Trinidad accommodation guide 2016

Where to stay in Trinidad — from international brands to the best local getaways



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International brand names

Several upscale international chains are located around Port of Spain, and near the airport. Many are recently built or renovated, with full-service offerings — from WiFi and conference facilities to top-class restaurants and spas — that cater both to the needs of business travellers and to upscale leisure travellers (including locals planning a “staycation”). The Hyatt Regency Trinidad rises radiantly over the Port of Spain waterfront in the heart of downtown; the refurbished Radisson is just across the street. The Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre overlooks the iconic Queen’s Park Savannah, just north of the capital; and just west is the Courtyard by Marriott. Out near the airport is a Holiday Inn Express.

A room at the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad.

A room at the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad.

Local stalwarts

Stylish, full-service, independent hotels and conference centres are most abundant around Port of Spain and San Fernando, catering especially to international travellers doing business in those cities, as well as leisure travellers seeking a touch of luxury. Among them, the Kapok (Maraval), Cascadia Hotel & Conference Centre (Cascade), Tradewinds, Royal and Cara Suites (San Fernando) properties are always popular.

Modern style at the Kapok Hotel in Trinidad

Modern style at the Kapok Hotel in Trinidad

Guesthouses, B&Bs, self-catering apartments, & more                 

Several properties affordably offer a more intimate setting without as many frills. Among the guesthouses, the Allamanda (Woodbrook), Culture Crossroads Inn (St James), Par-May-La’s and Forty Winks Inn (outskirts of Port of Spain), L’Orchidée Guesthouse* and Coblentz Inn (Cascade) are popular options. Self-catering offerings include the Royal Palm Suite Hotel (Maraval), Sundeck Suites and Crosswinds Villa Bed & Breakfast (Port of Spain).

Eco escapes: to the mountains & the sea

Trinidad’s unique biodiversity attracts naturalists and adventure seekers from around the world, and there is eco-centred accommodation especially catering to them.

Up in the Northern Range is the haven for birdwatchers: the Asa Wright Nature Centre* (north of Arima). Also popular are the Hacienda Jacana (Talparo); Pax Guesthouse* at Mt St Benedict (Tunapuna); Xanadu Resort (near Lopinot); the Playa Del Este Sanctuary (Salybia); Petrea Place at the Pointe-à-Pierre Wildfowl Trust; and the Mt Plaisir, Le Grand Almandier* and Acajou properties near the nation’s turtle-watching capital, Grande Rivière. D’Coconut Cove Beach Resort on Manzanilla Beach specialises in turtle watching.

Photo courtesy the Wildfowl Trust

Photo courtesy the Wildfowl Trust

Availability & prices

Hotel rooms average US$125 a night, guesthouses $65, with discounted rates and packages often available. Be sure to book well in advance if you need a place to stay during Carnival or major conferences and international events, when prices increase. Peak season is December to April.

STAOTT

trinistay.comstaott3@gmail.com(868) 683-6132

Small Tourism Accommodation Owners of Trinidad & Tobago (STAOTT), a hospitality arm of the Tourism Industry, provides bed & breakfast, self-catering, and host homes accommodation facilities. Located in safe environments within communities throughout the island, we offer our visitors diverse cultural experiences, a taste of local cuisine, and true Trinbagonian warmth.

TTTIC

Properties which are part of the Trinidad & Tobago Tourism Industry Certification (TTTIC) programme have been audited by the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) to ensure that they offer high quality services that meet global standards. The most up-to-date list can be found on the islands’ official tourism portals at www.gotrinidadandtobago.com and www.visittobago.gov.tt.

Spa Essencia at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad

Spa Essencia at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad

BONUS: Spa time — pamper yourself

You can find a range of spa options in Trinidad, some located in hotels (including the Hyatt and Hilton) and catering both to guests and the general population. Others are independently owned, many offering diverse pampering options. You can find spa and beauty treatment at The Face & Body Clinic’s four branches (Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas, and Tobago).

* indicates properties which are participants in the EarthCheck programme

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