Kapinjala - Review Page 4
Main Terrace
One of the strongest features of Kapinjala is that the house is built in tiers, so that no level interrupts the view of levels above and behind. The house is built like a theatre or auditorium, with the vast wide-screen land and seascape beyond being the stage.
Three steps lead down from the living area to the 4-metre wide covered terrace. In fact this should be called the living area, because this is undoubtedly where most guests will spend the bulk of their time.
Apart from the three places available at the breakfast bar between the kitchen and the lounge, there is no formal dining table within the house itself. Instead, a large chunky wooden dining table suitable for up to ten diners takes pride of place in the middle of the covered terrace. Close to hand, at the end of the terrace, is a large gas barbeque stove. With a ceiling height averaging around 3.5m, the terrace is as near to al fresco dining as you can get without being in the garden. Despite that, all but the extremities of the terrace remained completely dry when we experienced a severe tropical downpour with strong winds during our final day.
At the other end of the terrace, a seating area furnished with two seagrass settees and an armchair almost defies occupants to stay awake once settled into the superbly comfortable deep upholstery and mass of cushions. In total shade for all but the last few hours of the day, this spot is bound to be a favourite with every visitor.
Pool Deck
Access to the pool deck is via stairs at either end of the terrace. There are no steps from the wide centre section – but no balustrade to prevent anyone falling the 0.75m to the deck. I understand the design concept here – anything blocking the spectacular panorama would be criminal – but I feel that steps down the centre section would have kept the vista open, but been a safer option, at the cost of only a relatively small loss of usable space on the pool deck. As it is, parents will need to keep a very close eye on toddlers or small children.
The deck is dominated by a lovely 12 x 4.4m swimming pool with in-built Jacuzzi and curved infinity-edge that leads the eye seamlessly across the water to the dense green foliage of the hills opposite, or out to sea. The depth of the pool ranges from 53-inches (1.35m) to 7 foot (2.1m). The entire perimeter of the pool features a step or ledge, like a Jacuzzi – ideal for liming and enjoying the views without having to put effort into swimming. One of my favourite pastimes was watching various species of bird bathing on the infinity edge of the pool (photo here)
The heated Jacuzzi was a spectacular place to chill-out under the balmy Caribbean skies. Nude or topless sunbathing is illegal in Tobago and highly offensive to most Tobagonians – even many/most of the younger generations – but Kapinjala is so private that guests need have no fears of arrest or causing upset.
A large plastic all-weather storage container on the pool deck contained a variety of water toys for the children (of all ages). One of the most humorous parts of our stay was watching Jill boarding a blow-up water chair. She eventually succeeded. Although it would have been almost impossible to sail over the edge of the infinity edge, fear of the 20-foot drop did ensure that she kept to the 'inner' side of the pool.
The pool deck is furnished with three unpadded sun loungers and an all-weather table and chairs that match the set on the upper terrace. I understand that additional sun loungers will be added as soon as they can be sourced. An outside shower is available for rinsing before and after swimming.
Garden & Beach
Kapinjala sits in an acre of hillside garden. As a new property, the gardens are not yet mature. However, extensive planting and landscaping has been completed and the underground watering system is firm evidence that the owners are serious about the landscaping and intend the gardens to match the high standards of the rest of the villa. I look forward to our return, when I am confident that the gardens will be a riot of colour and a haven for the wonderful birdlife that inhabit the Arnos Vale area. In fact there are resident jacamars and woodpeckers, hummingbirds and mot mots are regular visitors to the villa, just to mention a few species. We could have done without the chacalacas (rufus-vented cocrico), however. These awful birds have startled many a visitor with their awful early-morning raucous cry.
It is a brief 8-minute walk down the hill to the Arnos Vale Bay beach. A secure padlocked gate in Kapinjala’s lower garden allows direct access to the grounds of the hotel and thence via a clearly defined path down to the beach.
Arnos Vale beach is a typical picture postcard tropical beach. A small and inferior hotel of the same name borders the beach. However, the facilities of the hotel can be useful – although visitors should be aware that the hotel charges well over-the-odds at the beach bar.
Snorkelling in Arnos Vale Bay is generally perceived to be the best on the island and conditions are suitable for both novice and advanced snorkellers. The small reef is still in good condition and you will see a wonderful variety of colourful tropical fish. Turtles are fairly common during the breeding season (April-July) and at other times manta rays and moray eels may be seen.
NEXT: Shopping, Tours, Excursions, Housekeeping, Conclusion
Review Page Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5
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.
