Ocean Club Resort

Ocean Club’s casual Caribbean lobby makes a great first impression, and gives guests a pretty good idea of what’s in store for their stay. The lobby’s focal wall features a bold hibiscus flower mural that gives the space a whimsical, laid-back feel. Wicker furniture with seagrass print pillows add island flair, while simple, white drapes and pendant lighting keep the room feeling bright and airy. The lobby isn’t fancy, but like the rest of the Ocean Club property, it’s unfussy and impeccably kept.  

Past the lobby, Ocean Club’s immaculately maintained grounds lead straight to the beach. Expansive lawns surround beautiful fountains, and colorful pink and purple flowers are the perfect compliment to Grace Bay’s bright blue waters. The resort’s buildings may be showing signs of age, but swaying palms, flamingo pink beach umbrellas, and perfectly placed hammocks still make the place Instagram-worthy.  

There’s a strong communal atmosphere at Ocean Club, evidenced by the hotel’s high percentage of repeat guests. At Ocean Club, it’s common to see owners and returning guests embrace staff members upon arrival, or strike up conversations with new guests to “show them the ropes.” During our visit, we met several longtime guests who were eager to share their love for Ocean Club, and displayed their loyalty by proudly inviting us to view their units, or pointing out improvements that have been made across the property in recent years (new communal grills, better lounge chairs by the pool, etc). Thanks to these longtime guests, it’s easy for first time visitors to feel immediately welcome. 

The majority of guests at Ocean Club are families, many of whom are multi-generational. The hotel’s upbeat atmosphere is perfect for children, but still quiet enough for parents and grandparents. Young couples and adult groups of friends will have no trouble finding their niche, but travelers looking for romance may be disappointed -- the pricier Point Grace is more luxurious and has a more romantic atmosphere that may be better suited for honeymooners or anniversary celebrants. 

Ocean Club is located directly on Grace Bay, about 10-minutes east of downtown Providenciales. Sister property, Ocean Club West, definitely has a better location for travelers who’d like to be within walking distance of downtown Provo. But longtime Ocean Club aficionados say they prefer Ocean Club’s quieter, more secluded location. The hotel is about 20 minutes from Providenciales International Airport. 

Ocean Club has multiple room types, the major distinction being studio or apartment-style units. Studios resemble typical hotel rooms with one king or two queen size beds, however, they’re also equipped with substantial kitchenettes. Studios are owned by the hotel, and therefore feature the same decor and amenities, unlike the apartment-style vacation rental units, where decor and amenities vary based on individual owners’ tastes. The hotel-owned studios are Ocean Club’s smallest room types and are ideal for couples or solo travelers. Decor is generic, and slightly dated, and most studios are located near the front of the property, farthest from the beach. Individually owned apartment units are much larger than their studio counterparts, and they're equipped with spacious full kitchens, in-unit laundry, and multiple bathrooms. However, decor and amenities vary drastically. It’s clear that some apartments haven’t been updated since the 90s -- think: white wicker furniture, pastel floral prints, and vertical blinds -- while others feature more modern elements, like granite countertops, glass-enclosed showers, and flat-screen TVs. Unfortunately, there’s no way of discerning which units are updated and which aren’t, but in-the-know guests can request to book specific units. All guest rooms have large screened-in balconies or patios, though most lack ocean views. 

For many travelers, Ocean Club’s numerous amenities and freebies are a big draw. Guests can take advantage of two beautiful pools, two on-site restaurants, two tennis courts with free tennis equipment, and a modern fitness center. There's also free bike rentals, an on-site mini-market, and of course, direct access to world famous Grace Bay. Guests can also use all of the amenities at the hotel's sister property, Ocean Club West. A free shuttle runs between both properties, as a 15-minute beach walk separates them. 

Ocean Club has two pools, a small one close to the beach, and a larger lagoon-style pool closer to the front of the property. The beachfront pool is generally quieter and more adult-oriented, while the larger pool is always filled with families and kids. Both pools are surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, and outdoor dining tables. There are also several communal grills in both pool areas that are quite popular with guests. Free beach towels are available on poolside carts next to the lagoon pool. For those who’d rather hit the beach than lay by the pool, the sugar-white sands of Grace Bay are literal steps from the Ocean Club property. Ocean Club is known for its iconic flamingo pink umbrellas that line the beach, but its plastic slatted lounge chairs have seen better days. 

There are two on-site restaurants at Ocean Club, the casual poolside Cabana Bar, and the more upscale Opus Restaurant. The Cabana Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also hosts a weekly sunset rum punch party that’s free for guests (well, the first rum punch is free…). The Cabana Bar overlooks the pool and the beach, and is a great spot to grab a quick bite during the day, as dress is casual and bathing suits are welcome. Opus is the hotel’s upscale lounge and restaurant, with a menu that focuses on seafood. Expect shrimp tempura and lobster spring rolls starters, along with fresh mahi mahi and yellow fin tuna entrees. For non-seafood eaters, Opus also offers entrees like short ribs, beef tenderloin, and several vegetarian options. Guests who plan to make use of their in-room kitchen can visit Ocean Club’s on-site mini-market. It’s not the prettiest market we’ve ever seen -- it looks more like a rations warehouse than a convenience store -- but it sells all sorts of items, from cereals, breads, and pastas, to condiments and potato chips. It also sells kitchen essentials, like aluminum foil, garbage bags, and dish detergent, and it has a wide selection of toiletries. 

Guests who’d like to stay active during their vacation can take advantage of Ocean Club’s modern fitness center, tennis courts, and free bike rentals. Ocean Club’s fitness center is large by Turks and Caicos standards and features modern Cybex equipment. The gym has several treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals, as well as a weight machine and several free weights. Outside, the hotel’s two pristinely kept tennis courts have free equipment, and the hotel offers free bikes for guests who’d like to explore the island a bit. Though Ocean Club doesn’t have a spa, there is a small spa at Ocean Club West that guests are welcome to use. 

Ocean Club has free Wi-Fi that works well across the property. For those who need to use a desktop computer, printer, or fax machine, there’s a small business center adjacent to the lobby. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that there are no elevators, although ground-floor units are plentiful.