— New programs are in place across the resorts to address cleanliness and traveler confidence —
JULY 22, 2020, PROVIDENCIALES – The Hartling Group, award-winning owners and operators of The Sands on Grace Bay, The Palms Turks & Caicos, and The Shore Club Long Bay Beach, announce the re-opening of the resorts on July 22. The properties, named some of the best in the Caribbean year over year, have spacious, open-air locations on the world’s most beautiful beaches. The island and government have prepared extensively for the island’s reopening and opportunity to welcome guests back, in tandem with The Hartling Group which has spent countless hours training and preparing to amplify its “Heartfelt Hartling Hospitality.” The resort teams have implemented new ways to enhance the experience without sacrificing the high level of service and personalized luxury experience that guests love and expect at the resorts.
In preparation for reopening, all teams have been hard at work refreshing the resorts and completing projects to make the guest experience be the absolute best. After months of stay-at-home orders and ongoing challenges, the consistent sunshine and climate on Turks & Caicos Islands can be a welcome change of scenery for those ready to travel.
The Sands at Grace Bay
In regard to The Sands at Grace Bay, the renewing activities include a comprehensive hot tub and kiddie pool renovation, beautifully renovated teak deck and teak patio furniture around the main pool, as well as additional updates.
Plus, to celebrate The Sands at Grace Bay reopening, guests can take save 15 percent for stays between August 1 – December 19, 2020. The special applies to One Bedroom Suites and Higher and is not combinable with any other promotions. This offer applies to new bookings only and is not applicable for groups. Blackout dates may apply. To book this promotion, travelers should use Promo Code 15-1BR.
Already offering some of the largest suites on the island, acclaimed as one of the very best family resorts, and superb value as well as unparalleled hospitality in Turks and Caicos, The Sands at Grace Bay guests also have access to tremendous beach space, multiple pools, a superb outdoor dining venue – Hemingway’s Restaurant , complimentary solo/individual activities like kayaking and paddle boarding, and more. The resort will open while implementing the utmost in advanced sanitation protocols and social distancing measures.
Whether travelers are looking to have fun with the family, explore the Caribbean culture of Providenciales, join in an outdoor adventure on or around our beautiful island, have a blissfully romantic retreat, or enjoy an ultimate escape with friends, The Sands at Grace Bay is the ideal home away from home in Turks and Caicos. This stylish resort caters to guests of all ages: from families with children and multi-generational family groups, to honeymooners, and active adults seeking a refreshing getaway.
As a bespoke boutique organization, The Hartling Group is shaping the future of luxury travel in the region with the thoughtful and well-executed new measures, including a new Sanitation Officer. Guests can book with confidence knowing that the experience will be exactly as described: restful, relaxing, an escape, all while recommendations from global health leaders are being followed. Guests will find staff who are more intuitive and anticipatory than ever before, as they’ll be managing the day with low to no contact to align with social distancing expectations. Since early May, there have been daily trainings with every department, and new PPE materials and equipment have been purchased for the three resorts.
Stan Hartling, CEO/founder of The Hartling Group, says: “‘Heartfelt Hartling Hospitality’ means guests can feel confident and comfortable in their visit and the facilities here. It means that even at a social distance, they know that staff will be at their service and ready to provide an amazing stay. We’re committed to the five-star service and experience we have become known for and assure our guests that we are open and ready for them.”
Several processes and modifications have been made to the operations at the resorts, highlights include:
— EMPLOYEES: Staff will wear masks – from check-in to housekeeping, food and beverage, and beach and pool attendants. All staff members will undergo a health screening and temperature check before reporting to work. Anyone presenting a fever, having recent ailments, or indicating a possible exposure to COVID-19 will be sent home.
— CHECK-IN: Guests will be greeted with a warm towel, infused with sanitizer, for a fresh start when welcomed at the resorts. Check-in will be contactless: the guest will show a passport for a photo, swipe payment, and sign electronically. Pens, notepads, magazines, and similar amenities usually found in-room will be provided to guests at check-in, to ensure a fresh, never-touched set for each reservation. Each guest will receive a personal care kit in their suite upon check-in with mask, sanitizer, gloves, and more.
— RESORT APP: All guests will be encouraged to download and use the ALICE app on their smartphone for everything from staff requests/needs, concierge interactions and reservation confirmations, dining orders and menu review, and maintenance.
— CLEANING: Portable UV wands and electrostatic misters will be used, additional sanitizing stations are being installed throughout the resort, and there will be increased frequency in cleaning high-touch areas.
— POOL & BEACH: The number of lounges and umbrellas at the pools and beach will be reduced, and will be spread out to ensure social distancing.
— ACTIVITIES: Complimentary water sports equipment will be provided and extensively disinfected between uses.
— FITNESS CENTER: Fitness room reservations will be recommended.
As recommendations from government, world, health, and travel officials are announced ongoing, The Hartling Group will continue to make health and safety a priority, monitor and evolve alongside the recommendations, modify processes as needed, and remain a safe and responsible place to travel and visit. To make a reservation, please visit http://www.thesandstc.com, http://www.thepalmstc.com, or http://www.theshoreclubtc.com.
A TCI Assured Travel Authorization is now required to be granted entry into the country and can be accessed at https://travelauthorisation.turksandcaicostourism.com. For details on pre-testing requirements, please visit the FAQ section of the TCI Tourist Board website at: https://turksandcaicostourism.com/tci-assured-faqs/.
For additional information or to book, visit http://www.thesandstc.com – or call toll-free from the U.S. (877) 777-2637 or from Canada (800) 567-5327. Travel agents receive ten percent commissions for bookings made at The Sands at Grace Bay.
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 continue 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 “2019 Family Favorite Hotel.” The resort is proud to carry the acclaim as a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence property for the eighth year. Plus U.S. News & World Report has named The Sands as one of the 2019 “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos”– a commendation the resort has received since 2015.
This 114-room resort offers accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet, all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. Suites also come with fully equipped kitchens appointed with stainless appliances, dining and living room areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more. 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.
About The Hartling Group
The Hartling Group is a resort management company in Turks and Caicos, specializing in real estate sales and development of luxury Caribbean resorts, condominiums and villas. Founded by Stan Hartling in 1997, The Hartling Group brings a new level of real estate property development and management services to the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Hartling Group’s mandate includes providing seamless integration of design, development, and management expertise, whereby each element fuses naturally into the other, and the resulting quality of the project surpasses the sum of its individual parts. The Hartling Group Resorts in Turks and Caicos include The Sands at Grace Bay, The Palms Turks and Caicos and The Shore Club Long Bay Beach.