Sealevel Guesthouse - Reader Reports & Opinion
These reports are a combination of questions and comment posted in our Sealevel Guesthouse forum and visitor reports added via the 'Add Report' tab above.
Reader Satisfaction Ranking: 
Average vote of 6 readers = 1.5 (max = 5)
Guest Report - Sealevel Guesthouse
Gavin Parsons from Canada visited in November 2007 and awarded 
We had to cancel our orignal booking at Birdie,s Nest because of construction of a government seawall to stablize the beach. It was beyond the owners control (Prince)and he had emailed just after we had left. Good fellow by the way very apologetic and helpful
So we decided to move to Castara and find something there.
The only place we could find was Sea Level Apts.
We are used to simple accomadation and were prepared for something less then we normally have taken because of short notice.
We stayed two days and should have left after the first night. The noise level was totally unacceptable.The owners family constantly fighting and bickering, dogs continually barking. We had to scavenge kitchen utensils from other rooms to make a meal. We neve got a clean towel or linen from staff. The place was half under construction with debris everywhere. There were a myriad of other things, but I think I have made my point. Even as a last resort I wouldn't wish that place on anyone.
Extremely Disappointed
Shawn Kidner from Australia visited in November 2007 and awarded
I am writing to inform you of a serious offence committed by the management of Sea Level Guest House, Castara.
My partner and I spent 6 weeks in Trinidad and Tobago in October/November of 2007, and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty and culture of your Republic. However, due to one bad experience at the Sea Level Guest House, we are hesitant to return.
We stayed in Sea Level Guest House, Castara, on the 8th and 9th November 2007, and enjoyed the area immensely. The hotel manager at the time was Doris. When we checked out on the Saturday, we left our cell phone behind in our room. It was 3 days later when we realized it was missing, and contacted the Sea Level Guest House. Doris confirmed that her manager Lino had the cell phone, and so we arranged to come to pick it up the next day, which we did.
On arrival back in Australia, we received our cell phone bill, and were shocked to find that during the 4 days that Sea Level Management had the phone, the had made over 100 calls to Europe in that time, resulting in an expense of over $450 US dollars. The management had used the cell phone until 5 minutes before we arrived to pick up the cell phone, almost half a day after we had contacted them to inform we were coming to pick it up.
Had we been in Trinidad and Tobago when we found out that this crime had occurred, we would have contacted the police immediately, as it constitutes stealing. As it happened, we didn't discover this until we were back in Australia, and so are unable to follow this through with the police.
We contacted Sea Level immediately. Unsurprisingly, they denied fault, and informed us that they had the right to use the cell phone for their personal use as we had left it behind, which is both incorrect in a legal sense, and unethical for a guest house manager.
If this is acceptable behaviour in T&T, I can assure you that our friends in Canada, USA and Australia have been equally as perturbed by this incident as we were.
I am writing to you to inform you of the disgraceful behaviour that the management of this guesthouse displayed. It is a shame that one person's behaviour can give a beautiful destination such a bad reputation.
Thanks to the efforts of Steve from this website My Tobago who has spent considerable time (months) chasing Sea Level management we were able to receive payment for the calls made. This was a very difficult process and although the money was eventually repaid, Sea Level management are still obviously very unethical people and we are obliged to not let them walk away from this incident without public mention of this matter.
Please carefully consider your choice of accommodation when staying in Castara.
Regards,
Shawn
Perfectly Located For The Beach!
Julia D from U.K. visited in August 2005 and awarded 
Our room had 2 beds with mosquito nets, kitchenette, fan, ensuite bathroom and a lovely balcony with sea view. The owner puts food out for the birds in the garden, so the balcony is also great for birdwatching! Snorkelling equipment is available.
Sealevel Guesthouse, Castara 05 Apr 2005
Derek from Midwest
I've just returned from a two week vacation in T&T. The first week I spent in Castara at the Sea Level Guesthouse. Thomas, the owner, was an incredibly gracious host from start to finish. He always made sure I was happy and had everything I needed.
The room contained a double bed, table and chairs, separate chairs on the deck, refrigerator, kitchenette with utensils and a bathroom with shower.
The guesthouse itself is located less than 100m from Castara beach. You can get to the beach by either taking a short walk down the road past the Naturalist or by talking an even shorter walk right through the garden.
Besides the location and rooms, two other things worth mentioning are the birds and the barbeque. Junior, the gardener maintains a good number of bird feeders about the guesthouse that attract the most beautiful sugar birds. The barbeque, put on by the Sea Level on Thursdays, is also a great time even if you don't stay at the guesthouse.
One last thing that I feel is important to note is the Sea Level's support of the local community. After talking with several of the local Castara people, I discovered that the Sea Level guesthouse sponsors the village football team, works with the local fisherman and tour operators and holds an annual barbeque for the local people after the heavy tourist season.
If you are looking for affordable accommodation in Castara close to the beach, check out the Sea Level Guesthouse!
Sea Level Guesthouse Castara 25 Feb 2005
David Watkins from Bude Cornwall Uk
I stayed at short notice at the Sealevel for a week before Christmas.Mine host,Thomas makes all his guests very welcome and has a very good bbq on Thursdays.The accommodation,while basic is good value for money(30-40US$pp/pn) with all apartmentments having a view of the bay to some extent.It is about 80m from the beach just behind the Naturalist.If you are looking for budget accommodation in Castara then this is the place.
David
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