Man-O-War Bay Cottages are for nature lovers and bird watchers. The Cottages are part of Charlotteville Estate, a 1,000-acre cocoa plantation. The entire Estate is open to visitors who may wander through at will from the beach, among cocoa trees, right to the rain forest. Also settled in the midst of the Estate is the village of Charlotteville. Located in the village are small shops and restaurants that are all a short walk from the cottages. Guests are encouraged to interact with the locals and participate in any local festivals or fetes that occur during their stay. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Trinidad_and_Tobago/manowarbaycottages/hotel/35/5/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:25:00 EST Man-O-War Bay Cottages are for nature lovers and bird watchers. The Cottages are set on five acres of beachfront, and are part of Charlotteville Estate. The Estate, a former 1,000-acre cocoa plantation, is open for visitors to wander the nature trails and explore some of the few untouched beaches left in Tobago. The village of Charlotteville is nestled in the valley of the Estate, and has a population of about 2,000. Many people arrive in Charlotteville expecting Man-O-War Bay Cottages to be a luxurious resort. We do not provide that kind of atmosphere here. What we do offer is a chance for guests to learn about and enjoy Tobago's nature and culture in a simple and relaxing setting. We encourage our guests to get involved in local festivals as well as patronize local shops and restaurants. There are two excellent restaurants in the village that we recommend. Both specialize in local cuisine. One is Gayle's along the waterfront at the end of the main road, and the other is Sharon and Pheb's. Sharon and Pheb's is located just down the road from the cottages, and you can visit their website at http://www.garrwald.com/sharon/ for more information. AMENITIES: Listed below are the specifications and details of each cottage at Man-O-War Bay. Click on each photo to view the larger version. Numbers 1-4, the two-bedroom cottages: These are the original cottages built in the traditional Caribbean style with louvered windows looking out into the bay. Each cottages is located around fifteen feet from the beachfront and is fully furnished including four single beds each, able to sleep four people. Some are furnished with a futon in the living area capable of accommodating an extra person. Number 5, the three-bedroom cottage: This is our most spacious cottage with one double bed and four singles, capable of housing six people. The newly remodeled kitchen is steps away from the office and commissary. The view of the bay is stunning from the porch, and the beach is located a mere ten feet from the front steps. We recommend this cottage for larger families and travel and tour groups. Number 6, the one-bedroom cottage: This cottage is referred to by the staff and locals as the "Sugar Shack" due to it's two-person capacity and double bed. The Sugar Shack has a small screened living area that opens up to an open-air porch facing the beach. Nestled beneath the trees about thirty feet from the water front, this cottage is a perfect for honeymooners and other couples requiring rustic simplicity. Number 7, the one-bedroom flat: This cottage is attached to the back of one of our two bedroom cottages. The flat has a small kitchenette and an open-air porch approximately fifteen feet from the beach. There are four single beds in the flat. Its connecting two-bedroom cottage can be opened up to hold eight adults. A communicating door separates the two, and the flat's bathroom is between the separate cottages to ensure private for sleeping quarters. Numbers 8-10, the deluxe two-bedroom cottages: These cottages are our newest additions, completed in 1998. Each are fully furnished, have new wares and appliances, and are fitted with ceiling fans. All have four single beds each and one futon couch to accommodate an extra person. The three cottages differ only in their location on the cottage grounds and are between ten and fifty feet from the beach. ACTIVITIES: Bird Watching and Nature Tours - Tobago is a bird watcher's paradise. The Trinidad and Tobago islands are home to about 420 species, including some of the world's most colorful birds. Magnificent frigate birds, boobies, tropic birds, mot-mots, jacamars and many others are just some of the more than 160 bird species that can be seen close up on Tobago's north coast. Around the Cottages, guests might spot blue tanagers, big-eyed thrushes, blue herons, flycatchers, yellowtails, bananaquits, and hummingbirds hopping from tree to tree. Bird-watching and natures field trips can be arranged through our office. We work with two Tobago Forestry Officers, one specializing in bird-watching, the other in botany. Please visit http://www.garrwald.com/unknown/ for information on tours. Swimming/Snorkeling - Here is what Travel and Leisure wrote about Tobago: "…many islands throughout the Caribbean are noted for their clear waters and coral reefs, but Tobago has marine life especially rich in color, which can be found in shallow water." Man-O-War Bay offers some of the best swimming an snorkeling in Tobago. There are two small reefs located directly in front of the cottages, as well as two larger within the bay. One is Booby Reef that is within swimming distance of the cottages. The other is Pirate's Bay reef. Pirate's Bay is one of the the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in Tobago. It takes about half an hour to walk out to Pirate's Bay from the village. The snorkeling and the swimming there are fantastic all year round. The dry season, between February and August, is the best time of year for snorkeling in Man-O-War Bay. By then, the heavy rains from the wet season have ceased and the waters are calm and clear. Scuba Diving - Situated at the edge of the cottage grounds is Man Friday Diving. The scuba diving in Tobago is excellent, and the dive masters and staff at Man Friday are ready to assist with courses, organized dives, and rentable equipment. Seascapes of unbelievable beauty and variety, bountiful with fish, corals, and other ocean life surround the waters of northern Tobago. Experts agree that the waters in this area host an unequaled variety of underwater flora and fauna. Divers see it at its very best. Visit Man Friday's website at http://www.manfridaydiving.com/ for more information. Fishing - As you come over the top of the hill overlooking Charlotteville, you'll notice a number of local fishing boats, or pirogues, in the bay. This is a clear indication that the fishing in our area is fantastic. As traditional fisherman here conduct their business by boat, we work with three different local fisherman who are willing to take visitors on trips out to St. Giles, The Sisters, or the different beaches in Man-O-War Bay. Guest also wishing to just to take a simple boat tour of northern Tobago may also do so if they wish. Please inquire at the office for more information on boat arrangements. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Vacation Rental Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Trinidad_and_Tobago/manowarbaycottages/hotel/35/5/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:25:00 EST