Porridge and Jeanells Place, Castara

Friendly and hospitable studio apartment at Castara (listing)
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Nigel Mills

Porridge and Jeanells Place, Castara

Post by Nigel Mills »

Porridge and Jeanell’s place
Castara


Nowhere is perfect, although to many people Tobago is a pretty close approximation of paradise. Similarly, no accommodation is perfect although that depends on your expectations and your standards. If you want a real Caribbean experience, meaning that you get the opportunity to mix with local people rather than a host of sun seeking tourists then Castara has to be a good bet. Similarly if you are looking for a genuine place to stay then Porridge’s Place leaves little to be desired. If you wish to dive out of your window into the sea then look elsewhere (although you can see the sea from Porridge’s). If you want palatial then likewise but for a combination of price, level of equipment, cleanliness, friendliness, service, accessibility and welcome then look no further.
The house is on the edge of town which means a ten minute walk to and from the beach but this does mean it is quiet and you will not be disturbed although there will always be neighbours playing music but don’t go to Tobago if you are not keen or Reggae or do not wish to listen to other people’s sound systems; it is a fact of life and personally, I love it that way.

The apartment is below Porridge and Jeanell’s house and is compact but has all that a couple might need. Comprising a kitchen at one end, a small ‘living’area, the bedroom and then the shower and toilet it is not a place perhaps for prudes. The shower is separated by a curtain and the toilet has a door but there are no other internal partitions except for half a wall by the bed which provides much storage. There are shelves elsewhere too and a hanging space for clothes. The bed has a full length mosquito net although I came to use it less and less as they didn’t seem to be a problem. The bedroom area has adjustable louvre shutters for light and ventilation out onto the front as does the kitchen/living area.

As to equipment the kitchen has a new gas cooker and a large fridge freezer and all the utensils you would really need although one or two items came to mind while I was there and these were provided if I asked for them. There is a television and radio/cd player in the bedroom area. The shower provides only warm water which is all you need but the basin has only cold. There is a good sized combination safe for valuables which will adequately accommodate cameras, videos, phones etc. Linen is all new, brightly patterned, freshly laundered and frequently changed. Outside is a small, roofed and mainly enclosed seating area, mostly shaded from the sun and bedecked with Jeanell’s flowers, here there is a table and chairs as most meals will be eaten outside, and a bench for extra seating. The view from here is back down towards the village and the sea in the distance. I believe there are plans to build a small seating area which will get more sun for those that wish to cook themselves. You are close to the comings and goings of the house and neighbours but this is not intrusive. Parking on the road is very nearby and you can drive right up to the house if necessary. There is an easy 10 second walk from the road to the house up a track and a couple of steps up to the balcony and front door.

Porridge and Jeanell are a collective fount of knowledge and are local right through; they can provide car hire and mini bus trips as well as pick ups from the airport. If you want a barbeque, party, boat trip or whatever else then just ask and they will help arrange things. However the single most important factor of living at this address is the family upstairs. Porridge and Jeanell and the children are all an absolute delight to be around and cannot be helpful enough. Nothing is too much trouble and you will receive a daily courtesy visit to check on you or a longer visit for liming and always a friendly greeting as they all come and go. If you wish to socialise there may well be a party and you can always request a visit to Sunday School or the Cat and Fiddle with Porridge.

I would stay there on my next trip except someone got there first. Book now!

Nigel Mills ( + Will)
Jo Mills

Beach House Castara

Post by Jo Mills »

Hi Nigel

I have just read your review on Porridge & Jeanell's place which is one of the ones we are looking for for our honeymoon in April.

Firstly, can I ask (being a typical cynic) - were you asked to pay for the accommodation into an English bank account? And secondly, being our honeymoon we do want to have a certain amount of 'luxury' and privacy. Would you say it was a good choice for honeymoon?

I look forward to hearing from you!

Many thanks
Jo
Neil Patton

Honeymoon

Post by Neil Patton »

Hi Jo
We are staying with Porridge & Jeanelle and I can tell you no english bank account in fact when I asked about deposit I was told not to bother as we would settle up when we got there.
As to luxury not sure but you can see for yourself at http://www.porridgesplace.com/index.htm
Regards

Neil
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