Palm's Hotel Trinidad

Palm’s Hotel is a family owned and operated property that opened in 2004. Housed in a former two-story residence, the hotel has expanded over the years and quirky elements like narrow hallways, low thresholds, and out of place nooks recall the building’s previous life. The small lobby has a couch and flat-screen TV -- it's simply a functional space, though the bouquet of freshly-cut exotic flowers makes a nice first impression. There’s lots of outdoor space at Palm’s, including an open-air dining area and a lush courtyard full of palm trees and blossoming flowers with chairs and turf floors. On the hotel’s second floor, an outdoor living room could be straight out of a CB2 catalogue, with its cushy couches and green chevron-striped rug. Nights at the hotel are quiet, and crickets are audible above the passing cars on the sometimes busy street below. Most of the Palm’s guests are headed to the nearby Piarco International Airport and are locals or Caribbean islanders. 

The Palm Hotel is located on a busy street in the residential Arouca neighborhood, only an eight-minute drive to Piarco International Airport. A few restaurants serving Trinidadian food are within a five-minute walk of the hotel, but a car is necessary to see or do anything of interest. Trincity, a huge mall -- with shops, a food court, pharmacy, and movie theater -- is a five-minute drive from the hotel. There’s also a public golf course that's also a five-minute drive from Palm’s. Downtown Port Of Spain is a 40- to 45-minute drive depending on traffic. The nearest beach, Chaguaramas, is an hour drive from the hotel, as is Maracas Bay, one of the island’s most popular beaches with its shark-and-bake stands. 

Rooms here are relatively spacious and clean, and have a modern tropical style that looks familiar and homey. Walls range from baby blue to neutral tans and are offset with floral sketches and pastoral paintings of Trinidadian life. Furniture has a dark wood veneer with classic lines, but some was scuffed and scratched when we visited. We also spotted sloppy paint jobs in some rooms, including painted-over light switches. Guests should also expect a bit of noise from traffic on the busy road outside in some rooms. Beds are comfortable, with a ton of pillows and handsome wooden and rattan-accented headboards. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, wall-mounted 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels, mini-fridges in all but Deluxe Rooms, safes, luggage stands, and large wardrobes. Tiled bathrooms are basic and have stall showers, hairdryers, and bar soap. The more modern bathrooms have glass bowl sinks and matching glass vanities. Irons and ironing boards can be borrowed from the front desk and connecting rooms are available.

Features are thin here, and the hotel offers little that would keep guests for more than a night or two. The free breakfast generally includes continental options, though eggs and meats are occasionally offered. Free Wi-Fi and free secure gated parking are also both provided. The lobby’s open 24 hours a day and can call taxis, arrange tours, and secure tickets to the island’s biggest party, Carnival. There’s a toaster and microwave available for guest use and snacks like chips and noodle bowls are available for purchase.