The Meridian Club

From the Hideaway Report

February 2012 Hideaway Report

For an authentic tropical getaway at half the price of Amanyara, opt for The Meridian Club, ensconced on the privately owned island of Pine Cay, a 30-minute launch ride from Provo. This is the crown jewel of the Turks and Caicos for those seeking the relaxing and timeless spirit of the old West Indies, the intimate resort fringed by crystal-clear aquamarine waters and one of the Caribbean’s last great untrammeled beaches.

In the last 30 years, we have recommended dozens of Caribbean resorts and seen most of them mushroom in size. The environmentally sensitive and purposely underdeveloped island of Pine Cay is one of those rare exceptions that has steadfastly maintained its original identity. On our latest visit, we were thrilled to see that there are still just 13 guest rooms tumbling out to the same spectacular, deserted white-sand beach, along which we happily strolled in 1981. No cars are allowed on the island, with transportation strictly limited to bicycles and electric golf carts. Adding to the timeless bliss is the total absence of room phones and TVs, though guests may avail themselves of a daily New York Times news fax. In addition, cell phones are banned from most public areas, the only concession to the digital world being an Internet room equipped with a poky computer and laptop connections for those who must.

Decorated in a cheerful tropical style with vibrant Haitian paintings and colorful handcrafted furnishings, the comfortably simple accommodations come with king beds, refrigerators, wall safes, well-stocked bookshelves and separate sitting alcoves opening onto newly screened porches. Spacious baths feature two vanity areas, indoor-outdoor showers, lounging robes and mounds of fluffy towels. Overhead fans and louvered windows circulate the island’s year-round breeze.

Under the direction of affable managers Beverly and Wally Plachta, a longtime, caring staff tends to guests’ every need in a handsome clubhouse sheltering a convivial upstairs bar/lounge trimmed by a scenic veranda. Downstairs, an informal dining room spills out to a terrace with tables beneath thatched umbrellas, a newly upgraded pool and alfresco bar. The superb kitchen is now overseen by chef Shane Coffey, who built his reputation at Alias on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and Lulu Wilson in Aspen, Colorado. For starters, we particularly enjoyed the chef’s signature kale and Parmesan salad, as well as his chilled avocado soup with sautéed shrimp, sweet chili sauce and a lime zest. Dinner entrées include a wide variety of grilled fish (chili-crusted wahoo, fresh snapper, mahi, mackerel and striped bass), plus Greek stuffed lamb loin, roasted Cornish hen, spice-rubbed steaks and more. Succulent barbecued ribs highlight the lively Saturday night jump-up.

Complementing the superlative two-mile beach and calm swimming waters, the resort provides a small flotilla of sailboats and kayaks, plus daily catamaran snorkeling forays to the nearby national park reef. A new tennis court, limited spa services and bonefishing excursions are also available. Admittedly, this tranquil and sensuous sanctuary will not appeal to everyone. But for romantic beach lovers who yearn to truly get away from it all in a uniquely unspoiled Robinson Crusoe setting, nothing quite compares.

From our Readers

Amenities

Special Offer

Meridian Club - Anniversary Promotion

Confirm a stay in May, June or July 2013, and guests may choose between either a $40 savings on the nightly rate or a $40 beverage credit per person.

Also Includes:
Andrew Harper benefits as well as the standard inclusions: all meals, transfers by boat and taxi, snorkeling and use of non-motorized watersports. 

Offer is valid on new reservations only, for travel in May, June or July 2013, based on availability. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions.