Our previous stays (2001/2002)

[Richard]

OK, in December we are returning to this hotel for the 3rd time so they must be doing something right. One couple we met were there for their 12 visit and reckoned it to be the best place in the Caribbean.

We first went in Feb/Mar 2001 for our honeymoon and enjoyed it thoroughly.

I grew up in South Africa and I felt at home on the island as soon as I left the airport terminal. The hotel from the outside was dissappointing but inside is fine.

True the buildings are a little weary and the pool is daft but the service was great. Remember it is not Europe and relax. Things don't happen on time, so what, it's holiday. The food this trip was great especially CV's fruit bar at breakfast.

Unfortuantely I got ill, nothing to do with the hotel or island. Was flown to Miami. Bummer.

2002 we return for our honeymoon and this time make it throught the whole 2 weeks. The food this time was less good for the first week. Soups floury and rest greasy. Then it suddenly improved enourmously to what we recalled from 2001. Nice clear soups with bits in. Food much better. Would improve even more if they would stick to more local cuisine rather than "French night" etc.

Cocktails tend to be far too strong. Ask for less rum in them. Can actually taste the other ingredients.

Staff very friendly and competant.

A/C is very noisy. We didn't use ours as we wanted to sleep with the door open to hear the waves. Neighbouring units could sometimes be a pain.

This year we are returning in Dec rather than Feb/Mar and have a 9mnth old baby with us so it promises to be interesting.

[Richard]

If at the Turtle Beach go on the gardener's (Norris) tour. He is very knowledgeable and you may be able to hire him for a tour of the island.

We did and he took us all over, bought lunch (roti) and showed us some of the places where he has done some work. It cost us about TT$400 for the whole day and we met some really wonderful and odd people.

At one point he spotted some of his favourite bananas growing by the road. Stopped and bought the whole bunch from the owner.