Como’s Parrot Cay is a wellbeing-lover and sybarite’s dream come true

Romance, yoga, vegan food and luxury, luxury and more luxury – Parrot Cay is a Hip and Healthy’s ideal holiday, says Editor, Sadie MacLeod

I have probably been dreaming about my honeymoon since I was about 14-years old. It was always that – and not actually the wedding – that I had fantasised about. A holiday where no expense is spared, where everybody bends over backwards for you because you are on honeymoon, where upgrades are actually a possibility! It wasn’t until I started my job at a travel magazine (well, not just any travel magazine, the travel magazine – Condé Nast Traveller) that I saw my ideal honeymoon hideaway. It ticked all the boxes – it was remote, yet luxurious, wellness orientated, guaranteed to be sunny and had a spa menu to die for. It was Parrot Cay in the Caribbean’s Turks and Caicos. And it was everything I had ever dreamed of.

I had never booked with a tour operator before – I am not sure why. I think I always assumed that I could find a better deal. I assumed they were going to rip me off. But I very quickly realised how wrong I was after handing my honeymoon over to the clever people at Turquoise Holidays. Having one less thing to worry about when you plan a wedding is not to go underestimated. And they got me deal that makes lastminute.com look positively expensive.

Getting to Parrot Cay is no mean feat. We flew from New York where we had spent a few days soaking up the city. But if you choose to fly from the UK you’ll have to go via the Bahamas with BA and the journey takes 12 hours in total. But it’s worth it. As soon as you step off the plane you’re whisked off to Parrot Cay’s own little jetty where you are immediately submersed into the luxury and comfort that the Como Hotel & Resort brand is renowned for. No sooner had we got there than we were led to a speed boat – for the last leg of the journey.

I defy anyone who arrives at Parrot Cay not to have to pick up their jaw from off the ground. It is truly the most beautiful island I have ever come across. Long swathes of white beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, walk-ways through lush tropical greenery, crystal clear and decadently warm sea and verdant greenery. And the best bit… there is absolutely no one else there. You have this entire paradise island to yourself.

Our room, if you can call it that, which on reflection, you really cant. So let me start that again. Our palatial villa was ah-mazing. We had two bathrooms, a spacious bedroom, two outdoor showers, small kitchenette, private beach, plunge pool and, of course,all the mod cons including massive flat screen TV that was barely turned on apart from in the evenings to cosy up and watch a film together (the hotel has its own extensive DVD library).

Besides from its utter gorgeousness as a unique holiday haven, Parrot Cay is also a playground for health and fitness fanatics like my husband and I. We spent our days doing the complimentary yoga classes, booked in to see the resident Ayurvedic Expert, Dr Pradeep – who became a great inspiration to us both (more on that later), going to the gym, running along the trails, swimming in the sea, as well as the pool, and eating the most delicious vegan fare I have ever tasted.

It will forever remain one of the most special places we have ever been and we cannot wait to book our anniversary return trip…

Parrot Cay Perks

Ayurveda

Resident Ayurvedic expert, Dr Pradeep is an amazing man. We went to a couple of his classes on Pranayama – breathing – and were hooked by his philosophies and his knowledge. Having always been interested in Ayurveda I was keen to take this opportunity to learn more. Developed in India over 5,000 years ago, it is believed that Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. The aim of Ayurevda is to integrate and balance body, mind and soul. It divides us into three constitutional types depending on a persons physical traits and characteristics, known as dohas: vatta, pitta and kapha. Prior to joining COMO, Dr Pradeep was a Senior Naturopath with the world-renowned Jindal Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences in Bangalore, India, as well as the Yoga and Cultural Ambassador to the Ministry of External Affairs for the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both Nick and I booked a one-on-one class with Dr Pradeep who taught us which Dosha we were (I am the epitome of vatta) and his lessons have changed our lifestyles for the better as he educated us on meditation, our breathing and food. If you want to know more about Ayurveda read our article here.

Snorkelling

Turks & Caicos offers some of the best snorkeling in the world. Its shallow waters and reef offer a whole host of flora and fauna beneath the ocean’s surface making it great for kids as there is no need to scuba dive to se the best stuff. Parrot Cay has some wonderful excursions available – we recommend the Sand Dollar Island tour!

The Spa

The spa really is the heart of the resort. We indulged in every treatment going – it was our honeymoon after all – but even on days when we didn’t have a treatment we still found ourselves here doing yoga, meditation or just even popping in for some of the Como ginger tea – on which I became a bit hooked!

Green Juice

Daily green juice on tap – need we say more.

The People

It is worth mentioning the absolutely astounding service at the hotel. Many of the staff are Balinese and they have to be the most wonderfully attentive, kind and gentle people in the world. Not a moment went by when I needed something that was not offered even before I had thought of it. The poolside ice lollies were a massive hit!

For more info go to http://www.comohotels.com/parrotcay  and if you want to book your trip to Parrot Cay visit http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Post-massage

Running the trails

Paddle Boarding

Green Juice