Naturalist Beach Resort ... 2005 Update

[Paul Tallet]

I am pleased to update the forum about the Naturalist Beach Resort following my recent stay in Castara.


The Naturalist Beach Resort

A 6 room Guesthouse situated at the northern end of the main beach in Castara and with some rooms looking south down the length of the beach.

The business is owned and operated by Ancle George who has developed the business organically over the last several years with some substantial upgrades and improvements over the last 12 months.

I understand that this is one of just a handful of businesses in Castara that does not depend on overseas investment and therefore Ancle has been able to develop the business under his own steam and with no outside influence.

Much of the management of the business is now handled by Ann Marie under which a growing number of loyal staff maintain the Guesthouse and Café.


Rooms

The main Guesthouse comprises of 5 rooms of different sizes that can cater for between 2 and 4 guests.

All rooms offer clean, simple and basic accommodation with double/twin beds, basic cooking facilities (including a microwave and 2 ringed stove, kettle, pots, pans and cutlery) and a fridge (that can be stocked with drinks on request).

Each room has a bathroom including a hot shower, toilet and washbasin.

Furniture includes tables and chairs and storage cupboards (i.e.; wardrobe and drawers).

I think all the rooms have air conditioning apart from one.

All rooms have TV for some reason, I never use them but I guess some may like watching TV.

The most popular room is the ‘Kingfish’ that has an outside porch in which you can sit and enjoy the view down the beach. You would be lucky to get this room at short notice during peak times.


The Blue Marlin Suite

Situated above Café Delight this accommodation was opened in April 2004.

The suite is very spacious and much more comfortably appointed with a full kitchen (with cooker/oven) and a much larger bathroom suite.

A large and sheltered balcony provides panoramic views south over the main beach in Castara and further south down the coast.

Furnishings include a double bed with mosquito nets, a single bed, a 3 piece suite and ample cupboard and storage space.

No air conditioning is provided and it is not needed because the whole suite can be opened up to the outside elements and this allows the sea breezes through and a large ceiling fan can be switched on during particularly humid times.

With all the shutters open, the views from the suite are quite stunning (even if you are lying in bed) and the ambience is quite awesome due to the suite’s proximity to the beach (i.e.; it is on the beach) and the pounding waves can be felt as well as heard.

The suite includes a TV, Mobile Phone and a hire car although I guess the price could be reduced by declining the hire car if other arrangements are in place.

Honeymooners are the first to come to my mind when I think of the appeal of the Blue Marlin Suite.

The panoramic views can only be bettered by some rooms of the nearby Blue Mango apartments and marginally better at Alibaba’s Sea Breeze in Heavenly Bay, however the Blue Marlin is really in a class of it’s own due to it’s location on the beach.


Services

All rooms are cleaned and fresh linen provided regularly every 2 days.

If you want drinks in the fridge, these are kept stocked up.

The whole area is hosed down and swept each day, plants watered and bird feeding implements replenished.

A small library exists in the former Breakfast Bar of the main building which is lighted all night for the benefit of those insomniacs that like to read or lime all night.

Breakfast and Lunch is optional in the Café Delight where there is access to the Internet for $20TT per hour in an air conditioned room … I used to go there just to cool down sometimes !!


Café Delight

Situated right underneath the Blue Marlin Suite with lovely views of the main beach.

Café Delight is open all week for breakfasts, lunches and soft drinks. They even make nice ground coffee there.

On Fridays and Sundays (this could change!) the café hosts barbecues and entertainment is provided by a group that plays old style African Drums.

Being below the Blue Marlin Suite, the café has beautiful views down the length of the main beach and out to sea.

At the time I was there, this was the only place to go for breakfast in Castara.


Summary

The Naturalist Beach Resort seems to have cornered all the commercial opportunities available to it in Castara with the rooms, a café, internet facilities and it’s excellent location right next to the main beach.

Don’t expect Gourmet Cuisine or Luxury (arguably with the exception of the Blue Marlin Suite).

Expect simplicity with clean and comfortable accommodation in an excellent location, convenience for meals and a good and reliable host (Ancle) and his staff who are always on hand if you need them.

Regards

[Emma]

Hi Paul,

I was just wondering if you could answer some questions that I have about the naturalist as you seem very knowledgable on this subject.

Firstly would it be a good idea to rent two Anchovy apartments, with two kids aged 15 and 13 and the other with the two adults, or will they be allowed to stay in the Bonito and Salmon rooms with the adults, even though both aged over 12

I am a bit confused about whether each apartment is in a separate building or whether they are all different rooms in the same building.

If you could answer these queries then that would be of great help

Many thanks,

Emma

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Emma

Although some families use one room I think it could be a bit crowded, after all, I have a family of 5.

I always rent 2 rooms and that has nothing to do with age of my children ... just want my space.

Ideally the Kingfish for the parents that has a Porch where the family can congregate ... then you have another of the rooms around the back for the kids.

The Blue Marlin is in a separate building and therefore you may prefer not to be there and leave your children in the other building ... it is up to you.

Having said that, the Blue Marlin has more space and I am sure it can be arranged to add a sofa bed for the 2nd child so that 4 can stay there.

There are 5 rooms in the main building, 4 are accessed via a corridor and the Kingfish is accessed from the front (beachfacing) with the Blue Marlin in a separate building on the beach above Cafe Delight.

Hope this helps

Regards

[Ana V]

Paul,
Do any of the apartments in the main building (bonito, salmon, or jacks) connect? I have emailed Ancle for availability and from his reply believe that Kingfish is not available.
Ana V

[Paul Tallet]

Ana V

No the rooms do not connect.

All 4 rooms are accessed via a corridor that runs through the middle of the main building.

The Kingfish has it's own access and, yes, you need to book early for that one.

Regards