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Our Tobago Experience

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 5:59 pm
by Carl and Omelda
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 November 2002

We recently vacationed in Tobago and in choosing accommodation we were influenced by the My Tobago information Page. We split our choice between the Sanctuary Villas and the Coco Reef Hotel. While the villa accommodation was good, access to the property was an uphill crawl, maneuvering loose gravel and potholes. Though advised to rent transportation, which is necessary to get to the main centers, the warning does not prepare the unsuspecting visitor for the condition of the road, the distance, nor the absence of adequate lighting leading to the property. Clients making enquiries to this property should be made aware of this and not have it thrust upon them when its too late to change. Now, to the much touted Coco Reef Hotel. We were very disappointed. This property lacks warmth, it doesn’t have the real character of upscale hotel. It is just a big complex. Can you imagine a hotel of this acclaim not even providing drinking water or glasses in the room? The room was large and basic, with the cold floors and a very basic bathroom with inefficient plumbing. The claim of having its own beach is not quite true; the man made lagoon does not compare and one is not inspired to bathe there. Coco Reef is riding on a lie. Eating out -- We visited the upscale restaurants, but found the smaller establishments to be better value for money and your taste buds. For breakfast/brunch we recommend The House of Pancakes, situated at Milford Road, Crown Point, and for lunch/dinner we highly recommend its sister, Panache Creole Restaurant at Pigeon Point junction. Delicious food, accommodating staff, unbeatable prices. Satisfaction guaranteed! We, unfortunately, only discovered these culinary delights towards the end of our holiday. You might say they saved the best for last. We thoroughly enjoyed Tobago, its lush vegetation and serene beauty. Its the perfect destination for a relaxed and peaceful holiday".

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:00 pm
by Chris
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 November 2002

Subscribed! Ref. comment further down: - - - "Worth adding is the Crown Point Beach hotel, next to Coco Reef, with its huge, nice garden where we just a couple of weeks ago enjoyed a private 'cabana' with the excellent beach, that Coco Reef has isolated itself from with a stone wall, just below our steps. All this at a cost less than half of what 'luxury' Coco Reef seems to charge. Excellent value, at least in our opinion. And - with good consience - spend 1/2 of the saved accommodation expenses to rent a car for your full stay and get to explore the rest of what the exciting island has on offer. Chris". - - - Re. eating out and upscale restaurants, we found the Shirvan Watermill an interesting setting, but largely overpriced and nothing special foodwise. The best food we had at Dillons Seafood. Basic home cooking with lots of mashed potatoes: Rub'i'iLou next to Tropikist hotel. As for best value / amount for money, nothing beats the Fortune Chinese Restaurant! "The Best of Thymes Restaurant" in our hotel wasn't bad, either.

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:01 pm
by Hans & Sylvia, Holland
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 November 2002

We feel very related to the topic of evaluating a Tobago accommodation just because we had a more than positive experience. We stayed at different hotels on Caribbean islands like Isla Margarita and Barbados. Both my wife and I have had enough of the bigger hotels with their so called "services for everything you need". They just can't imagine what we really need! Let me tell you this: We found (in the south of Tobago): Sherwood Park Apartments. This small paradise of 10 studio apartments lies uphill (good quality road !) in the neighbourhood of Carnbee. What a magnificent place to stay, close enough to beaches, restaurants, supermarket, diving, mountainbiking etcetera, yet secluded enough te feel very relaxed in such a peaceful accommodation. The large tropical garden is beautiful, swimming pool is perfect. The friendly staff really care about your well-being. They show pleasure in serving you to make your stay an unforgettable one. They are really proud of what they established there only a few years ago. Yes, it takes a few minutes by car to get to the beach, but no, that doesn't matter at all, they have their own car to arrange daily beach transport for those who wish. Great value for a moderate price! Yes Nigel and staff, stay as you are, small and beautiful. We heard recently you started serving local dinners. Angela and Peter (be sure we'll return within a year ! !)