Jacranda House is set facing northwest above its own magnificient 30 foot swimming pool with a vanishing edge overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea, a stonework pool deck and lawn area. The house is surrounded by tropical plants and trees to create shade and to provide an abundance of mouth watering fruit. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Trinidad_and_Tobago/jacarandahouse/hotel/297/5/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:28:11 EST Jacaranda House stands on a ridge of the old Grafton Estate adjoining a bird sanctuary with magnificient views of the Caribbean Sea and above two of the best known beaches in Tobago. The house is newly built, designed by one of Trinidad's leading architects who has incorporated West Indian features and classical lines into a modern design. It has, as a major feature, folding louvre doors on three sides which are made of beautiful local hardwoods, controlling the amount of light and air that flows through. The result is a very airy and spacious house with high ceilings, cool floor tiles and prevailing breezes sweeping through. You can prepare a barbecue in the garden and eat by the pool under the bougainvillea covered shelter. Tobago is the smaller island of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, lying just south of Barbados and almost within sight of the coast of Venezuela. The island is about 27 miles long by 9 miles at its widest. The southern end of the island is flat, then rises to nearly 2,000 feet to the rain forest, the oldest national park in the world, which was recognized by the British Parliament at the end of the 18th century. The nicest beaches are on the Caribbean side, sandy, sheltered from trade winds and appear deserted even at the island's busiest. Tobago is also very popular for Caribbean weddings, Jacaranda House having been the base for more than one. The climate is beautifully tropical and usually gentle breezes blow with temperatures fluctuating between the high 70s and the high 80s (25° to 32° C). This gives a wonderful hot but pleasant climate most of the year around. Even in the height of the "Season" (December to April), Tobago is never crowded and the beaches empty and spacious. While from September to November, more frequent rain storms occur, they usually only last 2/3 days and are followed by sunny days and occasional showers again. These days airlines do keep changing their schedules quite frequently, both where they fly and how they get there, so the following is always subject to change. British Airways flies from Gatewick to Tobago on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and some times of the year, there is a third flight. Flights sometimes go via Antigua. Flights are out to Tobago during the day and return overnight. Monarch, a charter company, also flies from Gatwick on a round trip to Grenada and Tobago before returning to Gatwick. Monarch only sells tickets through tour operators and "Consolidators" ('bucket shops' to you and me). Condor and LaudaAir fly from Frankfurt and Vienna respectively during some parts of the year. BWIA, known affectionately as 'Bee Wee', flies regularly into Port of Spain, Trinidad from London Heathrow, Manchester, Miami, New York and Toronto. From there, it is only a 20 minute flight to Tobago, either with Bee Wee or the local hopper company. You can also fly into Barbados with numberous airlines and then catch a local Liat flight to Tobago. AMENITIES: On the ground floor are two air conditioned bedrooms, each with a sea view and en-suite shower room, a TV/games room which can also accommodate two additional guests, and a laundry area. The upper floor is reached by an impressive circular stairway bringing you into the splendid living and dining area which opens onto a verandah on three sides, ideal for alfresco dining. The air conditioned master bedroom and bathroom also opens onto the verandah. The kitchen is fully equipped and easy to run. ON ARRIVAL Transfers: On arrival you will be met at the airport by the Villa Manager or one of her staff and taken to the house (20 minutes drive) where the maid will greet you and show you around. On departure you will be taken back to the airport. Starter pack: An initial shopping pack of food and drinks can be arranged, at cost, to be waiting your arrival. A meal can also be prepared which just needs warming up. LIST OF AMENITIES Note - amenities are always subject to change, usually due to local circumstances which are often beyond our control. - Air Conditioning in main bedrooms - En suite bath/shower rooms - Games/TV Room with extra sofa bed - Ceiling fans in all rooms - All bed linen, towels and beach towels provided - Cooker, gas top, electric oven and grill - Dishwasher - Microwave - Refrigerator with ice maker - Toaster - Coffee maker and Coffee cafetiere - Juice squeezers, manual and electric - Washing machine and dryer - Iron and ironing board - Hair dryer - Selection of books and games - TV, cable Radio/Tape/CD stereo player - Telephone (overseas access by arrangement) - Fax machine - Standard modem jacks (Only local cell/mobile phones work) Electricity supply: 120 volts, 60 Hz, US plugs Daily (exl Sunday) maid service Makes beds, changes linen, clears up and cleans house and kitchen she can also do babysitting, cooking, wash personal clothing, etc., for which you settle directly with her. Garden:- - 30ft (10metre) pool - Loungers - Barbecue, gas fired - Garden table and chairs - Off street car parking. Within 200 metres - 2 restaurants, pizza bar and Roti (goat pasties) stall - Mini supermarket - ATM (Visa and Mastercard plus some debit cards) - Bicycle and car hire, bus stop - Long sandy beach (300 metres) - Scuba diving centre (PADI approved) Further afield:- - Larger super markets including a delicatessen - Road side fruit and vegetable stalls - Daily fresh fish stand (400 metres away) - Restaurants, including some with live music such as steel drum bands - Sandy beaches - Snorkelling reefs - Scuba diving centres (most PADI approved) with reefs, walls and wrecks - Surfing (at certain times of the year) - Wind surfing, sailing, single hull and crewed catamarans - Deep sea fishing - Golf - 2 par 72 golf courses - Tennis - Gym - Rain forest with its trails and guides, bird sanctuaries, waterfalls - Churches of numerous denominations - 17th and 18th century forts complete with guns - Hospital ACTIVITIES: Tobago has two major coral reefs. The Buccoo Reef, at the southern tip, can be visited on glass bottomed boats from the famous Pigeon Point beach. Speyside, at the northern end, is a major scuba diving centre and is considered one of the best diving reefs in the Caribbean. Little Tobago, just off the coast, is a bird sanctuary with some rare species living there and tours across to it are easily available. Driving around the island is safe and easy, if slow, otherwise taxi drivers will take you around for reasonable rates and be your guide at the same time. Evening entertainment can be found at local bars and some restaurants with steel bands and drums including the well renown "Sunday School" at Buccoo Village. Some hotels also have evening entertainment which is open to non-residents. Local arts and crafts can be found all over the island, but in particular, at Store Bay, near the airport. You can also get some lovely dyed cotton shawls and dresses. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Vacation Rental Beach Location: Off Beach (Tropical Setting) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Trinidad_and_Tobago/jacarandahouse/hotel/297/5/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:28:11 EST