Alibaba's Sea Breeze - Review Page 3
Bathroom
The bathroom is adequately spacious and equipped with the usual combination of washbasin, toilet and shower. Like the kitchen sink, the washbasin is only plumbed for cold water.
The shower has an instantaneous water heater. This arrangement is very common in a village where some guest houses and rental apartment have no hot water at all. It is a shame, because these heaters are somewhat temperamental and unreliable and even when working perfectly, could never be awarded more than a five-out-of-ten rating. I regular say in reviews that my list of “top 10 most desirable features” is topped by a comfortable bed, followed by a decent shower in second place. So, Alibaba’s Sea Breeze: Bed 9; Shower 5.
The bathroom is fitted with a double 110v shaver/electricity point. An electric hair dryer and a small security safe are also provided. All fittings were serviceable and in good condition.
Kitchen
Moving to the front of the apartment, the kitchen is reasonably spacious and well laid out and equipped. Everything was immaculately clean – something that many small hospitality properties on Tobago could learn from. We used these same words, near enough, in our first review in 2006 and whilst we were genuinely impressed, the truth was that it was a new venture and everything was new, so it wasn’t as if any huge housekeeping skills were involved at that time. However, as I regularly also say, the tropics are a hard taskmaster and the salt-laden sea air can destroy utensils and fittings of otherwise-excellent quality in just a year or two. So, how did Sea Breeze fare five years later? Well, like new. Perhaps they were new. Don’t care! The fact is that they are setting standards that are unsurpassed in this neck of the woods.
Kitchen fittings and equipment included a four-ring propane gas oven/stove, a medium-sized fridge with small (ice cube) freezer section, an electric coffee filter machine, electric toaster and a kettle (heated on stove). There is a small but adequate collection of cookery, crockery, glassware and cooking and kitchen utensils. Considerately, small plastic containers of salt and sugar are provided, together with a pack of candles and boxes of matches for use during those far from infrequent power failures.
Tucked into the corner, beside the kitchen, a table with two chairs can be used for dining – or easily moved onto the adjacent balcony for al fresco dining, if preferred. A third chair, located in the bedroom area, could easily be brought into service at the table if required.
Balcony
To the front of each apartment is a spacious (3.6x1.75m) covered balcony furnished with two cushioned armchairs and a small table. Access to the balcony is via full-width glazed doors from the kitchen area. With the doors open and pinned back, the balcony almost becomes part of the kitchen/dining area. The overhang of the upper floor, plus the shade of a tall tree in front of the property, keeps the balconies remarkably sheltered, even when raining.
A washing line is discreetly mounted in front of the balustrade. It may not present the best public view and impression of the property from the beach, but it does at least mean that guests have somewhere to dry wet items such as swimwear and beach towels.
The balconies of the four apartments are separated by decorative wood and tapestry-effect partitions, with an angled front. They provide a perfectly acceptable level of privacy between the apartments, whilst allowing neighbours standing at the balustrade to communicate. All four apartments were occupied during our stay and yet we were virtually unaware that we had neighbours. Mind you, the noise of the surf breaking immediately beneath the apartments masks most sounds, so honeymoon couples need have no fear of embarrassment.
The views from the balcony can only be described as stunning. There are perfect views of both beaches and the entire bay, backed by the green, lush hills surrounding the village.
Conclusion
We thoroughly enjoyed our six days at Sea Breeze and time passed all too quickly.
Jill is a total beach-granny. She has been in seventh-heaven here. Her pleasure at being able to stroll down to the beach carrying nothing more than a towel and a bottle of cold coconut water cannot be described. She would move into the apartment permanently today, if given the chance.
One of us needs to remain more objective. Truth is, however, that it is very hard to be objective in such a stunning location.
As regular readers know, I am not normally given to superlatives. However, the inescapable and honest truth is that in terms of location, service levels, cleanliness, levels of furnishing and equipment, Alibaba’s Sea Breeze undeniably represents the best value-for-money beachside accommodation, not just in Castara, but anywhere in Tobago.
The fact is that Castara is still a fairly unique experience. We genuinely look forward to our return and bid a fond farewell to two of the nicest, most honest, people in Castara.
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