Yellowbird Villa - Review Page 4
Swimming Pool & Pool Deck
At 6.6x3.7m the swimming pool is unlikely to keep serious swimmers entertained. Mind you, who wants a pool when they have a wonderful bay, nearly a mile wide and offering excellent swimming (most of the time) less than forty metres away? Having said that, the open section of the pool deck is a positive sun trap and even serious swimmers will appreciate being able to take a quick cooling dip.
Rather than the common method of having steps down into the shallow end of the pool across a corner, or incorporating a shallow crescent-shaped ‘wading’ end, this pool has two fifteen-inch ledges running along one long side of the pool, each around nine inches deeper than the one before. In a way, it is almost a cross between a spa bath and a pool. It allows you to sit on the lower step and relax, rather than having to stand or swim. However, after the second step or ledge, the pool drops to a little over 4ft, increasing to a maximum depth of around five feet at the deepest point. Parents with young children may need to keep aneye on youngsters.
The pool deck is furnished with four sun loungers. When covered them with a beach towel, to prevent body parts pushing between the plastic bands, they proved quite comfortable.
An attractive small covered pavilion, charmingly backed by a small copse of palms and other lush tropical vegetation, acts as a lovely point of focus on the far side of the swimming pool. This pavilion is home to a small gas barbeque unit. A decent set of barbeque tools are provided and I have to say that one of the most enjoyable meals of our stay at Yellowbird was a meat-eaters extravaganza of barbequed marinated chicken, burgers and steak. Vegetarians and vegans eat your heart out! Guests should be aware that the local fishermen sell their catch on the sea wall at Mount Irvine, just a 2-3 minute drive from Yellowbird, every afternoon between 4 and 6pm. You won’t get fresher fish.
To the front of the property, a discrete cold water shower located just inside the main gate allows guests to wash sand and sea water off when returning from the beach.
Security
It is sad that we have to even discuss security, but across the world times are changing and it is a subject that no responsible visitor can ignore.
The Westbury villas have managed to achieve what appears to be a perfect balance between security and ‘freedom’. Each villa has a secureperimeter wall or fence, much of which is attractively landscaped with bougainvillea. Not only a lovely colourful feature in its own right, this provides excellent additional security due to the incredibly thorny nature of the plant. Padlocks are provided for both the main gates and side gates. All windows, on both levels of the house, are fitted with secure – yet attractive – wrought iron security grills that allow you to safely leave windows open without compromising security. A safe large enough for documents, jewellery and small cameras and other valuables, is provided in each villa. A night watchman patrols the three villas throughout the hours of darkness.
Conclusion
Whilst all-inclusive hotels have their place, particularly when visiting a destination for the first time, there is no doubt that the best way to experience Tobago is to get out into the community. Renting a house or villa is not only a more rewarding experience, but can also be remarkably cost-effective when viewed on a cost per head basis.
Like the other Tobago Beach Villas, the location of Yellowbird Villa is truly exceptional. Grafton beach is one of the finest beaches on Tobago and the villa is within a few minutes’ drive of every decent restaurant, supermarkets and other facility in the popular south-west of the island.
Throughout the house, the furnishings and décor were in absolutely perfect condition and all equipment worked as intended. Moreover, from the moment you meet manageress, Liz, you know that you are being looked after by professionals who genuinely care and strive to offer good service and whose aim is to provide an impeccable holiday experience.
The Tobago Beach Villas are highly recommended. Although suitable for couples and groups of up to six adults, these villas will be of particular interest to anyone arranging a wedding or corporate/incentive trips to Tobago. When combined, the three villas at Grafton beach can accommodate up to 18 adults in real comfort. The same team also own a lovely 3-bedroom villa on a small secure development bordering the golf course just five minutes drive away and can often arrange luxury accommodation for parties of up to 50 people across the two locations.
Without any question of doubt, these villas represent a wonderful choice of holiday accommodation.
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