Sibonné Beach Hotel

Most days I spend from sunrise to sunset on the beach, relaxing. In the evenings I sit on the big balcony with a glass of wine and listen to the waves. The rooms are bright and spacious, with balconies facing the tropical gardens and the sound of the ocean. The bathrooms could use an update, but I can live with that when everything else feels right. I used to move between beaches in Mexico and the Caribbean until I stumbled across Sibonné in 2014. It's been my year-end retreat every year since. The intimate, adults-only place has charming tropical island characters and a peaceful, unpretentious feel. On the beach, people read, nap, and relax. There isn't loud music or noisy chatter, just the calm I come for. Sibonné sits along the beautiful, long stretch of Grace Bay Beach, so you can walk past the bigger all-inclusive resorts and beachfront restaurants. It also has its own Bay Bistro right on the beach, handy for coffee, lunch, or dinner. If you want simple, peaceful beach time, this is the place for me. I'm on the plane again now, heading there for Christmas through New Year. Just beach. ❤️

I wanted a relaxing beach stay and Sibonne worked well for that. The rooms are only steps from a fantastic beach, and the WiFi was strong there and at the Bistro. I'm not used to fancy hotels, and I'd go back. The courtyard and balconies have aloe vera plants. I put some in the fridge to use on my sunburn, which was thoughtful. I'd call it more of a motel than a hotel. The pool didn't appeal to me, and I never saw anyone use it, although staff tended it daily. I prefer a firmer bed, and the bathrooms are small if you want lots of space. I saw one mosquito in the room on the first day, killed it, and didn't see another bug during the six days I was there. I don't think bugs are an ongoing issue. I was there while Hurricane Melissa was hitting Jamaica, but Turks only got a little wind and some evening rain. As a precaution, they moved me from the first floor to an upper level.

Friends who live in TCI suggested Sibonné Beach Hotel, and we were glad they did. This small, clean place has well equipped rooms, comfortable beds, and Bay Bistro on site, a restaurant locals like. With development spreading everywhere, this lovely beach setting feels like a classic hidden gem.

The first look when you pull up can be a little misleading, since the real charm is inside the well-kept garden, pool, and beach areas. Sibonne stands out among the much taller resorts around it. My wife and I were visiting Grace Bay for the first time, and it was just what we wanted: quiet, peaceful, and relaxing. Our room, 215, was at the end on the right, with views of the ocean, pool, and garden. It was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the AC worked well. The balcony was cozy, with enough room for breakfast and drinks. Bay Bistro served very good food and was a popular evening spot. Alex, who seems to do a bit of everything around the hotel, checked us in, made sure all was well, and always had a smile. He even brought fresh coconut water down to the beach. There were plenty of clean lounge chairs, and you can take lovely beach walks in either direction. Downtown is about a 20-minute walk. People call this place a hidden gem, and I understand why.