Our First Time

[Tim M]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 21 October 2002

We have just (last Friday) returned from our first visit to Tobago and thought that some observations and (personal) opinions etc might be of interest.

We stayed at the Tropikist, room only basis though we did try their meals twice. OK hotel with a good location, the food was poor and very expensive for what it was. Also some minor improvements would make so much difference- decent towels, bedding that fitted the bed and air-con that could be adjusted without it leaking! Not to be totally negative though, sitting on their terrace watching pelicans fly across a Caribean sunset is pretty amazing!

Restaurants we tried in Crown Point- Ruby Lou's, friendly Canadian owner, good "home cooking", generous portions, reasonable prices though a limited menu. Dillons- superb mainly fish dishes, our best meals. The Pelican Reef, good varied menu, entertainment, good atmosphere even in the quiet season. Bonkers- very similar to the Pelican. At lunchtime the Waving Gallery (Store Bay beach facility) does excellent and very cheap food. We did notice that a number of restaurants mentioned in guide books were not open- presumably because we we were in the "quiet" season. Outside of Crown Point we only managed to eat in Jemma's Treehouse in Speyside-wonderful food in a unique setting, also an un-named bar in Scarborough- an "interesting" goat curry! For entertainment the Crystal Bar in Crown Point on a Saturday night was great fun and full of locals who REALLY know how to party.

We hired a car (watch the insurance- some only offer 3rd Party cover with a 7000$TT(!) excess).

Especially favourite places were Speyside and Charlotteville, if (sorry when) we return I think we would aim to stay in that area. The beaches at Englishman's Bay and Parlatuvier are also fantastic, we had the first to ourselves when we were there.

Overall- a great place, our first trip to the Caribean, we will be back!!! Sorry for going on a bit, editing is not my strong point!

[Ian R]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 22 October 2002


I have to agree with Tims assesment of the Tropikist in fact I think he was being kind. It which was recomended to me by a Trini friend who had been there for a wedding reception and stayed - and as a local they clearly got a better room than we did - we stayed only the one night and moved on - fortunately we were not on a package holiday otherwise could have been a disastrous.

With regards to restaurants closures on our last visit I found in that many were closed and appeared to be so indefinitely due to low numbers of tourists some of which due to 9/11 etc but also poor marketing of Tobago and value for money issues. OK we are tourists but we are also guests on the island - that does not mean we are there to be automatically fleeced like sheep (or goats)!!

Car hire can be a rip off on island and as a Purchasing manager in a major international company I havs seen or heard of most of them - but a TT$7000 excess takes the biscuit. Personally I have used Rattan Car Rentals since 1997 when I first went to work in Trinidad and have found Mr Rattan and his cars and jeeps good value with reliable if not always the latest models at good rates (haggle a little - I know it is not natural for some people - but it gets you RESPECT!).