Pine Cay, the very first of the Turks & Caicos islands to be developed in 1970, introduces a newly renovated villa to its rental programme
A true Turks & Caicos treasure, Pine Cay is a private island haven, home to 800 acres of untamed wilderness, a two-mile long white sand beach and a kaleidoscopic array of marine life. This purposefully low-key island is home to a newly designed 13-bedroom Relais & Chateux hotel and collection of charming private homes, eight of which are currently available to rent. With a new villa set to launch in the rental programme from November, having recently undergone a complete renovation, Pine Cay makes the perfect Caribbean castaway experience for those in search of discrete seclusion.
Pine Cay began life back in the 1970s, when a group of close-knit transatlantic families – enamoured by the island’s natural beauty – invested in sensitively building family homes that each work in perfect harmony with their surroundings. Today, these families remain the custodians of the island with the children and grandchildren of those who first set foot on Pine Cay now overseeing the running of it. One of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets, Pine Cay is home to just 38 private homes, with a limited number of plots remaining for new properties. With houses ranging from two to four bedrooms and open to guests of all ages, villas at Pine Cay are perfect for couples, groups of friends, family reunions and multi-generational escapes.
New for 2022: This November, Pine Cay will unveil a new private home, which will be available for rent on an exclusive-use basis. Sitting at the top of the island, The Boat House will soon emerge fresh from a full renovation with three bedrooms, an indoor-outdoor living and dining area to make the most of the breath-taking views of nearby Lake Marco, and private lagoon access. Natural coral stone floors, whitewashed walls and vaulted ceilings are complemented by colourful textiles that celebrate the island’s vibrant surroundings. The house also includes a private beach perfect for bone fishing.
Scattered across the island, you will uncover an additional eight houses available for private hire. Celebrating its greatest asset, each home at Pine Cay has access to a private stretch of beach, where you are encouraged to while away your days. Best for romance is Dragonfly – easily identifiable by its pastel-pink exterior – which offers three bedrooms designed in a traditional Caribbean style, with teak-wood furniture, bold pops of colour and an expansive wrap-around terrace from which to enjoy the incomparable panoramic vistas of the aquamarine waters beyond.
Just a few doors down, and best for families and group reunions are Driftwood and Blue Sky. Driftwood is a timeless seaside retreat set amongst five acres of private land. The open and airy space home has four bedrooms with contemporary colourful interiors, well-loved by intrepid explorers and families alike thanks to its kayaks, bicycles, paddleboards, table tennis table and beach hammocks. Blue Sky is a spacious four-bedroom home featuring an open kitchen and living room area with panoramic views of the ocean, perfect for entertaining. Due to its location, guests at Blue Sky also have the advantage of seeing both sunrise and sunset during their stay and direct access to a private white sandy beach.
Meanwhile, best for design lovers is SeaVista, set on the channel shore just a stone’s throw from the island’s aquarium, home to sea turtles, pelicans and even a passing flamingo. Having undergone a full renovation in 2021, the villa offers three beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms, an expansive kitchen with chef’s counter and bar, an open-air Great Room and private dock for those arriving at the island on their own boat.
Offering the seclusion of a private villa but the services of a luxury hotel, villa owners and private rental guests at Pine Cay have access to the hotel’s restaurant for daily changing menus that celebrate seasonal produce, and can create a meal plan for their entire stay. For a more private experience, guests can opt for one of Pine Cay’s talented chefs to cook for them at home, or pack up a picnic to be enjoyed at any area of the island they wish. Housekeepers, butlers, and babysitters can be arranged, whilst Pine Cay’s expert therapists can organise a host of in-villa spa treatments or yoga classes. Sitting on the edge of the world’s third largest barrier reef, ocean explorations abound at Pine Cay, from guided snorkelling or sailing excursions with the expert water sports team, to paddle boarding, kayaking, diving and unrivalled fishing experiences.
