Beach House - Review Page 1
The Beach House is one of only two accommodation properties with direct access onto Little (Heavenly) Bay - the prettier and more popular of Castara's two main beaches. Such a location would make the property of interest to visitors even if it was a shack. But was this small apartment house a shack? We intended to find out..
Location
The only road access to Heavenly Bay is via Depot Road, a steep lane leading from the main road as it wends its way up and out of Castara on its way to Parlatuvier and Englishman’s Bay. A year or so ago Depot Road was so steep, pitted and potholed that many drivers would have had a nervous breakdown at the thought of negotiating it. Fortunately the road has been repaired and should no longer daunt drivers.
Two rocky outcrops separate Little Bay from the main beach. Even at low tide it is only possible to walk from one beach to the other by wading through waist-deep water. So, walking to shops and restaurants (other than the Boat House Restaurant) does mean walking up the hill to the main road (or cutting through the Blue Mango Apartments), then back down the hill to the main area. Although hot work in the heat of the day, it is a pleasant and attractive walk that should not faze anyone. As with every accommodation in Tobago, I repeat my usual advice to budget for the hire of a car or jeep. It is by far the best way to get the most out of Tobago.
Even when parked beside the Boat House Restaurant at the bottom of Depot Road and possibly alongside Beach House, it is difficult to catch other than brief glimpses of the property. It is hidden by the dense foliage of the palms, coconut trees, breadfruit trees, orange trees and huge variety of shrubs that surround the property; trees that provide wonderful shade and prevent the house from becoming uncomfortable even on the very hottest of days.
The house itself is a two storey property of very typical Caribbean style. The lower floor consists of rendered block-work, partially clad in timber; the upper floor is entirely of timber. Snuggled into the foliage, less than three metres from the sandy beach, it is hard to imagine that any property could look more natural and at home in its environment.
The Accommodation
The entire top floor of the Beach House is given over to a single one-bedroom self-contained apartment called Coconut Heights. The lower floor is divided into two, almost identical, self-contained studio apartments, Breadfruit Grove and Palm Corner. Each apartment sleeps a maximum of two people, so the whole house could be rented to provide accommodation for six.
Due to the low balconies in Coconut Heights, in particular, families with young children are not encouraged. The pathways around the building pass through dense foliage and consist of boulders in-filled with sand. They would prove a severe hindrance to wheelchair users or those with mobility problems.
The apartments are managed by two very likeable and hospitable Castarians, Porridge and Jeanelle. Chances are that one of them will collect you from the airport and transfer you to the Beach House (via a supermarket - only the very most basic foodstuffs and groceries are available in Castara village). The 50-minute journey to Castara will be many people’s introduction to Tobago and despite the fatigue of a long flight from Europe or North America, you are sure to arrive at the accommodation with a big smile on your face, knowing that you already have friends in the village.
The apartments are fully serviced before guests arrive and receive a light weekly clean. The spotlessly clean good quality bed linen and towels (but bring your own beach towels) are changed every three days. There are no laundry facilities.
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