Mary's Hill Lodge - Review Page 3
Master Bedroom
Offering 21sq.m. of floor space, including the en suite bathroom, the master bedroom is of decent size. Given the size of the room, it is a shame that it has only been fitted with a standard 53-inch double bed, rather than a Queen size. It is great to snuggle up for warmth in colder climes, but extra space means cooler sleeping in the tropics.
The bed is fitted with a full mosquito net. We promptly raised this out of the way. Although there were a few mosquitoes around, we found the net unnecessary. We simply followed our normal practise, borne of long experience: about an hour before retiring, we close all doors and window shutters and plug in our trusty electric bug mat; we then set a floor fan to its slowest speed, ensuring that the bug mat is sited between the bed and the fan, and position it so that it gently blows over the bed. We have yet to find a property on Tobago that has beaten this basic system and it is so much nicer than sleeping inside a stuffy mosquito net.
The general construction of Mary’s Hill Lodge and the shuttered windows mean that there is lots of airflow. We slept comfortably each night. In fact our stay coincided with an unusually cold and wet period and far from being hot at night, we were actually too cool and had to revert to both the bedspread and a sheet.
The furnishings of the bedroom are simple and totally in keeping with the nature and style of the lodge. A bedside table supplements a rattan chair and five-drawer sideboard. A built-in wardrobe provides 1.2m of full-length hanging space. So, for the first time this trip, our full eight-week supply of clothing had a chance to escape the suitcases.
The master bedroom has louvered doors leading onto the external veranda. This is furnished with an all-weather plastic table and chairs. What a lovely spot to enjoy an early morning cup of tea whilst clearing one’s head for the rigours of the coming day of relaxation.
Additional furnishings include a bedside table on one side, and a wall-mounted bookcase and shelf on the other. A wide selection of reading matter has been left by the owners and, I assume, previous guests. Although there were no notes to say so, I assume that this operates on the basis of “take one, leave one”. There is nothing more frustrating than choosing a good book from a property’s library and then having to leave before you have finished it.
Tobago is unusual in that properties can be wired for either, or both, 240v (UK 3-pin) and 110v (USA 2-pin) electricity supply. Most properties adopt the latter, but Mary’s Hill Lodge has chosen both. The master bedroom and kitchen both have 3-pin 240v sockets suitable for normal UK appliances.
The en suite bathroom is relatively small, but perfectly adequate. It is dominated by a large walk-in tiled shower. Sadly, the shower only utilises one of the rather poor local instantaneous water heaters. These provide warm water at best. It is very much a matter of balancing water flow against heat. You can have a warm dribble or a more forceful cold shower.
A cold-water washbasin and toilet complete the bathroom fittings. Toiletries can be stored on an adjacent shelf or in a small unit under the washbasin. There is no shaver socket, but a hair dryer is provided in the main room, together with a powerful rechargeable torch/lamp.
Bedroom 2
At 18sq.m., the second bedroom is a little smaller than the master bedroom, but is still of reasonable size. A 53-inch double bed dominates the room. The locally-made wooden bed frame is of the four-poster variety. This allows the mosquito net to fit more snugly and is less claustrophobic than nets that hang from a central point.
A small built in wardrobe with fabric curtain front provides 0.75m of full-length hanging space. As in the master room, lots of hangers are provided. The only other furnishings are a single rattan armchair and a single bedside table, plus wall-mounted shelf on the other side of the bed.
Yellow low-wattage bulbs are used throughout the property. These are eco-friendly and economical to run and they do give a very atmospheric and cosy warm feel to the property after dark. It has to be said, however, that they do not provide the best of lights for reading by.
As in the master room, this bedroom has louvered doors for access onto the wrap-around veranda.
Bedroom 3
Measuring just 3.2 x 1.8m (5.8sq.m.) the third bedroom is more suited to children. In fact, I can imagine that this room would have immense appeal to many children. It is a wonderful little ‘den’.
Nevertheless, a full-length 53-inch double bed has been squeezed into the room – so technically the room could be suitable for two adults. A mosquito net ‘curtain’ is fitted across the front of the bed. A small built-in wardrobe offers hanging space and shelves. There are no other furnishings. The room has shuttered windows looking out to the front of the property and doors leading into the garden. These have top and bottom bolts and so there should be no danger of small children letting themselves out in the middle of the night. An electric fan mounted above the bed provides additional cooling.
Both the second and third bedrooms share a general bathroom situated on this lower level. The bathroom is spacious and fitted with a large tiled walk-in shower with instantaneous water heater, a cold-water washbasin and a toilet.
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