Acajou Hotel

Built on a riverfront that feeds into the ocean and framed by mountainous rainforest, Acajou’s tropical grounds overflow with palms trees, plants, and blossoming exotics like ginger lilies, hibiscus, and tibouchina flowers. In the early mornings, cottages are overwhelmed by the chorus of chirping and singing birds and the crashing ocean. The hotel originally opened in 2004 and has been run by its current owners since 2008. A stone path passes through the manicured, yet wild grounds and connects the restaurant -- with its vaulted wooden ceiling and ocean views -- to a dirt path leading to the ocean. The hotel’s guests are usually younger travelers from the United States who are drawn to Acajou during the spring and summer months to watch the turtles for a night or two, although more mature guests are also common. There’s not much else to do at Acajou but watch the turtles and appreciate the beautiful setting, keeping the vibe here intentionally low key. 

Acajou Hotel is located in northeast Trinidad in the town Grande Reviere, next to a freshwater river that spills into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also next to Grande Reviere Beach (a three-minute walk), which is the world’s second largest nesting site for leatherback turtles. The hotel and the other nearby hotels accept credit card, but cash is king and required to buy anything at the local shops and to purchase the turtle watching permit -- visit an ATM before hitting the area. Restaurant options are limited but within a five-minute walk of Acajou are Italian and Caribbean cuisines. There are a few small palours - small markets - a five-minute walk from the hotel and a fruit stand is a two-minute walk. 

Those wanting to see anything else will need a car. Toco, the island’s most northeasterly village is one of Trinidad’s best surf spots and also site to visit the Galera Point Lighthouse, a lighthouse built by the British in 1897 (a 40-minute drive). The hotel can arrange rainforest hikes to the nearby Jakatan Waterfall, a 20-foot waterfall that’s a seven-minute drive followed by a 45-minute guided hike. Gas is hard to come by on this side of the island and the nearest gas station is a one-hour drive. From Port of Spain, the island’s cultural, commercial, and nightlife center, traveling to Acajou requires an intense three-hour drive along rutted, serpentine jungle roads. Piarco International Airport, Trinidad’s air transportation hub, is a two-and a half hour drive.

Acajou’s six cottages have small front porches and ocean-view balconies with hammocks and wood chairs. Their vaulted interiors are done entirely in exotic hardwoods like mahogany and purpleheart -- from the floors to the wood-slat walls to the vaulted ceilings. Poster beds with mosquito nets add a romantic ambience that, when mixed with the sound of the ocean nearby, make them a great destination for lovebirds. All cottages have queen beds except for the family cottage, which has a queen bed and two lofted twin beds. There’s no air-conditioning, which could be troublesome during the hottest times of year, but between the ocean breeze, a ceiling fan, and a standing fan, rooms stay surprisingly comfortable. Cottages also have a built in loveseat with soft canvas-textured blue cushions, mini-fridges, digital alarm clocks, safes, and electric kettles with free coffee and tea. There’s no TV, but Acajou bills itself as a place to unplug. Bathrooms are rustic, and vanities have hardwood counters, stone sinks, and mirrors. Water pressure in the cement-floored shower isn’t great and bar soap, lotion, and shampoo are standard in all cottages. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, though it's not the best. 

Acajou Hotel’s best feature is its location next to Grande Reviere beach and the property is built to accentuate that fact. Lime Inn, the hotel restaurant whose name in Trini slang means “hang-out spot” overlooks the river and ocean, and a free continental breakfast with one item from the a la carte menu is included with the cottages. It serves international and Trini cuisines for lunch and dinner, though it gets mixed reviews that are disappointing given the somewhat high prices (for instance, our fish was overdone). There’s also a book exchange in the restaurant. 

The lobby sells tooth paste, bug repellant, and neem oil to sooth the inevitable bug bites and offers free boogie boards and beach chairs. They also rent a surf boards and stand-up paddleboards for a fee. Waves at Grande Reviere Beach are rough so proceed with caution. The hotel can arrange guided rainforest hikes, waterfall hikes, birding tours, and assist in purchasing permits to watch the turtles (this is a great service as long lines are common at the permit office).

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel (although slow) and parking is also free. The hotel also can arrange airport transfers, but its cheaper to rent a car at the airport for three days than a one-way taxi to the resort. Free filtered water is available from the restaurant and free printing is also available.