Cocoa Reef Resort, Crown Point, Tobago

For the traveler searching for an all-inclusive resort, the Coco Reef Resort in Tobago should be on your list. The resort is located at the end of a palm lined driveway in the midst of lucious, wonderfully manicured tropical gardens, overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. This is the end of the island, where the sand is white and rivals the water surrounding any island in the Caribbean.

The hotel offers one a feeling of luxury in a choice of 135 rooms, suites and villas but does not give a feeling of privacy that you would find in the Plantation Beach Villas in Tobago. The cuisine and service are reputed to be outstanding however, the best restaurants on the island are within walking distance, so opting for all-inclusive might limit your opportunities to experience some create Tobagan cuisine. Nearby within walking distance are some of the finest restaurants the island has to offer such as Lattitude 11 and the Kariwak Hotel. Its architecture is reflective of Trinidad and Tobagos eclectic style.

Personal observation: To me the hotel seems a bit pricey given the other opportunities that exist on the island. The man-made beach is calm, but if you limit yourself to only the resort, you miss out on experiencing some of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Caribbean.

Blue Haven Hotel, Scarborough, Tobago

If you do not need to stay in a villa during your visit to Tobago, we love the Blue Haven Hotel. This hotel overlooks the scenic bay where Robinson Crusoe was filmed. The lobby features photos of royals and film stars who have been visiting the hotel since the 1940's.

When we stayed at the hotel a few months ago, we were impressed with the extensive renovations that combine the tradition of the 40's with the latest in modern conveniences. All of its 55 rooms offer breathtaking ocean views because the hotel is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean.

"Elegant rooms overlook the sea and are so awash in the sunlight that they positively glow.The view from every room is a study in blue." Conde Nast Traveller, July 2001, US-Edition. This is an observation with which we concur.

The downside of staying at the Blue Haven is its lack of food choices and nearby restarurants. This is easily remedied with a rental car. Gas on the island is cheap, and if you like driving on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to, it should not pose a problem.

Plantation Beach Villas, Tobago

An undiscovered treasure by Americans (and Canadians alike) is Tobago. Our favorite spot is the Plantation Beach Villas on Stonehaven Bay, also known locally as Grafton Beach. Each villa is perfectly designed by a Swedish architect named Arne Hasselqvist and is well-known for maximum use of space. You will want to copy the floor plan for your own second home anywhere in the world. The resort manager is Sean Clarke and is your best resource for where to go, what to see, and how to make the best use of your time.

We fly for $25 from Trinidad on Caribbean Air. The service at the Plantation Beach Villas is outstanding as each villa comes with its own full-time maid/cook/villa director. Stacey Roberts was the name of ours and she would shop for groceries and cook fabulous meals for us for less than the price of going to a restaurant.

If you do go to a restaurant, nearby Sea Horse Inn (639-0686) probably ranks as one of the top restaurants on the island. Reputedly the top restaurant is Latitude 11 (631-8774), located on Pigeon Point Road next to the Surf Side Hotel. We also loved the restaurant at the Kariwak Village (639-8442) because of their healthful dishes, which is a fifteen minute drive (next to airport). Great food, but the dining staff seems rather stiff and unfriendly. This past trip, we discovered an Italian restaurant called La Tartaruga (639-0940)which has the best Italian food we have ever eaten (and we spent a week in Italy). The owner has just purchased the CIAO restaurant and opened up a new restaurant next to it, the CIAO Pizza restaurant. I put the phone numbers next to the names of each restaurant, because you will need to make a reservation. Don't be alarmed if the restaurant seems empty around 7 p.m. which is the time we like to dine. The Caribbean tourists and locals love to eat later in the evening.

While in Tobago, don't forget to go to the Nylon Pool. If you book at the front desk at the Plantation Beach Villas, it will cost less ($15 - U.S. per person) for this 3 hour excursion. (A taxi ride is about 90 TT). We love the Nylon Pool because it makes us feel about 10 years younger after scrubbing the crushed coral over our faces, legs and arms. We went with Sun Tours and found them to be excellent.

Delta now flies into Tobago which will greatly impact the tourist trade. Presently only the Germans and British seems to know what a great vacation spot it is.

You will need to learn a few words to "fit in." Liming means to hang out with friends. Mas means carnival (a big Trinidad and Tobago party the first week of February each year.) Fete is a French word used for party.