Firstly, and as with most mytobago info seekers, many congratulations on such a helpful and superbly constructed site!
Hotel: Coco Reef - as depicted a delightful hotel and one that I would have no hesitation in recommending. We shall certainly be going back next year. In discussions with numerous other guests it appears that repeat business is very much the case with Coco Reef guests. Given the above it seems churlish to make comments but helpful observations as follows:
- Guests - eclectic - be warned!
Children - far more than we would have anticipated and more the surprising given the time of year i.e. term time. Screams of delight or were they screams of annoyance from other guests were very much to the fore! The Saturday return flight home confirmed that Coco Reef was not singled out as the sole benefactor!
Bedrooms - those on the ground floor were significantly larger due to the balcony "effect" although sea views may be more restricted. Bathrooms are really the only disappointing feature being cramped and not having a separate shower feature but what the heck, who is spending the days in the room!
Staff - absolutely fantastic with service to match 5* city hotels
Food - wonderful and varied as the menu changes every two days - diet now necessary! I would thoroughly recommend going "All Inclusive"
Taxis - hotel has own fleet and costs are proportionately higher. We had a strong recommendation of Royal Taxis that are opposite the main drive to the hotel and used them throughout our holiday. Jameison and Lester were most helpful but in particulate Alvin (aka Pigeon) who was our guide throughout the island - a very gentle and knowledgeable man who also seemed to know everybody. I cannot recommend Alvin highly enough and no I am not on commission!
- Mount Irvine - a delightful setting hewn 30 years ago from a coconut plantation. The course is excellent with some memorable holes especially those fronted by the Harrison Ford palace (and yes, Calista and HF in residence during our stay!). The disappointment was that the course is being neglected by the owners (Mr York, a steel magnate from Trinidad). This to the extent that after the fist hole we declared bunkers as Ground under Repair - no rakes, no sand and full of weeds. It is also more expensive than the alternate course at the Hilton complex. Why? It is beyond belief but hopefully somebody will see sense sooner rather than later. Golfers require complimentary courses and would have this if the Mount Irvine owner can be reasoned with.
Hilton GC - a new yet delightful course in superb condition at a cost of $95 per round to include a buggy. Not an option to go without a buggy as a long drive between holes. The cost goes down according to the packages that one may purchase. A difficult course that will test most standards and with the Atlantic breezes at a constant the course can be played at most hours of the day. Take plenty of balls as mangrove swamp and water hazards to the fore.
- Island Tour - inevitable and already highlighted Alvin's features but.....
Trinidad - the day trip by air was a delight but.......... The visit to the Wright plantation house to tour the rain forest, watching the birds and animals being fed, followed by lunch in the house was a must as was the Swamp Boat. This was early evening and took us to a spot to watch the flighting of the Scarlet Orbis - 10,000 of the brightly coloured national bird of Trinidad. The bit in between to Port of Spain was a bore and a suggestion to anybody considering this trip would be to find an alternative fill in. Personally and despite my love of cricket, I do not wish to visit an empty cricket ground nor drive by Brian Lara's house nor visit a souvenir shop. It was good to return home to Tobago!
- Hilton - a great new complex and impressive. We visited a room and suite and could find no fault. Observations were such that would I wish to dine internally every evening - surely when in the Caribbean the "open air feel" is the preferred atmosphere rather than a restaurant that could be any city hotel in the world? The Atlantic wind was a constant and whilst great for the golf I would imagine a little tiring after a while. The beach looked good but the sea not suitable for swimming due to power of waves - hence guests bussed to Pigeon Point. Other guest's comments were of tardy service but this may be in view of hotel being inundated by guests from Grand Courlan and Grafton Beach where problems have been occurring due to food contamination!
Blue Haven - went with much anticipation as much heralded by friends who had stayed. Setting is delightful (nearly as good as Coco Reef!) although did not find that friendly. Architecture of new blocks interesting to say the least - bar and pool areas were not what I would recommend for a 7 day holiday but as I say, first impressions!
Grafton / Grand Courlan - see above!