Starfish Tobago Resort

The three-pearl Turtle Beach offers many of the same amenities of larger area resorts, but on a more modest scale and with a polish that's fading fast. With 125 rooms, two restaurants, a single main pool, and a lovely beach, it feels more intimate than a typical mega-resort. The hotel’s architecture is typical of resorts built in the 1960s, with subtle mod and retro touches throughout, though that's not always intentional. The boxy off-yellow exterior doesn't inspire much confidence, even with a white picket fence surrounding the entrance. Inside, white rattan furniture and a muted color palette in the lobby combine to create a mid-range look and feel that’s cohesive, but dated. Both restaurants feature more modern furnishings along with wood and stone that provide some relief from the dated look found elsewhere. With a dedicated kids’ club, children's’ pool, and all rooms designed to accommodate families, the atmosphere is kid-friendly without feeling “kid-centric."

The hotel is located on a beach road with no restaurants, shops, or other attractions within walking distance. The 18-hole Mount Irvine Bay Golf Course and a handful of restaurants are within a 10-minute drive. For additional excursion and dining opportunities, guests will likely need to make the 20-minute drive to downtown Crown Point. On the plus side, the road receives only moderate traffic and rooms are situated far enough back to minimize noise. The hotel's beach is frequented by nesting leatherback sea turtles from March throughout July.

Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport is 25 minutes away by car. Like many Tobago resorts, Turtle Beach does not offer a dedicated airport shuttle. Private shuttle transfer is readily available at the airport and typically more affordable for larger groups as rates are priced on a per-vehicle basis. For couples and smaller groups, taxi service is likely the best option as prices are reasonable and set by the Tobagonian government. Parking at the hotel is provided for free in a secure lot. 

Unlike the dated aesthetic of many of the hotel’s common areas, the fairly modern room decor at Turtle Beach is a welcome change of pace -- for the most part. The furniture is a curious blend of slightly mismatched rattan, wood, and fabrics -- it’s all marginally cohesive with enough tropical flare to remind guests that they’re in the Caribbean. For instance, bed frames are semi-circles made of wicker while animals like iguanas are painted on the room number signs.

Rooms are divided into three categories: Standard Sea-Facing, Turtle Sea-Facing, and Comfort Sea-Facing -- and feature a variety of bed configurations including twin, double, and king beds. Standard and Turtle Rooms are designed to sleep a family of four while an additional bedroom in Comfort Rooms increases the capacity to five. All rooms offer water views from either a private balcony or, for first floor rooms, private patio. Turtle Rooms are located further along the beach and away from the property’s common areas, providing a quieter stay. Upgraded Turtle and Comfort Rooms also offer minibars that are stocked weekly with soft drinks and local beer. In a tourist-heavy area of Tobago where the essentials often garner an upcharge, all rooms here include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a safe capable of accommodating a small laptop or tablet.

Bathrooms in all rooms are virtually identical and small, with basic materials and fixtures throughout. The look is uninspiring and includes standard tray vessel sinks, utilitarian tile shower stalls, and ordinary brown wood countertops. Some grout could use a deep cleaning. All bathrooms also offer a hairdryer and generic soaps and shower amenities.

As a moderately-sized resort, Turtle Beach lacks traditional amenities like a gym, business center, and spa. However, the clean, quiet beach, large pool, dedicated kids’ pool, and swim-up bar round out an otherwise solid list of features.

The hotel’s large, quiet beach provides lovely views of the aptly named Turtle Bay, where leatherback turtles can be found nesting between March and July. Ample rows of lounge chairs are set back from the water under thatched umbrellas providing a reasonable amount of shade throughout the day. Fortunately, the distance between the resort and other nearby properties is vast enough to keep the relentless hawkers found on many other Caribbean beaches away. The beach’s location inside Great Courland Bay also provides for calm water and good snorkeling opportunities (with equipment available for a fee). Kayaks and pedal boats are free to borrow. 

The property’s main pool is clean and overlooks the beach via a bridge at the center that leads to a small hot tub. A small, accompanying kids’ pool nearby underscores the resort’s family-friendly nature. A single ring of lounge chairs surrounds the entire pool deck with plenty of umbrellas available for guests looking to escape the direct island sun. There is no poolside drink service available, however, the nearby Surf Bar offers a swim-up counter with a full menu of beer, wine, and cocktails. There is entertainment on select nights, but it doesn't get enthusiastic reviews.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

The resort is serviced by two buffet-style restaurants and bars with all-inclusive eating and drinking included in every stay package. The hotel’s main restaurant, Kiskadee, is a clean and relatively modern space designed in a muted, brown-on-gray color palette. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets daily with optional a la carte items for an upcharge. The breakfast buffet features the expected variety of Western items (pancakes, eggs, and sausage) and local island favorites. The lunch and dinner menus likewise include a mix of typical Western fare (burgers, chicken sandwiches, and Caesar salad), plus local delicacies such as roti, Tobagonian-style stews, fried snapper, and other seafood dishes. Past guests have complained about repetition during longer stays. Room service is also available for an additional surcharge.

The hotel’s flagship Courlanders Restaurant offers oceanfront dining in a more up-market, contemporary atmosphere. The minimally appointed decor features simple glass and wicker dining furniture with a look and feel that’s a step above the rest of the hotel. Situated in a long, tall, polished wood corridor, the space offers lovely views of the beach and nearby Plymouth Village. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and lunch daily, with dinner available only on Wednesday and Friday.

Bottled water and premium alcohol cost extra, but tips are included with the all-inclusive package.