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DANGLING at the southern end of the Bahamas island chain like an after-thought, Turks and Caicos was often overlooked as a Caribbean destination. But thanks to some of the swankiest names in hotels — Regent,The Leading Hotels of The World, Amanresorts and Meriden, to name a few — Turks and Caicos is now firmly on the map of those seeking a beach vacation with heavy pampering and a splash of indulgence. It is the kind of place where hotel staff members adjust your beach chair umbrella as the sun shifts and pass out cool towels to keep you from overheating. And moderately priced hotels have maid service a mere two times a day, instead of providing guests with a small army of personal servants. Technically, the islands are in the Atlantic, but with this level of coddling — not to mention some of the bluest waters in the world — who cares?

The Turks and Caicos offer the best of the Caribbean - in Atlantic waters. Island hop by ferry or rove on-island on a rented bike or scooter. One of the world's longest coral reefs, 230 miles of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a bounty of dive spots lure visitors to the Turks and Caicos' eight major islands, just east of the Bahamas. Bird sanctuary French Cay, underwater Columbus Landfall National Park and Caicos Conch Farm are among the major attractions of these legendarily friendly isles.

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas, north of Hispaniola, and 914 kilometres (494 nmi) from Miami, at 21°45′N, 71°35′W. The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas, but is politically a separate entity. The Caicos Islands are in the British West Indies and are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands, Mayaguana and Great Inagua.