TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I was looking for an affordable place to stay for myself, husband, 1 year old baby, parents, and brother on beautiful Grace Bay Beach so chose The Sands. We planned to try out restaurants since Turks and Caicos has a lot of restaurant options and the all inclusive are expensive and not worth it from the reviews I read. We did experience hurricane weather for one full day and partly another which did ruin some plans but that was expected because I went during hurricane season. Rooms are outdated and both of the rooms i booked had issues with the washer/dryer. My parent's room had a problem due to being located on the first floor and the outdoor area door slamming in the night because it would not close properly. My room was located overlooking the new resort that is being next door but we barely heard any construction noise when we were in the rooms even while there were construction workers. Hemingways restaurant on site was a life saver since we couldn't go out a full day for food due to a hurricane. Food is okay and overpriced in my opinion but a lot of people leave good reviews about it. We did enjoy both pools and the hot tub on site. Beach is beautiful and workers worked hard to remove seaweed. They have lots of seats with umbrellas and towels for free but may be harder to have seats during non hurricane months. Close drive to supermarket, town, and all restaurants. Welcome drink and cool towel offered on arrival. They have plates, cups, and utensils in the rooms as well as coffee and tea with a coffee maker. Overall, a decent and affordable place to stay on Grace Bay beach. Not all buildings have elevators and they were not helpful to try to get our rooms in the same building or close by (most likely because we used a third party to book) but would have given 5 stars if they would have accommodated us.

We stayed at The Sands Grace Bay Dec. 2-9. Check-in was fast, and so was luggage delivery to our room. We had opted for a junior suite, ground floor, for two reasons: to save money and to avoid stairs. We are an older couple. The room had almost no view, but we never used the room except to shower, change clothes, or sleep. Not a problem. There is plenty of seating outside, around the pools, and on the beach. Housekeeping came daily stocking us with all supplies needed. Everyone was exceptionally nice and friendly - from the office staff to housekeeping to lawn care to umbrella/lounge-chair folks. We ate often at Hemingways due to its proximity, and the food & service were excellent, especially the crabcakes. Although there was construction next door, the noise was minimal and a non-issue. The grounds and pools were clean, well-maintained, and the gift-shop/small grocery store was well-stocked. It was a very good choice, right at the beach and beautiful turquoise water.

Terrible, terrible, terrible. Before we booked this stay, we called the hotel and asked them if the construction that was mentioned in other reviews was still going on. I was assured that it would be over on December 17, 2025. We’ve been here three days and is still going on. If you want hammers and saws instead of waves, this is the place for you. Additionally, we booked an ocean view room, but can barely see the ocean.(a sliver- bring a telescope) After a less than pleasant discussion, we we're offered another room for an additional $5000. After 3 days we were offered another room with a similar view. The service is mediocre at best for a resort of this caliber. No food or drink service on the beach and if you want water in or out of the room, be prepared to pay for it. Overall a big disappointment. Stayed at the Shore Club before and there’s no comparison.

We spent two weeks at The Sands and had a great time. I'm glad we booked without looking at some of these reviews. I don't know where people stayed that complained about the staff. They are uniformly friendly and helpful. We enlisted the services of the concierge to book a sunset cruise and a car, we also benefited from her knowledge of local restaurants. The front desk and valet staff were always ready with a smile whenever we walked through the lobby. The staff at Hemingways restaurant were delightful. Be sure to ask for one of Wes' famous mojitos! We had a one bedroom suite which was spacious and kept very clean by housekeeping. It was well stocked and though we didn't really use the kitchen much if we had opted for that, it contained anything we would have needed. The pool, the grounds, and the beach area are all well kept by friendly staff. Those who complained about the cost should look around. The Sands was one of the more affordable places in Grace Bay. Please note as you walk around the grounds the sheer number of staff it takes to keep a resort such as this looking beautiful everyday. All the trimming of the plants, the constant cleaning. for the noise from the construction of the St. Regis, I didn't find that it was all that bad, it was kept to normal work hours and seemed to fade into the background against the peaceful sounds of people enjoying themselves. We would definitely go back, this hotel is a keeper!!

To start, I would officially give a 4.5 star rating. The pros that make the Sands great are the beautiful grounds and lovely suites that include a screened in porch. For anyone that has traveled to somewhere tropical, the bugs can be the biggest headache so the screened in porch was a major bonus. The junior suite was clean and included a comfy bed with crisp linens and soft pillows. A mini kitchenette and stacked washer dryer allowed for at home amenities and connivence while away from home. The pools were nicely maintained and inviting but the real gem is the amazing beachfront that is steps away. The beach crew is friendly and helpful and the inclusion of all the water activities (snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, kayaks, etc.) was a major bonus. The onsite restaurant, Hemingway, is solid and great for breakfast, beach lunches, and a nice dinner. The sister property of The Palms is walking distance along the beach and offers extra dining options. The main reason for not giving the property a 5 star review is the fact that there was only one restaurant on property and the fact that the service was great in some areas but good overall. As for the construction of the St Regis next door, it’s not intrusive. There is more noise in NY on a daily basis than there is from the construction site in my opinion. In general I was not aware of the construction unless waking passes it on the beach. Overall a great stay and a great value while visiting the beautiful waters and beaches of TCI.