A new addition to Marriott’s Luxury Collection, Salterra, has recently debuted across 65 acres of South Caicos shoreline. Travel + Leisure had the exclusive experience of being among the first guests; check out our comprehensive review for more details.
Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
- The on-site spa features a salt sauna, steam room, and aloe bar, providing services such as massages, facials, and body treatments.
- Personalized tours like salt harvesting, led bonefishing sessions, and snorkeling experiences allow visitors to delve into the local culture of South Caicos.
- The design of the property showcases the nearby salt flats, indigenous vegetation, local fauna, and island heritage using locally-sourced sustainable materials.
- The suites, attended by butlers, come equipped with luxurious bathrooms that include soaking tubs and walk-in showers, along with fully supplied wet bars.
- The resort spans across 65 acres, featuring 3,000 feet of untouched shoreline encircled by transparent waters brimming with aquatic creatures.
As the tiny propeller aircraft I was aboard flew above the pristine, sapphire-colored waters nearby, South Caicos I noticed four groups of dolphins playing around the rugged reefs beneath us. Previously a center for the salt trade in the Caribbean, this island, situated 45 miles away from Providenciales, is now their habitat. Salterra, part of The Luxury Collection Resorts & Spas, is located in Turks & Caicos.
My Butler for the week, Tony Kisna, met me at the airport, and following a brief ten-minute journey brimming with views of roadside donkeys, skeletal windmills extending across lines of salt flats, and houses painted in vibrant Crayola hues using concrete blocks, we reached our destination at the resort.
Here, the history of South Caicos is intertwined throughout each detail—from the majestic acacia wood doors in the lobby, adorned with Taíno pictograms, to the couple of duho seating areas along with the vast pathways and dividing structures made from petrified coral stone.
It was crucial for us to showcase the island's heritage within our design. duho Chairs akin to those discovered in various caves across Turks and Caicos were mentioned by Michael Tibbetts, who serves as both the managing director at Salterra and CEO of JEM Worldwide, which developed the property. He explained these resemble ancient ceremonial seats. Furthermore, he noted that the fireball sculpture located in the swimming pool zone was crafted based on ideas provided by artist Sandra Vlock using his narratives and wildlife photos taken specifically in South Caicos. Each element depicted here—from the donkeys to the euphorbia plants, windmills, bonefish, flamingos, down to an abstract representation of the entire Turks and Caicos island chain—embodies part of the region’s history and essence."
After a brief stop at my suite, I set off to learn the art of bonefishing, joined by my two guides and boat captains. Anchored in the shallows of Caicos Bank, we jumped out with fly fishing poles in hand and waded through the gin-clear water, searching for bonefish. A lemon shark casually swam by, but no bonefish appeared. As we motored back to the resort, I spotted an eagle ray larger than my arm span, a sea turtle, and vibrant orange sponge corals.
Upon returning to dry ground, I made my way to the pool deck for my inaugural South Caicos sunset experience. General Manager Santiago Senega ignited the ceremonial bonfire, as I lifted my glass of kiwi cooler, crafted with locally produced Bambarra Rum. "Here, we come together each day to recount the island’s heritage and revel in the tales born within these confines," remarked Senega.
Continue reading for an extensive review of Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa.
The Rooms
Salterra has 100 ocean-facing rooms, including deluxe guest rooms, one- and two-bedroom suites, and the palatial premier’s penthouse on the top floor with raised ceilings, a butler pantry, and a brass telescope for stargazing.
I stayed in a 1,135-square-foot one-bedroom king suite with a stocked wet bar, a comfortable living room area, a massive bathroom with a soaking tub and tumbled stone shower, and an expansive outdoor area. Handcarved furniture, throw pillows and rugs in sea and sand hues, and textured wall hangings all reflect the surrounding landscape. The attention to detail by designers from the Gettys Group and EoA It is impressive, particularly due to the carefully selected collection of books—an edition of "Salt: A World History" by Mark Kurlansky rested on my coffee table.
Over half of all accommodations are suites serviced by butlers available around the clock. It made my days so much easier to send a quick WhatsApp message to Tony to adjust meal times and move excursions around.
"They [the butlers] become familiar with each of our guests to tailor an itinerary that can be as energetic or serene as they desire," Senega elaborated.
Food and Drink
At Regatta, a two-level dining spot featuring an outdoor terrace, you can enjoy a daily morning meal complete with expansive sea vistas—an experience highlighted by sipping mint tea and devouring a filling breakfast burrito against the backdrop of the ocean waves. This venue not only caters to breakfast but also transforms into a place for evening meals, offering British Caribbean fare. While I was visiting, the kitchen staff crafted daily selections highlighting dishes intended for the six on-site eateries which had not started operations at that time.
The highlights featured delicate conch fritters paired with zesty tamarind chutney from Cobo Bar & Grill; rich cream of callaloo soup served at upscale restaurant Brine; Sisal’s signature key lime meringue tart—a dessert I’ve never enjoyed more as someone who grew up in Florida; and every dish featuring Caribbean lobster—it’s been weeks, but I'm still reminiscing about those servings of succulent, smoke-grilled lobsters during my last dinner. For quick bites and beverages, Flamingo Café provides take-away options along with refreshing smoothies, velvety gelato, and aromatic espresso drinks.
Every eatery boasts unique decor elements — from the rosy tiles adorning Flamingo Cafe to the vintage ship steering wheel at Brine, and even the intricately woven pendant light hanging over the bar at Cobo. The food truck located near the swimming pool, known as Jack and Jenny’s, takes its moniker from the Spanish donkeys that were imported here during the peak of the salt trading era.
Activities and Amenities
Across the premises, you'll find four swimming pools, exclusive cabanas, and hot tubs, along with ample beach space for exploration. The Macori Boutique ( macori is the The Taíno term for merchant or trader provides handcrafted items such as the set of conch cups I acquired.
"[Jewelry designer] Carolina de Barros is crafting ocean-themed items using reclaimed gold and metals. The collection includes eco-friendly swimwear, Fair Harbor men’s clothing, an assortment of salts, as well as a portable salt harvesting activity for you to bring back as a memento of your visit. Our aim was to incorporate local elements alongside sustainable niche labels," detailed Salterra brand curator and associate director of marketing Dahlia Lilleslåtten.
Adjacent is the library that contains a collection of Assouline Just nearby is the concierge desk where you can arrange various activities like the South Caicos Salt Experience. This excursion features a guided journey through the natural salinas teeming with the island’s flamingos, hands-on salt harvesting, sampling of sea salt, and customizing your own blends. Additional offerings include lessons on making ceviche, sessions for tasting rum, workshops on mixing cocktails, organized bird watching trips, explorations into South Caicos' history, and much more.
I beelined for the environmental excursions. The water sports center offers a suite of boats and experienced staff to guide guests through all levels of PADI scuba diving classes. Joseph Plant, the director of adventures, facilitated diving for my husband at several dive sites. Diving gear is available for rent, too.
As my spouse delved into the depths below, I accompanied Anna Zuke, who leads conservation efforts and activities, for a snorkeling session. Each excursion contributes to the coral regeneration initiatives at the SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies. Passing through the SFS laboratory, we observed tanks brimming with young fragments of brain and staghorn corals, showcasing the reef restoration structures used in the sea. Having gained insights into their endeavors to rejuvenate the coral colonies, we set off aboard a vessel towards Admirals Aquarium. There, we witnessed firsthand the planted corals and explored the cushion starfish thriving in what’s known as Starfish Alley.
The Spa
The whitewashed structure featuring cocoa-hued supports situated to the left of Salterra’s entryway encloses a hidden retreat for unwinding. The complex includes separate treatment chambers, one area designed for dual guests, along with an aquatic thermal zone equipped with a steam chamber, a dry sauna, and a saline-infused space all enhancing the spa experience.
Visitors have a wide range of options to pick from, yet I opted for the 60-minute relaxation massage which eased my fatigued muscles post a full day dedicated to bonefishing. Afterward, I relaxed quietly with some ginger lemongrass tea whilst nestled on the sofa.
Family-friendly Offerings
Considerate aggiunte per i bambini includono un clubhouse interno ed esterno con varie esperienze educative progettate per coinvolgere giovani esploratori. Cliniche di canoa e stand-up paddle offrono divertenti esperienze sull'acqua, mentre le avventure subaquee lungo il Caicos Bank e i viaggi organizzati presso l'SFS permettono loro di apprendere in modo pratico sulla natura ambientale.
Upon arrival, young adventurers between the ages of four and twelve get a drawing booklet packed with challenges to accomplish throughout their visit. By completing these assignments, they collect stamps; upon finishing every task, they're rewarded with both an illustrated edition of “The Story of Salt” and either a Salterra plushie or a bathtub plaything. Besides the regular schedule of children’s events each day, guests also have access to various lawn games as well as a clean shoreline perfect for crafting sand castles and gathering seashells.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Many of the rooms come equipped with roll-in showers, bathtubs featuring seats and handrails, along with lower-height electrical outlets, deadbolts, and peepholes. Each structure has elevators accessible within them. The lagoon-style swimming pool offers a gradual slope for entering the water, and an on-site beach wheelchair is provided.
When planning the resort, Tibbetts and the JEM The global team focused on maintaining sustainable practices and safeguarding the natural assets and historical heritage of South Caicos. Single-use plastics are not used within the guests’ accommodations, and food scraps are converted into compost. Additionally, the establishment collaborated with Fortis TCA, an electricity provider, to construct the biggest solar plant in the Turks and Caicos Islands, enabling them to derive over fifty percent of their energy needs from solar power.
We deliberately selected indigenous species such as sea grapes and thatch palms because this is a dry, arid island," Tibbetts explained. "Unlike the large flowering shrubs and plants found in other tropical areas, here we have sisal, agave, cacti, and euphorbia." He added, "Using these local resources decreases our water usage and minimizes our carbon emissions from transporting non-native materials.
These are merely the on-site initiatives. Within the community, Salterra works alongside the SFS to rejuvenate the coral reefs around South Caicos. Serving as founding members of the South Caicos Coral Reef Consortium, they funded the establishment of a terrestrial coral restoration center situated at the SFS campus, which lies only about a mile away from Salterra’s location.
Location
The resort's isolated position makes reaching it difficult. Presently, visitors have to fly into Providenciales (PLS) followed by an approximately 18-minute flight to South Caicos (XSC). InterCaribbean most days and Caicos Express On Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Please remember that flights can be cancelled if there aren't sufficient reservations.
Nevertheless, new possibilities are emerging to make traveling to South Caicos easier. Starting this month, American Airlines will commence direct flights. From Miami to South Caicos on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Besides the commercial flight choices, the resort has joined forces with EvoJets , providing return private flights from various locations throughout the U.S. to South Caicos along with VIP transportation services to the resort.
Ways to Maximize Your Experience During Your Visit
Salterra is included in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, allowing members who stay at this location to accumulate points. Additionally, the hotel participates in the Marriott STARS program, offering visitors supplementary perks like free breakfasts, upgraded rooms, and more flexible arrival and departure timings when reservations are made through specific travel partners.
The nightly prices begin at $464 for a deluxe guest room and can rise up to $4,396 for a presidential suite. These rates change according to the season.
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