Coco Reef Review May 2005

[Peter Green]

My wife & I have just today returned from a weeks stay at the Coco Reef Hotel.

We read the comments on this web site with interest before we left and I have to say we were worried about a few things we read and wondered if we had made a good hotel choice or not.

I have to say that some comments we did read were accurate such as the service in the hotel and the 'towels on the sunbeds' situation however I would say they were the only major negatives.

I'll start with the service. It was OK…….at times! Some staff were fantastic and others were so very miserable. The service in the restaurants was generally good although the food in Tamara’s was actually served too quick which in turn meant we could be in and out of the restaurant in 30 minutes !!! Service was particularly bad when it came to ordering drinks when sitting out on the terrace.

The situation with the sunbeds was astonishing. I am not an ageist person but it was the over 50's that were the main culprits. We even discovered guests putting out there towels the night before. We had the last laugh though as there had been overnight and morning rain and I’m sure their towels would have been absolutely drenched. There were plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for those you required them which is something else I couldn’t relate to on reading previous comments on this website.

Some of the entertainment in the evenings was something that I should think you get in Blackpool. Not our scene although a couple of the bands played and sung very local music which was excellent. I think the entertainment satisfied the majority of visitors which I would say were 50 and over Brits. We were disappointed that there weren’t many other guests of other nationalities.

The hotel generally was good though and we would more than recommend it. Nowhere is perfect but we would give the hotel an 8 out of 10. The facilities allowed us to relax and de-stress for a week and we arrived back home in fine fettle.

We didn’t particularly think that Tobago itself was the best island we have been to. The beaches were disappointing although the coastline towards the north of the island was stunning. We live in Jersey and our beaches here are generally much sandier and cleaner. I never thought I would say such a thing comparing Jersey to a Caribbean Island but in this case I believe that to be true.

My wife & I generally only visit a place once as there are so many other places to visit on this planet. We won’t I don’t think ever return to Tobago but that is not to say I wouldn’t discourage others to give it a try.

[Kayla Aspinall]

Peter,

Can I ask if you have ever been to the caribbean before and where have you stayed?

I have been to Antigua,Anguilla,Barbados and St Lucia and I must say each island was very different. The beaches in Antigua and Anguilla were quite superb, however they had no scenery. St Lucia had the scenery but not so good beaches and Barbados is just not for me! I haven't visited Tobago yet but looking forward to the unspoilt beauty, I do think that this will be the island for me. I have always gone all inclusive too, but this time won't be. Reading all there is to read on this wonderful site I have learnt that Tobago is not like any other caribbean island, which is definately a good thing. I'm not convinced that they are very good at the comercialised all inclusive resort ( I may be shot down by this comment) but I think that's why I'm eager to visit Tobago, I want to experience the more natural aspect of the caribbean. I feel that I have been seen and done all inclusive and now it's time to experience the real caribbean.

Good luck with your future world travels.

Regards,

Kayla