Trinidad & Tobago ushers in 2015 with new hotels, industry news, & development and must-see festivals.
The dual-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, best known for its island friendliness and unique blend of modern hospitality and traditional charm, unveils a wealth of news including brand new hotel options, activities for all travel styles and an eclectic mix of cultural events that are derived from the destination’s diversity and history.
New Hotels and Expansions
Radisson Hotel, Trinidad
The newest hotel addition to Port of Spain, The Radisson Trinidad, officially opened its doors in April 2014. The 243-room hotel is a sign of investor confidence in the local economy coupled with the strength of the country’s tourism sector. The Radisson is best-known for its 360-degree revolving restaurant, which is situated on the 14th floor. Guests can also enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Olympia restaurant and enjoy an afternoon cocktail or nightcap at the Maple Bar&Lounge. Catering to the typical traveler to Port of Spain, the hotel also offers a 24-hour business center, same-day dry cleaning, complimentary parking and complimentary high speed internet. For those trying to let loose and relax, the stunning pool is equipped with a swim-up bar surrounded by tropical gardens. For more information on the Radisson Trinidad Hotel, visit www.radisson.com/port-of-spain-hotel-tt/ttosptr
Bacolet Beach Club, Tobago
Bacolet Beach Club, one of Tobago’s premier boutique hotels, recently completed expansions that include the addition of the “West Wing” building. The addition features 15 luxurious, marble tiled suites and an infinity pool overlooking the hotel’s private bay. In addition, a new bistro- restaurant, “d’Rhum Shop” opened at sister hotel Half Moon Blue. The restaurant’s menu includes savory comfort food such as ribs and pizza. For more information, visit www.bacoletbeachclub.com or www.halfmoonblue.com
Chic, Tobago
Located three minutes from the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport, ‘Chic’ the boutique hotel and conference center opened its doors December 2014. The 40-bedroom intimate and stylish hotel features a modern design in a relaxed atmosphere, a swimming pool, Tempo, the hotel’s restaurant, a spa and Flip Flops Pool Bar. Additionally, Chic’s business services offer three meeting rooms–Soca, Rapso and Kaiso— each seating up to 30, a business center and the Calypso Ballroom that seats up to 250. Nightly rates start at US$125 including breakfast. For more information, visit www.chictobago.com
Castara Retreats, Tobago
Located in Tobago, Castara Retreats, a family-run eco-resort, announced the addition of four new apartments to its accommodation offerings. Over the past 18 months the hotel has almost doubled in size, expanding capacity to accommodate up to 36 guests and features 14 stylish, high quality self-catering lodges. Additionally, management at Castara Retreats recently announced the appointment of new head chef, Carolyn Senior to the team. The hotel’s restaurant offers European-style dishes (freshly caught fish each day, lamb, chicken and steak dishes, home-made pastas, inventive vegetarian options) and fabulous cocktails, popular with visitors and locals alike. For more information, visit www.castararetreats.com For reservations, call Kenny on 766-1010.
Conservation and Preservation
Blue Flag Certification
The Las Cuevas Beach in Trinidad was selected in September 2014 as the pilot beach for the implementation of the Blue Flag Certification program, a voluntary eco-label developed through compliance with a strict criteria dealing with environmental education management, water quality, safety and other services. The 2015 Blue Flag season for Las Cuevas Beach, now the only certified beach in the English-speaking Caribbean, is January 16 to November 16. During this period, beach goers can view the Blue Flag information board which will display monthly updates on the water quality and on-site environmental education activities. The information board also provides a description of essential services available at the beach and the designated Blue Flag zone. For further information on Blue Flag Trinidad and Tobago, visit www.blueflagtrinidadandtobago.com
Turtle Watching Season
With 80% of all leatherback nesting in the insular Caribbean, one of the world’s most important leatherback turtle nesting locations, Trinidad offers a near guarantee to witness giant sea turtles on beaches. Tobago has an important population of hawksbills living in its numerous coral reefs and many of green turtles inhabit the seagrass beds off the coast. The nesting population on these islands makes the conservation efforts critical. The best time to spot a leatherback is on a beachwalk on Matura Beach or Grand Riviere during their nesting time from March through July. The hawksbills, found in the coral reeds of Tobago, nest from May to September. For more information, visit www.gotrinidadandtobago.com or www.visittobago.gov.tt
Cultural Celebrations and Festivals
Carnival
With less than one month remaining for the Caribbean’s largest and most anticipated celebration, Trinidad Carnival, the island is a buzz with final preparations for the event. The biggest part of its mystique lies in its unique ability to bring people from all walks of life and backgrounds together for a celebration of culture, calypso and cuisine. Hotels on the island are at full capacity with thousands of masquerade (mas) band revelers and bystanders eagerly awaiting the highlight of the festival, the parade of the bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17. For more information, visit www.goTrinidadandtobago.com
Tobago Jazz Experience
Tobago Jazz Experience, April 18-26, tours along the coast of Tobago and is alive with electrifying entertainment. Festival-goers experience the culture, unique gastronomy and friendly residents of Tobago while enjoying the music by local and international talent. This year’s headlining superstars include Kool&the Gang, Jill Scott, and Jennifer Hudson. All the events take place on the beautiful beaches of Tobago, consistently rated as some of the best in the world. For more information, visit www.tobagojazzexperience.com
Goat Races
On Easter Tuesday, April 7, the coastal village of Buccoo comes alive with the Buccoo Goat Races, an energetic event drawing in thousands of spectators every year. Visitors are encouraged to check out this unique cultural experience indigenous to the island of Tobago since 1925. Goat-handlers known as jockeys’ race specially trained goats for a year’s worth of bragging rights while patrons have the opportunity to try their hand at crab racing. The event starts with a street parade where booths offering crafts, t-shirts, food and drink line the streets. Many residents even open up their homes and provide delicious, authentic cuisine for those who have worked up an appetite after a day at the races. For more information, visit www.visittobago.gov.tt
Hotel Packages and Updates
Magdalena Grand Beach&Golf Resort
Magdalena Grand Beach&Golf Resort in Tobago recently announced the launch of concierge service at Piarco International Airport (POS) in Port of Spain to assist those guests connecting with flights in Trinidad to or from A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB) in Tobago. The resort has named Duane Paty to the post of airport concierge as he has over 15 years of customer service experience. After clearing customs, guests will be met by Paty who will be holding a Magdalena Grand sign with the guests’ names. He will escort guests to the Caribbean Airlines counter to ensure the domestic check-in for their air-bridge flight to Tobago is a smooth one. For more information visit, www.MagdalenaGrand.com
Plantation Beach Villas
With six luxurious villas, each outfitted with modern amenities that provide stunning panoramas of the Caribbean Sea, Plantation Beach Villas is ideal for family vacations, romantic getaways and group reunions. For the month of April guests can take advantage of 10% discount on all rates. Additionally, those looking for fall winter getaway can choose Plantation Beach Villas’ “stay for seven pay for five” promotion for the months of September, October and November. Nightly rates start at $315 USD, excluding taxes and fees. For more information on Plantation Beach Villas, visit the resort’s website at www.plantationbeachvillas.com
Coco Reef Resort&Spa
With 135 rooms, suites and villas, Coco Reef Resort&Spa offers easy access to the three most magnificent beaches in Tobago: Store Bay, Pigeon Point and Coconut Bay. This summer, the resort is offering a number of enticing deals for travelers. From May 1 to December 20, for $1,995, guests can enjoy transportation to and from ANR Robinson International Airport, deluxe ocean view accommodations with a private patio or balcony for five days and four nights, daily breakfast buffet, two tank dives for three days (six dives), nightly entertainment and night/day tennis. This rate is based on double occupancy. Also valid May 1 to December 20, Coco Reef Resort guests can enjoy a golf package for two. At $2,310, this package includes two rounds of golf, transportation to and from the golf course, a 50-minute Swedish massage per person, ocean view accommodations with a private patio or balcony for five days and four nights, complimentary breakfast and transportation to and from the airport. For more information Coco Reef Resort&Spa, visit www.cocoreef.com
About Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad&Tobago is located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean. With its careful approach to tourism, the dual-island nation offers a distinct blend of culture, eclectic cuisine and an assortment of eco-adventure activities. Trinidad, the ‘cultural capital of the Caribbean,’ is home to the world famous Carnival and the birthplace of the steel pan drum, the only new acoustic instrument to be invented in the 20th century. Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, is the quintessential Caribbean island with secluded beaches, quaint villages, private villas and award-winning eco-attractions that include the Main Ridge Rainforest, the oldest protected reserve in the western hemisphere and the six-time award winner for World’s Leading Ecotourism Destination by the World Travel Awards. For more information on Trinidad&Tobago visit www.goTrinidadandTobago.com or www.visittobago.gov.tt