Tobago: Your Questions, Review, Comment & Opinion of Tobago
https://www.mytobago.info/forum/
We are Yvonne and Ann, the new owners Castara Cottage (formerly known as Mango House), which we bought in January 2006.
We note the comments contained in the review by the Moorhead family in 2002.
Whilst it is inappropriate and unnecessary to respond to this historical event (so long ago and under different ownership), we wish to ‘put the record straight’ by providing updated information.
As Steve Wooler stated in his response, that review was written a long time ago, since when, there have been numerous changes and adaptations to the accommodation.
For example, internal and external re-decoration, new outside decking for Saffron studio apartment, and general development to create a separate identity for the Cottage.
We have continued to receive guests and some of their more recent comments / reviews of the cottage, can be found on various websites including ‘Where To Stay’ and the main Castara Cottage website at http://www.castaracottage.com.
One of the unique features of Castara Cottage is that it is a wooden building, in a traditional Caribbean style. It has large shuttered windows and open fretwork - creating a light, airy interior space, which is in harmony with the natural environment. Many visitors choose to come to the Cottage for the closeness to nature and the natural, unpretentiousness of the cottage.
Although located near the road, the cottage is surrounded by a lush tropical shrubs and bushes - adding to the peacefulness, privacy and seclusion. None of our recent guests have expressed concerns about traffic noise, or a lack of privacy.
In terms of space, the Moorheads describe a situation that we find it hard to imagine. Obviously Mango House did not meet their particular requirements, but most people agree with our description of the cottage as spacious, light and airy.
We agree that the second bedrooms in the upper and lower apartments (Tamarind and Cinnamon) are smaller and do not have the same outlooks as the main bedrooms, but we do make this clear to people who request detailed information. We will suggest that those rooms may be more appropriate for children and young people and we never encourage overcrowding. On several occasions, we have recommended other local accommodation, if our arrangements are clearly not suitable.
Even so, the entire Cottage comfortably sleeps up to 11 people. Each apartment is private and can be used individually, or in any combination, to meet the needs of individuals, couples or groups. In addition, we have a childs bed in Saffron, a portable baby-cot and a sofa-bed, all which add to the flexible use of the accommodation.
The apartments have well-equipped kitchens, including large fridge freezers, full-size four-burner cookers with ovens, coffee making machines, a range of kitchen equipment, crockery and glasses. A laundry room is in the sub-basement.
Our exceptional manager, Brigitte, makes every effort to ensure that guests are comfortable.
Of course, we love Castara Cottage - but we do recognise that it may not be the ideal holiday for everyone. We aspire to give all our guests a memorable holiday experience, and actively encourage / welcome feedback, which will help us to achieve this.
Yvonne Joseph & Ann Rhodes