Post Recreated: Originally posted - 27 October 2002
We have just booked to go to the Le Grand Courlan Spa in early December 2003 with Virgin but are now a little concerned about the standards of the food and service that we have been reading about. Also, concerned about the general quality of the hotel. It looked lovely in teh brochure but now that we have had a look on the internet, we are not too sure. Can anyone put our minds at rest or, at worst, advise to change our plans. Help!
Le Grand Courlan Spa, Tobago
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Lesley, UK
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 27 October 2002
Hi Steve and Lynda, I am due to travel in november to le grand courlan, as I am a travel agent I have naturally been scanning all of the information available and trying to get some extra feedback from various sources. A work colleague went last november and says that it was fine, Tobago is not overly touristy but that is part of its charm and appeal. I was worried about its food standards too, you have obviousely been on same website as myself...same soup, slow service etc??? My main instinct however is that all caribbean islands are somewhat laidback, diner can take a good 3 hours (I experienced this in barbados but still would go back as the island is fantastic) Also in my line of business it has to be noted that in general people are much more likley to write about the bad experiences than good ones so all the negative postings are probably not a fair example. Third point- Virgin, BA hols, Kuoni and Thomsons- 4 of our major operators to the carribean all feature this as a 1st class resort, if it was that bad belive me they would be reluctant to heap their high rankings on it...just imagine the complaints they would have? I am thoroughly looking forward to my holiday and am sure I will have a lovely time, go with an open mind and have fun. (ps I will be back at end of November and promise to post mt honest unbiased opinion for you if that would help.
Hi Steve and Lynda, I am due to travel in november to le grand courlan, as I am a travel agent I have naturally been scanning all of the information available and trying to get some extra feedback from various sources. A work colleague went last november and says that it was fine, Tobago is not overly touristy but that is part of its charm and appeal. I was worried about its food standards too, you have obviousely been on same website as myself...same soup, slow service etc??? My main instinct however is that all caribbean islands are somewhat laidback, diner can take a good 3 hours (I experienced this in barbados but still would go back as the island is fantastic) Also in my line of business it has to be noted that in general people are much more likley to write about the bad experiences than good ones so all the negative postings are probably not a fair example. Third point- Virgin, BA hols, Kuoni and Thomsons- 4 of our major operators to the carribean all feature this as a 1st class resort, if it was that bad belive me they would be reluctant to heap their high rankings on it...just imagine the complaints they would have? I am thoroughly looking forward to my holiday and am sure I will have a lovely time, go with an open mind and have fun. (ps I will be back at end of November and promise to post mt honest unbiased opinion for you if that would help.
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anon
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 31 October 2002
Hi Steve and Lynda, I have just returned from a two week stay at Le Grand Courlan and like yourselves I was very apprehensive as I had heard mixed reports. However, I would like to say that we enjoyed our stay there. The hotel has in the last month employed a new chef and waiters. The service was rarely slow and the staff were very friendly. Personally I enjoyed breakfast and lunch more than dinner. All round I couldn't fault this hotel. Enjoy your stay!
Hi Steve and Lynda, I have just returned from a two week stay at Le Grand Courlan and like yourselves I was very apprehensive as I had heard mixed reports. However, I would like to say that we enjoyed our stay there. The hotel has in the last month employed a new chef and waiters. The service was rarely slow and the staff were very friendly. Personally I enjoyed breakfast and lunch more than dinner. All round I couldn't fault this hotel. Enjoy your stay!
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
- Posts: 4856
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk, England
- Contact:
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 27 October 2002
Hi Steve & Lynda Not having stayed there, I can't really comment, although we shall be doing a mini-review of Le Grand Courlan this coming January/February. You might wish to read the article published in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago. I had tried to get permission to publish it on myTobago, but their first response was "how large is my budget" because the freelance author will expect "quite a high fee". I wrote back explaining that we were a free information site and they haven't even had the courtesy to reply. Their terms and conditions prevent me from giving you the URL to the article, but connect to http://www.timesonline.co.uk, then select Travel from the Times Online menu down the left margin, then Caribbean. In the main page, you will see Caribbean Direct and Caribbean: Villas, Hotels and Packages. Hope this helps.
Hi Steve & Lynda Not having stayed there, I can't really comment, although we shall be doing a mini-review of Le Grand Courlan this coming January/February. You might wish to read the article published in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago. I had tried to get permission to publish it on myTobago, but their first response was "how large is my budget" because the freelance author will expect "quite a high fee". I wrote back explaining that we were a free information site and they haven't even had the courtesy to reply. Their terms and conditions prevent me from giving you the URL to the article, but connect to http://www.timesonline.co.uk, then select Travel from the Times Online menu down the left margin, then Caribbean. In the main page, you will see Caribbean Direct and Caribbean: Villas, Hotels and Packages. Hope this helps.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Lesley, UK
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 01 November 2002
Hello Lesley, I am so relieved I have found a site like this. Hope you can help. I am British (half Trinidadian) and spent 6 yrs in Trinidad with a few short trips to Tobago- so I may be biased insaying think Tobago beaches are better than Barbados Cuba..... Where I need help I have decided to fly out 30-40 people for my wedding in May to Le Grande Courlan hotel and am now thinking of changing. I too have read the reviews and heard about the service provided, Now -I am used to the laid back manner in which trinis and tobagonians are...myworry is 7 wks on I still can not receive a quote from them for the actual day and worry if this is now what about next yr, I do not want to stress flying out there. It would be greatto receive any feedback on the hotel, is it fitting fora wedding, are there nice spots it can be held- otherwise it lookslike we will have to change hotels.. Have a lovely time in Tobago, try some roti and street vendor food- its great shark n bake and local fruit if poss pomerac!! Kim
Hello Lesley, I am so relieved I have found a site like this. Hope you can help. I am British (half Trinidadian) and spent 6 yrs in Trinidad with a few short trips to Tobago- so I may be biased insaying think Tobago beaches are better than Barbados Cuba..... Where I need help I have decided to fly out 30-40 people for my wedding in May to Le Grande Courlan hotel and am now thinking of changing. I too have read the reviews and heard about the service provided, Now -I am used to the laid back manner in which trinis and tobagonians are...myworry is 7 wks on I still can not receive a quote from them for the actual day and worry if this is now what about next yr, I do not want to stress flying out there. It would be greatto receive any feedback on the hotel, is it fitting fora wedding, are there nice spots it can be held- otherwise it lookslike we will have to change hotels.. Have a lovely time in Tobago, try some roti and street vendor food- its great shark n bake and local fruit if poss pomerac!! Kim
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Simon
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 04 November 2002
Hi Steve and Lynda Worry not! I have just returned from Le Grande yesterday, the food was excellant, the service was good, just one night in the restaurant was a little slow and the staff are very charming and friendly. The front of house manager, Lorraine Depeza, is truly exceptional, full of charm and helpfulness, nothing is too much of a problem for her to help. We hope to return!
Hi Steve and Lynda Worry not! I have just returned from Le Grande yesterday, the food was excellant, the service was good, just one night in the restaurant was a little slow and the staff are very charming and friendly. The front of house manager, Lorraine Depeza, is truly exceptional, full of charm and helpfulness, nothing is too much of a problem for her to help. We hope to return!