Blue Haven Review March 04

[Rob Dracup]

We have just returned from a week and half stay at the Blue Haven Hotel and have had a wonderful time. I will start by covering all the positives. The room was excellent with everything working, and a large and comfortable bathroom with a glass wall (with blind if wanted) being a really nice feature. You can shower and , without fear being overlooked, gaze out to sea. We had a balcony with lovely views of the Caribbean sunsets. We did have a problem with the safe, which was resolved within 5 minutes of a call to reception. The beach was very good, not large, has some moderate sized breakers (like all other beaches we visited) and it is public but still very nice and feels safe. The food in the restaurant was excellent with a good choice, sensible but very adequate proportions, and the premier all inclusive does include lobster at no extra cost! Breakfast was also very good. Service was relaxed but not a problem. One could very easily consider other plans (e.g. breakfast only) and eat at other restaurants around the island on some nights. Many other guests did this, eating in some nights and out others. There are 4 or 5 good places within 20 min taxi ride (about US$20/25 return fare). We hired a car for 2 days to explore the island, the rain forest, and other beaches. There was plenty to see and do, and we could easily have done more. Of course not everyone is looking for the same thing and it is only fair to highlight areas that others might consider an issue though they were not for us. This is the Caribbean and the island has a developing tourist industry. Service was relaxed and very easy going, and yes, sometimes slow, so if you are looking for 5 star obsequious attention don't come here. If a gym is important to you, you will be disappointed, though you will be able to get an excellent massage. The beach bar is stretched when busy, which we found on 2 occasions, but since a day on the beach is not usually a hurried activity it wasn't a big problem. On the two Sundays we were there, there was 2 hours of local football on the beach, but nothing on Saturdays and it is public beach, like all in Tobago. A minor irritation but again not a significant problem. We looked around Crown Point which is more developed and busier and probably easier access to activities, bars, clubs etc. However if you want a relaxed, special and unique holiday in Tobago I would not hesitate to recommend the Blue Haven to you.