The private island of Parrot Cay covers 1000 acres of wetlands and mostly untouched vegetation, encircled by a mile-long white beach. At one end is the private estate with the beyond-luxurious homes of the rich and famous (which – lottery winners take note – can be rented), and at the eastern end is the hotel. It’s easy to see why it’s the escape of choice for the likes of Julia Roberts and Penelope Cruz and why Donna Karan, Bruce Willis and Keith Richards all have houses here.
Twelve wooden, butler-attended beach houses with one or two bedrooms, each with a small private pool and sandy garden, are ranged just far enough behind the dunes to be hidden from beach walkers and perfect for romantics. The rest of the 42 rooms are plantation-style, with Balinese four-poster beds swathed in mosquito netting and ceiling fans. All are designed with stunning ‘all white’ simplicity mixing with a handful of sleek gadgets like flat-screen TVs and Bose sound systems in the lounges. The honey-hued bathrooms are just as luxurious, with marble tops, a huge walk-in azure, mosaic shower and a giant tub with Como Shambhala products.
Outside, a pristine plunge pool sits on a weathered grey wooden deck with plenty of daybeds for lounging and gorgeous views onto the dunes and the perfect sea beyond. However, it’s the Balinese-looking spa, surrounded by peaceful gardens well away from the rooms, that really sets Parrot Cay apart. You can book in relaxing treatments such as the Ayurvedic massages, organise a tailor-made programme, or check in at one of the regular retreat weeks if you’re in need of a serious overhaul. Activities range from relaxing to pampering at the Como Shambhala spa and hitting the gym or taking a kayak out. There are also plenty of ‘off-island’ activities, but when a resort is this special there’s really very little need to venture out.
What’s hot?
- The Dr Hauschka Holistic Facial and Como Shambhala signature massage leave your skin with a discernible glow
- The delicious Como Shambhala products
- The bespoke programme of facials, body treatments, yoga and pilates that's drawn up for after an in-depth consultation
- Even if your budget only stretches to one or two treatments, you can still feel you’ve have had a proper ‘spa week’
What’s not?
- The mosquitoes
Need to Know: Parrot Cay
Number of rooms: 70
Check-in/check-out times: 2pm and 11am
Room service: Yes. The room service is excellent
Swimming pool: Yes. There’s an outdoor pool and private pools in each of the beach-front villas
Spa: Yes. The award-winning Como Shambhala spa is Asian-inspired and holistic with a 1,300sq ft yoga room, nine treatment rooms, an outdoor Jacuzzi garden, a pilates studio, double-massage rooms and Japanese baths.
Dogs welcome: Yes
Eating and drinking: The casual poolside restaurant, Lotus, serves up an Asian-influenced menu, and the more formal Terrace, in the main building, has more Italian leanings. In both you can order the spa menu, which is delicious, dairy-free, and uses a lot of raw foods. A lavish breakfast is also served up on the terrace in the morning. It’s well worth trying the Electrolyte Lemonade (made of lemon, apple, pear, ginger, flaxseed oil and sea salt) for a zingy start to the day.
Near to? If you’re totally spa’d out, then you can work up a sweat on one of the two tennis courts. Alternatively, you can go island-hopping to Iguana or Sand Dollar Island, snorkelling, fishing, diving or waterskiing, or simply make the most of some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean.
Getting there: It’s a 40-minute drive from Providenciales airport and a half-hour speedboat transfer (where dolphins leap around the boat).
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