Guest Report

[Nick Bointon]

Man’O‘Cottages. Charlotteville, Tobago.
Having just returned from a two week holiday I thought that in the absence of a review the following may be interesting. Firstly Charlotteville is our idea of heaven the place, the location of the cottages (right on a wonderful beach) was just what we wanted. The cottages, some 50 years old are exceptionally well constructed but I am sad to say they are really an amazing anachronism of how they were constructed then and have undergone no modernisation or upgrade since then! The kitchen, bathroom and equipment that was more than basic and could deter the feint hearted. The bed rooms were large enough and the beds were new and comfortable and the bedding good but the cupboards and furniture predated MFI let alone IKEA and the electric fittings/ lights etc. were interesting!
There are 6 cottages set in a lush mature garden, we picked avocados and mangos for our breakfast and the kids knocked down coconuts to order (we also had breadfruit – very interesting and versatile). The trees shaded the upper portion of the beach and the sea was really 12m in front of the house. There were 6 of us and our kids (19 to 23) did lots of diving at Shark Shack next door run by an English lady Caroline Hardy which was good, attentive and safe. They went out on the fishing boats, kayaked in the sea and were fully enthused with what we though could have been boring for them.
Charlotteville is charming and the locals friendly, shops poorly stocked but just buying tuna etc fresh from the fishermen made for a real desert island experience. Having run an award winning B&B in the UK for many years we know all about smart, twee and spotless, Man O War cottages are not that!
It may sound negative but we are booking again for next year and know exactly what we are getting. We may pack a chopping board, garlic press, some pans but that is almost the charm. We will upload some pictures; you could be like us and love it.