Tobago guest house and holiday cottage - Parlatuvier guest accommodation

Discovering Tobago is like finding your own personal tropical Paradise. The island has retained its local charm, unspoiled surroundings and spectacular views of the sea and tropical landscapes. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore and relax in its natural beauty. High on a cliff overlooking the sea, Gloucester Place commands one of Tobago’s finest views of the Caribbean in one direction and the Rain Forrest Reserve in the other. Just a short walk from the picturesque fishing village of Parlatuvier, this area is considered one of the loveliest on the island. From the veranda, guests can enjoy the mesmerizing crashing of waves against the rocks, daily migrations of frigate birds as they cruise along the coast, or listen to the cries of the cocricos, chatter of the parrots, and songs of other island birds. The property consists of two houses and a swimming pool, bounded by a river on one side and the sea on the other. Surrounding the houses are gardens, mature coconut palms, mango and other fruit trees, and lots of banana plants. Paths lead along the hillside past the fruit trees, down to Creighton River and our own water fall and swimming hole. Always in the shade, this is a favorite spot for children to play and adults to relax.

Views:Stunning views of the Carribean.

One of the most popular local spots is Glasgow's store just 100 meters down the road on the hillside above the bay. There you can purchase snacks and drinks of all types and enjoy its famous view of Parlatuvier Bay. The bay, just a 10 minute walk down stairs along the hillside, offers excellent swimming and snorkeling. Imagine yourself floating above the coral surrounded by schools of thousands of small fish, or sighting one of the rays that frequently appear, or a shy turtle if you're really lucky. (Snorkel equipment is available for our guests.) In the late afternoon you can try your hand at fishing off the end of the pier, or greet the local fishermen as they return with their day's catch. If your timing is just right and you have energy, you might even get a chance to help pull in a seine net. We highly recommend, for at least one night, that you linger by the pier until sunset. Your reward is a smashing display of glorious colors as the sun sinks into the western sky. For adventures on the high seas, it is possible to arrange boating or fishing trips. The village itself is very small with about 150 inhabitants, a few stores, a local school and dispensary. The people here are very friendly and helpful, and many of them have been involved in building our houses or maintaining the property. The entrance to the main Rain Forrest trial is only 10 minutes away and registered guides are available to help spot and identify the local birds, wildlife and vegetation.

Rental notes: Gloucester Place: Concord (queen) from 120 USD/night to 150 USD/night. Carlisle (queen) from 100 USD/night to 120 USD/night. Lexington (twin/king) from 90 USD/night to 110 USD/night. Essex Cottage: One Bedroom from 100 USD/night to 130 USD/night. Two Bedrooms from 130 USD/night to 160 USD/night. Guest room rates quoted are for double occupancy. We normally rent for a minimum stay of three days in the guest house and five days in the cottage. The guest house is open only from November through April. Essex Cottage is available for rental year-round. Each of these rooms can accommodate an extra cot at a cost of 15 USD/night.

Greeting you as you walk into the entrance of the main house is a carved two-headed jaguar beneath a large painting of tropical banana plants. Doors to the left lead to steps to the garden and pool. Straight ahead is the living area, dining room, kitchen and a spacious veranda with a panoramic view of the sea. The three guest rooms are upstairs. All have ensuite baths and are air conditioned to ensure a comfortable night's sleep. The Concord, on the front corner, has a queen sized bed and two large windows facing the sea. It opens directly onto the large terrace with stairs leading down to the garden. The Carlisle, with its own private balcony, also has a queen sized bed and overlooks the sea, pool and valley. The Lexington has two twin beds which, with the addition of another mattress, converts to king sized. It has a view of the hillside garden and opens to a short walkway leading to the terrace and stairs. There is also a sitting area upstairs with a large collection of books and games. Operating as a bed and breakfast from November through April, guests can wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee or tea and enjoy a home made meal to start their day. Other meals are available at restaurants nearby, or can be provided on site by prior arrangement. There is also a separate smaller house on the property, Essex Cottage, which has two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bath. This cottage is situated against the side of the hill. Our idea was to create a tree house, open to the view of sea and birds. There is a full sized bed upstairs and two twin beds downstairs. An outside staircase connects the downstairs bedroom. The cottage has large porch and fully equipped kitchen and is rented on a self-catering basis. Guests are welcome to use the pool.

Outside Area:The infinity edge pool is a center piece of the property. Guests can relax in the water while gazing across the horizon ready to spot passing sail boats and fishing pirogues as they head out to sea. There are special steps that create a shallow area for children as well as seating to enjoy the view. Just below the pool is a platform that can be used for sunbathing and, on special occasions, for pitching a tent that provides the best accommodation on site according to our grandchildren.