Love Shack - Reader Reports & Opinion
These reports are a combination of questions and comment posted in our Love Shack forum and visitor reports added via the 'Add Report' tab above. The votes awarded are weighted by volume and date to give a truer representation of reader satisfaction [more details].
Reader Satisfaction Ranking: 
Weighted ranking based on 4 votes = 2.3 (max 5)
Guest Report
Rie Møller Pedersen from Denmark visited in April 2011 and awarded 
My family and I rented the downstairs for a long stay - we were promised that the place were cleaned when we arrived - I must say the totally opposite – there was mole in the fridge – mole on the table – the mattresses were really dirty – and my self got some funny bites on the legs – not mosquitoes. The toilet were leaking and suddenly we also realized that when heavy rain came the roof were leaking too:O( . The place looked for us really run down – and there were nothing to clean with. Suddenly the fridge also broke down and then we called the owner in the States – who started up with that we should be grateful of that we could rent the place for lesser money than normal – We paid around 30.000 TT for the 6 months. For us 30.000 TT is a lot – especially when all this were broken in the house. Because we paid in advance we were a bit stock there – The owner wanted us to go to Scarborough for her and buy a new fridge for her - on that time I did not trust her – so we ended actually up with fixing her old fridge for 500 TT – The so called cleaning lady who are living in village – heard my complains and got really angry – some mornings she came to the house and start to burn plastic on a bonfire in the garden – while We were in the house with my big kid and my little baby – I had to run out with my kids because of the smoke! And what I could see it was because she was angry about that we did not hire her as a cleaning lady – wonder why..........
We love Tobago and love Charlotteville – and the locals – so people should visit this special village with so many histories. But just do NOT rent this place – spent your money on some on the other places who are much much cleaner and well maintained
Guest Report
Kate And Paul Smyth from Canada visited in February 2008 and awarded 
We stayed at “The Love Shack” for a month in February, 2008. We have to say that from our first email to Beverly and David, they replied in a speedy and friendly manner. Beverly was very generous with a great deal of helpful information about Tobago.
The property itself, while small and rustic, is quaint and cozy and generally good value. Unfortunately it simply does not quite live up to the posted description. So we will start there:
1.“ Located just one block from the beach...” It would be more accurate to say a block from the coast. There is not much of a "lovely beach" a block away. Even the beach down the road (Charlotteville) is not suitable for much more than a dip. The good news is that there is a lovely beach (Pirate’s) within about 20-30 minutes of walking.
2.“Bright and breezy...” It was not so bright. The lights in the kitchen and bathroom did not work at all. Ever. This was most frustrating in the bathroom since there was no window and no natural light at all. The local caretaker was aware of this and said it would be fixed. It never was. Even in the Caribbean, a month is adequate for getting an electrician. The family renting downstairs had even more trouble with both a leaky toilet and a broken fridge. For an entire week, we kept a bit of their food in our freezer until their fridge was finally fixed. The breezy part is accurate but be aware that with no screens whatsoever the mosquitoes can be a real concern.
3.“Bird chatter will wake you bright and early...” This was not pleasant bird chirping in the morning. This was roosters at ALL hours. Five or more were roosting in a tree on the property. It was so bothersome that a local man came and shot 5 or 6 of them, which helped a bit. Bird chatter was not the only noise...Not only were there the neighbouring limes which is to be expected, but there was loud, banging music from the beach bar.
4.“Salome will provide a mid-week cleaning...” Never did this happen. The only time we ever saw the caretaker was when she came to verify our lights did not work and when we went to her home to collect clean linen each week.
We experienced several other inconveniences that we think potential renters have a right to know BEFORE handing over $1,000 plus USD.
1.The water goes off periodically for extended periods. This is fine if you know beforehand. We were left unable to shower, to brush our teeth, or to have coffee since most nights the water went off at 7, 8, or 9 pm and did not come back on until 7 am. Once we figured this out, we simply kept a big pot of water in reserve but it would have been nice (actually it would have been expected) to have been told this in advance.
2.On arrival, we had only one broken chair on the porch and a disgustingly mildewed shower and curtain liner. Beverly had asked us to contact her if we had any concerns so we emailed and thankfully the caretaker did bring a new liner (My husband scrubbed the shower and I replaced the liner and threw out the old one myself). We also got two chairs which was wonderful! Then again it was not an unreasonable expectation given that the description said, “the porch is a great place to sit and sip your morning coffee...”
3.There is a large rubbish bin right at the top of the property. Usually this was not a concern, but depending on the wind, there were times where the smell was atrocious. And there was no escaping this because with no ceiling fans we did not want to close the windows!
All in all these things would not stop us from recommending The Love Shack. It is just that potential renters certainly have a right to know all of this in advance! If you can live with a rustic unit, that may or may not have lights, where the water is off periodically, where you will encounter roosters and other noise regularly, then it is fine. Knowing all of this we may have rented anyway...but not for a month. It is more suitable as a base for a stay of a few days in Charlotteville.
Guest Report
Kate Kirkby from Canada visited in December 2007 and awarded 
The Love Shack was spotlessly clean when we arrived. It is incredibly close to the beach and a short walk to town. It afforded us the true Tobago experience; no tourists, an exceptional roti shop (the Kountry Kitchen) right next door and flocks of wild parrots flying overhead. We saw blue crested mot mots, a variety of hummingbirds, pheasant-like birds and a pile of others that we couldn't identify while liming on the front porch, Carib in hand. The neighbours are friendly and the town is great. Loads of fun to walk down to the fisherman's co-op, and see what they've hauled in that day.
All in all a very pleasant experience, and we'll be back to stay at the Love Shack.
Guest Report
Caroline from U.K. visited in January 2007 and awarded
We found the Love Shack a very nice pretty private place to stay, nessled amongst banana trees and other lush vegetation. It's a short walk down to the quiet end of the beach - and best spot from which to head out snorkelling around booby island. Charlotteville town centre (if you can call it that) is a bit further, but really not far. The Love Shack was out perfect little hideaway on some days, and easy to move around from on others. There's enough space for 2 and it's nicely decorated. Definately recommend it if you want your privacy as a couple, without paying a fortune, while staying in the midst of everyday Togago life but on the fringes of Charlotteville.
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