Royal West Indies Resort

The Royal West Indies Resort features elegant Colonial-style decor that's infused with a beach-y flair, but it's the outdoors that take center stage here. The grounds are the requisite amount of lush -- plenty of palm trees, nicely manicured lawns, and bountiful shrubbery -- and the beautiful beach is well maintained by attendants. Grace Bay, of course, is a stunning location no matter where you look, but Royal West Indies does a stellar job of keeping its burgundy umbrellas and blue padded lounge chairs in orderly rows, and the towel attendants do a stand-up job of cleaning up after guests.Overall, the mid-range resort is a fairly average choice -- not too much by way of features, but basics are covered and rates are reasonable. Guests are a mix of couples and families with kids.

The resort's beachfront setting along Grace Bay is as idyllic as can be, and still in close proximity to the important stuff like a golf course, a grocery store, and shopping and dining plazas. There are many other hotels in the area, as well as a couple of restaurants and cafes that are within walking distance. Graceway Gourmet, where guests can stock up on some groceries if they want to self-cater, is about a 16-minute walk or two-minute drive from the property. The Salt Mills shopping mall is a three-minute drive. Provo Golf Club is a two-minute drive or a 13-minute walk. Other area attractions include Casablanca Casino, which is just a three-minute walk from the property, and Smith's Reef for snorkeling, a 12-minute drive. Providenciales International Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.

The hotel offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites that feature Colonial-inspired decor. They're a bit dated and could use some revamps, but they're homey spaces. All of the units have kitchen facilities as well as living rooms and dining areas. Furnished private balconies or patios overlook the beach or grounds -- ocean views are worth the upgrade if you don't mind the higher rates.Studios aren't too spacious, starting at 540 square feet. Studios have kitchenettes with fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Suites add more space: One-Bedroom Suites measure 1,004 square feet, while Two-Bedroom Suites are 1,554 square feet. Suites upgrade to full kitchens that add four-burner stoves, ovens, dishwashers, and toasters. All units also have washers/dryers. Other standard amenities include 40-inch flat screen TVs, DVD players (DVDs available for borrow from the lobby library), iPod docks, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are small and due for some updates. They're equipped with shower/tub condos. Individual toiletries are supplied. 

The highlight here is the lovely grounds themselves, especially the gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach. The hotel's stretch of shore is lined with blue padded loungers and burgundy umbrellas, plus towels are provided. Hobie Cats and kayaks are available for free, while other water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving can be booked through the hotel. The hotel has two attractive pools and a hot tub, one of which is a smaller "quiet pool." They're both lovely, skirted in lush greenery and surrounded by padded loungers and umbrellas. The main pool features a quaint little bridge spanning its sides.The Pelican Bay Restaurant & Bar is an enticing island resort restaurant. Fronted by a lovely plantation-style facade, this breezy restaurant with elegant table settings and poolside seating is worth a visit. A full bar with a lively atmosphere is a great place to stop by for happy hour. In the restaurant, a small but eclectic menu will satisfy most cravings. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and hosts several theme nights and live music during the week. Room service is not available, but guests can order takeaway. There are no fitness facilities, tennis courts, nor spa on-site. In-room spa services are available though. Other perks offered by the hotel include free loaner bicycles for exploring the island (a two-hour time limit applies) and a library of books and DVDs in the library. There's also a computer in the lobby with internet access that guests are free to use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.