Even though the concept of traveling with a “pandemic pod” might seem like a thing of the past already, group travel—whether it be with family or friends—is here to stay. And that’s not just for significant events like milestone birthdays or weddings, but simply gathering together in a pack for a vacation.
Pre-pandemic, online marketplaces for homestays such as Airbnb and Vrbo, seemed to have a lock on this market, at least in the public consciousness. But that isn’t always an option in smaller locales with less real estate available. And many more travelers want the security and amenities that hotels are known for, from onsite dining (including room service), fitness centers, a concierge desk, and something as simple (but as luxurious) as daily housekeeping.
There are hotels and resorts that blend these offerings, with onsite condominiums and suites that are available for purchase but then can be essentially rented out for short-term stays (anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks), which is a popular rental model in the Caribbean, especially.
At The Somerset on Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, the property has more than 50 luxury-grade accommodations from two- to three-bedroom suites to two-story properties, which are each privately owned but then can be put back into the rental pool for the hotel. It is not required for homeowners to do this, but the property says only a handful are not included in the hotel pool. And for those who do choose to let out their suites, it is a significant side hustle as the hotel and the homeowner split the revenue down the middle.
And that’s only going to get better for those homeowners later this year as the hotel expects full occupancy over the holidays, which is a high season for most of the Caribbean. Management at the Somerset notes that many of its clientele come from New York and the surrounding tri-state area, especially given it is only a three-hour flight away with many direct flights available daily. (Turks and Caicos has direct service on JetBlue, Delta, and United, among other airlines, from New York area airports as well as Boston and Atlanta.)
For the Somerset, the idea is to provide a home away from home for both the homeowners and hotel guests. Guests can choose from beachfront estates, ocean view villas, or spacious townhomes, all lining the property’s private stretch of beach on the aquamarine waters of Grace Bay.
The property, lobby, and many of the guest unit kitchens recently received a facelift, and many of the 53 luxury accommodations have undergone upgrades or total refurbishments. But notably, the interior design of each suite and villa is quite different as homeowners have relatively full reign to design their homes as they see fit.
The property has agreements with two interior designers on the island, or homeowners can bring in their own. Local designers, especially, are great resources as they will scout and source many of the furniture and artwork from independent artisans in Turks and Caicos.
Along with an onsite fitness center and spa, the resort has three pools, including a reverse current lap pool, a plunge pool, and an infinity-edge pool overlooking Grace Bay. And the resort is very welcoming to families (many of the bedrooms can be customized to offer twin beds for children), and the resort has a kids club with a variety of physical and creative activities designed for children ages three to 12.
Rates vary by season as well as room configuration, especially when either splitting or combining suites. (For example, a two-bedroom suite can even be split into two one-bedroom suites as some rooms are designed to be locked off with standalone kitchenettes.)
Depending on the time of year and inclusive of seasonal promotional offers, a two-bedroom standalone villa can be as low as approximately $850 from a regular high season price of $2,000 per night. On average, one-bedroom suites start at $700 per night.
