Coco Reef Hotel, Tobago.
Discussion
We've got a fair size building project on right now and we've fixed the show house opening date for 14th November. It's my wife's responsibility to get it fitted out and I know she's going to be working flat out to get it done so I would like to reward her with a little R & R trip,(and me cos I'm project managing the build).
I'm thinking of the Coco Reef in Tobago at the moment as that looks like the style of Caribbean hotel that we usually go for and it has in house diving and a windsurfing centre about ten minutes walk away. We're okay with all inclusive but would probably go for the B & B option as it sounds like there are plenty of local restaurants and we like to try different local food.
We usually go with Virgin as our daughter works for them so we get a discount and I'm looking at 11 days from the 17th November. Has anyone here been to Coco Reef, if so what board option did they go for and what did they think of the hotel, the food and the island?
I'm thinking of the Coco Reef in Tobago at the moment as that looks like the style of Caribbean hotel that we usually go for and it has in house diving and a windsurfing centre about ten minutes walk away. We're okay with all inclusive but would probably go for the B & B option as it sounds like there are plenty of local restaurants and we like to try different local food.
We usually go with Virgin as our daughter works for them so we get a discount and I'm looking at 11 days from the 17th November. Has anyone here been to Coco Reef, if so what board option did they go for and what did they think of the hotel, the food and the island?
If it helps:
Bear in mind that Trinidad has a huge Oil and Gas industry with Trinidad and Tobago being kinda one unit as they are so close. Tobago does not have the oil and gas activity that Trinidad has and has been actively and well preserved. Its fair to say the wealthy Trini's head to Tobago for RnR.
Trinidad isnt the nicest Caribbean island (IMHO) and can be a bit dodgy. You will have to land at Trinidad and hop over to Tobago but the flights are very frequent (check this but its most likely). Tobago is really nice and very different to Trinidad with a growing mountain biking scene which uses the sugar cane trails so you might want to consider that as an activity that wouldn't come to mind. I suspect that the cuisine will be a bit limited in comparison to other more popular islands in that area and if its anything like Trinidad it will be fried chicken or not a lot else. I have heard its better though.
take a look at this if you dont believe me:
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Child-obesity-...
I guess what I am saying is unless you are dead set on it id be looking at known options in the same area as holidays are too important to risk a crap/beneath experience. Saying that its the Caribbean so its better than a week in the UK!
Bear in mind that Trinidad has a huge Oil and Gas industry with Trinidad and Tobago being kinda one unit as they are so close. Tobago does not have the oil and gas activity that Trinidad has and has been actively and well preserved. Its fair to say the wealthy Trini's head to Tobago for RnR.
Trinidad isnt the nicest Caribbean island (IMHO) and can be a bit dodgy. You will have to land at Trinidad and hop over to Tobago but the flights are very frequent (check this but its most likely). Tobago is really nice and very different to Trinidad with a growing mountain biking scene which uses the sugar cane trails so you might want to consider that as an activity that wouldn't come to mind. I suspect that the cuisine will be a bit limited in comparison to other more popular islands in that area and if its anything like Trinidad it will be fried chicken or not a lot else. I have heard its better though.
take a look at this if you dont believe me:
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Child-obesity-...
I guess what I am saying is unless you are dead set on it id be looking at known options in the same area as holidays are too important to risk a crap/beneath experience. Saying that its the Caribbean so its better than a week in the UK!
Virgin and BA fly direct to Tobago so you do not have to go via T'dad. Yes, trinis holiday in Tobago but in November it will be quiet (unlike summer when the trinis holiday in packs...). Tobago is much quieter than most other nearby islands so bear that in mind, we like it about Tobago but not everyone does. There is more than fried food, good mixtures of creole and indian and chinese due to the mixed race culture of T&T.
So, Coco Reef...some people like it, I don't as it is a bit old fashioned in its styling and fittings. We stayed for one night in August on the way to Trinidad and then 4 nights in Turtle Beach hotel on the way back. The food in Coco-Reef was very good but the room was not. As we were only staying for one night it is possible we just got a rubbish room....Turtle Beach hotel is more basic but just works better (for R&R/us/family/kids). Turtle Beach's pool is nicer, Coco Reef's pool had moss in it and the water was dirty. I think the best hotel on the Island (assuming you don't want much smaller places) is Magdalena (ex-Hilton). It is however on the Atlantic side of the island so the beach/sea is rougher.
http://www.magdalenagrand.com/
So, Coco Reef...some people like it, I don't as it is a bit old fashioned in its styling and fittings. We stayed for one night in August on the way to Trinidad and then 4 nights in Turtle Beach hotel on the way back. The food in Coco-Reef was very good but the room was not. As we were only staying for one night it is possible we just got a rubbish room....Turtle Beach hotel is more basic but just works better (for R&R/us/family/kids). Turtle Beach's pool is nicer, Coco Reef's pool had moss in it and the water was dirty. I think the best hotel on the Island (assuming you don't want much smaller places) is Magdalena (ex-Hilton). It is however on the Atlantic side of the island so the beach/sea is rougher.
http://www.magdalenagrand.com/
My wife and I stayed at Coco Reef a few years ago. It was in a nice location, with a private beach, and helpful staff, and armed guards at the gate to keep the chavs out. It is supposed to be the best hotel on the island, but friends who have been more recently said it is now quite run down.
The recent crimes against tourists on the island have reduced the number of visitors, and as a result the hotels and restaurants do not have the money needed to keep standards up.
To be honest, if you want a holiday in the Caribbean, Barbados is nicer.
The recent crimes against tourists on the island have reduced the number of visitors, and as a result the hotels and restaurants do not have the money needed to keep standards up.
To be honest, if you want a holiday in the Caribbean, Barbados is nicer.
Thanks very much for the replies and information, it sounds about what I expected.
I am also looking at Barbados and Antigua though as we have been to both several times so know what to expect, it just seemed like a nice idea to go somewhere different.
I guess I'll have to leave it to my wife to decide then I can't get in any trouble, I'll let you know what the decision is when she makes it.
I am also looking at Barbados and Antigua though as we have been to both several times so know what to expect, it just seemed like a nice idea to go somewhere different.
I guess I'll have to leave it to my wife to decide then I can't get in any trouble, I'll let you know what the decision is when she makes it.
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