We have found a near-perfect vacation spot.Visited: January 2004
Posted by thirdmil
With a couple of exceptions (see below), my wife and I totally loved Parrot Cay. If you're looking for a quiet, elegant, expensive, and exclusive vacation spot, this is it. What we liked best was that it was not at all pretentious; no one was here to show off, since there were so few guests to impress (there were not many rooms). Just be sure to bring a few items to entertain yourself, such as a good book and CDs.
We liked the fact that each room had its own DVD player, and that for evening entertainment we could borrow from a list of hundreds of DVDs at the front desk.
What we did not like, and where there was room for improvement, was in the unnecessary, wasteful opulence. This opulence detracted from the experience, rather than enhancing it for us.
A couple of examples: All water was served out of plastic bottles. And they were ubiquitous at Parrot Cay. You can't get tap water--which tasted fine in the room--from any waiter in either of the restaurants. They insisted on bringing us a bottle every time.
Why do I harp on the bottles? Because they were a problem in the Caribbean. My wife and took three long walks along the gorgeous, "pristine" beach there (with the clearest water I'd ever seen), and each walk turned into a scavenger hunt! We picked up handfuls of plastic water bottles, styrofoam buoys, and motor oil containers (tossed overboard from boats) each time we walked the beach, and brought them back to the attendants so they could be properly disposed.
Undoubtedly, this problem will become more acute as more planned development takes place on the island and in the rest of the Caribbean.
Another unnecessary opulence: Give guests the option, which they don't have now, to re-use their towels so as not to waste water and energy. I've stayed at amazing five-star hotels where a simple cardboard or plastic "tent" in the room instructs guests on what to do if they don't want their towels refreshed. The hotel management should not assume that just because their guests are wealthy, they need to be wasteful. I continuously felt guilty about how much I was consuming just by being there.
Other suggestions for improvement are:
1) Offer something on the menu that is simple. Sometimes it's nice to have a break from gourmet foods for one meal and eat a basic PB and J sandwich...
2) Since the best snorkeling is some distance off the coast, include that in the price of a stay (even if that raises the basic price marginally) and offer that excursion a couple times per week to all guests.
All in all, it was a remarkably relaxing vacation. And ignore the earlier postings about bugs; if they were once a problem, they're not any more!
10 users found this review helpful. 4 found this review unhelpful.
Heaven! That's the one word to describe Parrot Cay. Yes, there were bugs, but they have sprayed organic pesticide to reduce the annoyance and the bugs were really only mildy-bad at dusk.
Our room was perfect - open shower, terracota floors, bed netting, glass sliding doors that opened to a patio with a great chaise lounge. The infinity pool was exquisite, and the spa treatments were just that, a "treat". If you can only have one treatment - Lular Bath - almost orgasmic!
The food was exceptional - the pool restaurant for lunch was great - have the lobster or fish - yummy! The main restaurant was a little more "American" than the pool restaurant at night. The pool restuarant had more of an "Asian" flair.
The staff was gracious, and Yoga and Pilates everyday was a nice way to get some excercise in. The beach and pool were quiet and only a handful of people were around. Some kids were there, but mostly couples - young and old.
Overall, this was our best vacation to date and we've had many memorable ones. Again, if you go, you'll know!
5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
It was beautiful, but one warning!Visited: April 2003
Posted by dschrama
My husband and I returned from our honeymoon at Parrot Cay.
The resort itself, staff, food and amenities were all top of the line - five-star quality.
My only warning is this....bring your own bug spray! We read the reviews and did a lot of research before visiting the private island. Bugs were mentioned, but when we arrived, it was out of control. Days were okay, but as soon as the evening arrived, it was horrible. The resort sprayed all day, but they couldn't control it.
The staff said it was a year-round problem. The resort set up mosquito coils near the restaurants and even included bug spray and coils in the hotel rooms. We couldn't leave the room without bug spray. It was annoying because we would have enjoyed sitting outside at night, but it was impossible!
The spa treatment was wonderful. The snorkeling was great and it was right off the beach. Have fun!
11 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
After much research and reading various reviews and press about Parrot Cay, we booked a one-week stay.
Our first moments (the welcoming lavender-scented towels, the delicious drinks and the amazing view of the water) were perfect, but the rest of our stay never quite measured up.
For such an "exclusive" resort, there were many small disappointments. The bugs were awful and we got very bitten up. The bathrooms were too small and not luxurious (amenity shampoo, lotion, etc were never refilled), the open shower sprays water all over the bathroom. The doors that open onto the veranda cannot be kept open at night because of the bugs.
The spa was the best part, with a wonderful staff and excellent treatments. The Thai massage given by Song was the best I have ever had.
Parrot Cay could be worth the money, but it just doesn't deliver the luxury one would expect.
5 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
What a wonderful place to be!Visited: October 2002
Posted by jakesam
We just returned from Parrot Cay. It was the very best vacation we have ever had.
I have been looking for water like this forever! My husband loved his snorkling trip, he could not stop talking about the fish. But the best part of the trip was our day on the private island with wine and lunch. It was so romantic - even for two people who have been married 39 years!
The staff, the rooms, the food, and the ambiance were the best of any resort I have been to.
Thank you so very much!
4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
Parrot Cay is the best of the best.Visited: May 2002
Posted by jonosmith
If you like soft sand; enjoy having the beach to yourself; if you like getting to the pool at 3:00 p.m. and know there will always be an empty chair; if you like staff who learn your name and room number after just one day; if your idea of a vacation is serenity; if you crave a world-class spa; and if you want to get away from it all - this is the place.
Folllow up 08/25/2002
There are no mosquitoes.
I have received several e-mails asking if there is a mosquito problem. Maybe there was when the resort first opened, but the problem does not exist anymore. The resort is fogged every morning and evening with insect repellent.
My original review stands -- this is one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean.
4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
This is an outstanding resort.Visited: December 2001
Posted by balint
Parrot Cay was one of the loveliest places I've ever been. Service was impeccable, and the food was excellent. The chef at the poolside restaurant was particularly skilled; I had the best grouper sandwich of my life.
There was indeed next-to-nothing to do at Parrot Cay; that was the point of it! I really enjoyed the peace and quiet. Once we were there, everything we needed was taken care of. If you're dying for entertainment, I'm sure the staff will arrange a ride back to Provo, but, in my book, why bother?
The spa was world-class. I did a lot of scuba diving and found the staff to be quite helpful about arranging it (you have to boat over to Provo). They told me they were going to open their own dive shop soon, which will be great.
The rooms were relaxing and elegant. The furniture was teak, the sheets were white linen and the bathroom was large and well-appointed. Also, the ocean view was truly wonderful.
For the value, it was expensive - very. A hamburger was $22. But, it was the best I ever had (at that price it ought to have been).
Whether it's worth it or not is pretty much a personal issue. I'm looking forward to a return visit.
4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Gorgeous but overpriced given utter lack of activitiesVisited: July 2001
Posted by alexandr
What a stunningly beautiful property! Fine service, too, but "cabin fever" sets in early here. There is nothing whatsoever to do on the island. The food is massively overpriced given you can't eat elsewhere, the mosquitoes are a serious problem and doing virtually anything but swimming requires a "commute" to another island.
We recommend staying two nights here, just because it is so amazingly beautiful, but the rest of your time at Turks & Caicos at a less isolated property. And bring bug spray.
4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
The Best Resort in the Caribbean, Hands Down.Visited: March 2001
Posted by beau_taylor2
Parrot Cay was simply the best place that I have been in the Caribbean. The facilities were amazing, the grounds were exceptional and the food was extremely good. If you are looking for the perfect spot to get away from it all, Parrot Cay is the place for you.
We stayed in a standard beachfront room. The room was extremely spacious and well appointed. My wife wanted to take the bathroom home with us. The room opened up to a balcony with one of the finest views that I have ever witnessed. The deck furniture was even comfortable.
The grounds themselves were immaculately kept. It amazed me that they could turn a desert island into a lush tropical paradise. The staff was incredible as well. They were extremely courteous and the hotel manager was the most helpful that I have seen in the Caribbean.
The spa was five-star and the food was very good.
My only disappointments were that the menu did not change during our stay (it is tough to eat off of the same menu for over a week) and the lack of easy access to scuba diving (you had to take a 45 minute boat ride to Providenciales to dive and only if they had room on the six guest boat).
Overall, it was a phenomenal experience that I would highly recommend to the most discriminating Caribbean traveler.
3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Parrot Cay was absolutely amazing. The property was just beautiful, simple elegance - nothing fancy. The boat ride over was incredible. You feel like you're on the way to Fantasy Island. Just pray it isn't rough. We had one rough ride and one smooth.
The pool was stunning - infinity pool the exact same color as the clear turquoise ocean. You can't believe the color of the ocean, it's as if someone pulled a screen down.. just doesn't seem real.
The staff were unbelievable. The service was impeccable. Everyone made a real effort to know your name and everyone was very friendly. The food wasn't great, to be blunt. They say one of the best chefs in the Caribbean?? We were disappointed that the menu only changed once in the week we were there.
The Shambhala spa was the center of the resort. The treatments were amazing. Try the Javanese Royal Lulur Bath, the Carribbean Delight, even the plain Swedish massage was incredible. Whenever you come for a treatment, they serve you cold ginger tea. It was amazing. The spa had it's own pool which was so quiet and relaxing. You could have lunch there as well which was really nice (separate menu).
The Spa also had a private cottage which you could rent and have treatments in and then dinner with your own private server by candlelight.
Extremely romantic!
There was an incredible Yoga instructor there - I never did Yoga before in my life. I took it twice a day - once in the morning at an incredible spot they call the boiling hole - a screened in gazebo in the middle of nowhere - the most relaxing and quiet place I've ever been. The afternoon session was at sunset near the Spa in the Yoga pavilion. They did it by candlelight - also very special.
We stayed in a beach villa - totally worth whatever crazy amount of money it was. It was unreal. The villa had a big bedroom, 2 bathrooms, screened in porch with couch and we actually paid a little extra a few nights to have dinner set up here by candlelight with our own server. It was incredible. The villa also had its own private deck with small plunge pool. Not to be believed.
Now negatives...mosquitoes were really bad. Nothing helped, we were eaten alive. And to our big surprise, most of the resort was under construction. We weren't very happy to have banging hammers and electric saw sounds cut into our peaceful paradise. They did do everything in their power to make up for it.. but it wasn't right that we had no idea.
We met the nicest couples there. It really made it even more perfect.
4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Hands-down, the best property I've ever visitedVisited: November 2000
Posted by lgaddy
Parrot Cay is a dream come true! Never have I felt so at home and welcomed at such an upscale property. The staff were wonderful--as helpful, knowledgeable and warm as they could be.
My room was simply and elegantly furnished--the look of the resort throughout is quite striking. The food was, by and large, very good (a lackluster dish here and there, but nothing major). And the beaches, amenities and activities were all perfect.
I came away from Parrot Cay more relaxed than I had felt since I could remember. I wouldn't hesitate to give it my highest recommendation to anyone looking for a memorable Caribbean vacation.
3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Caribbean 
We have found a near-perfect vacation spot. 
Not what we hoped. 
Gorgeous but overpriced given utter lack of activities 