In September 2012 we had the pleasure of staying at Three Dolphins Villa on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands and it truly was a pleasure! Three Dolphins Villa is much more of a ‘Caribbean Estate’ than it is a villa. There are 9 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 4 kitchens, large swimming pool, tennis court and all set in 2 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with 220 feet (67m) of beach frontage!
The short car journey from the airport to Three Dolphins Villa was very easy. The road is paved all the way to the remote-controlled, electric, security gates. The security gates opened and we were stunned by the blaze of colour from the beautifully ‘manicured’ gardens with different varieties of palm trees and an abundance of tropical flowers. So stunned in fact, that we drove straight past the property manager without even noticing him!
Luckily, the property manager caught up with us as we were getting out of the car. Once we’d finished apologizing he gave us an introductory tour of the house and then left us to enjoy. Three Dolphins Villa wasn’t just clean, it was impeccably clean. Suffice to say that this is a family vacation home that is loved and cherished and it shows.
The covered terrace wraps around from the guest house, past the main house, all the way to the pool area and is no less than 165 feet (50m) long. It would take Usain Bolt at least 5 seconds to sprint from one end to the other! It isn’t just the size of it that’s impressive. It’s also very comfortably furnished with solid wood furnishings and soft cushions. To top it all off, it’s beachfront and provides stunning views of Long Bay Beach and the ocean. No matter how large your party, there is plenty of room for everyone and everyone can find their own personal space at Three Dolphins Villa.
The 42 feet (12.8m) freshwater swimming pool is another highlight. There’s a row of silver palm trees down one side of the swimming pool which cast an incredibly peaceful and relaxing light with the sun behind them in the afternoon.
If you’re one of those people who has to work while on vacation, you’ll appreciate that wireless internet access is available the full length of the terrace and around the pool. You can find a quiet place to concentrate or keep your eyes on the kids in the pool while keeping in touch with the office. However, be warned, the stunning views can be a very, very, tempting distraction.
The three bedrooms in the main house and two bedrooms in the guest house all open directly onto the terrace with views of the ocean. The bedroom in the pool house has a view across the swimming pool to the sea beyond. The location and architecture of Three Dolphins Villa take full advantage of the cooling breeze from the ocean. With strategic cross-ventilation and ceiling fans we slept very comfortably with no need for air conditioning. Of course, full air-conditioning is available if you want it.
The three bedrooms in the gate house (as the name implies it’s located near the entrance to the property) have views of the beautifully landscaped, tropical gardens. The gate house is usually only used for guests who really need the additional three bedrooms.
There are two kitchens in the main house and one in each of the guest house, pool house and gate house. They’re all fully equipped with everything you will need while on vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you can’t imagine a day without an espresso or cappuccino, don’t worry, you’ll find a machine in each of the kitchens!
Long Bay Beach is a 3 mile (4.8km) stretch of soft, white sand and ideal for long walks or even pony riding. The sea is usually calm and shallow and great fun for the whole family. Kayaks are available at Three Dolphins Villa if you want to explore the Caicos Banks. Long Bay Beach is on the quieter side of Providenciales (known locally as ‘Provo’), so it’s very, very peaceful. However, a short 10 minute drive will take you to the heart of Grace Bay for shopping, restaurants etc. etc.
Three Dolphins Villa faces south-east, so don’t expect stunning sunsets over the ocean from the main house, guest house or pool house, but you can enjoy some lovely sunsets from the gate house. However, watching the sun rise over the ocean while sitting very comfortably with a delicious cappuccino is a wonderful way to start your day!
In summary... it was hard to leave... really hard! But we definitely hope to return... the sooner the better!
CARIBIQUE® Villa Rentals
See the villa listing for a full description, HUGE photo gallery, map, availability calendar, rates and villa owner contact information Three Dolphins Villa, Long Bay Beach, Providenciales (Provo), Turks and Caicos Islands.
