We have booked to stay AI with Virgin Holidays at The Coco Reef in Feb 2006 as it a special occasion.
Our decision to book this hotel was based on posts made up to 3 months ago and on a recommendation from friends who stayed 12 months ago.
There have been a number of bad reports recently on this and another forum we have been on. They seem to have occurred within the last 2-3 months.
Can anybody make any suggestions as to why this hotel is now receiving bad reports. Has there been a change in ownership/management.
Has any one previously visited and returned again within the last few months and noticed and changes in the quality of service, accommodation, food etc.
Worries About Recent Bad Reviews.
-
Nick Robinson
coco reef reviews
Pamela,
I'm going out there soon for the first time too and have just read the same reviews you have.
It seems to me that every resort on the island gets a combination of good and bad reviews depending on who visited and when they visited. Also the worst reviews tend to compare the coco reef with resorts on other islands rather than the ones in tobago.
One thing that is certain is that Tobago is a fantastic island and Coco Reef sounds like the best place to stay while your there. I've just spoken to someone who's just returned who gave nothing but praise about both the resort and the island.
I have spent years booking holidays based on descriptions in brochures with just a photo or two as evidence of quality. This forum gives you so much information, good and bad, that the ideal holiday you are looking for can be threatened by reading negative reviews.
My take on all of this is that you can garauntee that every place you've ever been to on holiday and had a fantastic time has been complained about by somebody. The only difference is that you weren't made aware of it.
I've read the reviews you have and there are far more good than bad. Also we can just go out to explore! Whatever the reviews I fully expect to have a fantastic time. Hope you do too.
I'm going out there soon for the first time too and have just read the same reviews you have.
It seems to me that every resort on the island gets a combination of good and bad reviews depending on who visited and when they visited. Also the worst reviews tend to compare the coco reef with resorts on other islands rather than the ones in tobago.
One thing that is certain is that Tobago is a fantastic island and Coco Reef sounds like the best place to stay while your there. I've just spoken to someone who's just returned who gave nothing but praise about both the resort and the island.
I have spent years booking holidays based on descriptions in brochures with just a photo or two as evidence of quality. This forum gives you so much information, good and bad, that the ideal holiday you are looking for can be threatened by reading negative reviews.
My take on all of this is that you can garauntee that every place you've ever been to on holiday and had a fantastic time has been complained about by somebody. The only difference is that you weren't made aware of it.
I've read the reviews you have and there are far more good than bad. Also we can just go out to explore! Whatever the reviews I fully expect to have a fantastic time. Hope you do too.
-
Diane C
I agree, I think that everyone wants different things out of a holiday & if the majority think Coco Reef is good, then hopefully it will be fine when we go with friends in may. I hope so, as i recommended that we go to CR after reading the many excellent reviews. There are bound to be some people who would complain whatever a place was like!
-
David Watkins
- Bude Cool Boy
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:12 pm
- Location: Bude Cornwall uk
- Contact:
-
Pamela Sutcliffe
-
Ruth Sidwick
Hi
Me and hubbie has just returned from our first vivit to Coco Reef (first time). We celebrayed out 1st wedding anniversary. Out room was 231, fab views, and glad we didn't get 246-248. What can I say......just go and enjoy!!! the staff are lovely...the food in Tamaras is good (need to book, even on AI) so remember to do it on arrival. It is a chill out place, so don't go and expect it to be active. It was just what we needed. The atmoshere, is 'old colonial'. There was a couple of children, but were so well behaved they were a credit to their parents. We booked a car with driver/guide (he was called Wayne) we arranged it through the hotel, and he was great!!!! We went out to dinner on our anniversary to the Sea Horse Inn, which was wonderful, Dave booked the hotels Rolls Royce with driver (called John) and we had a fab evening. The Sea Horse Inn is also wonderful (10 mins drive). We had a complimentary bottle of wine from the hotel too!!.
Don't bother trying to book a late check out.....you won't get it. We requested by phone and e-mail prior to holiday and also on arrival....they won't commit, despite asking if a room had been allocated. So we could have saved time if they had told us from the start rooms aren't allocated. That is our only critisism. We loved it at Coco Reef and will return in January 2006!!! Get yout towel out early!!! 7am is too late!!! and phone to book dinner at Tamaras at 7am prompt if you like a specific time (8pm gets booked up quickly)
Hope this puts your mind at rest about Coco Reef....you'll love it... we did!!
Ruth
Me and hubbie has just returned from our first vivit to Coco Reef (first time). We celebrayed out 1st wedding anniversary. Out room was 231, fab views, and glad we didn't get 246-248. What can I say......just go and enjoy!!! the staff are lovely...the food in Tamaras is good (need to book, even on AI) so remember to do it on arrival. It is a chill out place, so don't go and expect it to be active. It was just what we needed. The atmoshere, is 'old colonial'. There was a couple of children, but were so well behaved they were a credit to their parents. We booked a car with driver/guide (he was called Wayne) we arranged it through the hotel, and he was great!!!! We went out to dinner on our anniversary to the Sea Horse Inn, which was wonderful, Dave booked the hotels Rolls Royce with driver (called John) and we had a fab evening. The Sea Horse Inn is also wonderful (10 mins drive). We had a complimentary bottle of wine from the hotel too!!.
Don't bother trying to book a late check out.....you won't get it. We requested by phone and e-mail prior to holiday and also on arrival....they won't commit, despite asking if a room had been allocated. So we could have saved time if they had told us from the start rooms aren't allocated. That is our only critisism. We loved it at Coco Reef and will return in January 2006!!! Get yout towel out early!!! 7am is too late!!! and phone to book dinner at Tamaras at 7am prompt if you like a specific time (8pm gets booked up quickly)
Hope this puts your mind at rest about Coco Reef....you'll love it... we did!!
Ruth
-
Ruth Sidwick
Hi
Me and hubbie has just returned from our first vivit to Coco Reef (first time). We celebrated out 1st wedding anniversary. Our room was 231, fab views, and glad we didn't get 246-248. What can I say......just go and enjoy!!! the staff are lovely...the food in Tamaras is good (need to book, even on AI) so remember to do it on arrival. It is a chill out place, so don't go and expect it to be active. It was just what we needed. The atmoshere, is 'old colonial'. There was a couple of children, but were so well behaved they were a credit to their parents. We booked a car with driver/guide (he was called Wayne) we arranged it through the hotel, and he was great!!!! We went out to dinner on our anniversary to the Sea Horse Inn, which was wonderful, Dave booked the hotels Rolls Royce with driver (called John) and we had a fab evening. The Sea Horse Inn is also wonderful (10 mins drive). We had a complimentary bottle of wine from the hotel too!!.
Don't bother trying to book a late check out.....you won't get it. We requested by phone and e-mail prior to holiday and also on arrival....they won't commit, despite asking if a room had been allocated. So we could have saved time if they had told us from the start rooms aren't allocated. That is our only critisism. We loved it at Coco Reef and will return in January 2006!!! Get yout towel out early!!! 7am is too late!!! and phone to book dinner at Tamaras at 7am prompt if you like a specific time (8pm gets booked up quickly)
Hope this puts your mind at rest about Coco Reef....you'll love it... we did!!
Ruth
Me and hubbie has just returned from our first vivit to Coco Reef (first time). We celebrated out 1st wedding anniversary. Our room was 231, fab views, and glad we didn't get 246-248. What can I say......just go and enjoy!!! the staff are lovely...the food in Tamaras is good (need to book, even on AI) so remember to do it on arrival. It is a chill out place, so don't go and expect it to be active. It was just what we needed. The atmoshere, is 'old colonial'. There was a couple of children, but were so well behaved they were a credit to their parents. We booked a car with driver/guide (he was called Wayne) we arranged it through the hotel, and he was great!!!! We went out to dinner on our anniversary to the Sea Horse Inn, which was wonderful, Dave booked the hotels Rolls Royce with driver (called John) and we had a fab evening. The Sea Horse Inn is also wonderful (10 mins drive). We had a complimentary bottle of wine from the hotel too!!.
Don't bother trying to book a late check out.....you won't get it. We requested by phone and e-mail prior to holiday and also on arrival....they won't commit, despite asking if a room had been allocated. So we could have saved time if they had told us from the start rooms aren't allocated. That is our only critisism. We loved it at Coco Reef and will return in January 2006!!! Get yout towel out early!!! 7am is too late!!! and phone to book dinner at Tamaras at 7am prompt if you like a specific time (8pm gets booked up quickly)
Hope this puts your mind at rest about Coco Reef....you'll love it... we did!!
Ruth
-
Pamela Sutcliffe
Hi
Re:- Sun Beds
Is it a case of there are not enough sunbeds for the number of guests staying at the hotel?
What is the position if all the sunbeds are taken by 7.00hrs. Is there any shade i.e. trees or umbrellas etc. do you have to sit on the open beach?
We are retired, love the Carribean, where we usually stay in Barbados (for the past 16 years) there are more than enough sunbeds even when the hotel is full and there is plenty of shade either under trees or umbrellas on the beach and in the grounds.
We only decided to go to Tobago as a treat as it is a special occasion for us and it is the first time we have been AI.
Re:- Sun Beds
Is it a case of there are not enough sunbeds for the number of guests staying at the hotel?
What is the position if all the sunbeds are taken by 7.00hrs. Is there any shade i.e. trees or umbrellas etc. do you have to sit on the open beach?
We are retired, love the Carribean, where we usually stay in Barbados (for the past 16 years) there are more than enough sunbeds even when the hotel is full and there is plenty of shade either under trees or umbrellas on the beach and in the grounds.
We only decided to go to Tobago as a treat as it is a special occasion for us and it is the first time we have been AI.
-
Jane Oxley
My Wife and I have booked next March 2006 at the CRR and
have seen your comment about rooms 246-248.
Can you elaborate some more?
This a holiday of a lifetime for us as it is a special occasion and we have
upgraded to the Ocean View Room. Do all these have full sea view or partial view?.
Also, is it safe to walk outside of the hotel at night?
have seen your comment about rooms 246-248.
Can you elaborate some more?
This a holiday of a lifetime for us as it is a special occasion and we have
upgraded to the Ocean View Room. Do all these have full sea view or partial view?.
Also, is it safe to walk outside of the hotel at night?
-
Jane Oxley
My Husband and I have booked next March 2006 at the CRR and
have seen your comment about rooms 246-248.
Can you elaborate some more?
This a holiday of a lifetime for us as it is a special occasion and we have
upgraded to the Ocean View Room. Do all these have full sea view or partial view?.
Also, is it safe to walk outside of the hotel at night?
(sorry I meant Husband not Wife)
have seen your comment about rooms 246-248.
Can you elaborate some more?
This a holiday of a lifetime for us as it is a special occasion and we have
upgraded to the Ocean View Room. Do all these have full sea view or partial view?.
Also, is it safe to walk outside of the hotel at night?
(sorry I meant Husband not Wife)
-
Mike Davey
room 246-248
While i have some crititism of the hotel in general i am sure we stayed in room 247 and it was one of the better rooms so i am confused , yes its perfectly safe to walk outside of the hotel , shops / internet cafe and restrarants are within a few mins
-
Mike Davey
Trip advisor
My experince of trip advisor is positive , its certainly accurate about coco reef
-
Ruth Sidwick
We stayed in room 231. It was lovely, we had the views of CCR beach. I'm glad we didn't get the 246-8 rooms as they look out to the public beach and can be a bit rowdy. Our room was great, and the stairs at the left hand side of the corridor took us to the quite part of the beach outside our room. But, everyone is different, and I'm sure you won't be disapointed
Ruth
Ruth