Castara Retreats Lodges - Reader Reports & Opinion
Castara Retreats Vs. Blue Mango 11 Jul 2006
Natalie S. from Trinidad
Hi, I'm planning a romantic vacation for my boyfriend, and I want to go somewhere other than Crown Point area. I had decided on Castara Retreats, the Osprey, and then I saw the Blue Mango Cottages website. The Sweet Point cottage, either level is actually cheaper per night than the Osprey or Pelican at Castara Retreats. But they don't have any really good pictures of the cottage. Can someone give me a comparison? I like the idea of having a separate bedroom, as opposed to a studio and that is what would sell Blue Mango for me over Osprey, which is what I was going to go with.
Can anyone help me out with this. I want it to be as perfect as possible.
Editors Report: Mytobago Review 17 Apr 2006
Steve Wooler from Long Melford, Suffolk, England
Although we didn't stay at Castara Retreats during our 2006 tour of Tobago, we spent 16 days in Castara. During that time we visited Castara Retreats several times and returned on two other occassions during our stay to view progress of the new lodges and take photographs. Based on these visits, we have be able to add an update to our original 2005 review of the property. In summary we can only say that the two new lodges, Coasthanger and Birdsong, take Castara Retreats to new levels.
Castara Retreats, Coasthanger 08 Mar 2006
Sioned And Tim Sims from Wales
Too painful an experience to recall straight after the event. Its been weeks now, and I still shudder a wistful sigh when I have to remember that awful day we had to leave Castara Retreats and especially Coasthanger, to come home.
This was our fourth visit. Arriving in Tobago is now almost like coming home. As ever, Porridge was there to pick us up at the airport and with the formalities over (huge smiles and huge hugs) we stopped off at Penny Savers to do a siege shop for our two weeks stay.
Having stayed at most of the other accommodation we thought we would go for one of the new lodges. The pictures on the website looked fantastic. So with high expectations we arrived at Coasthanger. We were not disappointed. The first fantastic new development we experienced was the new road you drive up to get to the accommodation; no more dragging cases and shopping up the steep path from the road! My life was complete.
Coasthanger is special. It´s the only way I can describe it. When you walk in for the first time you notice an amazing sense of space. The whole building is made of red cedar – the walls, floors, shutters and the amazing vaulted roof – so as the sun moves around during the day the smell and colour of the wood is just beautiful. The living area is open plan with plenty of space for dining and just relaxing on the comfy cane suite. The shutters on two sides can be pulled up so you get uninterrupted mind-blowing views of both beaches on one side and the rugged coastline to the other. As the name suggests you do feel as though you are hanging over the sea. The well-equipped kitchen is just off this area (I wish I had one like this at home). The fridge freezer is the size of a small bungalow, so plenty of room for ice cold Carib and ice for your rum punch. The cooker is big enough to cook Christmas dinner for a medium sized army; this takes self-catering to a different level.
The bedroom is, as you would expect, airy and spacious with double doors, which open out onto a little balcony overlooking the beach. The comfortable queen-sized bed looks like a fairy tale four poster with its draping mozzy net. And there is plenty of hanging and storage space so if you´re not a light traveller you will be OK. There is also a security safe which we managed to fit all our travel money, documents and two laptop computers (12inch ibook size) into,. The ensuite shower room has a very good shower with constant hot water, (not something you get in all Tobagan accommodation.)
We really do think that Steve and Sue, the British owners of Castara Retreats, have thought of everything. On the day you reluctantly have to leave, with the long gap between vacating your Castara Retreats apartment and leaving for the airport, you don´t have to sit on the beach with your cases. They have a newly built utility block which houses a security room with safes to leave your luggage and valuables in and a shower room to wash off the sand from your last swim.
But even that doesn´t soften the blow of leaving. How do you abandon this simple red cedar palace, poised commandingly above beaches and rugged coastline, with its views framed by trees and the movement of vivid birds? How do you walk out on this airy stage for so many bright memories? Not without pain.
We were once people who believed that you should never return to the same place twice as it would never be the same; I can confirm this, IT GETS BETTER. Castara and Castara Retreats with its views, bird life and people is just stunning. Porridge and Jeanelle are perfect and caring hosts.
I think I may have now babbled too much. This place is enough to make Tobago bores of anyone. We have already booked for next Christmas; my only question now, after that wistful sigh, is what´s August like?
Regards
Sioned and Tim
Castara Retreats, Third Visit 11 Sep 2005
Sioned And Tim Sims from Wales
Castara Retreats; our third trip
We have been home now for almost two months and the longing to be back has not left us, so much so I have just booked our fourth trip for December.
As this was our third trip we had no apprehensions, we knew that Porridge would be at the airport to pick us up, and as predicted he was there with an enormous smile and a huge hug. It was like coming home.
On the way to Castara Retreats we stopped off at Penny Saver to pick up some shopping (cases of Carib and rum top of the list).
We had booked Osprey for two weeks, having stayed there for a week last Christmas, but things had changed. The covered deck had now been extended, there is now plenty of room for a dining area and a separate area for the comfortable loungers. To one side of the deck there is a new large paved area so you can sit out and catch a few rays, but the one thing that hasn´t changed is the view, I could wax lyrical for pages about the view but all I´ll say is it is the best in Castara. It was all still there, the sea, the rain forest, the wildlife, the birds (even if they do steal your breakfast)
The only thing we were slightly concerned about was the weather. This was the only time we had been in the middle of the rainy season. We soon discovered there is no such thing as bad weather in Tobago. its just weather, We saw it all when we were there. The first week we had plenty of sun, rain, and yes we experienced Emily.
The day started as any other, blazing sunshine, but the fishermen were pulling their boats out of the water. Porridge soon arrived to tell us that there was a hurricane warning and not to worry as Osprey and Pelican (the other downstairs studio apartment ) had been built hurricane proof,” they were going nowhere”, and we were to expect guests for the night.
The party started that afternoon. Food was cooked, torches and candles were sourced, and deck furniture stowed. All was ready. We kept up to date with developments by listening to the radio but more importantly checked the My Tobago site, and Paul's updates. Thank you Paul you were fantastic.
Luckily Emily was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm,(still very dramatic ) we lost electricity, and at one stage had 15 people, locals included, snugly in our two person apartment. It could have been serious, but at no stage did we feel unsafe. We made a lot of new friends. All i can say is it was not an unpleasant experience.
The next morning dawned to brilliant sunshine, a few trees uprooted, and the odd tin roof missing, but all was well in Castara. The rest of our stay was blissful. We swam, read ,went on fantastic boat trips with Duck,ate some brilliant meals and drank a lot of rum . All in all thoroughly looked after.
We know that Tobago is special, and Castara Retreats is a little bit of paradise on earth but this two week holiday confirmed all our beliefs;
the Tobagan people are so warm and friendly. The island is both restful and exiting at the same time. Two week is not enough.
Only 88 days to go til the next two!
Regards
Sioned and Tim
Realising The Dream
Anthony Mills
We spent hours looking at websites on Tobago before choosing Castara Retreats. their website is very informative and gave us a really good picture of the accomodation and of the village. Our biggest supprise when we got there was that it was even better than we had expected. The village is idyllically situated between the rainforest and the two beaches; the local people are friendly and fun and Castara Retreats is by far the best place i have ever stayed.
Pelican is a studio apartment and the least expensive of the accomodation on offer but was still quality with everything in place from comfy chairs and beds to discreet lighting and a powerful shower. Yet the comfort and quality were secondary to the most stunning views imaginable. We simply sat and soaked up the sounds and images of the beach, the sea, the birds and the village. The gardens are extensive, with little paths and shady spots to sit and a pagoda for watching the sun set. We spent more time around the house and garden than on the beach. We met the other guests and even joined in a barbeque prepared by Duck, the neighbour who lives further up the hill. We didn't make it on one of his boat trips but intend to next time.
Someone had written in the visitor's book a thank you to the owner;s for "realising the dream". It's true. A sort of Robinson Crusoe simple life but with comforts and safety and friendly people thrown in. My friend and I were there for a week of bird watching but this summer I have booked to go back with my girlfriend for our two week summer hooliday and we absolutely can't wait.
Casatara is a great place to stay and if the retreat is beyond your budget we met people who said there are many other places to stay in the village and even right on the beach. The prices vary as does the standard but there seems to be something to suit everyone's pocket. There are guest houses, single apartments adjoining people's houses and new purpose built apartments rights next to the beach. All seem to have a good reputation, particularly for friendliness.
Anthony Mills
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