Guest Report

[Rick Sommerford]

It is hard to quantify our experiences at Gloucester place.

Single adjectives fail misserably to generate the feelings that Bobby and I have come away with from this magical experience. Win and Bea were not only the most helpful and gracious hosts, but have become friends that I am sure will last for the rest of our lives.

For me, Bed and Breakfast palces are always a cut above the rest when it comes to accommodation, whether for business or pleasure there is always an element of the personal relationship that comes with B&B that cannot be generated by anyone other than the owner of any establishment. This is particularly so of Gloucester Place. The name itself is carried over as a family heirloom from their home in the US and is indicative of the care and personality that Win and Bea put into their business. In fact I even feel a little uncomfortable using the word "business" it is more like a way of living that invites people into their home to share their love of Tobago.

The rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious, the house and the cottage are homely and beautifully set out to maximise the enjoyment of the environment of Parlatuvier. For me, luxury would simply be out of place in this still quiet and pristine part of the world. The "5 Star" rating is used to impress potential occupants of the luxury Hotel market, but having slept under the stars in the outback of Australia on a clear night with zero light polution I have a better rating system, "Trillion Star" and to me, Win and Bea have created the conditions that aproach that kind of natural, inclusive, all encompassing place to find your own piece of shangri-la.

The disappearing edge swimming pool, overlooking the bay where the blowhole spouts it's magic, the comfortable beds, the collections of worldwide memorabilia that document their travels and experiences, the local people that Win and Bea are in close support of, like Newton who shares his experiences of the rain forest and it's wonderful birdlife, the local fishermen, even the best places to get a good Roti or a Double, the local restaurants, the best snorkeling sites, the water falls and any other kind of information you may need to make your holiday special. Even Ronaldo the Rooster, Win has impressed on him the need for the guests to rest, and so he doesn't crow until after 6.30, 'How does he do that?'

We were also lucky enough to find, through "My Tobago" Captain Marcus of Sand Dollar Sailing to give us another perspective of the Island for three days. Once again, not luxurious, but very down to earth, warm, friendly and generous, one of the highlights for me, an "Old Salt from wayback". What more can I say? Sybille is a beautiful 35' French Yacht that Marcus Sailed to Tobago more than a decade ago and never left and I'm not at all surprised.

We will return to Gloucester Place, both as quests and as friends, may I even say, extended unrelated family, and I think it goes without saying that Win and Bea and Gloucester Place are the epitome of what Tobago is all about, friendly without being fussy, naturally honest with no affectations and above all willing and able to make your stay in Tobago a memorable one indeed. I have stayed in B&B's around the world and this is certainly my Number 1 by quite a long way.