Behind the Design of Beaches Turks and Caicos' Newest Treasure Beach Village

A stroll through Beaches Turks and Caicos takes families past the lively waterpark and through the island aromas of salt, sand and jerk chicken to the edge of the resort’s latest innovation: Treasure Beach Village.

Step from the world-famous Grace Bay beach into the sea-inspired lobby, where something special immediately consumes you. It isn’t just the magnitude of the $150M project, with its 101 rooms, three restaurants, Starfish Cinema theater, and impressive three-story villas…  although all of it is undeniably spectacular.

You sense it. You feel it. You know you haven’t experienced anything quite like it.

“It’s hard to put your finger on,” says Danielle Darling, Senior Manager of Interior Design for Sandals and Beaches.

It took a village to create this village, and Darling played a central role, listening to imaginative ideas, sharpening them into a vision, and discovering designers, artisans, and craftsmen who could bring the vision to life.

She’s the perfect person to help us unpack what makes Treasure Beach Village so unique, so read on as we go behind the design of Beaches Turks and Caicos’ newest addition with her.

A family enters Treasure Beach Village. In a word, what do you want them to feel right away?
Grand. That’s the keyword. Everyone should feel embraced by the Caribbean. You’re met in the reception area with a view of the beach framed between four columns draped in bougainvillea. You see the artwork, fabrics, and the custom conch wall, and you realize you’ve never been anywhere like this.

Why are people talking about the conch wall?

It makes a striking first impression and creates a true sense of arrival, immediately immersing guests in the beauty and spirit of Turks and Caicos. We partnered with local conch artist Stanford Handfield or “The TCI Shell Man,” who transforms conch shells into unique works of art, including one that reveals a beautiful rose-like form once the shell is cut. We commissioned him to create what we proudly call ‘Roses of Provo,’ (short for Providenciales, the name of the main island in Turks and Caicos) a floor-to-ceiling installation featuring over 800 individually cut conch shells. It’s our grand welcome to Turks and Caicos, Beaches 2.0, and Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
 

How were you able to take a blank slate and turn it into Treasure Beach Village?

It starts with an army of people and a lot of open dialogue about creative ideas. No idea is too big. We gradually refined the vision and had consultants present us with choices for colors, artwork, flooring, and sightlines. Every piece of art tells a small story, contributing to the unique definition of this village's true treasure. 

What is the “true treasure” you’re talking about?

The guest. We want everyone who walks into Treasure Beach Village to see themselves as the treasure. That’s the special something you feel.
 

How did the natural beauty and environment of Turks & Caicos influence the design of Treasure Beach Village?

We mirrored the destination in the design. Turks and Caicos is one of most beautiful places you’ll ever see, so it makes sense to bring the outside in through the use of space, art, and shades of blue that reflect the waves, ocean life, and the beach. You’ll also see the unique environment come through in the subtle hints of pink, inspired by shells and coral reefs, and the use of creams and light furniture that connect you back to Turks and Caicos infamous white sand. The intention was to create a space where there’s no disconnect between what’s outside and what’s inside. 

How did you find artisans who could create a strong connection to Turks and Caicos?

Research and relationships. We spent a lot of time traveling across the island, meeting artisans wherever they were, in their homes, in studios, even in parking lots. It was important to find artists who truly understand the island and the Caribbean at large, with the know-how to work with natural materials and design in a way that was authentic. The featured artists we chose represent that.

Take the wall behind the reception desk in the lobby as an example. We saw an opportunity to make an immediate impression, which is why we leaned into conch art as a nod to the island. It’s one of those details that instantly grounds you in Turks and Caicos from the moment you arrive.

You’ll see that same approach carried throughout the village. Whether it’s custom installations that echo the movement and color of the ocean, or bold, hand-painted murals that bring in tropical tones and textures, each piece is intentionally designed to reflect the surroundings.
Everything works together to create a space that feels calm, immersive, and deeply connected to this beautiful destination.

Treasure Beach Village has Beaches’ first-ever food hall. What’s the goal with design?

Our goal was to create an eclectic fusion of cuisines and environments that feels both dynamic and intentional. Rather than leaning into a single design style, we curated a variety of furnishings and settings so guests can dine here multiple times throughout their stay and enjoy a different experience each time.

For example, near the Italian cuisine, the space features more booths and a cozier atmosphere, reminiscent of the warmth and comfort associated with Italian dining. Closer to the windows, the palette shifts to light blues and natural wood tones, creating an airy, coastal feel that reflects the Caribbean setting and pairs perfectly with offerings like the conch-forward menu.

They were both such fun concepts to work on. My favorite feature is the double staircase at the Cinema, which is truly one of a kind. We tapped local artists like Aysha Stephen, who created a playful collection of local island animals wearing oversized spectacles, to help add a layer of fun to the design. Seeing a donkey or flamingo wearing sunglasses makes the space feel so jovial. It also sparks a question of what island life looks like through the lens of an animal, which fits the idea of a cinema in a unique way. 

For BRU Coffee Bar, we had Ashley Aarons paint immersive tropical murals of palm leaves with a colorful twist, to keep guests immersed in this tropical oasis. She used the village's signature blue hues and contrasted them with shades of orange. It's another example of the inside and outside being one.
What can you tell us about the aesthetic in the Chairman’s Penthouse Suite?

What can you tell us about the aesthetic in the Chairman’s Penthouse Suite?

If I stayed there, I’d never want to leave, and that’s exactly how guests will feel. The moment you walk in, you’re met with this beautiful glass staircase that immediately sets the tone. It feels elevated, open, and like a new expression of Caribbean luxury. At over 2,000 square feet, the suite is expansive, with a full kitchen and plenty of space to truly settle in and relax.

We merged the incredible ocean views with an artistic moment inside. One hundred and eight individually crafted tropical fish sculptures (none are alike), created by local artist Wellington William, line the wall and mirror the movement and color of the turquoise water just beyond the balcony. Everything works together to create a space that feels calm, immersive, and tells a story unique to Turks and Caicos. 
 

What’s it like to see early renderings of Treasure Beach Village come to life?

You spend so much time in conversations, working through ideas and always putting yourself in the shoes of the guest. When it finally becomes real, it’s a proud moment, no question. But what’s even more meaningful is seeing the guest experience go beyond what we originally imagined. That’s where the magic really happens, when guests feel taken care of in a way that feels special and effortless, like they are the treasure. To us, it’s a real-life glimpse into the future of Beaches Resorts.