Guest Report

[Tim & Lynn Morris]

We have just returned from our second stay at Castara Retreats. We thought it was amazing last year – this year was even better!!!
We stayed in Birdsong Lodge this time. Birdsong was in the process of being built in February 2006 when we last visited Castara Retreats, so we were excited to see it finished. It exceeded all our expectations. As with all the apartments/lodges at Castara Retreats, the lodge is beautiful with stunning views. I have now seen all the accommodation at Castara Retreats and have found every property to be finished to the highest standards and immaculately clean and well equipped with everything you could possibly need. Every single property has its individual highlights. All have amazing views over Castara, the beach and the coastline below. The gardens surrounding the properties are beautifully planted and very well maintained.

What makes Castara Retreats so special are the staff. Porridge, who manages the apartments, is always on hand to answer any questions and make sure your stay is perfect. He always has a smile and makes Castara Retreats a very special place to stay. He will call by each day to see if you need any help and advice. Porridge & his wife Jeanell are perfect hosts and can provide a taxi service to anywhere on the island, vehicles to hire on a daily or weekly basis, tours, shopping trips and advice about local activities. If you would like a home cooked meal, Marita, who lives opposite the Retreats, will prepare you delicious local dishes and deliver them to you. Ovita, Hermin & Sherry-Ann come in the service the apartments twice a week, always with a friendly smile and nothing is too much trouble. Doris brings fresh flowers for each accommodation every week & Carrington is around most days, maintaining the gardens and bringing guests fresh bananas & mangos from the garden.

The village of Castara is situated around a beautiful bay with a lovely sandy beach and warm sea, with safe swimming. Fresh fish can be purchased from the local fishermen on a daily basis. The ladies of the village bake bread & cakes in banana leaves in a clay oven on the beach every Thursday & Saturday…delicious!! Freshly baked bread can also be purchased from one of the local stores every afternoon and basic food & vegetables can be bought at the various shops in the village. All the local residents are friendly and always ready to stop for a chat (called liming!!). It was our second visit to Castara and already we have been accepted as a “local” and have made many friends.

We have travelled all over the Island now, as this year was our 3rd visit to Tobago. I have not seen anywhere as perfect as Castara to stay and to be honest, none of the other accommodations I have seen on the Island can touch Castara Retreats for location, excellent accommodation and friendliness. In Castara Retreats, Steve & Sue, who designed and built the beautiful accommodations, have created the perfect oasis for relaxation and an amazing holiday. The properties blend into the hillside and are finished to very highest of standards. The website Steve & Sue have designed is excellent, very comprehensive with easy booking & payment facilities. Requests and emails are always replied to promptly. All in all we would highly recommend Castara Retreats!!

We have been back 2 days and have already booked for next year!!! I can definitely say that Castara Retreats will be our winter holiday destination for many years to come!!