Parrot Cay by COMO

A dreamlike archipelago

To the south of the Bahamas, which it is very close to geologically, the Turks and Caicos Islands are part of the Caribbean region. Composed of eight principal islands and an infinite number of small islets known as cays, they are famous for their many white sand beaches, transparent waters and their magnificent coral reefs.

The first inhabitants were the Arawak Indians who came from the Orinoco Straits. Ejected by the Europeans during the era of exploration and discovery, they left the archipelago, and subsequently, its numerous islets became hideouts for pirates before being inhabited by merchants from Bermuda who came there to stock up on salt. This commerce remained the islands’ primary industry until the late 1960s.

Today Turks and Caicos Islands belong to the British. This financial and vacation paradise attracts numerous tourists in search of sun, deserted beaches, warm, limpid water and incredible rich marine depths. The number of these coral and sand cays is countless. Divers can come across turtles, dolphins, lagoon sharks, barracuda and a host of multi colored fish. Totally preserved from mass tourism, these islands, once a refuge for outlaws, are now a refuge for celebrities the world over who come to enjoy the sun far from curious eyes.

A white and turquoise paradise

Parrot Cay, in the Caicos archipelago, is one of the many coral islets formed by the wind and tidal movements. This wild and preserved land possesses a luxury and zen like hotel that bears the same name as the island. Built with natural materials, the buildings with their wine colored roofs, blend in perfectly with the landscape of lush vegetation, transparent, turquoise water and immaculate sand. Here, the real luxury is outdoors.

The interiors are simple and chic with white walls, exotic wood parquet floors, sisal carpeting, teak furniture, four-poster beds and light net curtains. The gleaming white sheets and fabrics are in perfect harmony with the floors, the ceilings and the light colored wood furniture. Some pavilions have their own swimming pool. They all have a large veranda facing the ocean, the mangrove or the gardens.

Just a few minutes by buggy from these pavilions, there are six more spacious and even more luxurious villas located on a private beach. They have the same simplicity, chic and purist style as the others and once again magnificent fabrics and exotic wood are predominant.

The infinity swimming pool is surrounded by a teak terrace furnished with deck chairs and parasols and seems to be an extension of the ocean. In this idyllic setting so perfect for relaxing both body and spirit, the luxurious Como Shabhala Retreat spa offers a wide range of treatments and massages primarily inspired by Asian traditions and techniques.

At the Lotus restaurant, local cuisine prevails as well as Asian specialties whereas The Terrace specializes in Mediterranean dishes which can be enjoyed alongside the ocean. And since guests here live in perfect communion with nature, the benefits of the spa are prolonged by the cuisine. Marine plants with nutritive value are used, honey replaces sugar and fish is very present in most dishes.

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, in order to allow the species to regenerate, the reproductive cycle of the lobster is respected. Guests therefore, can only enjoy this succulent delicacy with its soft flesh from August through March.