Arnos Vale Vacation Apartments - Review Page 4
Gardens
Victor and Ursline clearly take very great pride in their large and very lovely gardens. Despite being adjacent to the Arnos Vale Road, they are a total oasis of peace and quiet. With the preponderance of birdlife around Arnos Vale, it is hardly surprising that the gardens attract so many birds, particularly during the early mornings when Victor fills the feeders with tasty morsels.
In addition to two padded recliners, there are several ornamental benches and a garden table and chairs with parasol where guests can sit in privacy and enjoy the serene environment. The gardens are a mass of ornamental fruit trees and guests are welcome to help themselves to all fruit in season. The grapefruit tree just outside our apartment was laden with the sweetest and tastiest grapefruit I have ever tasted.
Victor also has a lovely shaded outside fish pond packed with a nice collection of koi carp. As a former collector of these wonderful creatures, I am delighted to say that they appeared to be in tip top health and I wish the water in my ponds had been as clear as Victor’s.
Beaches
It is a very pleasant 10-minute walk to Arnos Vale beach – a typical picture postcard tropical beach. 
The fact that a small hotel borders the beach is only a minor irritation and, in fact, thefacilities of that hotel can be welcome (although bar prices are well over-the-odds).
Snorkelling in Arnos Vale Bay is generally perceived to be the best on the island and conditions are suitable for both novice and advanced snorkelers. The small reef is still in good condition and you will see a wonderful variety of colourful tropical fish. Turtles are not unknown during the breeding season (April-July) and at other times manta rays and moray eels are not uncommon. A reputable dive shop is based at the hotel.
Shopping & Dining
There is a small supermarket (small being the operative word) and a number of small stores in Plymouth village, just a five minute drive away from the apartments. However, this will satisfy only your most basic requirements.
The nearest ‘decent’ supermarket is Morshead Gourmet Foods at Mount Pleasant. This is a 15 minute drive back towards the airport (turn left just before Me-Shells Restaurant, one mile from the Buccoo junction crossroad at the end of the golf course). This supermarket has an excellent choice of imported foods and is our favourite, but it has to be said that it is more expensive than the larger Penny Savers supermarkets, both of which are a little further on in Canaan or Carnbee.
Carnbee (turn left at the Buccoo junction) is a useful village to know. Immediately in front of the Penny Savers supermarket are a couple of useful fruit and vegetable stores, an ATM cash dispenser and the very friendly and helpful Dove Drugs, the nearest pharmacy (closed for refurbishment at the time of our visit).
The fisherman’s co-operative at Mount Irvine will be of particular interest to guests at the Arnos Vale Apartments. You can’t miss it because every afternoon from around 4:00-4:30pm you will see the fishermen selling their catch from the tables mounted next to the sea wall beside the beach and road. You won’t get fresher fish anywhere. Simply tell the fishermen what you want and they will fillet the fish, or chop it into steaks. Shoot back to the villa, slap it on the grill and you are guaranteed a meal to cherish.
The Arnos Vale Hotel is open for dinner, but has a poor reputation for catering and, if their beach bar prices are anything to go by, at charges far in excess of quality and service provided. The associated Arnos Vale Waterwheel is set in a wonderful romantic location and is capable of excellent catering, but reports have been increasingly negative in recent years and we are even unable to confirm whether it opens in the evening any longer. Frankly we doubt that it is still opening and driving past indicates that it is in a very poor state of repair.
Pete’s Restaurant is a small local restaurant in Plymouth. Reports are mixed, but generally good. However, the restaurant is difficult to find. It is on the cliff tops overlooking Plymouth Back Bay, near the recreation ground. The restaurant is located behind the owner’s house and is not clearly signposted, so finding it at night can be a challenge and the entry somewhat off-putting. However, we understand that it is worth trying.
Fads Homestyle, on the way out of Plymouth, is a reasonable source of cheap local takeout food. A little further down the road is the Hollywood Chinese Restaurant which we tried and found very acceptable. Other possibilities are Pele's Restaurant located above TJ’s Bar by the petrol (gas) station in the centre of Plymouth and PahJoe’s Bar on the Arnos Vale Road around Plymouth. There are a couple of local roti shops, the best being close to Stumpy’s Grocery and Post Office.
Apart from these limited options, it is only a 15-20 minute drive to the half dozen or so excellent restaurants between the villages of Black Rock and Mount Pleasant.
Conclusion
The Arnos Vale Vacation Apartments represent a wonderful choice of holiday accommodation to those looking for self-catering apartments in a peaceful environment where they can truly be at one with nature. With a self-drive rental vehicle, you are ideally placed to tour every part of this beautiful island, whilst still being within easy reach of all the shops, restaurants and other facilities of the more populated area.
These comfortable apartments offer affordable holiday accommodation in a tranquil and peaceful environment. Moreover, the apartments have true Caribbean flavour rather than the somewhat antiseptic feel of many rental apartments. Best of all though is the hospitality that visitors can expect from Victor and Ursline: this is what Tobago is really all about!
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