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Announcements Awards Blog Uncategorized

The Sands at Grace Bay Receives 2023 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award

The Sands at Grace Bay resort situated on the award-winning Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos, Providenciales has received the Travelers’ Choice award for 2023.

“Winning the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the 11th year is a true source of pride for The Sands team. This award showcases the great efforts of our welcoming team members who go out of their way each and every day to provide guests with the very best experience each and every time they visit. We would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of our past guests, friends, and fans — and, of course, for once again making us a winner of this splendid accolade,” said Mona Beeson, General Manager at The Sands at Grace Bay. “We continue working hard every day to keep that excellence going strong and to always delivering the vacations of our guests dreams!”

The Travelers’ Choice awards honor travelers’ favorite destinations, hotels, restaurants, things to do, and beyond, based on the reviews and opinions collected from travelers and diners around the world on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period. Travelers’ Choice recognizes businesses that earn consistently great reviews. Travelers’ Choice award-winners are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice honors select accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. Winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, as well as an additional editorial process.

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Announcements Blog Turks Caicos Information Uncategorized

Turks and Caicos Dropping Vaccine Requirement for Entry as of April 1, 2023

We are thrilled to share that it just got a lot easier to visit Turks and Caicos.

Today, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has announced that it is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement as of April 1.

Previously, the country had eased entry requirements by removing with the need for pre-travel authorization (TCI assured).

COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required for travelers of any age.

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Announcements Awards Blog Uncategorized

The Sands at Grace Bay Voted #1 Caribbean Resort in USA TODAY 10Best Awards

The Sands at Grace Bay is thrilled to announce that it has been voted #1 Caribbean Resort in the USA TODAY 10Best Top Ten Caribbean Resorts Awards as chosen by a panel of Caribbean travel experts and voted by readers as the best in the region.

Commenting on this preeminent award, The Sands’ General Manager Mona Beeson said, “This outstanding accolade naming The Sands as the 2023 Best Caribbean Resort is the direct result of a comprehensive and collective team effort across all areas of our resort. When we heard that we had been nominated we felt honored and now that we have been voted #1 Caribbean resort we are simply overjoyed and enthusiastic to express our gratitude! To add to this fabulous news, Hemingway’s Restaurant situated oceanfront here at The Sands was named Best Restaurant in the Caribbean, garnering the #1 spot on the list of Top Caribbean Restaurants. We look forward to celebrating all the year through and will continue striving for excellence in every aspect of our guests experience. 

Thank you to each and everyone who voted. The overwhelming response from our valued past guests and Sands’ fans is ultra-heartwarming and profusely appreciated. We graciously thank you for your support. It’s the perfect time to come for a visit and be part of the celebration!”

Click to read the USA TODAY 10Best “Best of the Caribbean for 2023” that shares the top winners in all categories. The Sands at Grace Bay is honored to be in such distinguished company.



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Announcements Blog Comments From Our Guests Contests Just For Fun Uncategorized

Enter #SandsBestFan Photo & Video Contest!

Do you feel that you are the ultimate fan of The Sands? Tell us why! Share your photo and video memories gathered during your stay at The Sands at Grace Bay and tell us why you feel that you are #SandsBestFan in the caption of your post – for a chance to win a free 3-night stay in the #SandsBestFan photo and video contest.

Entering #SandsBestFan photo and video contest is as easy as 1, 2, 3. To enter you piece of social media gold, all you have to do is
1. Post your favorite photo(s) or video from your stay at The Sands at Grace Bay
2. Tag us with #thesandstc and #SandsBestFan
3. Caption your photo or video post with a couple of sentences of why you feel that you should be named #SandsBestFan

Video, or photo submissions should be posted on Instagram or Facebook using #SandsaBestFan as well as #thesandstc and will be accepted now through December 31, 2022 for a chance to win a free 3-night stay at The Sands. Photos and Videos will be evaluated based on creativity, quality, and storytelling – showcasing why you believe that you are the #SandsBestFan.

Possible Ideas for a Creative Photo:
— Take a picture swimming in our basking along our stretch of Grace Bay Beach
— Snap some shots or video enjoying one of our pools
— Grab some images paddle-boarding, kayaking, or on our Hobie Cats
— Send us a family or group photos or video having fun at the resort, beach, pools, hammocks, suites, or at Hemingway’s
— Take us on a resort tour of your suite or of your favorite spots at The Sands
— Click a pic eating delicious favorite foods or refreshing cocktails from Hemingway’s
These are just a few ideas … get creative to increase your chances of winning!

Official Rules – The Sands at Grace Bay Photo Contest

TIMING: The Sands at Grace Bay Photo begins October 18, 2022 and ends on December 31, 2022.

ELIGIBILITY: To enter this Promotion you must be 18 years of age or older. Employees of The Sands at Grace Bay, their advertising and promotion agencies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and any individual or company directly associated with the Promotion, and the immediate families of these entities (parents, children, siblings, spouse), as well as members of the respective households of these entities (whether related or not) are ineligible to participate.

ENTRY: The Sands at Grace Bay Photo Contest will take place on The Sands at Grace Bay’s page on Facebook, entries are also accepted on Instagram. To enter the Contest, “Like” The Sands at Grace Bay on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSandsTC, or tag on Instagram @thesandstc, upload your favorite photo(s) or video from The Sands at Grace Bay along with a couple of sentences about why you believe that you are #TheSandsBestFan (250 words maximum). Participants may submit as many photos as they’d like. (If you do not have a Facebook or Instagram account, please email your photos to [email protected]. All entrants will be automatically eligible for the prize.

PRIZES: One prize will be awarded after the contest period. All photos submitted up until midnight of the designated seasonal date will be eligible for that prize.

CONTEST ENTRY CRITERIA: Each photo or video must meet the following content restrictions:

The photo must not contain material that violates or infringes on another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights or that constitutes copyright or trademark infringement; The photo must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, tortuous, defamatory, slanderous, or libelous;

The photo must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; The photo must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state where the Entry is created; and The photo must accurately reflect the subject matter as it appeared in the viewfinder. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (including but not limited to removal of dust, cropping and/or adjustments to color and contrast) will be disqualified. The Sands at Grace Bay reserves the right in their sole discretion to remove, reject or disqualify any Contest Entry or portion thereof (along with the Entrant who submitted them) at any time in the event it is determined by The Sands at Grace Bay that any aspect of the Contest Entry is offensive, inappropriate, not in keeping with The Sands at Grace Bay’s image or if it is determined that the Entrant has not otherwise complied with any portion of these Official Rules.

CONTEST JUDGING AND NOTIFICATION:
Prize winners will be selected by The Sands at Grace Bay employees. Photos will be selected after the submission period ends and will be based on creativity, quality, and storytelling – showcasing why you are #TheSandsBestFan.

The winning prize photo will be posted on the Facebook and Instagram pages of The Sands at Grace Bay and the winner will be contacted via Facebook Messenger. The Photo prize winner will also be announced in the Announcements section of www.thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com once the winner has been confirmed.

CONDITIONS: By participating, Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of The Sands at Grace Bay, which shall be final and binding on all matters relating to the Promotion and waive any right to claim ambiguity in regard to the Promotion mechanics and implementation, or interpretation of these Official Rules. All Contest Entries will become the exclusive property of The Sands at Grace Bay, and none will be acknowledged or returned. Any winner’s entry and acceptance of any prize constitutes permission for The Sands at Grace Bay to use said winner’s name, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice and address (city and state) on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without notice or further compensation. By submitting a Contest Entry, Entrant irrevocably grants The Sands at Grace Bay and its agents an unlimited, worldwide, perpetual, unconditional, gratis license and right to edit, modify, adapt, distribute, stream, post, publish, broadcast, reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publicly display, exhibit, and or otherwise use or reuse (without limitation as to when or to the number of times used) the Contest Entry and all elements thereof, in whole or in part, including any persons or likeness embodied therein (in each case, as submitted or as edited/modified in any way by The Sands at Grace Bay, in its sole discretion) in any way, and may use them in any and all media, now or hereafter devised, worldwide in perpetuity, without attribution, compensation, permission or notification to the Entrant, his/her parent or legal guardian, his/her successors or assigns, or any other entity, and without notice, review, or approval from Entrant or any other party. SUBMITTING AN ENTRY IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES ENTRANT’S IRREVOCABLE ASSIGNMENT, CONVEYANCE AND TRANSFERENCE TO The Sands at Grace Bay OF ANY AND ALL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST IN THE ENTRY INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL COPYRIGHTS.

No transfer, substitution or cash value equivalent for any prize is available. All taxes, if applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winner. Promotion is subject to all applicable local laws. By submitting a Contest Entry, Winners and Entrants also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless The Sands at Grace Bay, its advertising and promotion agencies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective officers, and employees (the “Released Parties”), from and against any claims, damages or liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize offered, or participation in this Promotion. The Sands at Grace Bay reserves the right to verify the eligibility of any Entrant. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with the Promotion will be declared ineligible. The Sands at Grace Bay is not responsible for faulty, incorrect or mistranscribed transmissions, incorrect announcements of any kind, technical hardware or software failures of any kind including any injury or damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in or experiencing any materials in connection with the promotion, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission that may limit a user’s ability to participate in the Promotion.

The Sands at Grace Bay reserves the right to cancel or modify the Promotion if fraud, misconduct, or technical failures destroy the integrity of the program. In the event of termination, a notice will be posted online, and Contest Entries will be judged from among all eligible Contest Entries received prior to termination. The Sands at Grace Bay reserves the right to prohibit the participation/voting of an individual if fraud or tampering is suspected or if the account holder fails to comply with any requirement of participation as stated herein or with any provision in these Official Rules.

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Announcements Comments From Our Guests Just For Fun Sands At Grace Bay Reviews Turks Caicos Information

See What Guests are Saying in Recent Reviews of The Sands

Wonder what our guests are saying? Here are some recent reviews from guests of The Sands at Grace Bay that they shared on Expedia Group sites.

Hotels.com reviewer Michael said: We had an excellent stay at The Sands. The welcome we received from Meshell at the front desk set the tone. She treated us like family and checked in with throughout to ensure we were having a great time. The property is well designed with all the amenities you could ask for, on a beautiful beach, the pool and hot tub felt great as well. We would stay here again for sure!

Hotels.com reviewer David said: This place was amazing. Absolutely gorgeous grounds, beautiful room, incredible beach, excellent service! Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Love the fact that they give you free snorkeling gear and are generous with the towels. Location walking distance to numerous restaurants. I highly recommend and can’t wait to return.

Hotels.com reviewer Scott said: We were welcomed with open arms and rum punch. It was our 25th anniversary and the staff left a bottle of champagne and a little beat for the occasion. Everyone was so nice and accommodating, from the Hemingway’s crew, to the cleaning service, to the beach staff. They really made us feel at home. We will definitely be staying again in the future.

Expedia.com reviewer Cindy said: The Sands at Grace Bay is excellent for families with children, couples that need a retreat and family celebrations. The resort grounds are beautiful, landscape is lush and pristine. The pool area is great for kids and the rooms are lovely and up to date.

Expedia.com reviewer John said: Close to the downtown area, you can walk. Also they have bikes available that are included and you can use them if you want. Also, on the beautiful beach they have paddle boards, kayaks, and small sail boats to use that are also included. This is one of the best beaches in the world, it is truly great. there is plenty of room around multiple pools and the property is very well maintained.

The Sands at Grace Bay poolExpedia.com reviewer Richard said: We had the best time and would for sure come back to the Sands. The staff was wonderful, the grounds are well kept, our room was clean and had everything we needed! Hemingway’s is an awesome addition. We will be back!

Expedia.com reviewer Isabel D. said: I loved the size of the place. It is not a huge resort and the staff and services are superior! Washer/dryer in room which was great and a beautiful screen porch balcony that you could sit out on in the evenings and not get attacked by insects. Only place on Grace Bay that I saw that had screened porch balconies. There is no other place I would choose to stay at when visiting Turks and Caicos! The place exceeded my expectations and allowed me to have a wonderful time with my daughter. I hope to return soon.

Expedia.com reviewer Nicole said: This property is amazing. The rooms were clean and spacious. Washer and dryer in unit was incredibly convenient. The restaurant on site was excellent. This location is walking distance to many shops and restaurants.

The Sands at Grace Bay Ocean Front Deluxe Master Bedroom

 

If you have any questions about The Sands at Grace Bay resort, see our reviews! The reviews captioned above can viewed in full online at their respective Expedia Group sites — Expedia.com or Hotels.com based on where the reviewer posted as indicated.

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Announcements Awards Turks Caicos Information

The Sands at Grace Bay Receives 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award

The Sands at Grace Bay resort situated on the Tripadvisor voted “2022 World’s Best Beach” — Grace Bay Beach — in Turks and Caicos, Providenciales has received the Travelers’ Choice award for 2022.

“Winning the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the 10th year is a true source of pride for The Sands team. It’s the wonderful customer feedback that makes this award possible so we would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of our past guests, friends, and fans — and, of course, to our welcoming and hard-working staff for once again making us a winner of this splendid accolade,” said Mona Beeson, General Manager at The Sands at Grace Bay. “We look forward to keeping that excellence going strong and to continuing to deliver the vacations of our guests dreams here at The Sands at Grace Bay time and time again!”

The Sands at Grace Bay

The TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award recognizes hospitality excellence and is only given to establishments that consistently receive excellent traveler reviews on Tripadvisor. The establishments honored with the Traveler’s Choice award are located across the globe and represent the top tier of businesses listed on the website. The Travelers’ Choice accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

Turks and Caicos’s Updates Entry Protocol for All Arriving Passengers

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands today announced that traveling to the Turks and Caicos just got easier. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has relaxed restrictions for vaccinated travelers to the destination.

In accordance to amendments to the Public and Environmental Health Arriving Passengers Travel Clearance Regulations, effective May 1st 2022 – the Government has maintained that all visitors must be fully vaccinated on arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, visitors are no longer required to provide a negative Covid test and insurance to gain entry. What is more, all passengers will no longer be required to upload their details to the TCI Assured portal, as it will be discontinued on Saturday, April 30th 2022.

Pamela Ewing, Director of Tourism stated: “We are delighted to make it easier for travelers to rediscover Turks and Caicos. Throughout 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, we saw strong visitor numbers from our largest source market, the United States and we believe the measures announced today will boost numbers further in 2022.”

‘Beautiful by Nature’ Turks and Caicos Islands are a luxury British Caribbean paradise, boasting a wealth of unspoiled natural beauty, natural resources, breath-taking underwater seascapes and white sandy beaches, including the world-famous Grace Bay Beach and a vibrant culture.

Travelers are invited come, rediscover and enjoy the unique serenity, superior hospitality and exquisite beauty of our Islands!

For more information about the Turks and Caicos Islands including the latest travel protocols, visit www.TurksAndCaicosTourism.com.

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Announcements

The Sands at Grace Bay Announces Main Pool Renovations

The hotel will be closed on Saturday, September 10, 2022 and will reopen on Saturday, October 1, 2022 for renovations and upgrades to the main pool.

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

August 14 Update from Turks and Caicos’ Director of Tourism Pamela Ewing — Proof of Being Vaccinated Details

Following is the most recent update from Turks and Caicos’ Director of Tourism Pamela Ewing:

All visitors who are 16 years and over will require proof of being vaccinated to be granted entry to destination.

The safety and health of our local population and international visitors remain top priorities for the Turks and Caicos Islands, which is now one of the most inoculated countries in the world with over 70 percent of the population vaccinated. The Turks and Caicos Islands announces a new update to its travel requirements, mandating all visitors 16 years and over to be fully vaccinated before arriving in the destination.

Starting on September 1, 2021, all travelers 16 and older will be required to present proof of vaccination through TCI Assured, a quality assurance pre-travel program and portal, prior to entering the country. Travelers must be fully vaccinated, with the second shot taken over two weeks prior to traveling, or one shot taken over two weeks prior for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccines that are currently being accepted are Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. The TCI Assured portal will accept proof of vaccination printed from an electronic vaccination data base or through a vaccination letter signed by a medical professional (physician or registered nurse-license number must be included). Handwritten vaccination cards will not be accepted.

Visitors aged 10-15 do not need to be vaccinated but must present a negative COVID-19 test result. Visitors under 10 years old are not required to be vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test result. Exempt visitors include those with clear proof from a doctor that they are medically exempt from taking the vaccine and will still be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result prior to traveling. For information on all updated protocols and the TCI Assured Pre-Travel Authorization Program please visit https://turksandcaicostourism.com/tci-assured-faqs/.

Please share with your teams and guests that the new vaccination requirement is in addition to TCI Assured’s existing protocols, which require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR, NAA, RNA or Antigen test result from a test taken within three days of travel, medical / travel insurance that covers medevac, and a completed health screening questionnaire. These requirements must be complete and uploaded to the TCI Assured portal, which is available on the Turk and Caicos Islands Tourist Board website (www.turksandcaicostourism.com), in advance of arrival. Any fully vaccinated visitor who tests positive prior to leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands will be required to quarantine with all accompanying persons at their own expense for ten days, then undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test on day seven prior to release.

The new rule underscores our commitment to health and safety, enhancing travel confidence and giving visitors yet another reason to visit the destination. On behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Board, we thank you for your partnership and your individual efforts to prepare to welcome guests and promote tourism to our stunning destination. These updated procedures will go into effect on September 1, 2021, and we look forward to working with you on a seamless experience for all.

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Announcements Just For Fun Turks Caicos Information

The Sands at Grace Bay Announces 2021 Renovations

We are thrilled to announce that our resort will be undergoing renovations to our main pool deck starting Sunday, August 29th, 2021. We will reopen for arrivals Wednesday, September 15th, 2021. The new installation of premium exotic Ipe hardwood decking will then complete the decks to all our pools for your enjoyment. Additionally, during this time there will be other facility updates so that we may continue to provide our valued guests with excellence in product to make your stay the very best!

About The Sands at Grace Bay

The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach. The Sands at Grace Bay continues to gain acclaim showcased by the many awards and positive guest reviews that our resort and dedicated employees continue receiving, including “Best Family Resort” in The Caribbean Journal Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2019; Booking.com “Guest Review Award;” and Family Vacation Critic once again named The Sands as a “2020 Family Favorite Hotel.” The resort is proud to carry the acclaim of TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award recipient for 2021, formerly known as the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, an honor it has carried for nine years now. Plus U.S. News & World Report has named The Sands as one of the 2021 “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos”– a commendation the resort has received since 2015.

This 114-room resort offers accommodations ranging from junior suites to full suites with one, two and two-bedrooms plus den that can serve as a third bedroom featuring full kitchens with granite counter tops and stainless-steel appliances and screened patios. Suites vary in size from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet. Suites also come with dining and living room areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more – all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar – a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are also available by appointment.