Why Tobago should be your next holiday destination

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From scuba diving in the vibrant coral reefs to spotting rare birds in the rainforest, there are plenty of active adventures to keep you busy in Tobago — and this boutique resort makes the perfect base.

Relaxing, unwinding and escaping the stresses of daily life are top priorities when booking a holiday. Many of us seek a peaceful place, free of crowds and brimming with natural beauty. With untouched beaches, diverse landscapes and stunning coastlines, Tobago makes the ideal choice. Unsure where to stay? The family-owned Mount Irvine Bay Resort is a great place to base yourself.

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Where to stay in Tobago

Located on Tobago’s northwest coast, Mount Irvine Bay Resort is set within a former sugar and coconut plantation that dates to the 1700s. Hints of the former mill can be found around the resort grounds, with remnants such as sugar boilers, hoppers, cannons, aqueducts, water tanks and ancient walls still in existence today.

Perfect for families, couples or multigenerational groups, the hotel epitomises laid-back Caribbean luxury. It has 80 spacious rooms, each with its own private balcony and views of either the pool, garden, golf course or Caribbean Sea. There are also suites and private cottages for those who want a little more space.

The hotel’s location is perfect for experiencing the pleasures of the Southern Caribbean: just a few steps from your room, you can splash in the warm, shallow and calm waters of Mount Irvine Beach.

It’s tempting to spend all day alternating between lazing on a sun lounger and sipping cocktails from the swim-up pool bar, but there’s so much more to do at the resort.

What to do in Tobago

Activities include outdoor movie nights, private yoga sessions or pamper treatments at the Jencare Day Spa, where you can unwind in the sauna, enjoy a range of massages or take time to beautify with a manicure and pedicure. Part of its appeal is its gorgeous natural setting: practice your swing beneath swaying coconut trees while drinking in the postcard-pretty views of Tobago’s north-western coastline.

Another favourite activity with guests is the abundance of water sports, such as paddleboarding, kayaking and surfing. The hotel is ideally situated for snorkellers, too, thanks to reefs at both ends of its bay. For a special day out, Mount Irvine Bay Resort has a dedicated in-house team who can help organise equipment rental, snorkelling charters, bioluminescent sea tours, boat trips and scuba diving excursions to some of the Caribbean’s most exquisite coral reefs and diving spots.

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If you’re keen to explore further afield, the team can help organise a guide to take you around some of the island’s most beautiful spots: think horse riding on secluded beaches and hiking in the western hemisphere’s oldest protected rainforest reserve, the UNESCO-protected Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve. More natural wonders are just around the corner, in the form of dozens of thundering waterfalls with cooling pools you can swim in. Tobago’s highest is Argyle Waterfall, while smaller ones include Castara and Parlatuvier.

Where are the best places to eat in Tobago?

Recharge your batteries by sampling tasty Caribbean flavours at one of the resort’s many dining options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at the Sugar Mill Restaurant, where local specials are served daily, while the Hummingbird Lounge is the place to sample specialty coffees, teas, house-baked goods and pastries.

The Jacaranda Restaurant offers Caribbean cuisine in a grand, formal setting, perfect for a special occasion, while Cocrico Bar is a favourite with visitors for its tasty cocktails. For a laid-back bite on the beach, head to newly opened 1763 Beach Restaurant & Bar and while away the hours in the sun, rum punch in hand.

To discover the resort and book your dream getaway, visit Mount Irvine Bay Resort

Feature image: Mount Irvine Bay Resort

Words: Deborah Cicurel