Ocean Air - Review Page 3
Swimming Pool
As mentioned, the condominiums at Tobago Plantations are built in small groups around central swimming pools. The three pools are available for shared use by the occupants of all the condominiums. Although very attractive, the pools are not vast in size and my first reaction was that they might be somewhat crowded.
Despite staying at Ocean Air over a weekend, when one might realistically expect the pool to be at its busiest, I can honestly say that overcrowding did not occur. In fact, I never saw more than four people at the pool, whether in the water or sunbathing on one of the provided sun loungers.
Although there are some permanent resident owners, the Tobago Plantations condominiums are primarily owned as holiday homes, by non-residents. This means that the development is quiet at all times and there are generally very few signs of life. It certainly doesn’t feel deserted or creepy, but simply calm and relaxed.
Beaches & Excursions
The beach is a short, five-minute walk across the fairway from the Ocean Air apartment.
The main beach at Little Rockley Bay offers a good mile of dark sand sea frontage. As a place for a brisk walk in the morning, it can’t be beaten. Swimmers may find it a little more challenging. It is not for the very young or very old. Experienced and competent swimmers will love the challenge of getting though the surf as the waves break following their long journey across the Atlantic. The beach is shallow and you can wade out a great distance, but getting through the breakers to the deeper water behind can be a challenge. Once through, you must never forget that this coast is subject to sudden and strong rip tides. The beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards, so great care must be exercised and you should never swim alone.
The strong onshore winds mean that Little Rockley Bay beach is becoming extremely popular with kite surfers. They can present something of a hazard to swimmers and I was quite concerned to see Jill braving the breakers, with one kite surfer behind her in deep water and one zipping past between Jill and the beach. It was quite satisfying to see him run aground and fall flat on his face.
Given these hazards, I would recommend that those wishing to swim take the brief walk up towards the beach outside the Hilton Tobago hotel. The beach is cleaner here, because although public, the hotel had at long last started clearing the flotsam and jetsam that will inevitably come in from the ocean on each tide. There are always more swimmers nearer the hotel and the kite surfers appear to recognise this and avoid the area. When swimming in the sea, it is always preferable to adopt the policy that there is safety in numbers.
The Hilton Tobago has also restored the beach at the other (southern) end of the hotel. The water here is a shade more sheltered and can offer calmer swimming conditions.
Popular beaches, such those at Pigeon Point or Store Bay, are less than a fifteen minutes drive away, as are a number of good and far less commercialised beaches on the Caribbean coast – Buccoo Beach, Grange Beach, Mt.Irvine Beach, and even beautiful, but remote, Back Bay.
Without doubt, Ocean Air offers a wonderful accommodation option to golfers and their partners or families. Guests receive discounted green fees at the Tobago Plantations Golf & Country Club, which surrounds the condominiums. There is also an excellent dive and water sports business, World of Watersports, based at the Hilton Tobago hotel. This has the particular advantage of having a specialist and private diving pool where beginners and others can develop their scuba skills in privacy.
Catering & Dining
With the wonderful kitchen facilities available at Ocean Air, you will not be able to use the excuse that you can’t cook a proper meal on a two-ring bottled gas hob. Pretty much anything you can cook at home, you could cook at this apartment (although there is no barbeque). Mind you, getting the necessary supplies might be more of a problem. Having said that, the Penny Savers supermarkets at Canaan or Carnbee have a reasonable choice of most basics and Morsheads Gourmet Foods at Pleasant are a good (only) choice for other imported foodstuffs. Each of these stores is within a ten minute drive. A welcome pack of groceries is provided, so you need have no concern about stocking the fridge immediately on your way from the airport.
There are no dining facilities on the development itself, but with the Hilton Tobago hotel being only a five-minute walk or drive away, you have several bars and restaurants at your disposal. Better still, you can enjoy a delightful breakfast, lunch or dinner at Rouselle’s, the small restaurant at the Tobago Plantations Golf & Country Club.
Owing to its central location, Ocean Air and the Tobago Plantations are within a 10-20 minute drive of virtually every ‘good’ restaurant on the island. You are almost spoiled for choice.
Conclusion
Our days at Ocean Air passed all too quickly. We were fortunate enough to stay while owner Sally Miller was in residence with two other friends and the entire atmosphere was more of a house party. However, I am sure that this was representative of how it would be for the average party staying at the condominium.
Without any question of doubt, Ocean Air offers luxurious accommodation to those looking for the freedom of self-catering accommodation. If you enjoy the tropics but find the heat hard to deal with, then undoubtedly the Lowlands development provides an ideal compromise. If you prefer the slightly calmer Caribbean coast, you can enjoy the best of both worlds at Ocean Air knowing that you can be on the Caribbean coast in just a few minutes.
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