Honeymooning in January 2004

[Jonathan Buick]

As a young couple who wish to get away from the crowd, be able to enjoy other local cultures and have a taste of luxury, we've settled on Tobago as a seemingly good choice for our Honeymoon. But can anyone advise on affordable accomodation? Our budget is around British£100 per night, and we're looking for romance, tranquility, beach, friendly local culture and some excursions, eg birding. Crown Point area doesn't really attract us.

So far I'm considering Blue Mango (Sea Steps Cottage), Man-O-War Bay 2-bedroom Cottage, Blue Water Inn and Footprints Eco Resort. From the many posts I've read, it's still hard to know. What I guess I'm asking is whether there are trade offs to be made at each of these places, and in fact are there any other similar priced accomodations which I should consider for a romantic, local and ever-so-slightly luxurious honeymoon.

Best wishes, Jonathan

[Steve Wooler]

Without question your choice of Tobago is spot on.

The rest of your research is good as well. On reading the first paragraph of your post, one place immediately sprang to mind. Lo and behold, you’d already thought of it – the Blue Waters Inn.

Have your read our review of the Blue Waters? We finished and published it just this week, so it’s hot off the press. I really think it is as close as you’re going to get to fulfilling all your criteria.

I can’t speak for Blue Mango as I’ve never stayed there or seen the cottages. Use the search facility at the top of the page and search for “Sea Steps”. You’ll find a February post by “oonarose”. She had a look around Blue Mango. There’s a fairly limited choice of catering options in Castara.

The Man ‘O War cottages are a real back-to-basics experience. It is 42 years since I last stayed in them, so my opinion is a little out of date. I loved them back then. They didn’t have running water or electricity in those days and there were no hedges or fences – they were just slap in the middle of the beach. They’re a little more updated now, but as with Blue Mango, you would have to drop your ‘luxury’ expectations.

On balance, my personal choice would definitely be Blue Waters Inn.

[Jonathan Buick]

Thanks for the feedback!

I did as you suggested and searched through the site. I'm now beginning to feel that Sea Steps Cottage at Blue Mango is beautiful and charming, but overpriced.

This is a great website by the way!

Could someone perhaps comment on a plan to split our honeymoon therefore between Blue Waters Inn and Footprints Eco Resort (is it open?). How would this work for access to the best beaches on the island?

All the best Jonathan (Honeymooning Jan 2004)

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Jonathan

Yes, you’ve hit the nail on the head as regards Sea Steps.

Splitting the holiday is a very good idea – I now think this is the best way to visit Tobago. A week each in two different parts of the island would be wonderful.

Maybe Marie at Tobago Weddings can comment on Footprints Eco Resort. She is Tobago’s premier wedding planner and I recall a post from her saying she had a wedding coming up there later this year. Any updates Marie? Have you seen Footprints and is it fully open?

Hopefully others will come up with some suggestions for you, based upon their own personal stays. Whatever else you do, you will need to budget for a car. It’s essential anywhere outside Crown Point if you want to get the best of the island. The Footprints resort would be good for all the best Caribbean coast beaches, but little choice of restaurants, etc.

[Jonathan Buick]

Thanks for all this great information and your insights. I'm now ready to book our honeymoon to Tobago and will definitely let you know how we get on. In fact, after learning so much about the island before we even go, we've decided to split our time among a few different locations over around 15 nights.

I can't wait to get everything confirmed.

Thanks again

jonathan

[Steve Wooler]

Jonathan

I'm not a betting man (in fact, probably the only person to ever attend a five day conference in Las Vegas and only spend US$10 gambling), but I am confident that if you study this site and take heed of the reports and comments of our readers, you are as guaranteed a magnificent holiday. It's one bet I will confidently back!

Be sure to let us know how you get on.

[Jorg Kilian]

Dear Jonathan,
the Footprints is fully open. They just had some problems with their internet and email and sometimes it is a bit difficult to reach them. If you consider staying there I recommend you to take a double room with sea view. You might have more value for money than taking the honeymoon suite. A car wouldn't be bad so you can move around, cause this peaceful place is really isolated...
Of course the Blue Waters Inn is a nice place. In the forum you should find all the information you need about this place...
Charlotteville is a beautiful place to stay in a traditional village. You find good places for about 60US...

[Anthony]

I got married at Footprints two years ago and am looking forward to going back in a few weeks. It's a wonderful, dreamy, tropical spot, but fairly remote, and a car is a good idea. Some of my family were appalled by the bumpy access road. The restaurant and rooms are rustic rather than plush, but they're rustic in a good way. Certainly you don't have to worry about touristy hordes there, and some of the best non-tourist beaches on the island are a bit further in the same direction up the coast. My newly minted wife and I stayed at the King of the Hill villa, and the private pool is awfully nice; but some of our guests stayed in the rooms down on the beach, and they were quite good; that's probably where we'll stay this time.

Have fun. Tobago is a great place for a romantic tropical vacation.