Post Recreated: Originally posted - 22 November 2002
I have just come back from 2 weeks at the Grafton Beach Resort. The first week didn't seem too bad. The hotel was adequate, the food was mixed, some meals good and some bad. Lunches were particularly poor. There was a good selection of drinks at the bar, and as much as one could consume. As the week went on, things started to rankle. The entertainmet was repetitive, the bar was always busy and service was poor, and there was a serious shortage of seating in the one lounge/reception area. The staff were not unfriendly, but they appeared totally disinterested in the customers. They make no attempt to make conversation, seeming to be constantly fed up with their lot. Evenings started to drag. There is only one bar, inadequate seating and poor service. The hotel grounds are fairly small, so an evening stroll means walking along the main road. (The gate to the beach is locked at 6.00pm).
By the start of the second week things started to get interesting. A mystery illness struck the hotel. About half of the residents suffered from symptoms not unlike food poisoning (sickness, diarrhoea, stomach ache, flu-like symptoms). The hospital doctor was rushed off his feet, and health inspectors arrived from Trinidad to take samples. A one year old baby was taken to hospital. Most of the residents were either unable to eat (through illness) or were going out of the resort to eat. While this was happening, more quests (victims?) were still arriving and becoming ill. Half way through the second week a water main burst, leaving much of the hotel with no water. My room had no water for 26 hours. My wife and I both suffered the mystery ailment. I cannot understand why the hotel was not closed and all of the guests moved out.
Since returning home, we have been trying to find out if the cause of the illness has been identified, but no luck yet. (Our tour operator is on the case). The hotel appeared to be very badly run. The staff were not supervised enough, and consequently did not have to try too hard. No one ever had any explanations for anything. All they ever did was apologise, but could not do anything. Food hygiene appeared to be of a lower standard than would be acceptable in the UK.
Would I return to the Grafton? Definitely not!
Grafton Beach Resort
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 November 2002
I have just come back from staying in Courland Villa (Great Courland bay - just down the road from Rex Turtle Beach Hotel) and 6 out of 11 of us were struck with the same illness. The doctor and the pharmacist both said it was something going around that particular area, but couldn't give any specific answer to what it was. We had been eating out at various restaurants in the area. It seemed to affect all 6 people after eating at 'Me-shells' restaurant - but this could be a coincidence. We feel it might have been in the water as we were drinking tap water and using it for ice. Plus we were told that no locals caught the bug, but seemed to know of the symptoms. Ref. your comments on Grafton beach resort - we visited rex turtle beach hotel once for lunch and once for an evening meal. We felt it was very restricted, and the staff seem to look put out if you wanted something. We were glad we stayed in a villa and toured the island, and eat in many restaurants - the locals are very friendly and couldn't do enough for us. Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Tobago and would definitely go back.
I have just come back from staying in Courland Villa (Great Courland bay - just down the road from Rex Turtle Beach Hotel) and 6 out of 11 of us were struck with the same illness. The doctor and the pharmacist both said it was something going around that particular area, but couldn't give any specific answer to what it was. We had been eating out at various restaurants in the area. It seemed to affect all 6 people after eating at 'Me-shells' restaurant - but this could be a coincidence. We feel it might have been in the water as we were drinking tap water and using it for ice. Plus we were told that no locals caught the bug, but seemed to know of the symptoms. Ref. your comments on Grafton beach resort - we visited rex turtle beach hotel once for lunch and once for an evening meal. We felt it was very restricted, and the staff seem to look put out if you wanted something. We were glad we stayed in a villa and toured the island, and eat in many restaurants - the locals are very friendly and couldn't do enough for us. Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Tobago and would definitely go back.
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 28 November 2002
Just got back and thought I better warn people - but see somebody beat me to it. Simon, did you eat or drink at the Grand Courlan or Grafton (theyre effectively one hotel)? Our maid told us that these hotels were the common denominator in ALL cases and its apparently believed to be food poisoning, not some bug. There's a lot of activity going on there at the moment. They seem to be stripping out the kitchens or something. Anyway, we had a magic couple of weeks in a villa overlooking these hotels and if my credit card will stand it, well be back next year.
Just got back and thought I better warn people - but see somebody beat me to it. Simon, did you eat or drink at the Grand Courlan or Grafton (theyre effectively one hotel)? Our maid told us that these hotels were the common denominator in ALL cases and its apparently believed to be food poisoning, not some bug. There's a lot of activity going on there at the moment. They seem to be stripping out the kitchens or something. Anyway, we had a magic couple of weeks in a villa overlooking these hotels and if my credit card will stand it, well be back next year.
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 30 November 2002
We did eat at the Seahorse which I think is part of the Grafton - isn't it? But it was about 28 hours after eating at the Seahorse, that 5 of our group came down with the illness, which I thought if you get food poisoning, it would be within 5-8 hours after (I might be wrong).
We did eat at the Seahorse which I think is part of the Grafton - isn't it? But it was about 28 hours after eating at the Seahorse, that 5 of our group came down with the illness, which I thought if you get food poisoning, it would be within 5-8 hours after (I might be wrong).
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Post Recreated: Originally posted - 30 November 2002
Sorry to jump in here, guys, by I thought I ought to intercede and stress that the Seahorse Inn is most definitely NOT connected with either Le Grand Courlan or the Grafton – and I suspect the owner of the Seahorse Inn would be most hurt if he thought that anyone had gained that impression, particularly under current circumstances. According to the press reports I notice posted here this morning, the problem seems to have been totally isolated to Le Grand Courlan and Grafton so it seems a strange coincidence that your party was affected if you didn’t use the Grand Courlan/Grafton facilities at all.
Sorry to jump in here, guys, by I thought I ought to intercede and stress that the Seahorse Inn is most definitely NOT connected with either Le Grand Courlan or the Grafton – and I suspect the owner of the Seahorse Inn would be most hurt if he thought that anyone had gained that impression, particularly under current circumstances. According to the press reports I notice posted here this morning, the problem seems to have been totally isolated to Le Grand Courlan and Grafton so it seems a strange coincidence that your party was affected if you didn’t use the Grand Courlan/Grafton facilities at all.
Steve Wooler
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