, and fishing nets can be found about.

For those looking for social interaction, this place could feel isolated, save for the daily tours leaving from the backyard marina. Note: If you make a special impression on your hosts, you may be rewarded with a barbecue in their private space, or at least glimpse a stellar sea view from their personal lookout spot.

Resting between a lakefront and broad sea inlet in the central-southern area of Providenciales, Harbour Club claims a beautiful and unique location. The area surrounding the hotel is mostly (as of now) undeveloped plots with "for sale" sign sticking out of their bases, so there isn't much in the way of restaurants, bars, or shops in the immediate area (although, the flamboyant singer, Prince, had a house -- complete with purple driveway -- just a few miles down the road).

Leeward Highway, one of the two main roads on the island, is about a five- to 10-minute drive away, depending on how fast you can navigate the rough road. From there a gas station, the archipelago's only movie theater, a few restaurants, strip mall, and supermarket are all within a few minutes' drive. Thanks to the hotel's marina-side location, those interested in joining a fishing excursion, going scuba diving, or snorkeling can find most of the island's tour operators (and meet-up points) just a short walk from their villas. However, there is no direct beach access. Sand can be reached via a hefty (but gorgeous) hike over a hill, following a wide path that leads to crystal clear turquoise waters. The hotel itself is about a 10- to 15-minute drive from the Providenciales airport.

All six villas at Harbour Club have lake views and are nearly identical. They don't even have names, numbers, or identifying labels. The only differences appear in the decor specifics and furniture layout. If larger parties need to use the sofa bed, the living room and dining room are rearranged, and a real mattress is set up on the sofa bed (which means the sofa cannot be converted back into a sofa during the stay). Villas are spacious, have plenty of natural light filtering through two huge sets of windows along a main wall, and come with fully equipped kitchens with all the utensils, dishes, and appliances you may need.

Terra-cotta tiled floors cover the entire space -- watch for a slight incline from the dining area to the living room as it's easy to trip. Natural wicker patio-style furniture with colorful (and slightly dated feeling) patterned cushions populate the common area. Overall, the villas -- with the wicker, bold colored patterns in beachy green and blue, and glass tabletops -- have a southern Florida "Golden Girls" vibe to them. More modern elements include the large flat-screen TV and contemporary kitchen appliances. Kitchens also have electric stoves and wicker cabinets.

Bedrooms, refurbished after our visit, are tight and have small air-conditioning units. Fresh bedding is colorful and furniture consists of bedside shelving, additional slatted shelving, and a luggage bench. Bathrooms are also tight, featuring wicker cabinetry, cute ocean decor accents, and (slightly cavernous and dim) tiled showers. There are plenty of basic towels and a small selection of toiletries available.

Fun extras in the villa hall closets can include games, puzzles, and coolers; and there is a collection of used paperbacks in the entryway. Wall decor varies between maritime maps and beach-inspired artwork. There is also a stone terrace area just outside the front door of each villa, complete with a set of chairs, a table, and some plants.

Habour Club isn't set up with tons of features. In fact, it doesn't even have a dedicated reception area. But it does have a small, clean, maritime-themed pool area. While the pool is small, there is still room around its perimeter for just over an handful of green and white sun chairs, two umbrella-covered tables with chairs, and a huge terra-cotta planter filled with foam water noodles. Adjacent to the pool area, there is a completely covered Tiki hut-style barbecue and dining area, with four walls open to the breeze and a gas grill to cook your local catch on. There is enough seating for 12 people.

The marina is also a key feature of the hotel. Located down a short gravel path off the pool area, the marina has a small wooden promenade with several slips and docks. Guests with boats (or who have visitors with boats) can rent out open spaces in the marina for a fee. Thanks to clear marina waters, you may even be able to spot some fish, or even an octopus hanging around. For anyone wanting a little private time, there is a semi-private relaxation area just around the corner from the pool's left side. This circular area with chest-high stone walls houses a hammock and table and chairs. Parking and Wi-Fi are free.