Guest Report

125 room budget all-inclusive hotel at Great Courland Bay (listing)
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Michael Phillips

Guest Report

Post by Michael Phillips »

We read the mixed reviews of this hotel on the website after booking and therefore it was with some trepidation that we arrived at the Hotel particularly as we were taking my rather fussy parents to renew their vows.

We need not have worried unlike some reports we found the hotel clean and very friendly.

This is not a 5 star top quality hotel, but then again we did not pay for that, we considered we paid for a hotel with good basic amenities and services and that’s what we got.

The food was excellent, a superb mix of local dishes and English food meaning that you could try the Goat Curry or plump for something more traditional, in our ten days there we did not consider the wide choices of food at each meal time to be repetitive. The restaurant staff were attentive and friendly, although a little to keen to clear away the plates.

We tried the A La Carte menu on the special day and that was first rate the food was superb.

As a tea drinker you did have to keep asking for additional tea bags at breakfast as they cater more for coffee drinkers, but that’s the same in most places abroad.

The all inclusive package was a bonus as the price list at the bar was more expensive than I would have imagined.

The room was of a good size and clean with basic amenities of a large double bed desk/dressing table and sofa, the view from the balcony over the bay is a delight, the bathroom is basic with a shower bath. The room had a safe and air conditioning which had seen better days but were being replaced during our stay.

We went for the Fridge in our room and found it stocked with beer, water, coke and lemonade every day, no matter how much we drunk.

The room we were in was an incredibly long walk from the bar/reception, but that is probably the price you pay for every room with a sea view. Those who like falling out of their room on to the beach need to consider they may have a trek to the bar, unless they have a fridge in their room.

However the pool around the bar is the Hotel’s greatest asset, a large excellent pool. Swim, drink, eat in the restaurant, lounge on the beds or go in the sea all within the same area.

Entertainment was provided every night and the beech traders/locals were friendly and full of fun, they would instantly leave you alone if asked but ‘helped’ with the entertainment at night. They were passionate about protecting the Turtles and although out of season when we went would search the beeches during the day to ensure that any which hatched were given cool wet accommodation before being released into the sea at night.

Our sink blocked during our stay and this was repaired within hours of being reported but the telephone was never repaired despite asking a number of times. (it did mean that we didn’t pay for the call we had to make from reception)

The water sports section is well stocked with windsurfers and kayaks but the Aquafin is showing it’s age, they do have a Hobbie Cat which cost circa £35 to rent.

Everything the staff could do to make the wedding ceremony a memorable occasion was done including planting flowers around the bases of trees in the chosen location.

I would recommend this hotel to anyone who is not looking for a 5 star hotel, particularly those with children.

Richard B
myTobago Enthusiast
myTobago Enthusiast
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:53 pm
Location: Winchester, UK

Re: Guest Report

Post by Richard B »

In our 3 trips we've always stayed in the "new" block furthest away from the main complex. The disadvantages are stated above in that it's a longish way to the bar/restaurant.

The advantages are
  • it's a long way from the bar and restaurant so quieter.
  • it's closer to the beach than the other rooms. If on ground floor you can go out patio doors and are almost straight on the beach and into the sea.
Note that unless changed the balconies on these rooms and possibly others make it unsuitable for small children.

We are looking at returning in May 2009 but since Virgin have dropped it from brochure I can't get the discount from working for a Virgin company.
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