Had an amazing staycation at Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel this weekend. Friendly staff, clean rooms and the sound of the ocean as we fell asleep. Really enjoyed the breakfast and dinner options. Also, had the experience of meeting a couple leather back turtle hatchlings. Definitely will return to this establishment, I do recommend!
Grande Riviere is at the other end of Trinidad from everywhere else. Normally people come here for the turtles who find this beach perfect for laying eggs. I came before the turtles so it was quiet. I had my choice of rooms all facing the sea right on the beach. I was on the second floor with a wonderful balcony right on the sea. The room was nice and wooden, the bed comfortable. Because it was before turtles I was the only one there. Yet for breakfast and dinner the staff treated me special. Breakfast was as ordered and dinner was very good. The owner was there to give me great advice for birding. It was the refuge I was looking for.
Piero Guerrini, the hotel owner was very welcoming, friendly and generous, as was his staff. We had a good choice of food, but mostly chose to eat the most delicious fresh fish, caught daily, cooked in banana leaves with many different vegetables. The food was cooked in the various different traditional styles of the diverse people of Trinidad. We had choices of different wines or beer to accompany our meals. We dined in the lodge surrounded by the art work made by local people.This simple, large elegant room was only a few feet from the beach. It was shaded by some enormous 'Tropical Almond' trees, where a group of Yellow-crowned Night Herons, hidden high up in the dense top most branches, roosted during the day. Our tropical hardwood bedroom suite opened onto a large covered deck overlooking the beach, surrounded by trees. Piero arranged for a guided tour to see birds in the jungle. We saw the rare Piping Guan, among many other different species. Guides took us on a motor boat ride along the dramatic rocky coastline, where the jungle meets the sea. We passed close by Brown Pelicans gathered on small rock outcroppings in the sea. We watched large Frigate birds soar high up in the sky. We landed at Paria Bay, ate a hotel provided, picnic lunch on the beach. Drank fresh coconut milk from coconuts sold informally on the beach. After, we walked inland along a jungle path, led by our guides to the magnificent Paria Waterfalls. There we heard many different birds and saw large butterflies including the magnificent shimmering Blue Morpho. We bought chocolate bars In Grande Riviere from a small chocolate factory in the local cultural center. The cocoa beans harvested locally in the jungle from trees that were once part of a plantation. We left the hotel before the height of the season. Then the beach is protected so as not to disturb the huge female leatherback turtles, which come to lay their eggs deep in the sand every March-August, as they have for literally millions of years. Late in the season you can see the hatchlings make a break for the sea.The people in this remote corner of Trinidad take pride in the natural beauty of this place and are developing ecotourism which provides a livelihood while preserving their precious flora and fauna. We hope to return to the Mt Plaisir Estate Hotel to see the turtles and to experience once again the spectacular unspoiled natural beauty and peace of Grande Riviere.…
We were upgraded to an upstairs room, which was very spacious and comfortable. Piero, the owner, really understands customer service. He is down to earth and very helpful. The place was overall clean, with adequate furniture and plugs for all our electronic devices. The exception being the sofa, mat and bed bases which were worn and unsanitary looking. There was a small sheet placed over the sofa which I was more comfortable with and I just didn't use my mat putting my feet straight unto my footwear. We also ended up with a problem toilet which made a high pitch noise during the middle of the night when the water pressure was high on the first two days, once the staff was informed, they did attempt to fix it promptly. The third evening our toilet started leaking and we were told that it was because the water pressure was high. On the last day we could not get sufficient water pressure to flush the toilet, while the water in the tap fluctuated from little to none. Cell service in the area also fluctuated with digicel being the more reliable provider. The long and short of this is that Mt. Plasir Estate is a lovely, peaceful place but expect issues associated with any rural area: bad access roads, bugs, fluctuations in national utilities. In respect of food at the restaurant, it is delicious but expensive. However, keep in mind that the staff is very friendly and helpful.…
This was my 3rd stay here, and it was great... again. Friends and I began our 5-night stay, welcome drinks in hand, watching leatherback hatchlings scramble to the sea. The next morning and throughout our stay, we woke to a beach covered with new nests and tracks. Each day, we climbed out of bed before dawn to watch the last turtles still nesting. For long-time Florida turtle patrollers, it was perfect! Leatherback nesting is winding down in June. I can only imagine the beach when nesting is at its height! The Mt Plaisir is directly on the beach, which is a bit less than a mile long. Night access is restricted to guided groups. Tickets (~$14 US pp) are obtained at the Turtle Center next door. Our guide Darren was very informative, committed, and clear. His message was positive and strong. We stayed in 4 upstairs rooms overlooking the beach. The rooms were large, had good reading lamps, shelves, a wrack for hanging clothes, chairs, and balconies. I was in room #11. I had a large bed with a very firm and comfortable mattress. We all spent a lot of time sitting on the balcony reading or talking. We slept well. Nights were quiet and the A/C was fine. The communal breakfast included in our rate was excellent. Besides eggs, juices, coffee, tea, and breads, we were served a variety of local dishes each morning. My favorite: eggplant dishes. Soups at the Mt Plaisir and everywhere during our trip were very good. My favorite: callaloo. For our gluten free AND corn free friend, no problem. Special pancakes and breads for her! There was always plenty of water on the tables. And the wine was wonderful. There was consistently good wifi service in the dining room and office area. During our stay, the power was fine also. I think we were the only people (ever?) to not see piping guans with Nicholas. Others did the very next day. The chocolate tour was quite interesting. Several of our group also went on a much-too-long hike in the woods. Host Piero Guarini arranged our transportation from the Mt Plaisir. (Oda with the Pax Guest House had arranged our transportation to the Mt Plaisir.) All drivers throughout our trip were excellent. The staff took very good care of us! Thank you to Lydia, Loretta, Lisa, Brinette, WendyAnn, and Thea! And to others whose names I don't know. A special thank you, Piero and staff, for supporting sea turtle conservation!…
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