Top O' Tobago - Review Page 3
Main House (Continued)
Master Bedroom
A wide doorway with louvered doors leads from the study to the new L-shaped master bedroom. Offering a total internal floor area of 29sq.m., plus a 7sq.m. private balcony, the room is spacious and wonderfully charming.
The new bedroom extension lies to the rear of the house. Although on the same level as the rest of the house, it is effectively on an upper floor as the manager’s apartment and reception area lie beneath. The extension is a huge improvement compared with the original layout.
The master bedroom has louvered full-height windows and patio doors on the three external aspects. If there is a morsel of breeze passing, this room will catch it. Apart from being contrary to the committed sustainable eco-tourism environmental policies practised by the owners and manager of this property, air-conditioning would be against the ethos of the wonderful environment that has been created here. Even the overhead ceiling fan is far from an essential.
The louvered windows are backed by fine green mesh to block mosquitoes and other flying insects. In truth, we experienced so few of these this year that our electric bug mat deterrent burner has remained it its box since our arrival.
The bedroom is furnished with a comfortable 60-inch Queen bed, with bedside tables and individual reading lamps. The bed is flanked by two charming wall lights with decorative terracotta lamp shades, matching and complimenting the overhead light and wall shades common throughout the property. The bed has a colourful and attractive batik print bedspread. The pattern is a feature of the property and is used on all bedspreads, cushions and upholstery. Other furnishings include an alarm clock radio, a small magazine stand and a large and discretely located security safe. The bed linen, like the towels, was immaculately clean and of excellent quality.
The en suite facilities are contained in two adjacent areas leading off the bedroom. The washbasin comprises of a small washbasin with single cold water tap inset into a quite magnificent vanity unit finished with hand-painted ceramic mosaic. The wall behind the vanity unit is similarly tiled, around an inset mirror. Designed and created by a Trinidadian artist, Bunty O’Connor of Ajoupa Pottery, these custom mosaics are a major feature of Top O’ Tobago and also used on at least half a dozen patio tables, scattered around the property and in each cabana.
Electrical sockets would clearly spoil the mosaic, so guests might at first wonder where to connect their shaver. The solution: wear a beard like yours truly, or look beneath the vanity unit where an electrical socket and breaker are located.
Of course residents of the master room also have the benefit of the second bathroom, just a short distance away at the other end of the study. More conventionally furnished, this bathroom has hot water to the washbasin. It makes an ideal second bathroom for occupants of the master bedroom.
The shower is quite magnificent. It is an open air unit, located in a discretely walled corner of the master bedroom’s private balcony. The walls of the shower are custom tiled with a beautiful aquatic theme by the same Trinidadian artist mentioned previously. The shower features a pair of 9 inch shower heads, so couples can enjoy the facilities at the same time. The main house hot water is generated from roof-mounted solar panels with standard hot water tanks for backup. There was no shortage of hot water and the pressure was excellent. Taking a shower was truly a luxurious experience because nothing gives the same gentle experience as a large shower head. It really was like showering in warm rain.
Guests will certainly find no lack of wardrobe and storage space. A huge built-in wooden 1.5m wardrobe offers 0.6m of full-length hanging space and the rest dedicated to deep shelves. Lots of hangers are provided. Adjacent to this is a large storage cupboard with yet more shelving, spare pillows and blankets, plus more than enough space to store half a dozen empty suitcases.
The master room's small private balcony is furnished with two comfortable all-weather chairs. The balcony overlooks the hills to the rear of the property and is a lovely spot to enjoy a quiet cup of tea or coffee and watch the wonderful sunrise. At least, so I am told.
On the other side of the bedroom, patio doors give direct access onto the main terrace and a lovely new gazebo furnished with central table and four chairs. One of the most wonderful aspects of Top O’ Tobago is the number of discretely situated balconies and seating areas. No matter how many people are staying at the property, it is always possible to find a quiet corner where you can read or chat in comfort and privacy.
Rooms are serviced three times a week, at which time all linen and towels are changed. Hairdryers and irons are available on request from the manager.
Maintenance standards throughout the villa were excellent, and all bathroom fittings were in good condition. This is quite unusual in Tobago, given the corrosive nature of the strong sea breeze.
Second Bedroom
The second bedroom is accessed at the side of the house, via the walkway between the master bedroom and the main entrance.
The bedroom offers a total accommodation area of around 30sq.m. The available space in the very irregular-shaped room has been used to excellent effect. A small and attractive entrance 
lobby provides access to a spacious bathroom with pedestal washbasin and toilet. The bathroom is plumbed for both hot and cold water and shaver sockets are available. Like all the bathrooms throughout the property, attractive containers of liquid soap are provided.
Next to the bathroom, with access directly into the entrance lobby, is a large fully-tiled shower. Adjacent is a spacious 1.1m wardrobe, split evenly between full-length hanging space with hangers, and open shelving.
The bedroom itself is furnished with two 3ft single beds separated by a single bedside table and lamp. The room is colourful and bright, with a single large window with decorative white, wrought iron security grill and window shutters providing light and air. The entrance lobby has mesh-covered decorative air-bricks to provide additional ventilation and the suite has two overhead fans to ensure air movement.
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