Cuffie River Nature Retreat - Review Page 4
Accommodation (Continued)
Standard & Superior Rooms
The eight standard/superior rooms are all of identical size, measuring a very generous 7.25 x 4.5 metres (32 sq.m.). The décor varies marginally from room to room, with each room subscribing to either a blue, red or green theme.
The Standard rooms are located above the dining room and kitchens. They are equipped with a floor-standing fan. The Superior rooms are located at the theoretically quieter far end of the building and have overhead ceiling fan. To be honest, I think the differences are negligible, at best, and would be equally happy with either.
Each room is furnished with two double beds separated by a central bedside table and overhead reading light/audio unit. Additional furnishings include a small circular table with two upright chairs, one easy chair and a balcony or terrace furnished with a chair and recliner. The bathroom suites are identical to those in the Executive Suites and equipped with electric shaving socket, tissue dispenser, assorted toiletries and a small bottle of citronella oil (a highly effective insect repellent). The 1.75m of full-length wardrobe and shelf space was more than adequate for any normal guest.
Over the course of our five days at the Cuffie River, I was able to inspect four of the Standard/Superior guest rooms. Whilst they lack the open vistas and extra size of the Executive Suites, I have to say that they are all delightful rooms. They are light, breezy, very spacious and in excellent decorative order.
Self-Catering Rooms
The hotel has two self-catering guest rooms located in the annexe, a 75m walk from the main building. Regina is content with her ten main guestrooms and does not promote the self-catering apartments. They are, however, available to guests on request.
Dining & Public Rooms
I was aware of the Cuffie River’s reputation for excellent catering. We were not disappointed. Every meal was a perfect and enjoyable example of Caribbean cooking at its very best. The fresh fruit juices and soups, in particular, were exceptional. Despite being largely brought up on West Indian food, I confess that I have little taste for the fruit and vegetables of the region, although I do love spicy meats. However, under Regina’s expert eye and hand, local dishes that I previously disliked were both edible and highly enjoyable.
Regina is very hands-on in the kitchen and you will see her tending the stove and preparing dishes every evening. She has obviously trained her assistants well. I am sure that one reason for the success of her catering is that she does not over-face herself. She does not, for example, offer à la carte dining. Except where special arrangements have been pre-arranged for guests with special dietary requirements, the table d’hôte menu offers but a single choice and is served at a single sitting. This might be another reason why the Cuffie River is not totally suitable for children. I’m sure Regina would do her best to make everyone welcome, but this is not somewhere you expect to find burgers and chicken nuggets.
To enhance your meal, Regina offers a range of around a dozen reasonably-priced wines, available by the bottle and house wines by the glass. The dining room is non-smoking.
The Cuffie River Nature Retreat offers a choice of various catering plans, from Room & Breakfast to All-Inclusive. The restaurant is also open to non-residents (reservation essential).
Adjacent to the dining room, is a very comfortable and relaxed lounge area, offering lovely views to both the back and front of the property. There is also a small terrace just outside the lounge and we always found this a particularly lovely place to relax and lime, with a glass of Cuffie River's various gorgeous fruit juices in hand. Finally, there is a further quiet lounge area and 'library' on the first floor, adjacent to a lovely and peaceful open terrace which affords wonderful views of the hills and bush to the rear of the property. Quite honestly, you are almost spoiled for choice of seating areas.
Pool & Beaches
The swimming pool is located on the upper deck of a small building adjacent to the hotel. The pool measures 6 x 9.7 metres with a depth ranging from just over 1 metre to nearly 3 metres. The patio around the pool is furnished with sun loungers, tables, chairs and sun umbrellas and makes a lovely spot to sunbathe or relax.
The nearest bay and beach is King Peter’s Bay, back towards Moriah. However, the three-mile track down to the beach is very narrow and highly eroded. I would not even risk it in a 4x4. Even if you do, the black-sand beach is badly littered and is consequently unattractive. When we visited it (at very great risk and wishing we hadn't) the seas were so rough that swimming would not have been an option. All in all, it would be much better to travel to the safe swimming at Castara, a 25-minute drive from the hotel.
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