Grafton Beach in June

Tony J Taylor · Post by **Tony J Taylor** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:48 pm

Off to the Grafton Beach on June 14. I was there with the family in 1998 and had a great time. Looking at the posts it seems to have gone through some hard times but has come out of this with a refurb. Anybody been in the last few weeks and can give me some current feedback.

When we were there in 98 we went diving with Dive Tobago. Do they still exist and if not any other good dive outfits around the area?

Thanks

Tony

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:52 pm

Hi Tony

I think you'll find things have improved considerably since 1998 - and they can't have been bad then or you wouldn't be returning. Just work your way through this forum - everything you need to know is here.

I don't know about Dive Tobago - never heard of them. The only dive operation based at the Grafton is Adventure Ecodivers. I don't know anything about them - other than that people say they don't answer emails. They're not top runners, but I've never heard anything bad about them. The best dive operations on the island seem to be Extra Divers, World of Watersports, R&Sea Divers and Undersea Tobago - all of which are based within a short hop of the Grafton and would, no doubt, come and pick you up.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:29 pm

Hi I often go to Grafton, and was there a couple of months ago. Everything was fine. Since the disaster with the water a couple of years ago, they refurbished the Hotel, and changed the chef. Since then the food has been much better. The management seem to have grasped the fact that they must be consistent. And complaints travel much faster and further than compliments. Thanks in no small way to the Internet.

The staff overall have always been very attentive and friendly. Be friendly to them, and you will see what I mean.

I would not have any hesitation in going to the Grafton any time.

If you do have any problems talk to Rene, the Manager, He will go out of his way to make your stay enjoyable.

Hope that this info helps, and have a great time in Tobago. Please let me know If you need anymore info.

Philip

Andrew Poole · Post by **Andrew Poole** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:47 pm

Hi Phillip,
I can Thoroughly recomend MantaDive, based just before the entrance to Pigeon Point on the left. They have a website at http://www.mantadive.com and i'm sure Amanda or Randy would be glad to dive with you on Tobago and i know they will pick you up from your hotel ( and drop you back again) They answer e-mails also!!

Having just got back from Majorca i really envy you!!..the sea temp at bottom was a paltry 17 degrees and all the fish were silver!..Still..there were one or two interesting Coke cans and breeeze blocks to look at

Tony J Taylor · Post by **Tony J Taylor** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 12:58 pm

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like we should have a great time there - again. Only a week to go.

Best Regards

Tony

Peter Allday · Post by **Peter Allday** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:13 am

Tony,

I returned yesterday from 2 wonderful weeks at the Grafton. The staff were really friendly, the food excellent. We had no complaints about the hotel (apart from a mix up with the kids club, but I don't know that that was there fault, more probably the brochures)

We went diving with adventure eco divers who are based on site, and they were really good. We are a difficult group to cater for as there are four of us, and one had some joint problems and can't get in and out of the boat easily. They carried all her kit, and gave her a hand getting in and out.

Glynis, who handles the shop even looked after our 3yr old a few times when we were out, and took her daughter out of nursery to that they could play together.

It was great.

Also very good snorkling at Mount Irving bay just down the road (though not bad on the far right of stone haven beach by the fishing boat)

If you want to ask any other questions then please let me know

Sad to be back

Peter

Tony J Taylor · Post by **Tony J Taylor** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 2:06 pm

Peter,

Thanks for your info. Sounds like we will have a great time over there, as we did in 1998. I presume the dress code for dinner is no shorts. Is this still the case and is it enforced?

Best regards

Tony

Peter Allday · Post by **Peter Allday** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 2:46 pm

Yes, we did have a great time, and the dress code was 'no shorts and no t-shirts'.

The web site is now live and running with more details.

Peter

Denise Oakman · Post by **Denise Oakman** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:07 pm

we also are off to Grafton Beach but at beginning of July, Mum, Dad and two sons 17 and 19!

Any suggestions, tips gratefully received for brand new Tobago visitors (also new to the Caribbean).

I'm trying not to be alarmed/stressed by reports by the latest accounts on TripAdvisor.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:05 pm

Hi Denise

You're never going to please everyone. We felt the Grafton was a good choice for a hotel in that category. Our full review will be published hopefully within the next two weeks.

Peter Allday · Post by **Peter Allday** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:56 am

Denise,

We seemed to be staying at the Grafton at the same time as these people, but had a completely opposite view. I believe that it is largely due to the attitude that you take with you. The staff there always went out of their way to make things good for us, The food was excellent, and always kept covered and hot by a heated water underneath.

If you go along with a friendly attitude and chat with the Staff and find out more about them then they in their turn go the extra yard with you.

If you have any particular questions then please let me know and I will try and answer them for you.

Peter

Denise Oakman · Post by **Denise Oakman** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 9:04 pm

Thanks Peter and Steve

I feel reassured.

In answer to your question Peter for any further info I require where do I
begin?

This is a brilliant site and I am fast becoming an addict but if anyone would like to save me spending even more time on the net and enable me to put my cooking/cleaning/laundress hat back on (read mother!) and give me some tips on what to take/not, must dos for us and the post exam sons (last one 28/6 and counting) not necessarily together (please!)
I would be grateful. Also any musts to avoid!

Thanks in advance, looking over previous entries I am quietly confident as they say (possibly unlike England!)

Denise

Joe King · Post by **Joe King** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:09 pm

If you get a chance go to Salsa Kitchen in Scarborough for dinner, it was the best restaurant we went to.
Definately take a boat trip at some stage, either get Richard (a lifegaurd at Store Bay) to take you or go with Kalina Kats.
Go to the Argyll Waterfall, but wear good walking shoes and bring your swimming trunks. A swim at the waterfall will be the most refreshing thing you will do on Tobago.

Relax and enjoy!!

Joe

Peter Allday · Post by **Peter Allday** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:01 am

If you are going to rent a car then I would suggest doing it through Yes. Our friends rented a car, and did it through virgin, as it appeared to be cheaper, but the car had dodgy suspension, which caused it to ground out over ever pothole, and round every bend.

If you want to snorkle then I would suggest bringing your own snorkling gear if you can. I would recommend snorkling as we saw loads of great fish doing this.

You can rent body boards on the beach for $20TT an hour on the beach (great fun) or buy them at the shop just down the road for $110TT or $170TT. This was great fun, but unfortunately I didn't try it until our last day

(

Have fun and enjoy

Peter

Denise Oakman · Post by **Denise Oakman** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:41 pm

thanks very much.
We will certainly try all these recommendations,
walking boots/sturdy trainers will be packed and our snorkels etc
rediscovered.

Denise

Denise Oakman · Post by **Denise Oakman** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:08 pm

Help. I am a woman with an inability to travel light.
Does anyone know whether there is a lending library at the Grafton (I did see this question asked before but couldn't find a definitive reply), are hairdryers provided and what about kettles?
Reading this I sound very sad!

Not really just a bit too middle aged!

Thanks, we are off next week so I am greatly reassured reading the weather debate.

Denise

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:28 pm

Hi Denise

I don't think there's anything that you could call a lending library. However, most hotels have a collection of books "exchanged" by guests (or possibly left in rooms at the end of their stay). I don't recall seeing one at the Grafton. You could, however, pop down to the Polo Bar at Buccoo where Charlie Johnson, the owner, has a nice little collection. There's a very small charge for exchanging a book, with all proceeds going to the local primary school.

Yes, our room at the Grafton did have a hairdryer - but no kettle, I'm afraid.

Peter Allday · Post by **Peter Allday** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 7:17 am

Denise,

There is a collection of books available for borrowing in the Guest Services room (opposite reception). It is about a table full end-on.

As Steve says, there is a hair dryer in the room, and coffee and hot water are available by the bar for coffee and tea. I don't know the times they are available, but they were always there when we wanted them.

Peter

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:44 am

Denise,hairdriers are available(not that I need one)and you can usually get akettle if you ask at reception.There aren't many books at the Grafton but take a sneak in next door,there were quite a few there,also in Scarbrough there is a second hand paperback book shop at the bottom of I thnk,Bennet Street on the right hand side where the road forks.You can exchange(for aprice)and buy there.Regards David

Denise Oakman · Post by **Denise Oakman** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 2:41 pm

Thanks everyone for your help. I am reassured that the worst won't happen and I run out of reading material.

Denise

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