My husband and I spent a lovely week at the Island House on Grand Turk. Colin was our host and we truly enjoyed him. He took us on a tour of the island, got us to the dive shop so we could get set up for the week, and took us to several grocery stores to get all our provisions for the week. It was also just nice to chat with him every morning or evening as we came and went.

We were upgraded to a one bedroom unit upon arrival, which had a large living/dining/kitchen space, a bedroom, bath, large covered porch, and open sun deck overlooking the garden and pool area. We also got free use of a pick up truck for the week, which is necessary since the Island House is not within walking distance to "town." The pool looked like it may have been somewhat dirty, but was clear and people used it daily. I am picky about that though and it was probably fine. Colin also provided gallon jugs of water for our use to prevent GI distress. We boiled the water too, but that was probably not necessary. We didn't want to take any chances of ruining our vacation though. The frige in our room was one of those mini, under the counter ones and the freezer spot didn't work well, but Colin let us use his freezer in the laundry room, no problem. We were also able to use the washer/dryer to do laundry.

The nice thing about being away from town is that the air smelled fresh. The old salt ponds remain in town and are used by the many different birds. It is nice to watch the birds, but doesn't smell so nice there.

If you go to Grand Turk, make sure to eat at the Poop Deck. It is a favorite of locals for fried chicken and was great. It is down at the end of main street out of the "tourist" zone in a yellow delapidated shack. Looks scary, but the chicken is great and the beer there is half the price you pay at the tourist restaurants.

We spent most of the week scuba diving with Oasis Divers-great dive operation and loved our divemaster Tim. He is a belonger whose family is from Salt Key and he gave us a private tour of the famous family home on the key when we did a dive day over there. Would recommend Oasis for sure-super professional, safe, and knowlegable. We also did the day trip to Gibbs Key to snorkel, BBQ, and feed the stingrays. Great day trip. Also went whalewatching and got to snorkel with a 35ft humpback--sooooo cool.

Overall, we had a great time at Grand Turk and if we ever come back, would definately stay with Colin at the Island House.

My Mom and I just returned from a week on Grand Turk. It was great! The Island House was perfect for us as we wanted something quiet and personal. The gardens surrounding the Island House are fantastic and all the rooms are roomy with great balcanies and views. The pool was a little dirty but I skimmed it off myself prior to using and felt that was good enough...

A few things to keep in mind if you are heading to Grand Turk. Make time to buy groceries in Provo or bring them with you if you are planning on doing any cooking yourself. Also, there was some construction going on next door to Island House so ask Colin for a room on the opposite side. The Courtyard Cafe we found to have the best variety and prices for breakfast and lunch.

The island house is not within walking distance to much of anything but Colin gives you a vehicle to use which was so great! I was fun to drive on the "wrong" side of the road! Just be careful where you park... the streets are really narrow!

I would stay at the island House again. In fact I want to bring my husband there!

We just returned from a week of diving and relaxation in Grand Turk at the Island House. I highly recommend the Island House if you are traveling to Grand Turk. Colin is the perfect host and makes you very much at home. He personally met us upon arrival, took us to our accomadations, checking to see that everything was perfect. We had a very nice 1 bedroom suite with full kitchen and living area. Check out their website. It's beautiful, just like the pictures. The mattress was our only complaint. After we dropped our bags he took us for a personal tour of town. Colin pointed out spots of interest and a little history, places to eat with recommendations and entertainment spots. (Mind you, Grand Turk is known for diving not entertainment or dining.) Colin provides you with a small truck for your stay which allows you to come and go as you wish. We spent our mornings and afternoons on our lovely deck overlooking North Creek, the island and the turquoise ocean beyond. The grounds of the Island House are lovely with nice balconies, decks and pool. There were always wonderful trade winds gently blowing over the deck as the Island House sits upon a ridge on the north end of the island. The most relaxing dive vacation we've ever had. We enjoyed the WatersEdge for dining but the service is very slow. The cracked conch and ocean gently lapping below me was enough to make me forget the slow service though. As they say, "Where you going? You got a meeting"? The Sandbar is pleasant and service better with changing menu every night. Groceries are expensive and scarce depending on when the "boat comes". Bohio was nice for a treat but pricey.
Diving with Oasis was relaxing and unhurried. Only 4-6 per boat with great divemaster Macky who made sure everone was having a good time. No hurry here. Nov. thru Apr the humpbacks are migrating thru the Columbus Pass. Three days of diving while listening to whales sing was terrific. It's a beautiful sound. I saw mom and calf way off in distance just as shadows one day. We also went on a whale wathching cruise and saw another mom and calf. Great pictures. We were disturbed by the bleaching of the reefs and lack of sealife though. I've read from others here at same time they saw more but I don't know where. Maybe we are just used to more sealife than others. I heard the water temp has been warmer in summer and cooler in winter latlely stressing the reefs. We have to take care of our world or it won't take care of us. Not a lot to do for entertainment here but I would suggest the lighthouse on the north end. Nice little park and great pictures and a really pretty drive.
A word to the wise regarding Interisland flights. We missed our flight into Grand Turk from Provo due to US Air getting us there late and no facilitation thru the slow customs system. We were at the Sky King gate with 2 other passengers(appearing to be locals) from our flight, they were allowed to board, we were told we were too late even though the manifest was still in the ticket agents hand and the plane was still boarding. Unfortunately our accomadations person from Oasis Divers suggested we purchase round trip tickets from the other interisland airline, Air Turks and Caicos. Don't make this mistake. On our return trip home, Air Turks and Caicos decided to cancel our flight for a training flight and resulting maintainence. We were not informed of this till 30 mins after our departure time. With no other planes there to get a ride to make connections back home we were stuck. They said they had no responsibility or liability for this and would do nothing re: accomadations etc. They did ultimately put us up for the night and their customer service agent helped us, for hours, try to get help to go home. US Air by the way was completely worthless for any help. We were told twice that with a $57.00/ticket change fee we could reschedule our flight to next available but ended up having to pay $1400.00 for 2 oneway tickets home. That's more than our original round trip tickets and a budget breaker for sure. Beware of the interisland airlines as well as US Airways.

My first trip to Grand Turk was to attend my sisters wedding at the Island House. She and her husband are avid divers who live in Germany and this was THE place they wanted to throw their wedding. 20 of their closest arrived from far and wide and essentially "took over" the Island House. What a lovely place! Great people--owner Colin Booker and the entire Island House family treated us as if we were old friends coming to visit. I have never felt more welcome and relaxed at a "hotel". The rooms were great--large, clean and bright all with balconies and living/kitchen area. The actual wedding and dinner after were both held in the courtyard overlooking the pool. Great spot for such a happy event. It's worth noting (if you are not in a walking mood) that guests had use of several pick-up trucks so it was easy to get around the island.

Grand Turk is spectacular in a low key, quiet way and our stay at the Island House was the perfect way to experience the island. I can't wait to return.