Blue Waters Inn - Review Page 3
Restaurant
In our 2003 review of the Blue Waters Inn we stated “We had heard mixed reviews of the catering, so whilst keeping an open mind, we were prepared to be disappointed. What a pleasure then, to find that all meals in the hotel's Lobster Pot Restaurant exceeded our expectations.”
Reports indicated that catering had deteriorated over recent years. We arrived, once again prepared to be disappointed. I would love to say that we weren’t, but sad to say, we were!
I know that the hotel has had a few rocky years and suspect that this is where the problem lies. The current General Manager, Keith Darwent, had been overseeing operations for six months prior to our visit. Since then, he has accepted a permanent contract. He is aware of the problem. I think we should give him time to recruit staff, make the changes and conduct the training that I know he has planned. I therefore expect to see substantial improvements over coming months.
The fact is that the hotel is missing a golden opportunity. Lots of tourists visit the hotel every day to dive, snorkel and take Little Tobago tours. Others simple stop at the hotel whilst touring the island, having read our advice recommending the hotel as a good watering hole. Many of these visitors could be converted to future guests. Instead, many leave less than convinced.
Breakfasts are clearly the best dish of the day. How can you go wrong with omelettes, scrambled egg and fruit platters? Mind you, make sure you get in before any parties of birders when you could be left waiting for a lot longer than you would want to.
The cuisine of the Fishpot Restaurant might best be described as International with a strong Caribbean bias. There is clearly an emphasis on fish, given the wonderful fresh stocks available locally. Buffet dinners are offered once or twice a week when the hotel is busy.
The restaurant is open to non-residents and the dress code is smart-casual. All traditional meal plans are offered, from breakfast through MAP (breakfast and dinner) and FAP (all meals, subject to certain restrictions).
Bar
The Blue Waters Inn has one main bar, the The Shipwreck Bar. The bar is open to both guests and non-residents.
Like ourselves, many visitors use this hotel as a watering hole when touring the north of the island. It is understandable that the bar can get very busy during the high season with so many birding parties, divers and people going on glass-bottom boat trips to Little Tobago. This means that it can be difficult to find a table in the bar at times. The best advice we can offer is to get there early.
The bar serves light lunches from a short but adequate menu. Daily specials, such as Creole Shrimp, are generally a reasonable choice. Overall I think I would summarise the lunchtime catering as adequate and reasonable value, but little more. Having said that, I have to say that their hamburger was the best I’ve ever tasted. In fact they were so rich, lean and tasty that we stayed on later than intended on our last day, simply to enjoy another lunch before moving on to our next hotel.
Staff
Tobagonians can be the most warm-hearted, friendly and hospitable people in the Caribbean. In fact all Tobagophiles agree that it is the endemic people of the island that create Tobago’s special magic. Visitors with the ‘wrong’ sort of attitude, or whose own reserve make it difficult to unlock the magic, often leave the island having totally failed to see what we are blathering on about.
It has to be said that the people of Speyside are somewhat more reserved than those in other parts of the island. They can initially appear fierce and unfriendly and their short, sharp manner of speaking can often cause offence to visitors not accustomed to their ways. Even to visitors who ARE accustomed to their ways.
Visitors might argue that it is not their responsibility to make the effort and be friendly. OK, if that is your feeling then the best advice would be to holiday in Florida (and risk being shot or stabbed by someone who has just said ‘have a nice day’). However, a little effort on your part can make a huge difference to any holiday in Tobago.
The most valuable tip is to speak to local people first. Do not wait for them to speak to you (see our articles on Tobagonians to better understand the historical reasons and psychology of this). The second most important tip is to always start with a “Good Morning” or whatever is appropriate to the time of day. Good manners are vital and it is extremely difficult for any Tobagonian to ignore such a greeting. Speak to them with respect; on equal terms, and it will invariably take only seconds to unleash those huge smiles and the sense of fun which is endemic in all ‘Gonians.
With this in mind, the staff at the Blue Waters Inn will almost replicate your own attitude towards them. If you are polite and friendly and do not talk down to them, you will find them huge fun and you will leave with nothing but fond memories. If you are rude or exhibit bad manners, you will leave thinking what a surly bunch they are.
NEXT PAGE: Beach, Facilities, Conclusion
Review Page Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
Return to the search listing page
The buttons above present articles sequentially, in the order shown in the menu bar
at the top of the page. You are currently on the Property Review page in the Accommodation menu.
