Bacolet Beach Club

We booked Bacolet Bay through Blue Bay Travel. It was described as all inclusive 4 star resort on the Caribbean Sea. Comments: 1. It was not all inclusive. There were only certain meals you could choose from in the only place to eat in the resort. Any other menu items had to be paid for. The only spirits you could have were local rum based. Any others had to be paid for. The only free wine available was from a box. 2. This should not be described as a 4 star hotel. It is at best an unloved 3 star. The 'restaurant' was very disappointing, not just for the food choice. Weeds abound around the property, and rooms are tired. We were given a room change but still not up to 4 star standards. 3. Hotel is not on the Caribbean sea. The beach is lovely but has strong waves and no snorkeling as you would expect from Caribbean side. 4. Dogs bark incessantly from property opposite. 5. We asked to change hotels but neither Blue Bay travel nor hotel were accommodating as far as this request was concerned, so we stayed having been moved to another room. 6. Location is not suitable for infirm or young children as there are many steps to the beach and to rooms and pools. 7. Management are focused on costs rather than customer satisfaction. Little was done to appease us during our stay. We were not the only ones who complained during our stay. 8. We have been to many locations in the Caribbean (mainly Sandals). This was by far the worst experience we have had. 9. On a positive note we enjoyed the island tour organised by the hotel, and the golf organised by the owner at nearby Plantations Golf Course. Read less

I had read mixed reviews of this beach club before we booked it, but we needed a hotel last minute (literally for the next night). Express deal from Priceline to the rescue ( I would NOT PAY more than that however) and it actually turned out great... except for the not sleeping and the not eating and the can't really walk to town, stranded on a cliff part. But to be fair, gorgeous fresh flowers decorated the room with petals strewn about a super-cute, king-size, 4-poster, canopy bed. Total island feel, complete with sheer, beaded curtains providing exactly enough window coverage but not so much as to distract from the gorgeous view below. The balcony had lovely chaise lounges that the sun drenched perfectly about the time of check-in. I grabbed some much needed vitamin D and after a short rest we were eager to explore. Walked to the market around the corner...super tiny but had cold drinks. (If you have not often visited tiny island markets, please be advised it is probably attached to someone's home and you should expect one refrigerated cooler and a couple of shelves of local snacks.) We headed down to the public beach next door where they supposedly filmed some of Swiss Family Robinson. (SFR was filmed all around the island but alas no zebras or ostriches to ride here; just an epic jungle beach complete with driftwood and black rocks where I was awaiting the arrival of pirates at any minute! It was pretty much awesome!) After photographing a bit we headed back to the hotel beach. It's exactly as you would expect if your hotel was tucked into the side of a cliff and you needed to get down to the beach. Little wooden stairs with tree canopies galore and coconuts, mangos and lizards aplenty. Indigenous birds filled the air and fragrant flowers dotted the path. (Cue music for "In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room") LOTS OF STAIRS (I think we counted 85 to beach 115 in total from hotel lobby) but this is part of the "stranded on a deserted island with your significant other" fun! A tree swing, porticos carved into the side of the hill and a beach bar with no one else in sight. High tide is high (imagine that) so make sure you don't leave your shoes on the sand or they will wash down the beach. We found them but we should have known better. Again, the beach was amazing. You are on the Atlantic side so there are waves (and although I appreciate a tranquil turquoise sea, I actually prefer some wave action) but nothing to prevent you from swimming like other reviewers have mentioned. We spent hours in the water without a care in the world. You can swim/wade out pretty far; enough to watch the sunset spread its golden hues around the bay eventually enveloping the entire sky with its reds, pinks, oranges, and purples. Waves were gentle enough to float but a bit too small for body-surfing although I made it work regardless. They just don't have enough power behind them to take you all the way to shore. Jagged black rocks jutting out of the water meeting the cliffs and trees above provided the best backdrop ever and exactly what I had hoped for. Thankfully we were so tired from frolicking on our own private beach that we didn't notice just how terrible the bed (well mattress really) was until the middle of the night. It was more like a futon mattress which basically left our backs and hips in disrepair. I am not old enough to say that previous sentence but I find myself saying it anyway. We tossed and turned all night and departed pretty much exhausted. Seriously, I think it left bruises. Also, hotel dinner and drinks were less than mediocre...crazy expensive and still not quite sure what we were served but it was terribly bland and not much of anything. Don't bother with the rum punch. We didn't finish either meal and went back to the room to eat our snacks from home. I highly suggest you travel with snacks as the town is a 30min. walk easily and on a dangerous, narrow and windy road (not safe for pedestrians). The hotel staff did end up reimbursing us for part of dinner in lieu of a complimentary breakfast they mistakenly told us was not included in our stay. After showing them their error and it was included, it was too late to eat. Money exchange rate at hotel was up to par and the taxi service was only slightly more expensive than booking on our own. I highly suggest you pay in TT$. The grounds are lovely but this is not a 4 star resort by any means on an "American" or "European" scale so do not expect that. I have read some beds are really comfy so find that room. Expect great scenery (and possibly pirates although Captain Jack Sparrow never did show up) and an older but chic boutique hotel that is trying hard. Do NOT expect a 4star resort. One night was perfect. I wouldn't suggest 2 unless you don't mind insomnia, bruises, have a rental car or don't mind getting a taxi. We like to explore on foot and in that case you are very secluded, plus there is little to do, only one restaurant and not enough yoga in the world to ease the back pain (although I tried.) Read less

Room had fabulous views of the pool and the sea. Huge four poster double king size bed was very comfortable. Balcony was ideal for relaxing after an exhausting day in the pool and at the private beach... The Havana Cafe on the grounds is also fabulous, the food excellent and the staff efficient and friendly. They catered to my gluten free needs with continued care during my stay. The hotel is only a 30 minute walk into the capital, taxis cost TT $30 if ordered privately, TT$38 if through the hotel. The taxi system is excellent on the island, different from the UK- they will take you anywhere on the island and will wait for you; just agree a set fee with them ahead of time. So much to see- I would recommend the tour to Little Tobago through Newton George who is the leading expert on Caribbean bird life. He will arrange to collect you from your hotel. Bacolet Beach Club is the perfect location for a safe, fun and exciting visit to the beautiful island of Tobago (and Little Tobago). Read less

Just spent a lovely week st this quiet hotel in a stunning setting. Friendly staff relaxed atmosphere. Beautiful view of beach and pool from the balcony. A shady flight of steps leads you from the infinity pool to a secluded beach with beach bar. A quiet location but taxis into town cost as little as £5 ( less if you book it through a taxi driver in town) If you want pristine gardens and a huge resort this is not the place for you. If you want to chill in a quiet hotel with friendly staff and quiet evenings devoid of the dreaded ‘entertainments’ this is your kind of place. Thank you Bacolet for a lovely introduction to The Caribbean. Read less