Guest Report
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:06 am
My husband and I just returned from a week-long stay in Tobago. We spent 7 nights at the Naturalist and loved every minute of it. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. When we had a bit of trouble with our rental car (not from Naturalist) and needed to rearrange SCUBA diving, Marion (manager) went out of her way to help us find phone numbers and make calls. The staff is only around until early afternoon, so if you need anything, take care of it early.
We stayed in Bonito. I have to say for $55 (US) per night, it was a great deal. The room was spotless and cleaned every day. The air conditioning worked well. The fridge was well stocked with drinks (and restocked every day). The rooms are tucked down a hallway. They feel very private and secure, but there are definitely no views – you wouldn’t want to spend your vacation in them. The kitchenette had a two-burner portable stove and all the pots and utensils we needed.
The hotel internet service was down while we were there and the payphone didn’t work. Marion offered to let us use the office phone. As a note, we found it difficult to call to the US. Most of the coin payphones on the island are broken and the only place we found to buy phone cards was at the airport. We tried to buy a cell phone, but were told only locals can purchase them. If you need to call home, I would recommend bringing a cell phone that you know will work in Tobago.
Castara is quiet and fun. On our first night there, several local kids came to tell us about a turtle on the beach. It turned out to be a leatherback that had come ashore to lay eggs. The beach is often busy with fishermen. We found great snorkeling just past the small beach.
I would definitely recommend the Naturalist to anyone heading to Tobago. It’s not the Ritz, but if that’s what you’re looking for, try another island.
We stayed in Bonito. I have to say for $55 (US) per night, it was a great deal. The room was spotless and cleaned every day. The air conditioning worked well. The fridge was well stocked with drinks (and restocked every day). The rooms are tucked down a hallway. They feel very private and secure, but there are definitely no views – you wouldn’t want to spend your vacation in them. The kitchenette had a two-burner portable stove and all the pots and utensils we needed.
The hotel internet service was down while we were there and the payphone didn’t work. Marion offered to let us use the office phone. As a note, we found it difficult to call to the US. Most of the coin payphones on the island are broken and the only place we found to buy phone cards was at the airport. We tried to buy a cell phone, but were told only locals can purchase them. If you need to call home, I would recommend bringing a cell phone that you know will work in Tobago.
Castara is quiet and fun. On our first night there, several local kids came to tell us about a turtle on the beach. It turned out to be a leatherback that had come ashore to lay eggs. The beach is often busy with fishermen. We found great snorkeling just past the small beach.
I would definitely recommend the Naturalist to anyone heading to Tobago. It’s not the Ritz, but if that’s what you’re looking for, try another island.