Windsong on the Reef

Windsong Resort has a distinctly different vibe from most of the other upmarket resorts lining Grace Bay. In contrast to glitzy properties like West Bay Club or Gansevoort Turks and Caicos, Windsong offers an understated form of luxury. The color scheme throughout the property is mostly neutral (with a few hints of beachy flair) and from the small fitness center to the modest restaurant, the facilities are all good but not especially flashy or memorable. The pool, with its waterfalls and partial glass wall, is one of the property’s few bold features -- and even then, it’s more interesting than outstanding.Windsong’s friendly atmosphere makes it an approachable choice for families, as well as couples looking for a property with a low-key vibe. The massive penthouses are fantastic options for extended families and groups of friends. With the Princess Alexandra National Sea Park found just off the coast, this resort holds additional appeal for travelers seeking easy access to fantastic snorkeling conditions. 

Windsong Resort is set amid a string of resorts clustered along stunning Grace Bay Beach. One of the island’s top snorkeling destinations, the Princess Alexandra National Sea Park, is found right off the coast. There are a handful of restaurants within walking distance, most of which are set inside neighboring resorts. An IGA grocery store is found a five-minute drive or an ambitious 30-minute walk away. Attractions like the Caicos Conch Farm as well as Da Conch Shack and Rum Bar can be reached in less than 15 minutes by car. It’s also a 15-minute drive to Providenciales International Airport.

Guest rooms at Windsong Resort are bright and inviting, featuring dark wood or rattan furniture, pale yellow walls, and travertine flooring. While they’re certainly upscale, rooms are more homey than contemporary, decorated with lots of nautical and island-themed details -- think decorative plates depicting beaches, paintings of rowboats, and tropical fabric prints. Beds are fitted with high-quality, white Hilden linens, and all rooms include iPod alarm clocks as well as Frette bathrobes. Flat-screen TVs with DVD players and free Wi-Fi are also standard. Three bottles of wine and a bottle of Fiji water set out on platters serve as minibars. There’s significant variation in amenities and room size across the resort’s different room categories. Options range from tiny standard rooms that are just 250 square feet in size, to an extravagant 4,480-square-foot Four-Bedroom Penthouse, which includes a private rooftop deck with a hot tub. Standard rooms and studios offer kitchenettes with microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, while suites feature full kitchens with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Suites also include washer/dryer units and private balconies or terraces with great ocean or garden views. Large, marble bathrooms offer walk-in showers or shower/tub combos and some have separate deep soaking tubs. Bulgari bath products add a particularly posh touch.  

The resort’s stand-out feature is its heated outdoor swimming pool, which has an underwater stereo and an overhead bridge with two waterfalls. Partial glass walls along one side create a quirky, aquarium-like vibe for diners at the restaurant. A pair of half-moon-shaped hot tubs flank either end of the pool, and the surrounding deck features beige loungers, beach umbrellas, and cushy circular daybeds. The ocean is partly visible beyond the well-manicured lawn, but sand dunes obscure the view somewhat. Windsong offers direct access to a narrow but gorgeous stretch of Grace Bay Beach. Loungers and beach umbrellas are provided for guests, along with free use of kayaks, paddle boards, and Hobie Cats. Some of the island’s top snorkeling spots are found just off the coast, and snorkeling gear can be rented for a daily fee.There’s a no-frills, 24-hour fitness center located on the second floor, above the reception area. It includes Cybex treadmills, stationary bicycles, as well as free weights and yoga balls. With just two treatment rooms, independently owned Drift Spa is a small but pretty space, decorated in soothing pastel tones. The spa offers a range of facials, massages, and scrubs as well as mani/pedis. A little shop just off the reception area sells liquor, beachwear, snacks, and souvenirs like jewelry. Bikes are free for guests to use, free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and there’s free self-parking on-site. The resort also offers wedding planning services, with ceremonies hosted outdoors on the property’s lush grounds.

Multiple dining options add to the Windsong's atmosphere. JoJo’s restaurant is located down a flight of stairs set in the middle of the bridge spanning over the pool, and the pool laps up to glass walls encircling the dining room's terrace. The restaurant’s decor is cheerful and beachy, with sunny yellow walls and rattan furniture with striped cushions. JoJo’s serves up casual fare like sandwiches and pizzas for lunch and dinner, plus a free breakfast buffet, which is included in the room rate. The resort also provides an intimate evening dining experience called Dune, in which guests dine at tables set on sand dunes overlooking the beach. A more relaxed sitting area adjacent to these tables, known as Stargazer, acts as an outdoor lounge where guests can enjoy after-dinner drinks.Veranda, the resort’s interior lounge area, serves numerous purposes. The compact bar area functions as both a bar and cafe, serving specialty coffees and snacks in addition to alcoholic drinks. The space also acts as the resort’s business center, equipped with a couple of work stations with PCs. With comfy rattan armchairs, flat-screen TVs, and board games, Veranda is a pleasant spot for mingling. The resort hosts most of its scheduled entertainment here, including movie nights.