Review: Rock House

Why book? 

Rock House is a lifestyle resort for travelers who prefer to escape the crowds in favor of a more tranquil experience. For this reason, this waterfront resort is intentionally small with only 46 oceanfront villa-style accommodations, and the entire layout of the 14-acre property is conducive to privacy, even when enjoying communal spaces. While Rock House possesses nearly every creature comfort a discerning traveler would expect from a luxury property, especially one owned by Grace Bay Resorts, it is not packed with every conceivable amenity or water sport. So, the beach remains uncluttered, the natural beauty is undisturbed, and the stunning architecture complements the landscape rather than overwhelming it.

Set the scene

Less than 10 minutes from the airport, paradise awaits. Rock House is the only resort on the island nestled into a limestone cliff with elevations up to 95 feet above sea level. It offers unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline extending to Grace Bay and beyond.  

Masterfully integrated into the native landscape, Rock House’s contemporary design, paired with the use of natural materials, makes this low-rise resort appear as if it is both modern and ancient. The dominant architectural feature is the natural limestone, which local craftsmen have chiseled into walls and walkways. That, coupled with Rock House’s cliffside placement evokes memories of the Mediterranean. Rock House’s design, decor, and proximity to the sea naturally inspire romance, so it’s no wonder couples in their mid-20s to late 70s gravitate here.

There are plenty of secluded seating areas each one more inviting than the next. Gleaming white limestone paths lead to furnished terraces with swimming ladders that cascade into the sea. Oversized handmade macramé parasols adorn the Cave Bar and Sunset Bar, while luxuriant day beds, lounge chairs, and lavish cabanas are strategically placed around the 100-foot infinity pool for maximum privacy. A long wooden staircase stretching down to the beach below and, culminating at a 130-foot jetty, has plush couches, ottomans, and tables on each stair.

The resort has 350 feet of beachfront, along the third-largest barrier reef in the world, so it’s possible to snorkel right from the shore. Snorkeling gear is complimentary, as is the use of the see-through paddle boards and kayaks so you can explore the reef without getting wet.  

The backstory  

Rock House is a love story conceived 24 years ago in France. Mark Durliat, the CEO and co-founder of the luxury hotel brand Grace Bay Resorts, fell in love with the south of France when he moved there after graduating college. There, he also met and fell in love with his future wife Melissa, who was a TV producer covering the Cannes Film Festival on assignment. Often, she conducted celebrity interviews at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, a distinguished cliffside hotel famous for its elegance. A seed was planted. After many years of planning, research, and vision, Rock House was born.

The rooms

The accommodations are bright, spacious, airy, well-appointed, and beautifully designed with modern and traditional custom furnishings. The color palette inside and out consists primarily of muted tones, so it doesn’t compete with the hand-carved whitewashed limestone walls, turquoise waters, or lush greenery which are the real stars of this show.

All the one-bedroom suites, two-bedroom duplexes, and studios have their own terraces with intoxicating ocean views and feature 13-foot vaulted ceilings with white oak paneling, chic hand-woven wicker chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, porcelain and terrazzo flooring, and standalone soaking tubs with bath and body products by L’Occitane that make your skin and hair smell delicious. Depending on the style chosen, some have outdoor showers, a full kitchen, a breakfast nook, a formal living room, a washer and dryer (as if!), and a private infinity edge pool.   

Food and drink

When Rock House first opened, they brought in a skilled team of chefs from Italy to train the staff in the art of Italian cooking. Now led by executive chef Dennis Boon, Vita Restaurant serves the freshest seafood, (I can vouch for grilled Caribbean lobster), pasta, and aged steaks in the Adriatic tradition but with a Caribbean twist. Located 30 feet above the sea, this upscale dining experience is complemented by a curated wine list and signature cocktails. Private dining on the jetty is also an option, and drinks can be enjoyed poolside, at the aptly named Sunset Bar or at the Cave Bar which serves a lighter fare. The Cave Bar is spectacular. It looks and feels like a grotto with its natural rock walls, and features a patio overlooking the sea with comfy seating tucked under a ledge.

The spa

The resort does not yet have a dedicated spa space but offers a variety of relaxing in-room massage treatments. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness center open 24/7 for the more intrepid, and yoga classes on the jetty designed by renowned yogi David Bowen.

The neighborhood/area

Providenciales is the third largest, most populated, and most developed island in Turks and Caicos. The lack of a dedicated city center gives the illusion of “urban” sprawl with commercial and government buildings lining the main travel vein along the Leeward Highway. Frankly, there is nothing quaint about it. Fortunately, Rock House is off this main drag in a residential neighborhood called Blue Mountain, the highest point on the island. It is away from the densely touristed areas and has the distinct advantage of offering guests the best of both worlds—peace and quiet but with quick access to Grace Bay for a more boisterous experience. (Grace Bay has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is populated with other resorts, bars, live music, shops, and restaurants.)

The service

Nothing compares to the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Caribbean people. At Rock House, it’s obvious they care about each guest’s experience and do everything possible to accommodate requests. They offer 24-hour personalized concierge service so you can create your ideal itinerary. They even have their own custom app so you can communicate your desires poolside while sipping a handcrafted cocktail. That said, this is an island, and folks here have a natural unhurried way of doing things which means drinks and meals may take a little longer to reach the table than what you may be accustomed to. My advice: Relax and enjoy the view. It’s nice not to rush, and isn’t that why we go on holiday?

For families

Although many families have stayed at Rock House since its opening, there are no special activities for the wee ones; but there are plans to introduce kid-friendly programs in the future.

Eco effort

Sustainability and conservation are part of the ethos of Grace Bay Resorts, and at Rock House this philosophy is evident. The verdant gardens have been created using only indigenous plants that were already on-site prior to construction. Centuries-old Joewood trees, orchids, and lignum vitae—“the tree of life,” revered for its medicinal properties—were relocated to a nursery for safekeeping until they could be reintroduced into the landscape. Other endeavors include incorporating recycled limestone into the handcrafted interior and exterior walls; collecting rainwater and grey water for daily irrigation; offering reef-safe sunscreen; utilizing natural ventilation to cool rooms and on-demand hot water heaters for efficiency; and replacing single-use plastic with glass or bamboo and using almost no PVC.

In the spirit of giving back to a community that has given him so much, Mark Durliat established the Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation in 2009. It provides scholarships and materials to underprivileged schools, and through its Little Chef’s Program, offers internships to high school students interested in the culinary arts or hospitality trade.

Accessibility

There are currently no ADA standards for Accessible Design in place.

Anything left to mention?

A trip to the islands is not complete without experiencing authentic island culture and cuisine. Da Conch Shack is a local bar and restaurant with sand floors and live music serving up fresh seafood, chicken, steak, and a variety of vegetarian and conch dishes, all prepared island style. The ramshackle structures and dining areas are painted in cool Caribbean blues and pinks overlooking turquoise waters. Walk up the beach in either direction to purchase island jewelry, wooden masks, and polished conch shells. 

Another experience not to be missed is a picnic on one of the many uninhabited islands. (The resort can make these arrangements for you.) You can spend a quiet afternoon taking in the supreme scenery on your own private island. Keep a lookout for JoJo, a wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin that likes to interact with humans. I met JoJo 30 years ago on my first trip to this island and was thrilled to learn he was still alive and now has a mate. JoJo has been declared a National Treasure by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, as he should be!