After staying at the Blue Haven for a week, I feel like I am on a personal mission to convince more Canadians/more tourists the world over to visit Tobago. We've visited places across the world and the island is gorgeous, under-visited, and ecologically fascinating/breath-taking. So...at the top of my to-do list? Sharing our awesome experience at the Blue Haven, which is one of the most magical hotels we have ever stayed at, after extensive global travels. For discerning travellers or people who want a highly personalized stay at a truly unforgettable location right off the ocean (literally, right above the crashing ocean waves next to to flowering tropical trees), with sea breezes wafting over you, this is FOR YOU. The hotel has an incredibly interesting history and there are neat elements all over the property -- like a cannon by the pool and a view that will take your breath away. (This is hard to stress enough, but you'll see...this is not something you'll experience at places in Cuba or Costa Rica...you are right next to the ocean, with wide balconies that are facing a beach or the port of Scarborough, complete with palms and glittering lights) The hotel has incredible character, the staff and owner are incredibly kind and caring, the breakfast is absolutely delicious and has tons of selection (and nutritious options). The chef for the kitchen makes dishes that have both local elements but taste like gourmet...After staying at the Blue Haven for a week, I feel like I am on a personal mission to convince more Canadians/more tourists the world over to visit Tobago.
We've visited places across the world and the island is gorgeous, under-visited, and ecologically fascinating/breath-taking.

So...at the top of my to-do list?
Sharing our awesome experience at the Blue Haven, which is one of the most magical hotels we have ever stayed at, after extensive global travels.
For discerning travellers or people who want a highly personalized stay at a truly unforgettable location right off the ocean (literally, right above the crashing ocean waves next to to flowering tropical trees), with sea breezes wafting over you, this is FOR YOU. The hotel has an incredibly interesting history and there are neat elements all over the property -- like a cannon by the pool and a view that will take your breath away. (This is hard to stress enough, but you'll see...this is not something you'll experience at places in Cuba or Costa Rica...you are right next to the ocean, with wide balconies that are facing a beach or the port of Scarborough, complete with palms and glittering lights)

The hotel has incredible character, the staff and owner are incredibly kind and caring, the breakfast is absolutely delicious and has tons of selection (and nutritious options). The chef for the kitchen makes dishes that have both local elements but taste like gourmet home cooking. Best food we have ever eaten on vacation. The stuffed lobster on the last night brought the house down.

After reading reviews online, we were a bit nervous -- there seemed to be a lot of complaints about the facilities at the Blue Haven. So, travellers, if you are looking for what one other reviewer called a "sterile experience" (loved this term) or what I would term as a traditional all-inclusive over-processed "shopping mall" experience with absolutely perfect facilities, then this is not the hotel for you.

Travellers who dig the Blue Haven will have more boutique tastes, and need to have a bit of an open mind, especially keeping in mind the overall slump in tourism that has hit Tobago since the 1990s. Once you get past that and go with the flow (i.e. yes, there may be a broken tile or two), you will be flabbergasted by the scenery and general laidback vibe permeating the property/island as a whole. The famous beach next door (the property looks at it) is notably public, which also is really cool. The area is incredibly safe and there are some incredible sites to see of historical importance to the island, away from the tourist vibe of Crown Point.

So...boutique/adventure travellers...if you're interested in a more out-of-the-box resort with the historical character, deeply personalized/knowledgable/caring staff, and hand-crafted breakfasts and dinners, and inimitable views, this is truly the spot for you. You'll love the staff -- thank you Bless, Antony, George, Chef Marlon and Karl (and all the others) for being so kind and informative.

Runners, please note this is a location you can run down gorgeous Bacolet Bay during the day, while keeping an eye out for traffic. You are about a 10-minute drive from downtown Scarborough and 20 minutes from Crown Point, which has all the traditional tourist restaurants. Spinners, there was a rad fitness studio called Bay Fitness about one kilometre away from the hotel where we did a spin class...also SO RAD.

Again, Blue Haven was incredible, if you're willing to be a bit flexible about decor and focus on what really matters -- the history, the stunning and one-of-a-kind ocean view, the people, the overall safety of the area/the property, the view of Scarborough, the incredible pool on the back balcony, and the feeling that you are experiencing something that will be uniquely yours. Magic. (And we'll be back...)More