I would be leery of the manager.Visited: November 2008
Posted by bad
After booking in the hotel, the manager was always in my room. His reasons were - making sure the guests were happy, or checking the hot-cold temperature.
I believe the man is mad.
3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
My husband and I stayed at this hotel for our honeymoon. It was truly "enchanting".
The staff was friendly, and the food was delicious and always on time.
The room was oh so heavenly. It created the atmosphere needed for those nights we spent there.
Also, the owners were adorable. I really loved them. There was not a day when we were not asked if we were okay, if everything was alright, or if we needed anything. They were beautiful.
The hotel itself had a beautiful ambiance. The name suits the environment of the hotel.
0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
We made reservations to stay at the Hilton for a weekend in February. The check-in time was around 3 pm. Even though we arrived at 7 pm, our room was not ready for two more hours. We had the kids with us - two of them - and they had to sleep in our arms until around 9 pm. Did I mention that I was seven months pregnant as well?
We were given a complimentary buffet dinner, but that was hardly enjoyed considering our state of mind (and the fact that a lot of the dishes were finished).
The restaurant staff was generally friendly - except for the chef making the omlette on the Sunday morning. He was a bit rude.
The entertainment left much to be desired. There was not much to do at night, and we were forced to turn in early.
All in all, the stay was lovely, though. The pool area was great, and we had great weather.
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We have just returned from a 14-night stay at Tropikist. This is my third year staying here.
You have to understand - it is a three-star hotel, and any travel company that indicates anything different are sharks.
This aside, the staff - Mr. Samaroo (hope you're feeling better), Larry and Ali, plus all the girls - will go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. Be aware that if you smile and are pleasant, you will make reap the rewards, if you treat the staff with contempt - you can expect it back.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This was a fantastic Caribbean getaway.Visited: September 2008
Posted by dipfay
I am not one to normally post reviews on the Internet, as I feel sometimes these reviews are skewed and most times really forms a persons own bias view.
My husband and I returned from a one-week vacation from the Tropikist Hotel. Most travelers go to the Tropikist (and this in my opinion is unfair to the hotel) with a mind set of what not to expect, after reading all the negative comments.
Some reviews depicted Mr. Sam (the general manager) in a negative light. However, I found this young man to be a gem. He seemed very hardworking, and worked long hours. Also, nothing seemed to be a problem for this man. All you have to simply do is meet with him, explain your situation and he would try his best to solve it.
Keep in mind, he has limited resources to work with. The hotel is a family owned and operated entity, so there is little he can really do. However, this man works hard. I hope his employers see that.
The hotel itself was a bit tired, and needs some cosmetic surgery (Sam said work would commence soon). The room we had (room 87) had a lovely view of the gardens and the ocean, and from the balcony we could see Sammy working early in the morning - around 5 am.
The staff was fantastic. Most important, they all have a heart!
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
My husband and I returned from staying at the Tropikist Beach Hotel, and we had a wonderful time.
The hotel setting was just fabulous; the food was excellent; and the service was top of the line. I am shocked at the last reviews posted against the manager. He was such a nice person. He treated all the guests professionally, and his employees even better. No staff member was ill treated, and all staff members had high praise for him.
Please disregard those negative comments. Go enjoy your stay. The hotel is a bit tired, but the staff is fantastic. Do enjoy your holiday!
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Manager Samaroo treated is guests terribly.Visited: August 2008
Posted by rude
I spent two nights at the hotel, and I met the manager. He treated his employees horribly - and in front of the guess at the hotel.
My AC was not working, so an employee came to check it out. Mr Samaroo came in and started to insult his staff. The staff is great, but the manager will cause a lot of people to leave that hotel.
3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
Thanks for the wonderful memories.Visited: July 2008
Posted by sinclair
I would like to commend Blue Waters Inn for having such an amazing group of people working for them. We really couldn't have asked for more friendly, courteous, and beautiful people to be around during our stay.
I would especially like to mention some really nice people who make Blue Waters Inn the special place that it is - Amanda at reception; Sylester and Kim in the bar; Mark in maintenance; Erica, Malaika, Gillian, Pinkie, and Avion in the restaurant; Eudora in housekeeping; Karen and the entire staff of Aquamarine Dive.
These people were a large part of the reason I will return as soon as possible to Tobago and Blue Waters Inn.
0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
It was wonderful, and I am well rested.Visited: September 2008
Posted by wishiwasstillthere
My mother, fiance, two of my aunts and I stayed here for five days, and we loved every moment of it.
The staff was wonderful, and the atmosphere was great.
I encourage anyone to choose Belle Viste for a fun and relaxing stay in Tobago. Book early, as it fills up fast. I hope to visit here soon again - and for maybe longer. I wish I was still there!
3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
The terrace that appears to be made of beautiful wooden floors - is just plain old tile. Also, the owner - what a joke. She does not seem to have a clue how to run a hotel. She does not know how to manage staff, and seemed to be quite the weasel.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
My husband and I just returned from a week-long stay at Blue Waters Inn in Speyside, Tobago.
We coordinated our wedding ceremony and honeymoon directly with hotel staff, who handled every inquiry, via email and in person, (no matter how minute) with the utmost care and patience.
We checked-in early August 28, checked-out late Wednesday, September 3, and each day the housekeeping, restaurant, maintenance and office staff were warm and smiled each time we passed by. The location in Batteaux Bay was idyllic.
Housekeeping thoroughly cleaned our room each day, which was literally 40 feet from the beach, with an optimal balcony view of Little Tobago and Goat Island.
Our room rate ($107) also included free breakfast daily - anything from fresh fruit to hearty pancakes. We dined at the restaurant every day, sometimes for all three meals, and the food was excellent. The restaurant also provided for our small wedding party.
Maintenance was also prompt and attentive when fixing our broken air conditioner, which we really didn't need since the ocean breeze kept our nights comfortably cool.
The office/front desk was the best! Whenever we needed beach towels, a cash advance, rental car to visit neighboring beaches, extra toiletries, taxis to the airport, anything, they delivered without complaint or attitude.
I recommend Blue Waters Inn to anyone seeking simplicity and quiet, good food, and a relaxed, yet thoughtful staff.
3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Tropikist provides top class service.Visited: August 2008
Posted by dipfay
We were part of a large group of locals that just visited the Topikist Beach Hotel for the first time, and we truly enjoyed our time here.
We would normally stay at other locations on the island. As being local Trinis, all we wanted was a place to rest our heads as we would be out all day. We never chose the Tropikist Beach before as we really were not aware of it. Also, we always heard it was expensive, but not good.
We booked through a friend, who knows the manager Mr. Samaroo, so we all got the all inclusive package at a very good rate.
The hotel is well laid out, and nice for relaxation. Being the holidays, it was busy and hectic (as well as a bit noisy with all the children and all). However, without the children, I am sure it would be nice for relaxation.
Mr. Samaroo usually works very long hours to ensure that the hotel works like a well oiled machine, and he is getting there. The staff, we all found, was extremly nice and helpful, and nothing was a problem for Mr. Samaroo. He was always there to help us.
The hotel is very nice, and our rooms was very spacious and cleaned every day. The chamber maid was always on hand to have a chat with us while she cleaned. All the staff helped out in whatever way they could.
I am definitely going to be returning to the Tropikist, and will be taking along friends with me now!
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We recently returned from staying here. Forget the negative reviews. All the guests holidaying here with us had good things to say.
The hotel was drab looking, and could do with a brighter face. However, the service could not be beat. It was five-star service. Ali and Alyson in the bar were great. The front desk girls were excellent, and the house keeping staff did a really good job of keeping our room clean.
Sam, the manager, was great, and will attend to your complaint - even if you catch him running down the corridor (yes, we all asked him what he runs on, it cannot be vitamins alone!).
The food we got was really nice. It reflected the local taste, and breakfast was not half bad.
I would recommend the Tropikist, as it is value for money. But don't go complaining as you reach. Give them an inch - they are trying with what they have.
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We spent three nights in Cuffe-River in June, and it was a very relaxing and unique experience. The peace and quiet, with only the sounds of the rain forest, was something we will remember forever.
The food was great, very natural and local. Our nature walk with Desmond was very informative and interesting, too.
Regina and the staff were very helpful and great hosts.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We spent a very pleasurable week with Pat and Ray in July. They were both incredibly helpful and informative.
It was a real pleasure to have such a wonderful breakfast served up to us each morning. It amazed me that Pat and Ray could cook a different breakfast each day, and I often lingered over a second or third cup of tea.
It was wonderful to have any laundry done each day, too, and it was also often washed and ready on our beds the same morning.
Beach towels were available for us each day. Ray very kindly helped our two children with any beach toys they wanted. Our children loved staying at Pat and Ray's. Since our return home, they have often mentioned them both as if they were family friends.
Thanks, again, for a wonderful holiday in Tobago. We really miss the place since our return.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Manta Lodge is in need of a major overhaul.Visited: June 2008
Posted by sul1
Manta Lodge has clearly seen far better days. When we stayed here in June, we found the accommodation less than basic. Also, the bathrooms were filthy, mouldy and not fit for purpose. The showers barely worked, and we were without water in the hotel for two days.
The owners didn't seem to care about the paying guests, but had lots of friends and family staying who would hang around and make a nuisance of themselves.
The staff - apart from two of them - were rude, lazy and behaved as if they couldn't be bothered. The food was pricier and less varied than other local restaurants.
We moved hotels because we couldn't stand the dirty state we were staying in. The next door hotel was great. It was spotless, and they had newish bathrooms with decent water supply.
If we couldn't have moved, we'd have gone home. Realize that until this place undergoes some major repairs and renovation, it's less than basic. Also, the bathrooms need ripping out and redoing. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We had a great time here at the Tropikist Hotel. Don't believe all the bad reviews.
Yes, the hotel was a bit run down and needs updating. However, the value for your money is good. A new manager, Sam, has now taken over the running of the hotel, and change cannot happen overnight. Any complaints you may have, he is willing to sort for you.
The bar staff was great - especially Alison and Ali. They served with a smile, and interacted with guests.
The hotel had two swimming pools, but nothing else. The food was a full English breakfast, snacks at lunch. The evening meal had quite a lot of spices, which we loved. However, if you don't eat spices, you may struggle a bit. Larry was the chef here, and he was a great guy and always smiling.
The hotel had very little entertainment at night, and the bar closed at 10:30 pm, so don't expect a night life. The area was dead at night.
Unfortunately, although the hotel had a beachfront, you cannot go in the sea here due to the coral reef. However, Store Bay is only around the corner, and Pigeon Point is a 15 minute walk.
The hotel was very close to the airport, but as there were only a few planes landing and taking off all day. It did not cause a problem.
Thanks to all at Tropikist. Our holiday was great, and we met some wonderful holidaymakers here, too.
6 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.