HowardC
 

Hi. Didn't you just go to Tobago? I'm curious of what you thought of the island and the Blue Haven Hotel.
Tobago is on our list of places to go. I've seen the ridiculously cheap deal on Luxury Link for the Blue Haven, but I don't think it's the hotel for us. We're thinking the Coco Reef Resort might be best. Did you happen to stop by that resort? If so, what were your impressions?
Thanks.

Yes--We arrived in Tobago 6 feb and returned on 14 Feb. I bid on the four and three day packages on LL and got them both for a little under $1000 plus buffet breakfast each day, two massages, four course dinners for two on two nights etc etc.. When I went to make airline reservations AA had frequent flight seats available which shocked me so I paid $22/person Blue Haven is at Barcolet Bay outside Scarborough the capitol. Easiest way to get to Tobago is Miami to Port of Spain Trinidad and then take Tobago express $100/person round trip. They use Dash 8 64 passenger planes and leave hourly. Blue Haven is a oldtime Caribbean Hotel that has been renovated and added to. The new additions are very modern in architecture. The staff is wonderful and accomodating. The full spa isn't up and running yet but the guy that gives amssages is excellent. We had a deluxe room in the older part. Wood floors, mahogany furnishings and a huge king sized four poster bed. Since airlines from England, Germany and Austria fly into Tobago there were a lot of Europeans at BH. In fact we were probably the only people from the states. All kinds of selections for breakfast from omlets bacon, sausage homemade breads, fruit, to Dasheen. mashed pumpkin, mashed eggp[lant with garlic, cheeses and cold cuts, smoked herring, saltfish etc. Probably the best meal of the day. The beach is billed as black sand but is more drab gray. Lunch a the beach bar was okay. Salads were probably the best choice. Dinner was good but nothing to write home about. Choice of two appetizers one of which was normally soup, Three entrees, catch of the Day, a vegetarian entree and one other like chicken, curried goat, lamb (Not US or New zeland but local lamb) and choice of two desserts. One night they had a fantastic cheese cake with mango. Wed night was a very good BBque on the terrace--Chicken ribs and fish. Enterteinment several nights we were there. One night they did have roast beef on the menu (only time we saw red meat) but we went out to dinner that night to Sea Horse Inn and had lobster and duck Excellent meal in a lovely setting. Definitely recommend. Went to Scarborough to the Blue Crab and had an excellent Flying fish lunch. Ate lunch at Bonkers at Toucan Inn on the way to the airport. Good food and a very nice place but the beach is a 10 min walk. Except for the Crown Point area Tobago is very hilly. We did go to Pigeon Point beach once and it was a very nice beach--White sand--A little commercial but not bad. On the way back we did see Coco Reef but didn't stop. Looked nice from the outside. There are lots of tours you can take on Tobago if you're into rain forests, water falls bird watching which we're not. On most islands I normally rent a car but didn't this time. Roads windy and people drive like crazy. Don't know why they even post speed limits. All in all it was a good getaway considering what I paid. If I went back would take a taxi and go out to dinner more. Tobago was on my list of islands too but now is in the been there done that category. I guess I really prefer coral islands to volcanic ones as the beachs are far superior. A good site for Tobago info is www.mytobago.info. On the way back we overnighted in Trinidad at the Hilton in Port of Spain. Didn't see much except during the 1/2 hour cab ride to the hotel but Trinidad isn't on my list of places to go. If you have more questions fire away.

HowardC:
You seem to have the same tastes in islands/beaches as I do?
Have you been to Nevis? If you have, do you think I would like it? Same questions with St. Lucia.
It's hard to like beaches when you compare to Provo, Anguilla and Exumas, but the other aspects of those islands maybe make it worthwhile?

HowardC: Thank you so much for all that info. I love a good deal and I have to say I'm IMPRESSED at the cost of your trip. That is great.
I'm not surprised that you didn't encounter any/many Americans. I had noticed that the various hotel reviews on Trip Advisor were done by Britons.
Tobago is not in the near future for us. We already have all our trips booked for this year and next year I feel like having what I call a "French year", meaning visit the French islands. We'll see, as I'm notorious about changing my mind (just ask the husband). :-)
Thanks again.
Blamona: My husband booked GBC yesterday for our October anniversary. Thanks again for all the info you provided me. Can't wait for that one!

Blamona: I do have another question for you. Not sure where you fly out of to go to T&C but I'm wondering if you know what's a good price for NY/NJ area? Right now, I'm seeing $500/person (including taxes). I'm thinking I could get something cheaper in the future, yes? Thanks.

I don't often read the Caribbean forum, so please excuse me if this is a dumb question.
Howard, what is LL ? Is it like Priceline?

Wildbill--LL is www.luxurylink.com--an auction site. Have really gotten some good deals there.

CaribTraveler--You will really like GBC. The restaurant Anacona is very romantic. A three piece combo plays on Wed Fri and Sat. Also eat at Coyaba at Coral Gardens and Magnolia in Turtle Cove at Mirimar--Both rather expensive but worth it. Flights. You have a lot of options AA direct from JFK. USAirways via Charlotte. You might look into Spirit--They are flying to Provo via Ft Lauderdale starting this month. We fly from Orlando vis Miami and usually pay about $350-$400/ticket.

Blamona--Yes our tasted seem yo be the same. Haven't been to Nevis yet but on the list. Did do St Lucia--Stayed at St James club an AI. Just reinforced why I dislike AI's. St Lucia is another volcanic island. Beaches were okay although small at St James. Best part of the trip was going home. If I were to go again woud stay at Landera or Anse Chastenet (Sp). Think I might try a split trip to Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Going back to Provo for 10 days in April

Correction. The Tobago Express airfare was $100 total--$50 round trip per person.

caribtraveler:
First-you're welcome!
Airfare JFK-PLS $387 pp includes taxes on AA. Try www.atasoftware.com When you are ready to book, it will tell you how to follow instructions to get that airfare. I think AA may refund is price drops more than $50, but even if they don't, that's decent airfare, plus direct fight.

Howard-thanks! Wish I was going to Provo in April.

Howard, thank you. I had not heard of this site. It looks very interesting.
I'll add it to my favourites.

Blamona--OOPs a Senior moment !!!Meant to say we are going back to Anguilla for 10 Days in April not Provo. Won another auction. Probably won't do Provo till the fall. I wish I could have just spent 2 months on Provo. Lucky you

Thanks Blamona and HowardC re: the flight/airfare info.
HowardC: Blamona recommended the same restaurants to me in another post, so they're definitely on the list. Looks like Anacoana will be our anniversary night dinner. Thanks!

Thanx for the info. on Tobago Howard .... Seems like you and I have completely opposite tastes in islands. I definitely lean towards hilly , lush , volcanic islands ! Tobago being high on my list . Thanx again for the report !! Faith .