Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort - Review Page 2
Accommodation
Le Grand Courlan offers a choice of 70 different rooms in three distinct categories:
- 48 Deluxe Oceanview rooms. As the name implies, these offer views over the bay.
- 12 Deluxe Gardenview rooms. As above, but with views of the garden rather than sea.
- 10 One-Bedroom Suites. These comprise two Oceanview rooms with a connecting door. The second room is furnished as a sitting room rather than as a bedroom and the second bathroom has a Jacuzzi rather than a bath.
In addition, the hotel has introduced several Deluxe Garden Jacuzzi rooms. These feature a discreetly screened Jacuzzi in the garden, next to the room’s patio, overlooking the pool area.
Guests have a choice of smoking or non-smoking rooms and/or rooms with inter-connecting doors. All rooms have spacious balconies or patios.
The décor, furnishing and size of all rooms are identical. The hotel is currently being refurbished. This is taking place at a very slow (well, it is Tobago) and low-key level in order to minimise disruption to guests. Rooms are being given a new look and the roofs and exterior of all buildings will be cleaned and/or painted during the 2008 low season. Although we had been allocated one of the old-style rooms, we had the opportunity to view one of the new ones. We liked the new look and were particularly impressed by the soft furnishings.
Our Deluxe Oceanview room #307 (it seems a coincidence that we were allocated the same room in 2004) offered a total floor space of 8 x 4.2m (34sq.m.) plus a 4.2 x 1.8m (7.5sq.m.) covered balcony. We understand that all rooms are the same size, and if so, they are the largest standard rooms in any Tobago hotel. In fact the room was so spacious that it totally absorbed our 8-piece/130Kg mass of luggage and cameras and computer equipment. What a pleasure not having to step over suitcases and equipment flight cases throughout our stay.
Our room was furnished with a hugely comfortable king-size bed. Rooms with twin double beds are available, if preferred. In my last review I commented that I was not quite sure that a single tropical painting (or print?) above the bed quite qualifies as ‘island décor’. I went on to say that the room was very comfortable, spacious, nicely decorated and very adequate, but only slightly removed from being a room in any 4-5* hotel, anywhere in the world. OK, so you realised the difference the moment you stepped out onto the balcony, but the room – as pleasant as it was – had no great individuality. The glazed Italian porcelain floor tiles, and rich Trinidadian teak furniture were all very nice, as were the floral bedspreads and curtains, but none of it shouted ‘Caribbean’ or ‘Tobago’.
In truth, these comments still apply. Even the new-look décor doesn’t scream with individuality – but perhaps I am being over-critical. The bottom line was that we loved the room and feel that I it is only fair to balance the comments above by declaring that the room at Le Grand topped our list of favourite hotel rooms on Tobago – and remember that we have stayed at every significant hotel on the island at least twice.
All rooms at Le Grand are equipped with remotely controlled split-unit air-conditioning units and ceiling fans. The air-conditioning worked well. We actually hardly needed it. Being on the third floor it suited our personal taste more to simply leave the balcony windows open and enjoy the cooling sea breeze at night. It was just so peaceful. You could faintly hear the sound of the sea way down below. Mosquitoes and other insects were conspicuous by their absence.
Standard room accoutrements include mini refrigerators, satellite television (somebody must use them, I guess) and direct dial telephone. Tea and coffee making facilities were provided, but herein lays a mystery that I forgot to ask about on either visit: a small coffee filter machine was provided, together with a small stock of creamer, sugar, instant coffee and tea bags. We never did figure out why a coffee filter machine was provided rather than a small kettle.
The bathrooms were spacious and maintained to a high standard, with bath and integral shower, toilet and a single wash basin. For once I need not make my usual comment that the bathroom fittings would benefit from upgrading. The generous supply of large, soft hand and bath towels were changed daily and beach towels replaced during the evening turn-down service. Other amenities included a standard shaver outlet, hair dryer, two soft cotton bath robes, soap and shampoo dispensers, plus a basket of useful lotions, potions and emergency sewing and mending items.
The built-in wardrobe offered 1.8m of full-length hanging space – more than enough for a two or three week holiday, particularly given the modern move toward more casual dress. There was an adequate supply of hangers, plus bags for the hotel’s comprehensive, but rather expensive, laundry service. Next to the wardrobe was a cupboard containing an electric iron and ironing board, and a digital security safe large enough to take all your documents, jewellery, surplus cash and even a small camera or other valuables.
Dining
The hotel’s main restaurant, The Pinnacle is well named as it does indeed boast a tall peaked roof. The high cathedral ceiling, with its wonderful teak open timbers, rises to 36 feet. The building offers spectacular views from three sides. It is an extremely attractive dining area.
Breakfast is available from 7am to 10am and served buffet-style with a chef frying egg dishes to order. There was a wide choice of hot and cold food, so there should always be something to tempt the jaded appetite. Every guest we spoke to was full of praise for the breakfasts; in fact the consensus was that they were by far the best meal of the day.
Guests have a choice of venue for luncheon; either a buffet in the Caribbean Bistro in the main building, or a burger-and-chips type meal at the Buccaneer’s Beach Bar.
The buffet lunches available in the Caribbean Bistro were of very variable quality. Buccaneer’s Beach Bar offers a small selection of burger-and-chips type meals, plus a daily special. It is ideal for guests who want to make the most of the beach because they can simply cover up with a t-shirt or beach wrap. Our biggest criticism was the ‘heavy’ nature of the meals. We longed for a choice of salad-based dishes (rather than just lettuce and tomato), or perhaps some cold meats and cheese – or even sandwiches.
In theory, guests have a choice of two venues for dinner – The Pinnacle, or the Caribbean Bistro restaurant. However, the latter seemed to be closed for evening dining more often than it was open. Dinner is served from 7-10:30pm. Reservations are required and normally placed with the dining room receptionist when arriving for breakfast each morning.
As might be expected, The Pinnacle serves an International cuisine with strong Caribbean influence. Service was good and presentation excellent. The Chilean house wine served for most of the week was delightful. Sadly it was replaced by a hugely inferior Californian wine on our final evening.
Our 2004 review of Le Grand stated “Our overall conclusion was that the restaurant compared well with any hotel on the island”. Very sadly, based on our six days at the hotel this year, we can no longer repeat that claim. Catering standards are unquestionably far lower than four years ago. In fact catering was the only consistent negative mentioned to us by fellow guests. The menu choice was excellent and the food always well presented, but quality varied considerably and food temperature a regular issue.
Both The Pinnacle and the Caribbean Bistro are non-smoking restaurants. After-dinner coffee is served in the Cocktail Lounge, where smoking is allowed.
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