Post Recreated: Originally posted - 04 February 2003
Hi Nick (and Michelle who raised this subject later)
By good fortune, we are currently staying in a villa not five minutes drive from Courland Bay and Birdie’s Nest. In view of your post, I decided to ring the owners and pop over for a look.
Birdie’s Nest is a typical Caribbean property. It is situated in a small rural village – the sort of location that would frankly send shivers up your spine and have you constantly looking over your shoulder in some/most islands. I purposely feigned difficulty in finding the address (at least that’s my story) and stopped and asked for directions of three different people. I was met by nothing but friendly smiles and helpful instruction. One lad even started to run down the road ahead of me to show me the way. To experience TRUE Tobago, I suspect that you will be hard pressed to find a nicer base than Birdie’s Nest.
The property is virtually on the beach – you certainly couldn’t be closer without getting wet. It looked like an excellent beach from which to swim. The main apartment is on the first floor and comprises a large living area and kitchen at the front, with two bedrooms at the rear. They are spacious but as you would expect at the price, only basically furnished. At the price, it represents excellent value for money. Obviously the property is not air-conditioned and at the moment neither does it have ceiling fans – but I understand that these are planned. You could find it a trifle warm at night.
At the present moment, Birdie’s Nest is being renovated. The ground floor of the property is being converted into two one-bedroom apartments. There is a possibility that the main apartment on the upper floor may be converted so that it can be let in its current form, or as two one-bedroom apartments. The refurbishment is expected to be finished by the end of April, but having visited whilst the work was going on, I can vouch that the work is not disruptive to visitors.
Birdie’s Nest is currently occupied by a party of three visitors. I must extend my thanks to them for allowing me to interrupt their peace and quiet and view the apartment. They expressed total delight with the property, were familiar with myTobago.info and promised to post a review after returning to the States.
The property is a 5-10 minute walk from the main road and local village shops. A self-drive car would be fairly important – but I always recommend a car regardless of where you stay.
Birdie’s Nest will provide a total Caribbean ‘get away’ experience and allow you to really connect with the local population. I think I can guarantee that you will find that a heart-warming experience, as long as you “go with the flow”. The only downside was the lack of fans, but I understand that this is to be addressed. The type of location also means that light sleepers may find themselves woken before dawn to the usual village chorus of cockerels and possibly cocrico (more commonly known as the Chachalaca, this turkey-like bird is Tobago’s national bird and derives the local name ‘cocrico’ from the loud and raucous call it uses to keep in contact).
One final word. Birdie’s Nest is owned by the charmingly named locals Princess Robinson and her son Prince. The ‘business’ end of the partnership is Prince – who was just 18 last week. I was superbly impressed by this charming and enterprising young man and truly wish him every success.
The Birdie’s Nest website appears to offer an honest appraisal of the property. I took a couple of photographs of the property and beach view and will gladly email copies to anyone interested in the property. Simply email me at
[email protected].
) So: Does anyone got some personal experince (by resting there?) of the beach house "birdies nest"? Information will be wellcome - thanks Nick.
