Insider Spotlight: Vasco Borges on Turks & Caicos

Vasco Borges came to Turks and Caicos to stay for three months. Twenty years later, he is heading up an expanding property portfolio (while raising his children here), including Beach Enclave, where they are adding more villas, sports amenities like pickleball, a kids’ club at the Grace Bay location in the winter—and enjoying newer highlights like a Mediterranean-style beach club at Long Bay.

How have you seen Turks & Caicos evolve?

“There was nothing really here 20 and 30 years ago—no service culture or tourism. But with the beautiful beaches and quick flight from New York, it was discovered. It’s no longer just about Grace Bay beach—we have Long Bay with amazing kiteboarding and the Bluff Bar at North Shore. The barefoot luxury experience has remained.

For me, I wanted to build my dream product—an enriching place that feels like I am home with lots of friends and family but combining it with hotel amenities, very personalized but discreet. The butler is more of a house or family manager, a focal point for your stay that serves drinks, yes, but manages the overall experience for you.

It worked out because it was at the right time with the trend of multigenerational families and groups of friends wanting to stay in villas. And one thing that is very important to me and I’d say reflects sustainability also—how much of the staff is actually from the destination? All our concierge and resort managers are local and have been here forever.”

Do you have a favorite activity for visitors?

“Go to the water, that’s what’s magical here. It has a different feel and it’s just good for you. Go on a boat, go kiteboarding, go snorkeling, go kayaking. Go horseback riding on the beach, go swim with the whales a mile from the shore. When guests book, we give them a credit on water activities—100 percent of our guests get out there. There are also fantastic spas at The Palms, Seven Stars and Parrot Cay.”

Can you talk about a few of your favorite restaurants?

For lunch, I love Omar’s Beach Shack for toes in the sand, lobster and fish. Da Conch Shack has live music on Wednesday evenings—and you’re going to dance, I guarantee it. For fine dining, I love Coco Bistro and Caicos Cafe.”

What’s always in your carry-on?

“Muji has a really comfortable sleeping mask that I love and I always bring multivitamins from Life Extension.”