Latest News on Le Grand Courlan required!!

Neil · Post by **Neil** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 9:00 pm

My partner and I have recently booked a fortnight all-inclusive at LGC, flying out at the beginning of May. However, since booking we have read numerous reviews throughout the internet complaining of food poisoning, a poorly maintained complex and sub-standard service.

It's not too late for us to switch to the Hilton, again all-inclusive, but we'd like to get an up to date account before making the final decision.

I'm going out there for my 30th birthday, and would dearly like this to be memorable for all the right reasons.

If anyone has any recent views (this year) of LGC (or the Hilton for that matter) I would be most grateful.

On a completely different matter - both myself and my partner are vegetarian. Is this accomodated for at either of the forementioned hotels?

Thanks

Neil & Abby

Glyn Kirpalani · Post by **Glyn Kirpalani** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 9:31 am

Hi Neil, 8 of our wedding guests last September stayed at LGC and 2 next door at the sister hotel Grafton Beach. (Prior to the food poisoning problem at GB, which, along with the refurbishing and all clear, is well documented on this forum if you sniff about). All of them loved LGC, unwound and lambasted us every day with their latest culinary delight stories. Veggy food will be easily obtainable, at the self service buffet, although I have no knowledge of the a la carte menu. The hotel/beach are both delightful and certainly not busy by any standards. Their only gripe re service was one miserable barman, amongst the entire staff. In fact they raved about the chefs, as they caught a huge fish when on a boat trip, brought it back and presented it to the chefs who (free of charge) promptly prepared exclusively for their consumption that evening. They also enjoyed the manager's cocktail parties - and I can't possibly comment as to whether or not any non-residents also partook of his hospitality and excellent cocktails! You will have a birthday to remember, no sickness (they didn't), so worry not. Glyn

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 2:21 pm

Hi Neil

Hopefully someone who’s been there in the past week or two will see your post and allay your fears. However, Glyn has said it all, quite frankly. Fear not.

Yes, Le Grand Courlan had a problem. Believe you me, nothing will have focussed minds more than the problem they had. I had lunch there after the problems. It was delicious. Every report I have heard from visitors who have stayed there this year has been glowing. Catering there has taken a quantum leap forward and with the scrutiny they are under, both internally and externally, I think it is probably safe to say that the LGC and Grafton are probably the safest places to eat on Tobago.

Can’t answer re the vegetarian diet, but I know it’s not a problem. Why don’t you email - [email protected] - the hotel and ask the question?

Have a great trip – I know you will – and don’t forget to let us know how you get on.

Neil · Post by **Neil** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 7:59 am

Glyn/Steve

Thanks for your replies.

I have taken your advice and contacted the hotel directly. Hopefully, they will not take too long to reply!!

Still in the balance as to whether to switch to the Hilton (at an extra £350 per person for the fortnight). Will have to make our minds up soon as our holiday is only three weeks away.

Thanks again.

Neil

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 9:16 am

Hi Neil

Hopefully somebody who has stayed there will post an update soon.

Remember that the Hilton is rated a star higher than LGC, so will obviously be a little more luxurious and swish. Only you can decide whether the extra £700 is worthwhile.

Do you want a beach holiday or a pool holiday? The Hilton effectively has no usable beach, whereas the LGC does. On the other hand, the Hilton has an excellent catering reputation and I think it is probably fair to say that the food there will be the better of the two – bearing in mind my own comments about the excellent lunch we enjoyed at LGC. It’s really a matter of focussing on the things that are important to the two of you.

It was true that standards had slipped at LGC and Grafton and I too had heard reports that both resorts had suffered from under-investment and were looking ‘tired’. However, I believe all that has changed in the last year. I spent a morning touring both establishments in January – both public areas and behind-the-scenes. I can assure you that the hotels were looking very smart and in good condition. Not having stayed there, I can’t speak about general service levels. To be frank, I’ve heard more reports of ‘unfriendly’ service at the Hilton than at LGC.

On the flight out to Tobago, we got chatting to a party of four who stayed at LGC. One couple had been there twice before, their companions were first timers. Not surprisingly in such a small island, we kept bumping into them during the next two weeks – in fact the lunch I referred to was in their excellent company. Anyway, all four raved about LGC. They commented on how noticeable the improvements were – particularly with respect to catering.

I’m not particularly trying to “sell” you the LGC over the Hilton. However, the LGC was obviously your preferred initial destination. All I am saying is that based upon my own information and personal experience, you can forget any comments (particularly if they were made more than three months ago) regarding catering problems, building maintenance or service levels at Le Grand Courlan.

Neil · Post by **Neil** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 8:50 am

Steve

In light of your reply, we have decided to stay with our initial choice of LGC. If the hotel turns out not to be up to scratch, then we will request a transfer to alternative accomadation. What we are certain of is that we've made the right choice of destination to Tobago - really looking forward to 'exploring' the island.

One further point on LGC - They are still yet to reply to my e-mail requesting further information (some 72 hours on). I hope that this isn't a sign of the service to come!!

However, it turns out, I will be sure to return to this forum and post details of our experience.

Thanks again for your advice.

Neil

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 9:11 am

Hi Neil

No hotel in the world will be right for everyone and even the “best” hotels in the world gets complaints (in fact, I’ve heard it said that the better the hotel, the more complainers they get – which says a lot about humanity, I guess). Anyway, sticking my neck out has made me a very tall person and I have to say you have made the same choice that we would have done – simply because the beach situation is very important to Jill. Who wants to be lugging around everything they need for a day on the beach or not being able to nip back to the room for a lie down, a shower or whatever? I’m sure you’ll have a great time and be sure to let us know how you get on.

Don’t worry about the email response too much – Le Grand is always very, very bad on email. I send out periodic anonymous emails to test the contact email addresses shown in our hotel listings, response times, whether our enquiries have been answered satisfactorily, prices, etc. Le Grand has been on the ‘test list’ twice and failed both times – they didn’t reply to the first and took three weeks to reply to the second. Funnily enough, the Grafton responded well both times I tested them. A lot of establishments on Tobago haven’t moved into the new century yet and technology is something of anathema to them.

Linda Strallen · Post by **Linda Strallen** » Thu May 01, 2003 8:39 am

Hiya Neil,
It would be interesting to hear your veiws on LGC when you get back from your holiday there.
We are going on 22nd May, just after you, so I look forward to reading your comments on your return.
Linda

Neil · Post by **Neil** » Thu May 01, 2003 12:37 pm

I will do my best to post a review as soon as I get back (18th May). Myself and my partner have found this site and in particular the forums invaluable in helping to plan our holiday, and gain answers to what are, at times, very specific questions. The least I can do is return the favour.

Can't remember ever looking forward so much to a holiday!!

Neil · Post by **Neil** » Sun May 11, 2003 12:41 pm

Linda

Just a very quick reply .....

A number of guests (including myself andmy partner) have transferred from LGC for a number of reasons, that sum up to the resort not being up to a 4* standard.

The major complaint is the fact that water (due to the extremely dry 'dry season') is being limited to certain times of the day. Fine - however, they then failed to stick to the timetable, which made it very difficult to plan showers etc.

I will write a fuller review when I return (now at the Hilton). Just thought that you may appreciate the opportunity to speak to your tour operator before you leave.

That being said we are having a fantastic, relaxing time here in Tobago!!

Neil

Linda Strallen · Post by **Linda Strallen** » Sat May 17, 2003 3:15 pm

Hi Neil and welcome back to the drizzly UK! I am watching this space for your news and i really hope you both had a wonderful time in tobago. Sad to hear you had to transfer to the Hilton but i hope their water situation was better. Hope you have a min to let us know what you thought of the Grand Courlan soon.
Linda

Neil · Post by **Neil** » Sun May 18, 2003 6:59 pm

OK - extremely tired and exhausted (just got back this morning), but I'll give you the main reasons for our transfer of hotel (and some of the other complaints that I heard but didn't witness from other guests staying at LGC):

Those issues experienced first hand:

Firstly, as previously mentioned, the water supply to this hotel was irregular at times and of varying pressure. This resulted in us not being able to take a shower until our third day there, and wet/dirty towels not being replaced. This was blamed on a particulary dry 'dry season' which has been experienced around the whole island. The rainy season had begun to dampen the island shortly before we left, so maybe this problem has now been resolved.
Secondly, the Spa is not exactly inviting. It is in the basement, resulting in nearly no natural light and is in need of a new coat of paint and the replacement of a number of ceiling tiles. The Spa was also inexplicably closed one day, resulting in us having to rearrange that particular treatment. Having said that, the treatments that we had we very good and the staff were extremely friendly.
The restaurant food was of an average standard. However, we did find the choice for vegetarians very limited. This culminated in the only vegetarian option 'running out' one night, and us being served an alternative without any explanation.
The room itself was showing it's age. Some of the fittings were rusty, others chipped, the a/c was extremely noisy and their was a coat of dust on a lot of the wall fixtures.

Those mentioned to us by other guests, included:

No water for jacuzzi in room.
Mice in room.
Holes in bedsheets.

Overall, we were very disappointed with the resort and didn't feel it warranted the 4* rating, and so we enquired about a move to the Hilton. We were offered a like-for-like transfer for only £10 per person per night extra. Needless to say we took up the offer and were very pleased with the move (I will write a review on the Hilton later this week).

Oh - and one final point. There were several cockerels that choose to crow at varying times throughout the night, literally outside your door, which led to an interrupted nights sleep!!

Hope that this helps, and enjoy your trip wherever you end up staying.

Linda Strallen · Post by **Linda Strallen** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:28 pm

Thanks, Neil, for taking the trouble to write your views so soon after getting back. I have to say I was not over the moon to read them but I am going to stay with the grand courlan for the time being. Everyone has different opinions of hotels and we tend to be very laid back once we get on the beach! I also think four star varies enormously depending where in the world you are. Anyway we are off this Thursday and I am so excited. Did you do any diving? Diving is my passion so i will be spending most of the time underwater!
thanks again and all the best.
Linda

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:39 pm

Thanks, Neil and don't worry, Linda, I'm sure you'll have a great holiday. The water shortage has affected most of the island very badly, but I must admit this is the first report I've seen of anyone being seriously affected by it. I look forward to your report on the Hilton, Neil.

Linda, please have a great time and post a report when you get back. Don't forget to vote in the Visitor Satisfaction polls at the top of the hotel forum, both of you.

Linda Strallen · Post by **Linda Strallen** » Tue May 20, 2003 4:46 pm

This is a terrific site! Not only is it overflowing with useful information but also lovely soothing comments from Steve!

thank you
Linda

Monarch Pilot · Post by **Monarch Pilot** » Tue May 27, 2003 10:22 pm

I have just visited my folks at LGC 16th-23rd May, and have the following info:

LGC have had major problems with their reservation computer and are overbooked most nights. My folks arrived late and had to be accomodated at the Grafton Beach for the first night!

The water shortage appears to be over (it's raining!). The reason mainly for the problem at LGC is that they all full and the water company didn't believe their requirments.

Chickens do wander around the grounds, as does a charming cat.

Vegies are V well catered for with a One to One meeting with the head chef on day 1 to discuss requirements.

The food is very good and service very good.

The dive shop is excellent.

Overall the LGC does very well.