Connect with us

TCI News

Butch’s Island Chophouse Leads Beaches Turks & Caicos’ $150M Treasure Beach Expansion

Published

on

By Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media

 

Turks and Caicos, October 14, 2025 – The sizzle of prime cuts and the sound of waves are about to meet at Beaches Turks & Caicos. The resort has announced the debut of Butch’s Island Chophouse — the first-ever steakhouse on any Beaches property — as part of its sweeping new Treasure Beach Village development.

Set to open March 1, 2026, the $150 million expansion cements the all-inclusive resort’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most ambitious hospitality investments and a lasting tribute to its late founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

A Legacy Served Medium Rare

Butch’s Island Chophouse pays homage to the legendary hotelier whose vision reshaped Caribbean luxury. The new fine-dining restaurant will feature an elevated, contemporary steakhouse menu — premium aged beef, seafood, and wine pairings — wrapped in the signature warmth that defined Stewart’s Sandals and Beaches brands.

The restaurant will stand as the culinary centerpiece of the soon-to-open Treasure Beach Village, offering guests a sleek, modern dining environment that embodies Stewart’s passion for quality, service, and storytelling through food.

“This new addition isn’t just about expansion — it’s about legacy,” said an internal statement from Beaches Resorts, referencing Stewart’s enduring imprint on Caribbean tourism. “Butch’s Island Chophouse represents everything he believed in: family, excellence, and the joy of shared experiences.”

Treasure Beach — A Village Inspired by the Sea

Located on the world-famous Grace Bay Beach, Treasure Beach Village will be the resort’s sixth village, adding 101 multi-bedroom suites — ranging from two-bedroom family suites to four-bedroom oceanfront villas that can sleep up to ten guests. The addition will bring Beaches Turks & Caicos’ total inventory to 858 rooms and suites spread across more than 100 acres.

Designed with a “sea treasure” theme, the new village draws inspiration from the islands’ underwater wonder. The architecture features coral motifs, ocean blues, and natural textures that blend luxury with island authenticity.

Inside the main lobby, guests will find a show-stopping “sea-garden” ceiling installation — luminescent jellyfish sculptures suspended above a carved coral display — alongside custom conch-shell art created by local artist Stanford Handfield.

From there, the experience flows outdoors into a 15,000-square-foot lagoon-style infinity pool, lined with private cabanas, a swim-up bar, and family water slides.

Children can enjoy the Starfish Cinema, a 32-seat theater for movies and storytelling, while adults unwind in quiet pool zones or at one of the new specialty dining concepts.

Seven New Dining Concepts, One Destination for Every Appetite

In addition to Butch’s Island Chophouse, Treasure Beach introduces seven new dining venues that reflect modern, multi-generational travel tastes:

  • The Pinta Food Hall, a global casual-dining marketplace
  • BRÜ Coffee Bar, a chic day-to-night café serving espresso and evening cocktails
  • A new ice cream parlor, beach grill, and snack hut
  • A family swim-up bar and juice station for the wellness-minded

Together, these venues aim to expand Beaches Turks & Caicos’ already impressive collection of 20 restaurants and 15 bars across its sprawling campus.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The expansion is expected to generate hundreds of local construction jobs and, upon opening, new permanent roles in hospitality, culinary arts, and entertainment. Beaches Resorts has long been one of the country’s largest private employers, and this project further anchors the Turks and Caicos Islands as a flagship destination for luxury family travel.

Beyond the economic impact, the design team’s decision to spotlight local artists like Handfield and to incorporate elements of conch, sea life, and Bahamian-Lucayan motifs reflects a growing movement within the Caribbean hospitality sector — luxury that respects locality.

“This is where the global meets the authentic,” said a source familiar with the project’s creative direction. “Beaches isn’t just expanding rooms; they’re expanding the story of Turks and Caicos.”

A Decade of Dominance

The Treasure Beach announcement follows a string of accolades for the destination and its hospitality partners. Turks and Caicos was recently named Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination at the 2025 World Travel Awards — honors it has held for nearly a decade.

Several island properties, including Beaches Turks & Caicos, also collected top regional awards for excellence in family travel and all-inclusive experiences.

Opening March 1, 2026

Reservations for Treasure Beach Village are already open, with stays beginning March 1, 2026.

From its shimmering new suites to its sea-inspired design and landmark steakhouse, Beaches Turks & Caicos is once again setting the standard for island hospitality — where every detail, every meal, and every moment reflects the enduring legacy of Butch Stewart and the unmatched beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

TCI News

HURRICANE MELISSA: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTIONS

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being

We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.

This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting.  All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our  Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.

At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding.  Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:

1.    Evacuation Advisories

Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:

Middle Caicos 

  • Conch Bar                 Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre

North Caicos

  • Sandy Point              Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
  • Whitby                        Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
  • Bottle Creek              Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School

Providenciales

      • Chalk Sound             Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
      • Five Cays                  Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
      • Discovery Bay          Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
      • Juba Sound              Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
      • Long Bay                   Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School

South Caicos

  • Cockburn Harbour   Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
  • Old Airport Road      Nearest Shelter: Community Centre

Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.

2.    Activation of Emergency Operations Centre

The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.

3.    Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.

4.    Shelter-in-Place

A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.

This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.

Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.

In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.

Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.

Continue Reading

TCI News

Frontier Airlines’ Arrival to Turks & Caicos Marks a Game-Changing Connection

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, October 25, 2025 – Budget-friendly skies are opening over the Turks and Caicos Islands as Frontier Airlines prepares to launch its first-ever nonstop flights between Providenciales International Airport (PLS) and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) — the world’s busiest air hub.

Starting December 20, 2025, the twice-weekly service will offer residents and tourists a direct, affordable gateway to and from the U.S. mainland. The new route marks Frontier’s debut in the Turks and Caicos, part of a major regional expansion that includes 22 new routes across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

“We couldn’t be more excited to begin operations in Providenciales,” said Josh Flyr, Frontier’s Vice President of Network and Operations Design. “With our nonstop service to Atlanta, we’re making travel easier, more affordable, and unlocking connections to countless destinations across the U.S. and beyond. It’s not just about tourism — it’s about opportunity.”

Big Win for Providenciales and the Region

The move positions Howard Hamilton International Airport as a growing Caribbean hub. Frontier’s low-fare model is expected to stimulate visitor arrivals, particularly from Atlanta — a key U.S. tourism feeder city — while giving Turks and Caicos residents new, cost-effective travel options for business, education, and leisure.

Industry observers note that the timing couldn’t be better. Turks and Caicos tourism remains on an upward trajectory in 2025, with hotel occupancy and airlift both climbing following the pandemic rebound. Frontier’s entry adds competitive pricing to an air market long dominated by legacy carriers, expanding the reach of the destination to more budget-minded travelers.

A Wider Growth Strategy

The Atlanta–Providenciales launch is part of Frontier’s aggressive Caribbean push this winter, which also includes new flights to NassauSt. MaartenPuerto Vallarta, and San José del Cabo. Introductory fares to select destinations are as low as US $69 one-way.

For Turks and Caicos, the connection to Atlanta — one of Frontier’s strategic bases — means instant access to hundreds of onward destinations in North America and beyond.

As Frontier joins the expanding roster of carriers serving the islands, tourism officials are calling it a “win-win for accessibility and affordability.” And for travelers? It’s a golden ticket to paradise — at a fraction of the cost.

Continue Reading

TCI News

Turks & Caicos Police Commissioner Urges Students to “Awaken Their Sleeping Giants”

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.

In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.

Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”

He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go.  “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said.  “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”

The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.

“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”

In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:

“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”

Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING