Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort - Review Page 4
Spa
Without any shadow of doubt, Le Grand Courlan can be justifiably proud of its spa facilities.
The spa features a sauna, Spa tubs, masseurs and beauty treatment centre. The room notes say “It is a special haven in which to soothe away the cares and stresses of modern life and revitalize the body and mind or simply indulge in a massage or aroma therapy in the hands of professional staff.”
The all-inclusive package gives you a brief sampler of some of the basic treatments available in the spa. More comprehensive treatments are available at extra cost. Jill enjoyed the back massage and peppermint bath treatments and found the staff professional, competent and friendly
According to the brochure given out by the hotel, the all-inclusive package includes the following spa treatments:
“Guests are entitled to one spa treatment per person per day (all treatments are pre-scheduled by the hotel and are not available on day of arrival and departure). Spa treatments are pre-scheduled from any of the following:
- Localised aromatherapy massages (neck & shoulder, leg, back, hands & feet, head & face)
- Aroma paraffin treatments – hands or feet
- Mini facials
- Back cleanse
- Peppermint/aromatherapy hydro-baths
- Honey body polish
- Salt body glow
- Relaxing, re-mineralising hydrotherapy bath
- Mini-manicure and pedicures
- Sauna and steam room treatments
Please note that requests for pre-bookings are not guaranteed. We will try our best to accommodate all requests”
The full range of spa services are too extensive to list here, but include massages (aromatherapy, Swedish and Localised), steam room, sauna, facials, Rosecea, Luminous C & Sea Lift Off mask and various body treatments and wraps, various salon services (manicures, pedicures, paraffin treatment and re-polishing), waxing and hair salon services. Prices are no more than one would expect for such treatments, but be warned; the quoted prices are subject to 10% service charge and 15% VAT. Although this fact is clearly marked in the spa services brochure, the practise of quoting VAT-exclusive prices for retail goods and services is clearly less than commendable.
Beach
Access to the beach involves crossing a quiet access road behind the hotel. Visitors need not have the slightest concern about this.
The hotel provides a dozen or more thatched sun shades along the beach and an adequate stock of sun loungers. Inevitably those near the beach restaurant are occupied first, but there was never the mad rush to get towels and books onto the loungers before breakfast, as at some resorts.
Stone Haven Bay is around a mile in length and most of it firm uninterrupted gold and black sand. The sand varies enormously along the length of the beach, with gold sand being more predominant at the southern end of the beach and black volcanic sand being more evident in the more sheltered northern part of the bay. With every tide, the powdery light black sand is washed ashore and leaves fascinating patterns on top of the heavier golden sand.
Without question, this takes our vote as the best hotel/beach combination. Other beaches may be longer, but size is not everything. Stone Haven Bay offers – in my not so humble opinion – a wonderful combination of size and visual interest. The round-trip walk to the ends of the beach takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending upon how often you stop to admire the view. The compacted sand just above the waterline makes for wonderful walking or jogging.
Our stay at the Grafton and Le Grand Courlan coincided with a full moon, so the sea was running much higher than normal, right around the coastline. The breaking surf made it a challenge to get into the calmer waters behind. Mind you, it was great fun for body-boarders! Jill tried this for the first time during our stay. I tried hard not to visualise the headlines: Pensioner in Body Board Drama.
Although the surf was running high directly opposite the hotel, you only needed to wander up to the more sheltered waters at the northern end of the beach (right, as you face the water) and the conditions were totally different. Less confident swimmers will generally have no problem getting into the sea here. The rocks along the shoreline at the northern end also offer reasonable snorkelling opportunities.
The swimming in Stone Haven Bay beach is generally good. There are a few rocky parts, but these are clearly visible and the majority of the swimming area has a clear sandy bottom with no hidden ‘nasties’. The beach shelves relatively gradually, so again there should be no sudden surprises. There are no lifeguards, warning flags or other safety facilities, so visitors should obviously take great care and never, ever, exceed their capabilities and experience.
Stone Haven beach is home to a number of beach traders. None were in the slightest intrusive – in fact they will become friendly beach companions if you take the trouble to pass the time of day and exchange a friendly word.
One problem with all Tobago beaches is stray dogs. For some reason there didn’t seem to be as many this year. Those afraid of dogs should have no fear. These poor curs are amazingly friendly and good natured. Dog lovers, like me, will find the situation a dilemma. However, I strongly urge visitors not to feed or pet the dogs. They are infested with fleas and tics. Mange is a common problem. You will be subjected to constant pestering if you succumb to their appealing eyes and make the mistake of feeding them. Tobago is rabies-free, but you could easily pick up an infection if you pet the dogs and do not wash your hands thoroughly before touching food.
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