Rex Turtle Beach August 2003

[Charlie Atkinson]

Just back from two weeks all inclusive at the Turtle Beach. For those who are considering this option, here is our view as first time Tobago visitors.

The hotel is rather tired - the rooms could do with refurbishment, and the public areas are a little drab, but overall we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Here are the good bits:

The location - the beach is stunning, safe and very close
The hotel staff - on the whole very helpful and eager to please
The food - a great variety catering for kids and awkward adults (we didn't feel the need to venture out much. The breakfasts were particularly good).
The watersports - Mike is great - very patient
Some of the beach vendors - we had a great trip out with Stumpy (Tuna Man) - a real Caribbean experience and much more memorable than the Virgin organised trips - we also had braids from Mary and bought T shirts from Kerrin
The fact that you can just get a drink when and where you want - the kids thought this was great
The other guests were very friendly
Laundry was prompt and not expensive


And the not so great bits:

Room cleaning was haphazard and the maids' attitudes variable
The kids club was non-existent
The pool cleaner was very strong and the kids definitely needed goggles
The Virgin rep was ill and the service very patchy
They don't phone you if you have asked to be on the turtle watch
The air conditioning is very noisy - we had to have it turned off at night
The check in and chill out service from Virgin leaves you with a day hanging around - fine when the weather is good but a pain when it is not
Limited space to dry things - some of our clothes went mouldy