Kariwak Village Holistic Haven and Hotel

Kariwak Village opened in 1982 and its name combines the names of Tobago’s indigenous Carib and Arawak Indian populations. The hotel's gorgeous grounds are full of blossoming flowers, grassy fields, and koi ponds. Many of the plants throughout the hotel were chosen to attract the birds and butterflies that migrate through Tobago throughout the year, and make for a pleasant morning soundtrack. There’s even a book listing the various plants and the 24 bird species observed here. Incorporating the outdoors is part of the Kariwak design, and helps make this one of the more popular hotel's in the area. 

The open-air lobby and restaurant have bamboo walls, life-size carvings of Caribbean women, and a stage for live music on the weekends. We love the coral rock wall behind the bar that -- complementing the hotel's keep-it-local philosophy, it was quarried from construction of the pool. Kariwak’s guests are mostly singles and couples from the United Kingdom, with some Americans and Canadians in the mix,  although families -- including locals -- are drawn to Kariwak as well. While the hotel is near the airport, most guests note that the noise from jets is minimal throughout the day. It's also worth noting that kids aren't allowed in certain wings of the hotel. 

Kariwak Village is located in central Crown Point, a neighborhood on Tobago’s western shore. ANR Robisnon International Airport is literally in its back yard and takes just a couple minutes to reach by car. There are many bars and dining options -- including fried chicken, Middle Eastern, and Trinidadian restaurants -- within a five- to 10-minute walk of the hotel, as well as a casino. Store Bay Beach, a popular public beach in town, will take five minutes to reach on foot and Pigeon Point Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel (free twice-daily shuttles are available). Turtle Beach, where leatherback turtles come ashore to nest, is a 30-minute drive. Tobago-bound travelers usually take the two-and-a-half-hour ferry from Port of Spain to Scarborough (followed by a 20-minute drive to Kariwak) or alternatively, a 25-minute flight to ANR Robinson International Airport.

The air-conditioned rooms at Kariwak are set in octagonal buildings and have either garden or pool views. The Garden Rooms are the property’s oldest units, but they're pleasant enough, with a cottage-like aesthetic plus king beds, lots of built-in storage, vaulted wood ceilings, and bright bathrooms with a big skylight. Their location near the cold-water whirlpool and yoga-studio is a big plus and it’s quieter on this side of the property. It should also be noted that Garden Rooms are adult-only.

The Pool Rooms are close to the restaurant and pool, as the name implies, and come with either queen, king, or two twin beds. Connecting rooms are available. Color schemes range from bright orange to green to azure blue, with leaf-patterned curtains and matching solid-colored bed runners and pillows. The exposed vaulted wood ceilings and slatted walls made of local hardwoods are a nice touch, as are the beautiful stained-glass port windows. 

Bathrooms have fully tiled floors, walls, and counters with stand-up showers and hairdryers. The only toiletry offered is soap, so don’t forget your shampoo. Other room amenities include patios, phones, safes, bug spray, irons and ironing boards, and extra pillows and sheets. While Wi-Fi is free in all rooms, there are no TVs, which most guests don't seem to mind.

It’s no surprise that one of this holistic hotel's top draws is its amazing restaurant that serves local cuisine. The menu changes weekly and seasonally, and the open-air space has bamboo walls and lots of ceiling fans to keep things cool. There’s also a thatched-roof dining air next door. Most of the produce is grown locally and all of the herbs and greens come from from the hotel's on-site organic garden. Free reggae and calypso music by the Kariwak Village Players takes place on weekend nights, and breakfast -- with plenty of local and healthy options -- is included in room rates.

There’s a decent-sized chlorine-free freshwater pool with lots of loungers. Near the far end of the hotel's lush grounds is also a cold-water whirlpool with a waterfall. Daily free yoga, t’ai chi, and qiqong classes are held in the hotel’s teak “ajoupa”, a traditional round Amerindian meeting space. Near the “ajoupa” are the spa treatment rooms where spa services like Swedis, shiatsu, and Thai massages are available.  

There’s a lounge with a book exchange and a 52-inch TV that has cable channels -- guests often wait here after checkin out and before their flights. It also doubles as a rentable meeting space. Another great Kariwak perk are the daily shuttles to Pigeon Point, one of Tobago’s best beaches. The hotel can arrange tours and car rentals, and laundry services are available for a fee. There's also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.