Blue Haven Hotel - Review Page 5

Beach

Legend has it that Robinson Crusoe was stranded on the beach of Bacolet Bay in 1659. The Blue Haven Hotel claims to have the anchor of the original ship and there are even people on Tobago who claim descent from Daniel Defoe’s fictitious character.

It may not be the largest beach on the island, but Bacolet Bay is certainly one of the loveliest. It is the epitome of a natural Caribbean beach and so it is hardly surprising that several films have used it as a backdrop. Some people find the silver-grey volcanic sand found on much of the Atlantic coast less attractive than the yellow/white coral sand of the Caribbean side, but it’s certainly a lot easier on the eye than the reflected glare from brighter sand.

The beach is around 125 metres long and shelves very gradually, so it is particularly wide and surprisingly shallow when the tide is out. There is ample shade under the palms and trees bordering the beach and the hotel has provided ample recliners. There are changing rooms and toilets, plus a children’s playground area at the back of the beach, well away from the water.

All beaches on Tobago are public and Bacolet Bay is no exception. The public can access the beach directly from the road on the hilltop behind the beach and regularly do so, at weekends in particular. Despite this, we never found the beach crowded.

The Atlantic Coast is considered the rougher coast of Tobago and it is true that the more exposed parts can be. Bacolet Bay faces due south and is protected from the prevailing winds by Bacolet Point, so the bay is well protected and conditions tend to be much calmer than many, or even most, other beaches.

Our resident beach and water tester, Jill, gave the swimming an ‘excellent’ rating. However, she also made the proviso that whilst safe, the surf could sometimes be off-putting to the elderly, the very young and to inexperienced swimmers. We have seen this bay in many different guises. As with every other beach and bay on the island, the conditions can vary enormously. The seas tend to be rougher during the early months of the year, when we visit. They are typically calmer in the summer months. I know people who have seen Bacolet Bay as flat as a millpond.

It was certainly Jill’s favourite beach during our 2007 visit – just as it was in 2003.

Other Facilities

The hotel has a small but attractive swimming pool. It is quite amusing to learn that it was once the largest swimming pool on the island. The pool is in good condition. In our 2003 review I reported that I hadn’t seen anyone using the pool. This year was almost the opposite – there was hardly a time that I passed it without seeing someone either in the water or sunbathing on the adjacent terrace.

Next to the pool is a general leisure room. This is nicely laid out with tables and chairs, a table tennis table, exercise bike and some basic gym facilities. The building also houses changing rooms, toilets and a small massage and beauty treatment room.

Leading off the pool deck are some rather steep steps leading to a wonderful wooden sundeck just a few feet above the rocks and crashing ocean. This was a truly lovely romantic spot and is inevitably a popular venue for wedding ceremonies. The sundeck is a lovely retreat for private sunbathing.

A small tennis court is located in the grounds - but a charge is made for use of the court.

Live entertainment is provided in the hotel on a seasonal basis. During the peak season of Christmas/New Year, this might be every day. During the low season, entertainment may only be provided two or three times a week.

The hotel now has wireless broadband, currently only available in the reception area.

Conclusion

In our 2003 review, we concluded….

“The Blue Haven is undoubtedly the most romantic luxury hotel on the island, if only because of its lovely location and its air of restrained calm and sophistication. Like any hotel, it won’t be to everyone’s taste, but those seeking the very highest levels of service and accommodation and the quiet atmosphere that only a relatively small hotel can provide should give the Blue Haven Hotel very, very serious consideration indeed. We look forward to a return visit.”

So, how has it fared since? Well, the hotel is looking good, doing good and by heavens, it does you good. My only criticism was that our five day stay was not long enough. In fact I just wish that I could have delayed our flight home and checked back in as a ‘normal’ guest for a week or two of genuine relaxation before returning home. It was magic!

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