Dress Code at the Coco Reef

Amanda Tabberer · Post by **Amanda Tabberer** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:34 pm

Please could anyone advise on the dress code in the Coco Reef? My partner and I have booked our wedding their next March and I see from the web site that most men wear short sleeved shirts in Tamaras, but less formal wear is acceptable in Bacchanals, but it doesn't state exactly what?

My partner is very much a jeans or 3/4 trouser or shorts man, so I am really struggling here....

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 2:02 pm

Hi Amanda

I think the official policy is "smart casual" but I don't know how one defines that. It's something you know when you see it. However shorts and jeans would be a big "no, no" for evening wear in the restaurants. Hopefully you are not on AI, in which case you can go out to the various more casual restaurants in the area.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 6:46 pm

Hi again

Have you read our review of the Coco Reef Resort, Amanda? You can find it at http://www.mytobago.info/reviews/coco_reef_resort.php. You'll find a section in there on dress code. The hotel room notes say:

Dress is elegantly casual year round, however, we prefer that guests do not wear jeans, T-shirts and shorts after 7.00pm in the public areas of the hotel.

Hear, hear!

Bryn · Post by **Bryn** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:40 am

We did have a negative experience with a front desk person at the Coco Reef with respect to dress code. My husband was wearing light weight corduroys (he is always very well dressed and is also a Trini) with a linen shirt. We stopped at the front desk to ask about dinner in the dining room and the man at the desk was horribly rude and said that we wouldn't be able to dine in cords......whatever!! I was so incensed (we got engaged that day and were trying to celebrate!) that I marched right up to the manager of the dining room and asked if he thought we were dressed to the dining room standard? Needless to say we went in and had a marvelous dinner. I'm sure the front desk clerk was reprimanded (I prefer to think he was hung up by his ankles and beaten silly!)

Bryn

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:09 am

Probably none of my business as I avoid convention as much as I avoid the large resorts/institutions.

It's just like the poor chap that enquired whether he is OK being Gay in Tobago.

Does dress really matter?

Why are we prepared to be so institutionalised?

I respect any local issue and I will respect any local tradition but this particular issue smacks of Brit tradition ... not real Tobago ... bloody daft is what I would say.

See what happens if you turn up in local dress.

Paul

John Hill · Post by **John Hill** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:47 am

Hi

Paul sorry do not agree if a place has a dress code you can go with it or not go there in the first place.

How many times I have been out and seen people come straight from the beach bar in shorts and shirts they have been in all day for dinner sorry in my book this is not on.

I am pleased that more and more schools in UK are insisting on school dress if ever you go to a poor country like the Gambia all and I mean ALL the kids wear school uniform to school and look very smart, a very good upbringing.

Sorry yes dress does matter. I go to Tobago to get away from the sort of people that fly in Vest and Shorts etc. That's my view to which I am entitled and you yours.

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 3:16 am

Hi John

I agree with your point about the uncleansed turning up in bars and I also agree with the digressive issue regarding institutions (i.e.; education) ... I am always nagging my kids about it and they see how the Tobago kids put them to shame.

The point I was making is that I just think that smart casual can take it a bit too far when you are turfed out of a bar for wearing jeans/corduroys and a T-shirt (even with a collar).

But as you say, we all have our views ... but dress code can also be a matter of opinion when it is not stated clearly what you should wear to be a smart casual ... this is where I get rebellious when I shower, dress, put my kit on ... feel good ... look good (in my opinion!) ... and then I am turfed out of a bar for wearing what I consider to be acceptable and yet it is not made of the right material.

I promise that I would never dare turn up at your table with my swimming trunks and flippers on !!!

But I am not in the business of putting a neatly pressed suit in my luggage for holidays ... it's just down to practicalities really.

I hope I have clarified my point.

Best Regards

Paul