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I've been recommended the area around Castara as a place to visit that is not "touristy" and am currently looking for apartments/villas to rent. I am planning to travel in June for two weeks with my mother and we are ideally looking for somewhere close to walk to the beach (but not too close so it is quiet in our rooms). Ideally we would like a two bedroomed place or somewhere with a lovely room for my mum and a futon in the lounge for me Also breathtaking views for us both are a must as well as a well-equipped kitchen!
I am impressed so far with Castra retreats (Rainforest) and Paradise Point but wondered if there is one I have missed.
Any feedback or comments would be very much appreciated.
You have made a good choice - Castara is a wonderful base for having a real Tobagan experience. We stayed in Castara Retreats last year and loved it. We stayed in Osprey, one of the two studios. These are really most suitable for a couple, although I think from memory that Pelican can possibly be changed to a twin-bedded room. Probably the best for you and your mum would be the Rainforest apartment; fantastic views, and a wonderful bedroom for Mum with a smaller room for you. The kitchen is more sophisticated I think than the ones in the studios. One word of caution;the Retreats are up a steep footpath, and you need to be reasonably fit. The views are amazing. The nearest beach is five minutes down, ten back.
We stopped and looked at the outside of Paradise Point villa. This is in a spectacular position, but much further from the village. You would need a car. We had dinner with one couple who were staying there, and they enthused about it. It is a quite different proposition from Castara Retreats however. The villa is modern and looks like many other similar luxury villas in the tropics. The accommodation in the Retreats is much simpler, more rustic, with the buildings made of wood and with open shutters to the sea and sky.
Another possibility you might consider is Sandcastles. This accommodation was highly rated by other visitors we met and is at the top of the road leading down into the village. The owner is a regular contributor to this forum.
All of these would be very quiet choices. However, don't underestimate the sound of the surf and the roosters - magic!
Also breathtaking views for us both are a must as well as a well-equipped kitchen!