Bacolet Beach Club

Bacolet Beach Club was developed by former fashion model Gloria Jones-Knapp and offers many of the same amenities of other larger resorts, but on a much smaller scale. With just 20 rooms, two small restaurants, two pools, and a private beach, it's much more intimate than a typical resort. The minimalist decor in many of the common areas blends tropical design -- including white walls, open air spaces, and Caribbean accents -- with the clean lines of contemporary architecture. The lobby is set with a gold and pearl chandelier and shabby chic furniture. Turkish, Moroccan, and Mediterranean flair all combine to create a relaxed and stylish atmosphere. The vibe is more intimate and low-key than at other nearby resorts, and there's a bit of wear and tear here and there, such as stained flooring and worn walls. Given the standard king-size bed in every room, you are more likely to find honeymooning couples than vacationing families.

The hotel is located on a beach road off Claude Noel Highway, a five-minute drive from the town of Scarborough. While the road receives moderate traffic, the hotel is set back to minimize noise and ensure a quiet, serene atmosphere. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and other resorts within a 15-minute walk of the property.

Tobago’s Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport is 30 minutes away by car. Like most small hotels in the area, Bacolet Beach Club does not offer a dedicated airport shuttle. The most cost-effective airport transportation, particularly for larger groups, is via private shuttle as rates are often determined on a per-vehicle basis. For smaller groups or couples, taxi service is readily available between the hotel and airport with reasonable rates officially fixed by the island government. Parking at the hotel is free. 

Room decor at Bacolet Beach Club is a mixed bag. Most offer white walls and white tile floors (contributing to an open, airy feel), romantic four-poster canopy beds, and a mix of sleek whicker resin and sturdy wood furniture. There are subtle splashes of bright tropical color in the curtains and decorative bedding. The result is a look and feel that’s one notch above mid-range, and a bit hodgepodge (or, as the hotel describes it, eclectic). Alternatively, the Superior Penthouse Deluxe Room we saw featured a bold Turkish-inspired theme, complete with gold and black lacquer furniture.

Rooms are divided into four categories: Bay Deluxe, Junior, Superior, and Superior Penthouse Deluxe. All rooms offer a single king-bed and are similar in size, layout, and amenities. Bay Deluxe Rooms are located on the ground floor near the pool with limited water views while Junior and Superior Rooms offer better views from the hotel’s upper floors. The flagship Superior Penthouse Deluxe ups the ante with a large sitting area and the best views of all from a large, private veranda. It's refreshing that in a tourist area where “the essentials” frequently garner a surcharge, all rooms at Bacolet Beach Club include free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, a coffeemaker, and a laptop-sized safe.

Bathrooms are average-sized for a hotel of this category and feature upscale materials throughout. Fit and finish feels high-end with bold blue vessel sinks, glass shower stalls, and travertine floors and walls. All bathrooms also provide hairdryers and generic soaps and shower products.

As a tiny hotel, Bacolet Beach Club lacks some traditional amenities, such as a gym or business center. However, the private beach, infinity pools, and waterfront bar round out an otherwise solid list of features. In addition, guests are free to use the amenities at the hotel’s sister property, Half Moon Blue, just across the street.

The resort is serviced by two restaurants: Club Havana Lounge and Bar and the beachfront Rok Bar. The former is a small, clean, and relatively modern space designed in a monochromatic black-on-white color palette. The restaurant offers a free breakfast buffet with a limited selection of hot items including eggs, pancakes, sausage, and baked beans plus a fruit medley, basket of muffins, and a coffee/tea station. The lunch and dinner menu includes a mix of typical Western favorites (burgers, roast beef sandwich, and Caesar salad), plus local delicacies such as beef roti, Tobago-style fish sandwiches, and ancho chili-dusted calamari. Room service is also provided by Club Havana Lounge. Down a long series of wooden staircases toward the beach, Rok Bar provides a fun outdoor lounge atmosphere, serving a full drink menu of beer, wine, and cocktails amid the hotel’s bamboo and bougainvillea trees. While it’s billed primarily as a lounge area, the bar offers the same a la carte dining menu as Club Havana.

The hotel’s private white-sand beach provides lovely views of Sandy Bay. Rows of lounge chairs are set back from the water in a well-shaded area that provides a sense of seclusion and intimacy. While Caribbean beaches often have a reputation for relentless hawkers, the small cove surrounding the beach ensures plenty of peace and privacy. The cove also provides for calm water and good snorkeling opportunities, but the hotel does not provide any of the required equipment. Unfortunately, much of the beach’s usable space disappears at high tide.

The two on-site infinity pools are clean and ample. Rows of lounge chairs surround each pool with plenty of umbrellas available for guests looking to escape the direct sun. Unfortunately, the pool’s central location places them equidistant from the bars at either end of the property, meaning there’s no convenient way to grab a poolside cocktail.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.