Notes for Visitors
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Introduction
Do take the trouble to read these notes; they are
intended to help you to enjoy your stay and to know a little
more about what to expect.
The basic principle is looking after yourselves in well
resourced self catering accommodation. As part of our fee,
we arrange for fresh towels every 3-4 days and a change of
sheets and a light clean up once a week.
There is additional back up and support available such as
laundry and cooking. This can be arranged on your
behalf by Porridge who, with his wife Jeanell, looks after
our accommodation. Such additional services are charged for.
These costs are reasonable and should be discussed with
Porridge after your arrival.
We have designed the house to be open to the wonderful
landscape of Castara with its beach and rainforest whilst
also being furbished simply but well. Birds and bats fly
past, sting rays can be spotted in the sea from your lodge,
and rain showers can be seen approaching, obliterating the
hill for a short time, and departing again. You are likely
to spot fireflies above your mosquito net at night, and wake
to the light of the sun and the dawn chorus. In this way the
house resonates with its setting - there are no cappuccino
bars in Castara, and you are much more likely to encounter
crab n’ dumpling or calaloo soup than spaghetti Bolognese in
the village restaurants. This is a stunningly beautiful and
unsophisticated place.
Nearly all our guests have truly enjoyed their stay at
Castara Retreats. Occasionally someone stays who is not
entirely happy with their experience and we are keen to
receive feedback so that we can continue to improve what we
offer.
However, it is important for us to be clear with our clients
that we are not a hotel. This means that we do not offer
some of the services of a hotel, such as staff in residence,
air conditioning, daily maid service and phones, but it also
means it is free of the constraints and protocols of such
establishments.
To enjoy Castara Retreats may require you to recognize the
worth of such unsophistication. There are days when the
electricity is off for a while, or the village phone doesn’t
work, or Max’s supermarket is shut, or………you get the
picture! At the Hilton Hotel you would be supported through
such hassles; at Castara Retreats you may need to be a
little more resourceful, prepared, or patient. Tobago works
best when we let go and go with the flow.
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