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Style: A simply stunning Balinese style creation, oozing luxurious rustic chic, with glorious views. The ultimate in open-air living and very romantic
The Beach: Semi private beach in small, secluded cove below the property
The Rooms: 4 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
Key features: Outstanding Tobago villa, 2 swimming pools (15ft x 25ft & 12ft x 15ft), Jacuzzi, koi pond, large gazebo, Cable TV, stereo system, internet connection and barbecue
Children: Over 6 years of age
Staff: 2 housekeepers, caretaker/night watchman, garden and pool maintenance staff |
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Description
Set above Bacolet Bay on the windward side of Tobago, Ohana has stunning views towards the south, which carry to Tobago’s sister island Trinidad on a clear day. Bacolet is a well-to-do suburb of Scarborough, a fairly quiet area with the occasional villa and luxury home strung along a pretty winding road leading north east. As you approach Ohana along the palm and bougainvillea lined driveway, you will see its Balinese style rooftops peaking enticingly over an impressive gated entrance of 14ft wooden doors, which have been positioned to encourage good Feng Shui. Beyond the lofty doors is a delightful Japanese style garden called the “Tranquility Courtyard” with a wooden deck leading into the villa’s foyer.
Designed by Trinidadian architect John Otway and constructed almost entirely out of varnished yellow pine by local craftsmen, Ohana has a glorious golden hue and a wonderful ambiance. There is the occasional cream painted retaining wall, but the rest of the villa, including the floors and shutters (there is no glass) is built from wood, and it is specifically designed to encourage an open-air lifestyle. At the heart of the property, onto which the living areas and bedrooms look, is the ‘water’ terrace. This restful area has two mosaic tiled infinity pools, one just beyond the living area, and the other next to the Master bedroom, as well as a generous sized whirlpool. Also a fairly large koi pond skirts the bedroom wing and part of the living area. There is plenty of room for sun loungers around the various stretches of water, and a large gazebo for relaxing or dining, which looks out to sea. The living area and bedrooms also have sea views. Manicured lawns slope down the landscaped hillside and steps lead down to a gate giving access to the small, sandy cove below.
The open-plan living area has no walls whatsoever, just a series of shutters, lattice work and fencing that allows guests to enjoy life virtually al fresco. The dining area is the same. Adjoining it is a grill terrace with built-in barbecue oven. The well equipped, open fronted kitchen, where cheeky birds sometimes fly in to look for fruit or sugar, has a breakfast bar, quality stainless steel appliances and an adjoining pantry, utility room and nearby powder room.
Opposite the kitchen, an attractive wooden corridor leads to the bedroom wing. The bedrooms each have a strong colonial feel, with four poster beds, mosquito nets and plain white cotton sheets. A touch of colour is added by way of a simple bed cover. Three of the bedrooms have jalousie shutters and shuttered doors which open out to the koi pond. Three have queen sized beds (one has two twins available)and all have excellent en suite bathrooms with showers. A delightfully romantic Master bedroom is located on the corner, and overlooks one of the pools and adjoining gazebo. It has a teak four poster, king size, a small desk with internet connection, and it is open to an en suite bathroom with a huge slate tiled, open shower area, a twin vanity with unusual wash basins, and a step up tub. There are views through shutters to the gardens and sea beyond. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans. |
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Beach & Swimming
Steps lead down through the gardens and hillside to a small secluded cove below, where there is a golden sandy beach and reasonably sheltered swimming, though there can be sea swells at certain times of the year. The beach is only accessible by Ohana and three other neighbouring villas. Nearby is the popular Bacolet Bay Beach, with pewter coloured volcanic sand, which is located beneath the Blue Haven Hotel which runs the beach bar, children’s playground and changing facilities. Apparently the beach was one of the locations used in the filming of The Swiss Family Robinson. Ohana has two lovely infinity edge, mosaic tiled swimming pools, one located off the living area and measuring 15ft by 25ft with depths of 3ft, and another off the Master bedroom measuring 12ft by 15ft with depths of 7ft, plus a generously proportioned Jacuzzi pool. |
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Sports & Recreation
Within 15 minutes drive of the Tobago Plantations Beach & Golf Resort which includes an 18 hole 7005 yard 72 par PGA, cart only course, a Gold Palm 5 Star Padi Instructor Development Dive Centre, two tennis courts at the Tobago Hilton plus a fully equipped gymnasium and spa. Kayaking tours are available to the Petit Trou Lagoon to the south of the resort through the dive shop, which also rents out kitesurfers. |
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Locality
Ohana is located in a quiet, residential suburb along a strip of clifftop coastline just east of the capital Scarborough, and counts several villas as neighbours. The villa is set back off the old Windward Road which once led up to Speyside and Charlotteville, but this is now quiet because of the by-pass on the other side of Scarborough. Just across the road is La Belle Creole restaurant with adjoining small hotel, and further along is the refurbished Blue Haven Hotel, which in the 1950s attracted Hollywood stars such as Robert Mitchum and Rita Hayworth. Shopping (though limited), a market and local restaurants are all within the Scarborough area which is approximately five minutes by car. For good, if hefty, local food, try the Blue Crab. The nearest supermarkets are Pennysavers in Carnbee (twenty minutes by car) or Gourmet Foods/Morshead’s in Bethany, about twelve minutes away. |
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Useful Hints
Complimentary, initial food supplies (breakfast items, soft drinks, beers and rum) are placed in your villa for your arrival, however should you wish the villa to be fully stocked or you require specific items, you should ask your travel organiser or the management company directly to make the necessary arrangements. You will be billed for these items by the villa management company on arrival. If your villa has a cook, a simple welcome meal can be prepared on request, again food items will be charged for. Cooks can be arranged at a cost of US$20 per meal. If you request staff to shop for you during your stay and they are able to do so, a US$15 service charge will be added to all shopping bills for each trip. Laundry is charged at US$5 per load if you don’t wish to do it yourself.
Rental rates for villas in Tobago do not include ‘tips’, about which you will find advice in the guest information book at the villa.
One of the two housekeepers at Ohana will prepare breakfast, a service that is included in the rental, however if guests require lunch or dinner to be prepared there is a charge. Food is not included.
Due to its open-plan design Ohana is very much a fair weather villa.
With such easy access to the swimming pools and koi pond, small children require very close supervision, therefore the villa is not recommended for toddlers (babies fine) or children under 6 years of age. |
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Rates
| | LOW SEASON 01 May-15 Dec 2007 | PEAK SEASON 16 Dec-06 Jan 2007-08 | HIGH SEASON 07 Jan-30 Apr 2008 | LOW SEASON 01 May-15 Dec 2008 | | Ohana 4 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 2 bedrooms | 1,000 800 750 | 1,500 1,500 1,500 | 1,250 1,000 850 | 1,000 850 750 | All rates are quoted in US$ per night per villa. There is no tax on villa rentals on Tobago and no service charge has been included. All rates are subject to change without notice. A deposit of 25% of the total rental is due on booking with the balance payable 4 weeks prior to arrival. If the booking is made less than 4 weeks prior to arrival, full payment is required. The deposit is non-refundable. The balance is refundable up to 2 weeks prior to arrival. A booking form and wire transfer details for the deposit will be sent to guests and the booking confirmed on receipt of the returned form and deposit. |
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How to Book
If you wish to book direct, bookings should be made through the local managing agents, Caribbean Estates Lands & Villas by using the WEB, TELEPHONE OR DIRECT E-MAIL links at the top of this review. You will need to send a deposit equal to 25% of the total rental fee to confirm a reservation and payment of the remaining 75% is required 4 weeks prior your arrival. If you are booking within 4 weeks or less prior to arrival, full payment must be made to secure the booking. Deposits are non-refundable and balances are refundable up to 2 weeks prior to arrival. Read a review of Caribbean Estates with details of their services. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser, please follow the TOUR OPERATOR link below.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Airport Meet & Greet
Airport transfers for Ohana are included in the rental cost and if you have booked direct, the villa management company will send their representative (no charge) to meet you at the airport to assist with the transfer. Airport transfers take approximately 30 minutes either way, sometimes longer depending on traffic conditions. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be taken care of from the minute you arrive at the airport until the time that you leave, with a range of services that can include a personalised Concierge Service and transfers, please click here for Yes Tourism.
If you are booking through a travel organiser, it is likely that their representative will also be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking. |
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Getting Around
Due to its location, a hired car is essential and is something that is always strongly recommended for all private villa holidays. A car will be useful if you want to dine out at night or do lots of sightseeing and particularly when it comes to shopping for groceries. Book car hire via your travel organiser or direct with Thrifty Car Rentals and ask for your vehicle to be delivered to the property approximately 2-3 hours after your scheduled time of arrival on Tobago or the following morning. Vehicles can be returned at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day. |
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All the information on this page comes to you free of charge. Please remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean when you contact Caribbean Estates Lands & Villas for your Tobago villa rental or Thrifty Car Rentals for your car hire.
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